Slips and falls account for one out of every four workplace accidents and are the second leading cause of accidental deaths after motor vehicles.
Slips, trips, and falls cause nearly 700 fatalities per year and many more injuries, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
They can happen anywhere. A slip on a wet surface. A stumble down a stairway. A trip over an electrical cord or uneven surface. They can be caused by man-made errors, like spills, or nature, like snow or ice.
Slips and falls also cause more than 95 million lost workdays every year, resulting in lower productivity and profitability, and higher insurance and workman’s compensation costs.
But they can be minimized and mitigated in many cases by identifying and addressing these hazards:
· Wet, waxed, polished, or greasy floors
· Dry floors with wood dust or powder
· Uneven surfaces and/or transition from one type of floor to another
· Loose or missing tiles, bricks, carpeting, or mats
· Damaged or irregular steps
· Lack of handrails
· Exposed electrical cords or cables
· Open desk or file cabinet drawers
· Damaged or weakened ladders
· Ramps and gang planks without skid-resistant surfaces
· Excessive clutter
Removing and/or resolving these issues make for a safer workplace.
TAMACC urges responsible companies, business owners, and industry leaders to schedule regular reviews with this checklist, to ensure they are using best practices and have the proper safeguards in place.
