Preventing Falls, Trips, and Slips in the Workplace by Safety Counselling

According to the National Safety Council, falls are the leading cause of accidental death in people over the age of 65. For workers in all industries, slips, trips, and falls can result in serious injury or death. In this article, we will discuss some methods for preventing these types of accidents from happening in your workplace.

Hazards to look out for to prevent slips, falls, and trips.

Any environmental condition can produce the potential for falls, trips, and slips, however, there are some obvious ones to be aware of:

Uneven flooring
Wet or oily floors
Loose carpeting or rugs
Poor lighting
Cluttered areas

Preventative measures for slips, trips, and falls in the workplace.

The best defense against slips, trips, and falls is a good offense. By taking some proactive measures, you can greatly reduce the risk of these accidents occurring in your workplace:

Keep your work area clean and free of debris.
Make sure flooring is in good repair and not excessively worn.
Use mats or non-slip pads in areas where water or oil might be present.
Keep walkways and stairwells well-lit.
Use caution signs or tape to mark areas where there is a potential for falls.
Encourage employees to wear appropriate footwear.

Vigilance is the key.

Falls, trips, and slips are common hazards in the workplace. Vigilance is key to preventing these accidents from happening. Routine inspection and maintenance can help keep your property safe for both visitors and employees.

There are some simple things you can do to prevent falls, trips, and slips in your workplace. First, make sure that the entrances and walkways are designed to accommodate the expected volume of foot traffic. Also, conduct periodic walkthrough surveys of your premises so that you can keep them in a safe condition.

What to do if someone does fall, trip, or slip in the workplace.

Naturally, the first step if someone does fall, trip, or slip in the workplace is to tend to the injured party and seek medical attention if necessary. Once the immediate health and safety of those involved has been addressed, you should take the following steps:

Notify your supervisor or manager so that they can initiate an accident investigation.
Identify any witnesses to the accident and get contact information for both the witnesses and the victim or victims
Take detailed accounts of the incident from the victim and witnesses.
Take photographs so that you can document the scene of the accident.
Remove any hazards that may have contributed to the accident.

By taking these steps, you can help prevent slips, trips, and falls in the workplace and keep everyone safe.