construction workers walking in line

10 Safety Strategies for How to Prevent Slips and Falls in the Workplace

Slip and fall accidents can happen essentially anywhere throughout the course of a day – at home, on city streets, while boarding public transportation, and on a business property. However, one of the most common places that accidents occur is at work, which is particularly concerning for employers who are entrusted to provide safe and reliable working conditions.

To help employers take action to reduce physical risks and establish policy changes, here are 10 safety tips for how to prevent slips and falls in the workplace.

1. Keep Walkways Clear of Clutter

Not only is a cluttered office unproductive, but it can also pose serious safety risks. Move obstacles out of walkways and keep drawers and cabinets shut so that your employees don’t accidentally trip over objects and become injured.

2. Clean Up Spills Right Away

Spills inevitably happen, but another important strategy for how to prevent slips and falls is to clean up spills as quickly as possible. While waiting for janitorial staff to arrive, employers should set out signs to warn employees that floors are slippery.

3. Encourage Employees to Wear Appropriate Shoes

While high heels may be fashionable, they aren’t necessarily the best footwear for every work environment. Encourage your employees to wear sturdy and supportive shoes with good traction to avoid falls at work.

4. Install Flooring or Mats with Good Traction

Traction is also important for surfaces throughout your workplace, so make a point to install non-slip floor mats or replace worn-down flooring to avoid employee accidents that lead to injuries, missed time from work, and potential lawsuits.

5. Ensure Work Areas Are Well-Lit

Good lighting helps employees see where they are going so they don’t trip and stumble over office items in the dark. Allow as much natural light in as possible throughout outside windows, and strategically arrange overhead and task lighting where needed.

6. Place Signs to Advise of Weather Conditions

Slip and fall accidents are very common in the workplace on days that are rainy, muddy, icy, and snowy. Although you can’t control the weather, you can control the warning signs that you provide to remind employees to walk more carefully due to slippery conditions.

7. Provide Employee with Relevant Safety Training

Safety training is a crucial part of any job, even office jobs where your employees work behind desks all day. Review your company’s safety manual and call occasional meetings to review safety tips and address the safety concerns of your employees.

8. Manage Wire and Cord Chaos

Modern offices are often filled with technology devices that are wired into each other and wall outlets. A tip for how to prevent slips and falls in the workplace is to cover exposed cords and mark them with reflective tape so that they are not tripping hazards, especially in high-traffic areas.

9. Encourage Employees to Be Fit and Active

Although absolutely anyone of any fitness level can be the victim of a slip and fall accident, having good balance and agility go a long way in preventing these incidents. As part of your employee wellness strategy, offer free gym memberships and reward employees for meeting activity goals to help workers become less prone to becoming imbalanced and falling.

10. Know Where to Turn for Medical and Legal Help

However, even if you follow each of these pieces of advice, slip and fall accidents in the workplace can still happen. Therefore, it’s best to be prepared with basic medical supplies on hand and easily accessible contact information for local hospitals and emergency assistance. Many slip and fall accidents at work seem very minor at first but end up causing severe pain once the shock of the fall wears off, as well as bodily injuries that require ongoing medical treatment.

At the Law Office of Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum, we have dedicated attorney’s with experience in many kinds of work accidents including construction. We understand that if you have fallen at work, it is important to have an experienced Brooklyn slip and fall lawyer to help you protect your rights and pursue your claim. After seeking medical attention for your injuries, contact us at 718-237-5586 or send us a message so that we can begin gathering the necessary evidence and witness statements to build your case.