Slips and falls are among the leading causes of injuries in the workplace. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), slips, trips, and falls constitute the majority of general industry accidents. It is reported that 29% of work-related injuries are due to slips and falls. Slips and falls can happen anywhere, but they are prevalent in workplaces with a lot of foot traffic. In addition, offices are full of potential hazards that can cause slips and falls, such as wet floors, loose carpeting, cluttered walkways, and electrical cords.

Fortunately, you can take a few simple steps to prevent slips and falls at work. Being aware of potential hazards and taking some basic precautions can help keep yourself safe from harm.

How to Prevent Slips and Falls at Work

There are several common ways to prevent slips and falls at work:

Identify Hazards

The first step in preventing slips and falls is identifying potential workplace hazards. Common hazards that can lead to slips and falls include wet floors, loose carpeting, cluttered walkways, electrical cords, and ice or snow on sidewalks or parking lots. Next, take a walk around your office or workspace and look for potential trip hazards. If you find any hazards, make sure to correct them right away.

Put Up Signs

Some offices and workplaces can be dangerous places. So many things can go wrong, and it is essential to take precautions to ensure the safety of everyone in the office. One way to do this is to put up signs for safety. Putting up signs for safety is a simple and effective way to improve the safety of your office. By taking this step, you can help prevent accidents and injuries.

Correct Hazards

Once you have identified potential slip and fall hazards in your workplace, it’s important to correct them as soon as possible. Some hazard corrections may be as simple as mopping up a spill or putting away clutter. Other hazard corrections may require more time or effort, such as repairing loose carpeting or installing guardrails on stairways.

In addition, extra care needs to be taken during colder months, like regular snow clearing and de-icing of sidewalks and parking lots. Regardless of the size or complexity of the hazard, it’s essential to correct it promptly to help prevent accidents.

Train Employees

Another important way to prevent slips and falls is to safely train employees to avoid potential hazards. Employees should be aware of common slip and fall hazards such as wet floors, loose carpeting, cluttered walkways, electrical cords, and ice or snow on sidewalks or parking lots. Employees should also know what to do if they encounter a hazard; for example, they should know how to report a spill or safely navigate a cluttered area. Providing employees with this type of training can help reduce the number of slip and fall accidents in your workplace.

Slips and falls are among the leading causes of injuries in the workplace. By being aware of potential hazards and taking some basic precautions—such as identifying and correcting hazards; training employees—you can help keep yourself safe from harm while at work.