There is no doubt about the fact that many of us have either slipped or fallen at the workplace. And there are numerous reasons as to why it happens. Not paying attention to your workplace’s surroundings and having your mind on other things, can end up in an accidental slip or fall. While stumbling or bumping over something small can lead to a bit of embarrassment, it could be disastrous if you took a stumble down a flight of stairs or tipped over something and injured yourself.
According to the statistics posted by the US Department of Labor, 15% of all accidental deaths occur due to slips and falls. And the primary reasons behind why slipping and tripping at the workplace occurs are as follows:
- Greasy and wet floors
- Dry floor with slippery sand or wood dust on it
- Surfaces that are uneven
- Freshly waxed and polished surfaces
- Loose carpeting, unevenly placed mats and loose flooring
- Irregular or damaged steps – especially those without a handrail
- Sloped surfaces
- Weather hazards
So, how can you ensure a safer and risk-free work-environment? It is quite simple actually; here are some really good tips on how you can make that happen:
Pay Attention to Your Surroundings
In today’s crazy world, we all can have a million things on our minds during any given day. Focusing on the task at hand, even if it’s simply walking from one end of the building to the other, will help to avoid tripping or bumping into things that could hurt you.
Try to Keep Efficient Housekeeping Practices
There is no question about the advantages of ensuring good housekeeping practices at the workplace. After all safety and housekeeping are two peas of the same pod. Sloppy housekeeping could end up increasing the chances of worker injury, as well as insurance costs. It’s important to plan ahead and understand what needs to be taken care of and who will be assigned to perform each duty, so nothing is left undone.
Maintain Proper Lighting in the Office
The risk of slips and tips increases if the lighting in your office space is poor. It is increasingly important that you incorporate the use of adequate illumination – properly installing lights in walkways, staircases, construction areas, dock areas, basements, ramps and hallways.
Plus you should also:
- Keep all main areas properly lit and clean
- Whenever you enter a darkened room, first flick the lights
- Keep your walkway de-cluttered and free of obstructions
