4 Effective Ways to prevent Slip and fall Injuries at Workplace
Slip and fall injuries can range from a simple bruise to a life-threatening injury. Bad footwear, wet floors, or insufficient lighting can be a leading cause of slip and fall injuries. While you can not eliminate the risk of such injuries entirely, there are a few things you can do to mitigate the risk factor. At the workplace, it is the responsibility of the organization or company to ensure a safe environment where their employees can work safely. A little mistake on their part can result in a great loss for others. However, by taking the following precautionary measures, one can provide a safe workplace for their employees.
1. Use Sign Boards where Needed
The most common cause of a slip and fall injury is a wet floor. Make sure your cleaning staff uses non-slippery floor cleaners to avoid any mishaps. In addition, ask them to use sign boards such as ‘ wet floor’ after they are done mopping. A wet floor can reduce friction and can cause an employee to slip and fall. Slip and fall injuries can sometimes be severe and long-term. Using sign boards will help your staff to know that the floor is wet so they’ll walk carefully.
2. Improve Lighting Around Your Office
If your office has insufficient lighting, it’s time to work on it. Add more lights around your office to assist your staff. Being the owner, it is your responsibility to provide a safe workplace for your employees. Insufficient lighting around stairs and slopes can result in fatal slip and fall injuries. Adding more lights will not only brighten up your space but also keep your staff safe from any unfortunate event.
3. Clear Lobbies and walkways
Office lobbies are often loaded with furniture and accessories to enhance the look of the place. However, anything that can be a source of tripping should be removed immediately. Try to keep the lobbies and walkways of your office free from wires or empty boxes which can become a potential hazard for falls and trips. In addition, fix any loose tiles or uneven surfaces that can make an employee fall. Doing this will help your employees to prevent slip and fall injuries in the first place.
4. Proper Footwear should be Encouraged
Slippery flats and improper shoes can make a person slip and fall badly. To avoid any such mishap, encourage the use of proper office footwear with a firm soles. The greater the friction between the floor and the sole of the shoe, the lesser chance there is for a trip or slip. Therefore, always encourage your staff to come to the office in proper office footwear which not only keeps them safe and makes them look professional as well.
The Bottom Line
Slip and fall injuries are common in the workplace. However, by taking essential precautionary measures you can ensure a safe workspace for your employees where they can perform well and keep slip and fall injuries at bay.