Slip-and-fall accidents are relatively common in the manufacturing industry. Such falls account for one million emergency room visits and are the leading cause of lost work days in the United States. Fortunately, a few steps are all that are needed to help your company prevent slip-and-fall injuries in the workplace.
Begin With Worker Education
As with any workplace improvement, you need to begin by adequately educating your workers. A continuing education program focusing on slip-and-fall accidents needs to include information on what workplace materials or chemicals can be slippery, how to avoid slip-and-fall accidents and any emergency response protocols.
Don’t Forget About Visitors
Even though visitors are not your employees, visitor safety is still your responsibility while they’re on your property. While you likely don’t have enough time to present a comprehensive slip-and-fall safety program to every guest, you can still arm them with some basic information. Visitor explanations should be brief and focus on prevention. As you walk them through your facility, you need to bring high-risk areas to their attention.
Post Clear Signs
While your employees have been through your complete slip-and-fall accident awareness program, visitors to your facility only hear this information once. Instead, it would be best if you found other ways to raise awareness. In addition to a verbal warning near any slip zones, you need to post clear signs. Slip hazard warning signs need to be brightly colored and have large, bold print. They should also be written in simple language. These are also a good reminder for employees, especially new employees.
Consider Safety Flooring
In addition to providing your employees with education and clear signage, you also might want to consider installing safety flooring. Acid brick is a durable material with a rough texture that shoe treads readily grip. A waterproof membrane is applied during installation that enhances acid brick’s heat and corrosion resistance. This can help prevent employees tripping over damaged areas. Talk to a flooring company, like Archway Brick and Tile, about safe flooring options for your facility.
Paint Problem Areas
While safety flooring, signs, and education are all critical for preventing slip-and-fall accidents, painting any problem areas can call attention to them. This painting serves as an additional visual reminder. It is also more likely to be seen by your employees and facility visitors who are looking at the floor after you’ve warned them of a potential slip zone.
Preventing slip-and-fall accidents begins with educating workers and facility visitors about slip hazards. It also includes installing safety features such as safer flooring, signs, and paint near slip zones. When you prevent slip-and-fall accidents, you reduce the number of missed workdays.
