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During our last post, we wrote about how slip and fall accident are one of the leading causes of workplace injury and accident in United States. Last time, we also began to outline five safety tips to reduce slip and fall injuries at work and at home. One of the ways to reduce injury caused by slippery surfaces is to apply anti-skid material on well-traveled surface areas, and another strategy is to remove obstacles from stairwells, entrances and walkways. This post will outline the remaining three ways to reduce slip and fall accidents at work and at home.
Keeping things tidy and neat can go a long way in the reduction of slip and fall accidents, and therefore good housekeeping practices are our third way of reducing injury at work. A proper housekeeping program helps identify what needs to be done, who is responsible, and what the work area should look like when housekeeping is complete. The floor should be kept free of items, and things that are often used at work should be stored in cabinets on shelves near waist level.
Another strategy to reduce injury caused by slippery surfaces in the workplace is the maintenance of proper lighting. Poor lighting at work can hide dangerous surface areas, and it is essential to staying safe while working in or using ramps, stairs, dock areas, and areas without natural light. To ensure spaces are well lit, light switches should be accessible and functioning and fixtures should be regularly maintained.
Finally, proper footwear goes a long way toward the reduction of slip and fall accidents at work. Employees should wear footwear that is proper for their workplace duties and replace worn shoes to avoid the risk of slipping. An experienced workplace injury attorney can assist an employee who injures him or herself at work because of an improperly maintained workplace and help ensure proper he or she receives proper compensation.
Source: Coast River Business Journal, “Five Tips to Help Prevent Slips, Trips and Falls at Work and at Home,” June 19, 2012