There are a number of different ways in which you can prevent slip and fall injuries, though the steps you take will depend on the business you operate and the types of conditions commonly encountered in your workplace. One common method is to use signs and other obstructions to help customers and employees avoid areas that may be wet, such as an area that was recently mopped. You can also use flooring and pads to make an area less slippery, and this is commonly used in professional kitchens and similar workplaces. It can also be helpful to consider outdoor areas that may be part of your property when trying to prevent slip and fall injuries.
Slip and fall injuries are injuries in which a customer or employee slips and falls on your property, typically injuring the back, hands, or legs. This type of injury is a common cause for legal action against a company, and compensation for civil claims in such injuries can be significant. One of the easiest ways to avoid this type of injury is to be mindful of places in your business that may be slippery, and do your best to ensure people avoid those areas. Slip and fall injuries can be avoided through the use of signs or barricades placed in areas where water has spilled or that have been mopped recently.
Signs in these areas can be sufficient, though you should consider signage that also prevents customers from freely walking in a slippery area. While people could still enter the area, causing slip and fall injuries, you can more strongly argue against liability if you tried to physically prevent them from entering the area. You should also consider floors that are non-slippery whenever possible, especially in high traffic areas where water or other slippery substances may be present. Restaurants with kitchens, for example, often prevent slip and fall injuries by using textured flooring to make the ground less slippery, and by using mats to improve traction on walkways.
You should also consider the risk factors of slip and fall injuries outside of your workplace. Parking lots and sidewalks adjoining your business may still be your property, and you could be liable for injuries that occur in these areas. If you are in an area that gets snow and ice, you should be sure to properly shovel snow and use salt or an ice melt product to reduce the chances of slip and fall injuries on your property. In some areas, businesses that do not shovel snow off of sidewalks and walkways on their property may even be subject to fines under city jurisdiction.
