Slip and fall accidents can result in a variety of injuries, including sprains, bruises, scratches, bumps, cuts and fractures. A business owner can be liable for injuries if the victim can prove negligence.
To avoid liability, owners should do everything they can to prevent these types of accidents. Prevention strategies include identifying hazards and repairing them as soon as possible.
Factors typically involved in slip and fall accidents
According to Safety and Health Magazine, there are various factors involved with slips, trips and falls. Owners should be aware of these, as should management and employees. Some of the things to be aware of when looking for potential hazards include:
- Obstacles
- Walking surfaces
- Weather conditions
- Lighting
When looking for hazards, an individual should be aware of the interior of the business as well as the exterior, such as the sidewalk, stairs and parking lot. Repair of any issues should occur immediately. If that is not possible, there should be signs and other warning methods to let customers know that the hazard exists.
Prevention strategies
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discusses that spills and slippery floors are common causes of falls. Someone should clean up spills right away. When there is snow or rain, it is difficult to maintain a dry floor. Place extra rugs on the floor, place a wet floor sign and mop up whenever possible.
Floor mats are another common issue. Employees should be aware of any curled edges or bunched-up areas. Employees should also clear clutter or anything that is obstructing high-traffic areas. Another thing to inspect regularly is the lighting, especially in hallways and stairways.
A business owner may not be able to find and repair all hazards right away. However, if it becomes a negligence issue, he or she could face legal issues if someone were to suffer injuries.