Slip and fall injuries are a very real liability for business and property owners. In fact, according to the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over one million Americas endure a fall-related injury every year. 17,000 of these individuals sustain a fatal wound.
Additional Slip and Fall Injury Facts and Statistics
- Slips and falls are the leading cause of death and injury in the work place.
- 80% of employees who fall miss time from work from the resulting injuries.
- 12% of employees who fall have to be hospitalized.
- Slip and fall injuries can include, but are not limited to broken bones, strained muscles, twisted/dislocated joints head injuries and spinal damage.
- According to the Insurance Information Institute, more than 21% of all insurance claims are attributed to slips and falls.
- Published estimates from the National Safety Council and other sources indicate the average cost of slip and fall injuries can run as much as $28,000.
Fortunately, preventing slip and fall injuries (and the resulting lawsuits) is not rocket science. It just takes preparation.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard 29 CFR 1910.22: Walking-Working Surfaces, General Requirements includes the following:
- “All places of employment, passageways, storerooms, and service rooms shall be kept clean and orderly and in a sanitary condition.” 1910.22(a)(1)
- “The floor of every workroom shall be maintained in a clean and, so far as possible, a dry condition. Where wet processes are used, drainage shall be maintained, and false floors, platforms, mats, or other dry standing places should be provided where practicable.” 1910.22(a)(2)
Preventing Slip and Fall Injuries
- Mops: When excessive amounts of water are tracked indoors, it is important to deal with the situation as quickly as possible. Remember, it doesn’t take much water to cause a fall. So grab a mop and eliminate moisture as soon as possible.
- Signage: When you have finished mopping up water or other liquids, be sure to deploy the proper signage. This will alert employees and customers to the potential slip and fall hazard.
- Mats: Another method to reduce slip and fall hazards is the implementation of mats in entryways. Using mats to buffer moisture that would otherwise be tracked inside your company’s building is a simple and effective way to help prevent injury. By removing dirt and moisture from shoes, custom mats make it possible for your company to offer customers and employees a safe spot, protected indoors from the stormy weather.
Mat and Mop Rental from Lord Baltimore Uniform
Lord Baltimore Uniform, the company you trust with your uniform rental services, also offers a full line of walk off mats, wet mops, and dust mops for rent. In fact, our mats will hold up to eight pounds of water. In addition, our mats’ edges taper into the floor to create a smooth transition, rather than a hazardous gap.
If you have any questions about Preventing Slip and Fall Hazards or Mat and Mop Rental from Lord Baltimore Uniform, please contact Joe Bateman at 800-292-1224 or visit LordBaltimoreUniform.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+.
Sources:
Preventing Slip-and-Fall Injuries Occupational Health & Safety