People should be safe in and around public buildings, whether as customers or workers. Unfortunately, some businesses fail to take proper measures to prevent accidents, particularly slip and fall incidents.
An NFSI (National Floor Safety Institute) study shows that slip and fall incidents are the primary cause of lost work days. In addition, slip and fall incidents increase with each decade of life.
Here’s what businesses can do to reduce slip and fall incidents for both workers and consumers.
Enforce protective footwear rules
Employers should ensure workers wear protective footwear like steel-toed boots and no-slip shoes. (This is especially important in restaurant and factory industries.)
Put out wet floor signs after mopping
Janitors or other workers need to set wet floor signs on wet spots right after mopping. While some wet spots are noticeable, especially in bright light during the day, others are hard to see, specifically at night or in dim light. Furthermore, a yellow or orange sign is much easier to spot, particularly for those with visual impairment.
Shovel snow and pour salt on icy walkways
Groundskeepers have to shovel snow and pour salt on icy areas after a snowstorm. That way, consumers, workers and passersby don’t slip on the ice or trip over snowdrifts.
Keep stairs and walkways free of clutter
Things like boxes and cords should not block walkways, stairs and lobbies. Keeping common areas free of clutter doesn’t just ensure consumer/worker safety, but it also protects employers from potential lawsuits.
Though many companies implement safety rules, some ignore them or don’t even have them in place. If you got a severe injury due to slipping and falling at a business, it’s best to reach out to experience legal assistance to learn about personal injury compensation.