Slips, Trips, and Falls in Wholesale and Retail Trade Establishments
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Spills on walking surfaces may cause slippery surfaces.
Ice, snow, or rain can create out- door slipping hazards and can be tracked indoors. Loose mats or rugs may result in tripping. Figure 1. Spilled liquid on a floor that may cause slips. Boxes/containers may obstruct vision Poor lighting affects visibility. Walking surfaces that are in disrepair, have protruding nails and boards, or changes in floor height may cause STFs. Contaminants on the floor, walking surface irregularities, and tripping hazards such as clutter, cords or hoses, on walking surfaces lead to most STF injuries in the workplace.
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Ensure that aisles and passageways are free of clutter and other tripping hazards.
Develop a written STF prevention policy that specifies both employer and worker responsibilities. (See NIOSH 2010 for an example of developing an STF prevention plan.) Ensure that aisles and passageways are free of clutter and other tripping hazards. Provide proper lighting in all areas indoors and outdoors to reduce shadows, dark areas, and glare so that trip hazards or surface irregularities are clearly visible. Replace burnt out light bulbs promptly. If electrical cords are used on a regular basis, install out- lets so that cords do not cross walkways. In grocery stores, ensure that water from produce spray misters is directed onto produce, and is not spraying onto the floor. In grocery stores, provide customers with plastic bags and paper towels for wet produce to prevent it from dripping water. Provide clean up supplies (paper towels, absorbent material, “wet floor” signs, etc) at convenient locations in the facility. Provide umbrella bags to pre
3
Planning
before the shoes contact the flooring beyond the mat. If there is water around or beyond the mat, it means that the mat is not large enough or is saturated and needs to be replaced.
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References
Anderson VP, Mulhern B [2010]. Don’t let costly slip and fall injuries trip you up. Chain Store Age March:40−43. ANSI [2006]. Standards for the provision of slip resistance on walking/working surfaces. New York: American National Standards Institute, ANSI A1264.2−2006. ANSI [2007]. Safety requirements for workplace walking surfaces and their access: floor, wall and roof openings, stairs and guardrail systems. American National Standards Institute. ANSI/ASSE A1264.1-2007. BLS [2010]. Incidence rates for nonfatal occupational in- juries and illnesses involving days away from work per 10,000 full-time workers by industry and selected events or exposures leading to injury or illness, private industry, 2010
AUTHOR: Howard Roitman, Las Vegas Lawyer
Copyright Howard Roitman & Associates - Google+
More information about Howard Roitman & Associates
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
2
Ensure that aisles and passageways are free of clutter and other tripping hazards.
Develop a written STF prevention policy that specifies both employer and worker responsibilities. (See NIOSH 2010 for an example of developing an STF prevention plan.) Ensure that aisles and passageways are free of clutter and other tripping hazards. Provide proper lighting in all areas indoors and outdoors to reduce shadows, dark areas, and glare so that trip hazards or surface irregularities are clearly visible. Replace burnt out light bulbs promptly. If electrical cords are used on a regular basis, install out- lets so that cords do not cross walkways. In grocery stores, ensure that water from produce spray misters is directed onto produce, and is not spraying onto the floor. In grocery stores, provide customers with plastic bags and paper towels for wet produce to prevent it from dripping water. Provide clean up supplies (paper towels, absorbent material, “wet floor” signs, etc) at convenient locations in the facility. Provide umbrella bags to pre
3
Planning
before the shoes contact the flooring beyond the mat. If there is water around or beyond the mat, it means that the mat is not large enough or is saturated and needs to be replaced.
4
References
Anderson VP, Mulhern B [2010]. Don’t let costly slip and fall injuries trip you up. Chain Store Age March:40−43. ANSI [2006]. Standards for the provision of slip resistance on walking/working surfaces. New York: American National Standards Institute, ANSI A1264.2−2006. ANSI [2007]. Safety requirements for workplace walking surfaces and their access: floor, wall and roof openings, stairs and guardrail systems. American National Standards Institute. ANSI/ASSE A1264.1-2007. BLS [2010]. Incidence rates for nonfatal occupational in- juries and illnesses involving days away from work per 10,000 full-time workers by industry and selected events or exposures leading to injury or illness, private industry, 2010
AUTHOR: Howard Roitman, Las Vegas Lawyer
Copyright Howard Roitman & Associates - Google+
More information about Howard Roitman & Associates
View all articles published by Howard Roitman & Associates
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
