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Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls

5.04.2011

May 3, 2011 - According to the National Safety Council’s 2011 publication “Injury Facts,” slip, trip and fall accidents account for as many as 80 percent of customer injuries – and the claims that result from those injuries have an average cost of $28,000.

Besides expensive claims litigation, slips, trips and falls can cause serious injuries, damage the reputation of a business, and increase insurance and operating costs.

With spring weather upon us, here are some tips on how to reduce slip, trips and falls.

• Make sure parking lots have adequate lighting in all areas.
• Check parking and walking areas for potholes or other uneven surfaces on a regular basis. Potholes are a significant cause of injury and should be repaired immediately.
• Property owners should put proper risk transfer controls in place if vendors maintain their parking lots.
• Elevation changes must be marked and well lit to enhance visibility.
• Avoid the use of parking lot wheelstops if possible. They are often overlooked by someone walking across a parking lot. If present, they should be 
  properly maintained and of contrasting color.
• Speed bumps should be of contrasting color. There should be a three-foot clear space at each end for elderly persons or small children to bypass the speed bump.
• Ensure that roof drains do not discharge across sidewalks or into parking areas.
• Drain grates located in pedestrian traffic areas should be of a contrasting color, with openings in the grate no more than one inch across. Grates must be maintained in good condition.
• Make sure trees are properly maintained; fallen branches and trees can contribute to losses.