It’s the time of year when slips and falls are a real concern

Whether we like it or not, wintertime is upon us, and that means a higher risk of slips, trips and falls, which can cause injuries ranging from sprains and strains to broken bones and concussions. These incidents lead to lost work time, reduced productivity, higher replacement and overtime costs, and increased workers’ compensation claims. Employers are legally responsible for providing safe workplaces, including safe entry and exit on employer-owned or maintained property such as parking lots, walkways, stairs and entrances. And winter hazards affect all workplaces — not just construction sites. Slips and falls can also happen inside the workplace for a number of reasons.

Slips, trips and falls

• Slips occur when traction is low (due to ice, spills, loose mats, wet floors)
• Trips occur when the foot hits an object (due to clutter, poor lighting, uneven surfaces, cables)
• Falls can result from both slips and trips, and can cause serious injuries

Injuries

Slips and falls on ice and snow, or even wet flooring and uneven ground, are the cause of a number of potentially serious injuries at work every year — injuries that can lead to time-loss claims and increased premium rates for your company, as well as other associated costs including decreased productivity, increased replacement employee costs and increased overtime for existing employees. Potential injuries include:

• Twisted ankles and knees

• Broken bones

• Concussions

• Sprained wrists and shoulders

• Strained backs and necks

• Contusions and scrapes

Key prevention measures

Outside: When it comes to outside your office or place of work, it’s important to clear, clean and salt all parking lots, walkways, stairs and entrances quickly, to prevent ice from building up and causing a fall, or to prevent other debris (leaves etc) from doing so. Also, set clear expectations with your snow-removal and cleaning staff or contractors you use to clear these kinds of areas. In winter, always keep snow removal equipment of some kind handy: shovels should be accessible at external doors and near walkways, and salt or some other ice-treatment product should be available and kept stocked.

Inside: Although we often assume that the biggest risk for slips and falls is outside in bad weather, inside your office or workplace can also pose hazards that you should be aware of. It’s important to keep floors dry, especially in high-traffic areas, and if they have been cleaned or are wet for some other reason, use standard wet-floor signage to make people aware. At the doors to your workplace there should be mats, so employees can clean their boots or shoes, and these mats should be replaced promptly when they deteriorate. Keep walkways clear of cords and other material and ensure that there is good lighting.

Safety planning

Review: In terms of regular planning for safety-related issues, it’s crucial to review incident and near-miss reports as quickly as possible and fix any problem areas that have come to light. Be sure to communicate any remaining or outstanding hazards in staff meetings and/or via signage in the workplace so everyone is aware. Ask your employees to report any hazards, near misses or accidents including slips and falls promptly, and then ensure that one of your safety officers reviews the specifics of what happens,brings any recurring problems to light and takes immediate action to address the concern.

Remind: One way to encourage safety in the workplace is to remind staff to wear proper footwear for whatever their work may be, and to watch their step in areas where there are potential hazards such as uneven ground, wet floors, etc. Encourage staff to make their workplace safer for themselves and for others by taking care and not rushing when they are in transit, and especially to stay off their cell phones while they are walking or doing other tasks. Ask them to report hazards immediately.

Learn: Looking for topics for your next safety meeting or incorporating some team building at a group lunch or coffee break? Why not have a discussion about the slip, trip and fall hazards in your workplace and how best to address them. Rather than being told what to do, being part of the process can help the message stick.

Legal and Workers’ Compensation considerations

Research shows that falls in the workplace or on the job account for nearly 20 percent of all work-related time-loss injuries in Canada. Workers are covered when entering/exiting employer premises — buildings, attached or employer-arranged parking lots, and common areas. Employers may face WCB and/or legal liability if premises are not properly maintained. In addition, if a worker is injured on another employer’s premises, the injured worker’s employer can seek to transfer claim costs to the employer where the worker was injured.

If you would like further information regarding Slips and Falls Prevention for your workplace, you can reach us via email at [email protected], contact us directly, during business hours, using our chat feature or by phone, at 1-844-377-9545 or you can always connect with us on Facebook ,Twitter , or LinkedIn.