Slips and falls have long been one of the main causes of work-related injuries in almost every industry. The results of a slip or fall can range from minor to severe and it can affect anyone. The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) concerns itself with the health and safety of workers and tries to put rules and regulations in place to minimize the chances that these types of accidents will happen.
While slips and falls are rarely fatal, they do occur and OSHA has released a number of statistics on these fatal injuries. They found that:
Other interesting statistics were also reported, including:
Finally, information has been provided on the connection between slips, falls and flooring by the National Floor Safety Institute that states that 2 million slip and fall injuries each year are directly related to flooring, which is something that has been confirmed by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
There are a number of particular areas where organizations and businesses must take care to protect their employees. These include:
All businesses have to uphold the rules set out in the various OSHA standards. Essentially, this means that a building owner or business has a duty of care towards those who access the site, be they employees or visitors. To make sure a business meets all the standards, they should focus on various elements:
It is also vital to make sure slippery areas can be identified easily. This can be achieved through cones and movable signs. However, permanent signs can also be employed and should always be present in locker rooms and pool decks, as well as any area where elevation differences exist. Furthermore, areas that require permanent hazard signs should always be well-lit.
Another integral part to preventing slips and falls is cleaning. Areas where moisture has a tendency to collect should be mopped regularly. However, mopping and further cleaning should be done routinely across the facility. During cleaning, removable hazard signs should be used to warn people of potential dangers. Additionally, every employee should take responsibility for the removal of clutter, particularly those which they bring in themselves, such as bags and coats.
Finally, whenever possible, businesses should ensure that their staff always wear appropriate footwear. All individuals employed inside a facility should wear closed toed shoes. This greatly reduces the risk of tripping and slipping. Furthermore, should something fall, injuries will be greatly reduced.
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