The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that slip-and-fall accidents cost businesses approximately $70 billion per year in workers’ compensation and medical expenses. Every work environment has its own slip, trip, and fall hazards – many of which aren’t always obvious. Here are some tips on what to watch out for around the office to help prevent employee injuries.
Maintain Floors and Walkways
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 15% of incidental workplace deaths are caused by slips, trips, and falls. From electric cords to uneven surfaces to ice, snow, and rain, the workplace is full of potential slip and fall hazards. Taking time to ensure all floors and walkways are properly maintained and clear of clutter and debris is an important step toward ensuring a safer work environment.
Post Safety Warnings
In the United States alone, the BLS reported more than 1 million people experience a significant slip and fall injury each year. And, at an average of $28,000 per injury after medical and missed wage expenses, it’s in a company’s best interest to be sure safety warnings are clearly posted. Not only will it help protect your employees, it can also help protect the company in workers’ compensation lawsuits.
Encourage Proper Footwear
Additional research from the BLS shows foot and toe injuries cause employees to miss an average of seven days of work. For many types of jobs, proper footwear is required by law. However, it can also be beneficial to encourage your employees to buy – or offer reimbursement for – protective shoes, even in an office setting to protect against injuries resulting from hazards like falling objects or standing for long periods of time.
Conduct Frequent Inspections
Slip, trip, and fall hazards aren’t always easily identified. In fact, it’s estimated that 70% of slips and falls occur on level ground. Frequent inspections of the workplace are an important part of recognizing potentially dangerous situations. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has a wide-variety of resources for businesses to reference to help ensure they spot hazards and meet workplace safety standards.
Hire a Dedicated Safety Professional
While it isn’t feasible for all companies, it may be beneficial for larger businesses or those that work in especially high risk environments to consider hiring a dedicated safety professional to monitor and address workplace hazards fulltime. The American Society of Safety Engineers offers a helpful guide with tips and advice on what to look for in a dedicated safety professional.
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