Protect Your Business from Slip and Fall Risks

A normal day in your office is not without risk. Suppose that an employee trips on a rug and breaks his or her leg? What if a patron falls down an unmarked step and gets a concussion?

These problems are not isolated only to risky businesses like construction or manufacturing. Slip-and-fall-risks exist in stores, medical offices and even insurance firms. Anyone is at risk of a fall, and no business is immune.

If an employee suffers an injury at work, he or she might sue you for workers' compensation. If a patron or outside party gets hurt on your property, the patron might sue you for damages or compensation.

Lawsuits can cost your business a pretty penny. Proper business insurance and workers’ compensation insurance can reduce the risk of financial loss.

However, it should be the priority of every business to reduce slip-and-fall risks on the premises. That way, the risk of financial loss is less.

Some ways that you can reduce slip-and-fall risks in your business include:

Securing furniture. Don’t place your office furniture in common walkways. Close drawers and push chairs under tables when not using them.

Smoothing carpet and rugs. People can commonly trip of rugs are not flat on the floor, or if carpets have creases or snags.

Using proper lighting. Poor lighting impairs eyesight. Someone walking through an office might trip over an unseen box. Even a burnt out bulb can be enough to cause someone to trip and fall over unseen items. Change faulty or broken lighting in a timely manner.

Cleaning up spills. Whether you spill a drink or have a leaking pipe, a spill is one of the biggest risks of a fall in a business. Clean up spills immediately when they occur. If the spill is from a leak, take immediate steps to contain and repair the leak.

Keeping pathways clear. Don’t let office supplies or other materials accumulate where people walk. Store these items in proper places.

Doing a walkthrough. Walking through your business once or twice a day can help you spot potential fall risks.

Marking hazards. Many workplace safety laws require you to mark fall risks like wet floors, broken pavement, obstructed views and step-downs. By marking hazards, you let patrons and employees know that there’s a risk to them.

By reducing slip-and-fall risks, you also reduce the risk of having to face a costly lawsuit. You also can reduce other insurance risks.