In today's fast-paced, ever-evolving work environment, the significance of workplace safety cannot be overstated. It's the key to preserving the health and well-being of employees, fostering a positive work culture, and boosting productivity. But even with the best safety measures, accidents can still happen. A personal injury attorney, like one of the SJ injury attorneys, can be a critical ally if you find yourself the victim of a workplace incident. From dealing with worker's compensation claims to holding negligent parties accountable, a personal injury attorney can help you navigate legal issues. Hiring an experienced personal injury attorney, which you can learn more about here, ensures your rights are protected and you receive the compensation you deserve. Ignoring workplace safety isn't just a risk; it's a gamble with lives and livelihoods. It's time we prioritize safety first, and with the backing of a personal injury attorney, you're never alone in that endeavor.
A slip & fall injury is one of the worst things to happen in your business. Whether it happens to an employee or a customer, you’re liable for the damages to them. This opens your business up for a lawsuit, mainly if you have made no steps to prevent this accident from happening. To improve workplace safety for everyone, you must tackle the main causes of these injuries. Multiple things can lead to a slip-and-fall incident, but these are the biggest culprits:
Wet floors
If the floor in your workplace is wet from spillage, it poses a huge risk to everyone. Consequently, it would be best if you took action right away. Put signs near wet areas while you go and get the equipment to clean them. Ensure any spillages are mopped and dried instantly, stopping people from slipping and falling on them. Opting for a flooring choice that absorbs water is also a possibility. For instance, a carpet in your office can prevent wet floor slips. Keep in mind that wet floors in the workplace can lead to workplace injuries. Employees may lose their balance, fall, and injure themselves, sometimes severely. These injuries can range from minor bruises to more serious issues like fractures or head injuries, depending on the circumstances and the severity of the fall. The latter could be the cause for potential lawsuits filed by employees with the help of lawyers at https://www.warforcincy.com/. Those injured may demand compensation for medical bills and loss of wages. To avoid this from happening, employers should take necessary steps to keep the floors dry and walkable.
Dirty floors
Likewise, dirty floors that are covered in debris can cause accidents. People might bring stuff in from outside - like loose leaves, stones, twigs, and who knows what else. Plus, you have debris that can be generated from around the workplace. It's straightforward for someone to step on a dirty floor and slip on something. There’s an easy way to stop this, and it’s by cleaning your floors regularly. Invest in commercial floor cleaning machines to sweep up all dust and debris, leaving the floor spotless. Right away, there are fewer ways for people to trip and fall over, lowering the accident risk in your workplace.
Stairs
Yes, stairs alone can be a cause of slip & fall injuries. People can slip on stairs if they’re not careful, so precautions should be implemented. Of course, no stairway should be complete without railings for people to hold onto. Alongside this, you should apply anti-slip guards to each step. This strip of material provides extra grip and can stop people’s shoes from slipping on the edge of the step.
Loose wires
Office settings are particularly guilty of having loads of loose wires hanging everywhere. People can catch their feet on these wires, falling over and hurting themselves. So, focus on good cable management to keep your wires away from the workplace and hidden below or behind desks. Also, consider using wireless devices where possible, reducing the number of cables in your workplace.
You can never 100% reduce slip & fall incidents in your business. However, you can undoubtedly put protective measures in place to mitigate the chances of these incidents. The four things listed above are the most common causes of workplace accidents. If you work to stop them from causing slip & fall injuries, your business becomes much safer. It’s safer for your employees, customers, and anyone else who ventures inside. Plus, you’ve taken action to reduce the risks, which will play in your favor if someone gets hurt at work.