Slip and fall accidents in the workplace happen a lot more often than you may realize. According to the CDC, 26% of nonfatal work injuries were caused by slips, trips, and falls. OHSA reports that slip and fall accidents lead to more than 700 deaths annually. With that in mind, it’s in the best interest of employees and business owners to take as many precautions as possible to avoid a slip and fall catastrophe. If you’ve suffered a slip and fall accident on the job, The Valenzuela Law Firm, PC can help.
Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation. Continue reading to learn tips and strategies to avoid workplace slip and fall injuries.
Ensure Design Safety to Prevent Slip and Fall Accidents: The first step towards avoiding a slip and fall accident on the job is limiting the number of workplace hazards during the design phase. A few design strategies that can prevent your workplace from becoming a slip and fall accident magnet include but are not limited to:
- Ensure entryways are equipped with non-slip mats
- Maintain sufficient lighting in work areas, pathways, etc.
- Mark steps, ramps, and other potential hazards with reflective material or colors
- Follow OSHA standards concerning the railing, coverings, toe boards.
Develop Safe Procedures to Avoid a Slip and Fall Accident: A slip and fall accident can happen anywhere. That includes construction sites, classrooms, office buildings, and more. With that in mind, it’s essential to develop OSHA-compliant processes to cultivate a safe environment. A few examples include:
- Properly ventilating exhaust fumes, dust particles, and other hazardous airborne contaminants.
- Check for loose electrical wiring, cords, etc., that create unsafe walking conditions.
- Continually update and review standard operating procedures to ensure safety compliance.
Maintain Your Property to Minimize Slip and Fall Hazards: Even if your workplace designs a safe environment and creates safe processes, all efforts are subject to failure without a housekeeping/groundskeeping force in place. When hiring maintenance staff, ensure they do the following:
- Maintain a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule
- Take preventative measures to limit the risk of a slip and fall accident occurring
- Regularly check irrigation and plumbing systems
- Receive regular safety training and safety protocol updates
Be Prepared for Inclimate Weather: Snow, rain, and other forms of bad weather can produce hazardous conditions for any workplace. All staff should be trained on best practices for bad weather. Furthermore, every business should have a plan for safely dealing with ice, snow, rain, etc.
Regularly Train Employees to Avoid Activities That May Lead to a Slip and Fall Accident: Sometimes, employees are so focused on their job that they forget safety protocols. Businesses must provide safety training to employees during onboarding and throughout employment. They are more likely to engage in activities that increase the likelihood of a slip and fall accident.
If you’ve suffered a slip and fall accident injury at work, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact The Valenzuela Law Firm, PC, today to discuss your case.
