Slip and fall accidents are almost all directly connected to the floor \u2013 either you slip on it or you fall on it. While there is no precise way to determine when someone else is legally responsible for something on which you slip and trip, cases turn on whether the property owner acted carefully so that the slipping or tripping was not likely to happen \u2013 and whether the victim was careless in not seeing or avoiding the accident.<\/p>\n
Good housekeeping is the first and the most important level for preventing falls due to slips and trips. Below are a few points to consider to keep your \u201chouse\u201d in order.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Surface composition
\nTypes of slip resistant floors and stairs to consider include brushed concrete, sheet vinyl with abrasive material, and seamless epoxy or urethane with surface aggregate. Porous surfaces tend to be the most slip resistant.
\n\u2022 Foreign substance potential
\nFloor areas that are likely to be wet or spilled upon (foyers, restaurants, canteens, kitchens, food factories and process plants of all types), or contain other foreign substances (grease on a garage floor, for example) are potential danger areas for slips and falls.
\n\u2022 Surface Conditions
\nLoose or torn carpeting, all stair types that are not slip resistant, broken tiles, ramps and parking lot divots are examples of surfaces that create potential tripping hazards.
\n\u2022 Level changes
\nRamps, sloping areas, ledges. Steps (three or fewer) and similar surface irregularities can pose a slip\/trip hazard. Be aware of such conditions, especially when there is no \u2018colour contrast\u2019 to call attention to the change.
\n\u2022 Obstructions
\nExtension cords, furniture, planters, floor displays and parking lot bumpers are examples of obstructions. When located near a common pathway, they have historically contributed to a number of trips and falls, some with serious consequences. Move or eliminate obstructions or highlight or call attention to them with bright paint.
\n\u2022 Visibility
\nLighting, glare, and lack of colour contrast are the most common examples of visibility concerns.
\n\u2022 Stairs
\nStairs are defined as having more than three steps, up or down. The presence of hand rails (consider both side \u2013 and centre \u2013 handrails), and overall stairway condition, including height and depth of risers and treads, are factors to take into account when determining the degree of hazard.
\n\u2022 Human factors
\nConsider the age of customers and associates, as well as shoe types. For example, seniors often have sight and other impairments, and children may tend to run and \u201chorse around\u201d. Are there any hazards at a child\u2019s eye level that an adult would normally see? Consider the type of footwear most commonly worn by people walking the area.
\n\u2022 Unusual features
\nArt work, signs, displays, brooks, bridges and similar \u201cmood\u201d setters are common examples of features that can cause a distraction. Of particular concern are signs and other items on easels.<\/p>\n
In conclusion, being mindful of the risk of \u201cSlips and Falls\u201d and using the right preventative materials can avoid a Property Owner a potential law suit or workplace injury.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Slip and fall accidents are almost all directly connected to the floor \u2013 either you slip on it or you fall on it. While there is no precise way to determine when someone else is legally responsible for something on which you slip and trip, cases turn on whether the property owner acted carefully so […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":809,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1040","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured-articles"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t