Whether it’s your employee or your best customer, a slip and fall can be embarrassing, costly, or both. Take a few minutes to reduce the risk.
Entrances and exits:
· Use water-absorbent mats to soak up rain, snow and slush.
· Place warning signs visible from all angles on wet floors.
· Position low-profile fans to dry the floor faster. Make sure the fan is out of the way, so no one will trip on it.
· Use non-skid wax in slippery areas, and use soap that does not leave slippery residue.
Throughout the business:
· Keep flooring in good repair to avoid trips.
· If a customer brings in a wet umbrella, immediately offer to store it in a dry place away from the traffic flow.
· Encourage employees to wipe up moisture as part of their primary work duties.
· Avoid throw rugs; they are trip hazards.
· Keep workspaces and walkways clear, clean and well lit.
· For stairways, install a sturdy hand railing and encourage staff to use it.
· Take stairs one step at a time and limit the load you are carrying so you can see the steps.
· Wear appropriate, slip-resistant shoes.
· Slow down, especially around corners, obstacles and doorways.
· Use a correct ladder when accessing items overhead ... don’t use a chair, table, bucket or box.
· Ask for help.
Outside:
· Arrange to have snow and ice removed as soon as safely possible.
· When it snows, assign a staff member to shovel and spread salt/de-icer at specific intervals outside entrances and exits and on sidewalks and parking lots. Keep a log of these activities as proof of your safety focus should someone slip and fall on your property.
· Keep parking lots and entrances well lit.
· Where possible, install a railing on ramps and steps.
Be proactive! Develop a plan and execute.
For additional tips, visit BerkleyAssetPro.com.
