The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that in 2014, there was approximately 247,120 slip, trip, and fall injuries that resulted in employees spending time away from work. Additionally, a total of 818 workers were killed on the job due to slip, trip, and fall accidents.
Slips are most commonly attributed to slick floor surfaces. However, traction on a worker's shoes or boots can be a factor. Trips are often caused by debris left on walking surfaces, as well as uneven or broken floor pieces.
Mitigating the slip, trip, and fall hazards
According to EHS Today, there are some things employers should be doing to prevent slip, trip, and fall accidents at work.
- Organizing formal audits: Conducting an audit can be time consuming for a lot of employers; however, it is required by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard 29 CFR 1910.22(d)(1). Employers must not only regularly inspect floors and stairs, but also make sure they are fully audited for hidden slip, trip, and fall hazards.
- Logging incident reports: It's crucial that employers log each incident report. Some areas in the workplace are more susceptible to reoccurring hazards. Identifying a pattern of accidents can help prevent more from happening in the future.
- Tracking liquids: Workplaces that receive shipments of containers or drums filled with liquid must trace where they have been transported in case of leaks. It only takes a small amount of liquid on walking surfaces to result in a serious slip and fall accident.
- Sponsoring safety contests: Not all employees may know where slip, trip, and fall risks are located. That's why sponsoring safety contests can help uncover hazards in the workplace. Workers who have been injured in the past may be able to educate other employees about where to be cautious.
- Consulting with vendors: The walking surfaces in workplaces are often a cause for concern. Consulting with an outside vendor who specializes in treating and maintaining floors can help prevent slip and fall accidents from occurring.
Injured on the job? A workers' compensation attorney can help
If you have suffered an injury on the job due to a slip, trip, and fall accident, it's crucial that you speak to an experienced Philadelphia workers' compensation attorney as soon as possible.
Contact the Law Offices Of Richard A. Jaffe, LLC today to discuss your options.