Aside from wet or damp floors, there are other causes of slip, trip and fall accidents within working facility. The presence of clutter, footwear and even improper cleaning are also hazards for both employees and occupants of the building. In fact, according to reports, 50 % of accidents in facilities are due to the type of flooring used. Whatever is the cause, slip and fall accidents can cost lots of bucks in unemployment and liability claims.
Slips, trips and falls make up the majority of general industry accidents. The U.S. Department of Labour’s Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) said that slips, trips and falls make up 15 % of all accidental deaths, and come only number 2 to motor vehicles as accident cause.
Don Ostrander, CSP, director of consulting services occupational safety and health at the National Safety Council in Itasca, Ill reported that as of last year, there were 822 occupational deaths caused by falls. The large kind of falls were due to falls from one level to another.
Slips and falls are not identical – When you slip, you slip on a floor, and lose your balance and when you fall, you move from one level to another.
Slip and Fall cost in cents and dollars –
As estimated in the 2006 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index, the annual direct cost of disabling occupational injuries due to slips, trips and falls is estimated to exceed $11 billion. The most common is the fall on the same level whichis considered as the second most costly occupational injury. It shows that the bodily reaction comprising injuries from slipping or tripping, is the third highest injury category, followed by falls to a lower level (4.6 billion).
The average cost from slip and falls is $22,800 per accident and the average worker’s compensation claim is $19,000.
The amount often includes medical costs alone which could have been prevented. Every time an employee has an accident, there must be a replacement worker, the salary of the unemployed staff member, and restricted duty for that person, etc., these are all payable expenses.
If the victim is not an employee but a building occupant or visitor, there is no limit to what fees (medical, legal, etc.) companies will be responsible for.
Slips, trips and falls account for 15% of all accidental deaths, and are second only to motor vehicles as a cause of fatalities; this is contained in the report of the U.S. Department of Labour’s Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA.
The reports stated that falls on the same level are the second most costly occupational injury which amounts to an annual cost of $6.7 billion.
The liability for slip-falls is high; it is not only a problem for workers; but also for customers and even the general public. Fortunately, the basic preventive measures are easy and are economical: clean, dry walking surfaces and proper footwear.
Keeping all floors safe
In a comedy routine when a man slips on a banana peel, the audience will laugh as this is a staple routine of slapstick comedy. But in real life, slips are major issues; but it is one of the most common and preventable workplace injuries. The potential business liability for slip-falls is no laughing matter.
The most common factor in most slip-falls is a slippery floor. Debris and spills are the most hazardous on any walking surface, so good housekeeping practices are essential. Always take the time to clean spills immediately and mop or sweep up any debris.
For floors with a hard mineral surface, like tiles or polished untreated concrete, apply a non-slip treatment to reduce risk of falls.
Floors on entrances from outdoors will often be places easily wet in the winter and when it rains. For instance, in shopping malls, hotels, grocery stores and fast food outlets, employees and customers are likely to slip and fall on area where the floor is wet. In commercial kitchens and some industrial operations, when grease or oils are allowed to settle on the floor, it serves as increased risk for falls. The best solution is a non-slip floor treatment that reduces dangers of wet and greasy floors which is needed when there are inevitable wet or greasy floors.
The extensive task of good housekeeping can be reduced by applying a non-slip coating or treatment. The floor must always be properly cleaned to maintain its anti-slip surface. There are even suppliers that offer regular inspections to ensure continued floor safety.
If you or a loved has suffered due to negligence you may wish to consult with experienced Injury Lawyers. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Please note strict deadline apply and it is in your best interest to contact an attorney immediately.