5 Tips for Preventing Trips and Falls in the Workplace

Many people have suffered from a trip or fall more than once in their lifetimes. In most instances, a trip or fall might just lead to a bit of embarrassment and laughter for bystanders, but there are also some types of accidents that can be dangerous and cause severe pain, especially when they happen at work.

While people need to pay attention to wet floors and similar trip hazards, there is some responsibility to take the necessary precautions to limit these dangers. From a financial perspective, it is estimated that around 25% of employees will make an injury claim following a trip or fall in the workplace, which can cost the employer dearly. There are a number of ways that business owners can take action to ensure the workplace is safe:

Carry Out a Formal Trip Hazard Assessment

The first thing an employer needs to do is understand how maintenance and housekeeping are a vital part of safety. To create a plan to ensure your work environment is kept risk-free. You should assign responsibilities to specific team members and stress how employees are all responsible for cleaning up after themselves. Create a formal routine for cleaning the space and post the plan in a place where all employees can access it.

Be Mindful About Surfaces

Employers need to ensure that their floors are kept clean, but that hazards are minimized, especially in areas with high traffic. This can be tricky, especially when floors get wet. Using ‘wet floor’ signs after mopping or using moisture-absorbent mats are possible solutions. However, if you want a more long-term solution, then investigate using anti-slip flooring such as those designed by Step on Safety.

Consider Better Lighting Options

Another major cause of trips, slips, and falls at work is inadequate lighting. Ensure that all walkways, staircases, and ramps are well lit. This is even more important if the work environment is a construction site. You’ll also need to make it easy for employees to turn on the lights by placing switches close to any entryways. Ensure that the facility management team attends to any broken bulbs or light fixtures as soon as a problem is reported.

Remove Obstacles

Make a point of removing any potential trip hazards. This could include work tools or everyday clutter. These basic items can quickly become obstacles if placed on walkways with high levels of foot traffic. Make it a policy for all staff to play a role in ensuring the workplace is free of trip hazards by tidying up after themselves and storing all equipment in the designated spots.

Accidents do happen, but as an employer, it is imperative that you do everything in your power to keep the workplace safe for your staff and clients. Remember that while these safety precautions may feel a little tiresome to implement, they have the potential to save you a lot of stress and financial loss in the long term.

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