Employers have a responsibility to their employees to provide a safe working environment. One common cause of injury in the workplace is slips or falls. Most injuries of this type are preventable. Frequently conducting an assessment to identify any hazards is an effective way to prevent any accidents occuring.
It is imperative that all employees wear any required safety equipment at all times while in the workplace. Sturdy shoes with non-skid soles should be worn. You should Initiate and enforce a dress code that includes suitable footwear. If such a dress code is already in situ, assess whether it is being adhered to and whether it continues to be suitable.
Having a well-lit workplace goes a long way towards preventing accidents. Examine the work area and assess whether the lighting is good enough to allow safe navigation. Provide emergency lights in an accessible location just in case there is ever a power failure. Use plug-in emergency lights that activate when the power is interrupted around the building. Provide flashlights in several convenient locations.
The floor should be free of any unnecessary obstacles. All cords must be kept off the floor whenever possible. If it isn’t possible to remove all cords, they should be secured with a cord cover and made more visible with bright colors. Whenever possible, place equipment in a way that minimizes protruding objects or parts. Make sure all carpets or mats are in good repair with no frays or tears. Have them fastened to the floor if they can be easily damaged. Any rugs that begin to permanently curl should be immediately replaced.
Assure that the floor is free of any spills or other wet hazards. It must be made clear to staff members that the cleaning up of any spills must be done immediately. Be sure to have warning signs or cones on hand for marking any potential hazards. Provide floor draining in areas that are likely to experience frequent wet hazards, such as near sinks, drinking fountains or toilet areas.
Any sudden changes in terrain, such as stairs, a slope, or any transition from one kind of flooring to another, should be assessed for safety. Provide non-skid strips and hand rails where suitable. Display highly visible signs warning of any potential hazards at all times.
It is crucial that the workplace be assessed on a regular basis and all safety rules be enforced. By completely assessing all of these risk factors, an employer can help protect valuable staff from work-related injury.
There are several companies available on the Internet that specialise in slip risk assessments in the workplace.
Louise G is a prolific business author and business consultant. Louise has been instrumental in the development of several successful marketing strategies for many leading internet businesses. Examples of Louises work can be found at www.grip-potential.com for slip risk assessment
