Running a business isn’t just about providing a valuable product or service to your customers. Maintaining a safe building for your employees to work in and for your customers to visit is just as important.

While it’s expected for there to be hazards in the industrial workplace, even the small mom and pop shop can host a variety of hazards. You’re legally responsible for any injuries that occur on your business’ premises, so take precautions and learn how to prevent these injuries from transpiring.

One hazard that every business deals with is the hazard of slipping and falling. Even a supposedly clean floor can be a hazard. This is because of the main difference between slipping and tripping. Tripping occurs when something stops the foot in its tracks while still in motion. Slipping occurs when there is a lack of traction between the foot and the surface.

Slip hazards are incredibly dangerous. They can cause spinal injuries, head injuries, and even death. Therefore, they should not be taken lightly.

Here are our tips to prevent slip hazards in the workplace:

1. Understand what causes slip hazards in the workplace

A floor can be made slippery when there is contact with oil, liquid, wax, or polish. This includes snow and ice as these elements can melt.

2. Assess where slip hazards could occur

By knowing potential hazard zones, you can take preventative action so the floor doesn’t ever become slippery. Areas of concern would be areas where individuals have slipped in the past, where there are frequent spills, or where rain or snow can get tracked in.

3. Train employees on slip hazards

Once you’ve identified where slip hazards are likely to occur, train your employees on how to identify them and to clean them up immediately. If for any reason they are unable to immediately clean them up, then it would be their responsibility to notify the correct personnel.

4. Make proper footwear part of your dress code

By requiring employees to wear slip-resistant shoes, you protect them from potentially slipping and falling while on the job.

5. Use anti-slip floor cleaners

Purchase cleaners that don’t leave a residue that employees and customers could potentially slip on.

6. Have proper signage and barriers to put in slippery areas

Whenever there is a spill or cleaning residue, it is your responsibility to put up wet floor signs. Even better, surround the area with barriers as well in case the visually impaired cannot see the signs.

7. Avoid slip hazards with floor mats

Make sure you have scraper mats at your front entrance to prevent guests from tracking mud, snow or rain onto your floors. Floor mats should also be placed throughout your establishment wherever you identify a frequently slippery area.
At Carpet Rentals, we have all the floor mats you need to help prevent slip hazards in the workplace. We offer outside scraper floor mats with a slip-resistant surface, oil-resistant cotton mat floor mats, abrasive brush floor mats, and much more! To learn more about how we can protect your floors from the elements, contact us today at 1-800-346-6287.

Tags: hazards