Slips, Trips and Falls: A Common Business Risk You Can Help Prevent

A wet floor. A loose cord stretched across a hallway. A box left in the wrong place. A poorly lit stairwell.

It doesn’t take a major safety failure to cause a serious workplace injury.

Slips, trips and falls are among the most common causes of workplace injuries, and they can happen almost anywhere, from offices and retail stores to warehouses, construction sites and manufacturing facilities.

For business owners in Middle Georgia and beyond, these accidents can mean more than an injured employee. They can result in workers’ compensation claims, lost productivity, time away from work and, depending on the circumstances, potential liability.

The good news is that many slips, trips and falls are preventable.

The Everyday Hazards That Can Lead to an Accident

Some of the biggest workplace risks are also the easiest to overlook.

Common hazards include:

• Wet or slippery floors

• Uneven walking surfaces

• Loose mats or rugs

• Cluttered aisles and walkways

• Electrical cords running through high-traffic areas

• Poor lighting

• Tools, boxes or other materials left where employees or customers walk

• Rain, mud or other weather-related conditions tracked into a building

Because these conditions can develop quickly, preventing accidents requires more than an occasional safety inspection. It means creating a workplace culture where employees recognize potential hazards and address them before someone gets hurt.

Small Safety Habits Can Make a Big Difference

Businesses don’t necessarily need complicated new systems to reduce the risk of falls.

Start with the basics.

• Keep work areas clean and free of clutter.

• Clean spills immediately, or clearly mark the area until the hazard can be removed.

• Make sure employees have appropriate footwear for their work environment, and encourage the use of designated walkways and handrails.

• Employees should also avoid carrying loads that obstruct their view and should report damaged flooring, uneven surfaces or other hazards as soon as they notice them.

Managers and supervisors play an equally important role. Regular inspections, consistent housekeeping standards and an environment where employees feel comfortable reporting problems can help businesses catch risks before they turn into claims.

Don’t Forget About Customers and Visitors

Workplace safety isn’t only about employees.

A slippery entrance, damaged sidewalk or cluttered aisle can also create a hazard for a customer, vendor or other visitor. That can potentially turn a simple maintenance issue into a costly liability claim.

For businesses that regularly welcome members of the public, routine inspections of entrances, parking areas, sidewalks, restrooms and customer-facing spaces can be especially important.

When severe weather or heavy rain increases the risk, businesses should also consider additional mats, warning signs and more frequent checks of high-traffic areas.

Prevention Is Part of Good Risk Management

Insurance is there to help protect your business when something goes wrong. But one of the best approaches to risk management is reducing the likelihood that an accident happens in the first place.

That’s why workplace safety and insurance should go hand in hand.

At Roland, Abbott & DeZoort Insurance, we believe protecting a local business means looking beyond the policy itself. Through resources such as Risk Advisor Konnect, our clients can access guidance on workplace safety and OSHA compliance, human resources, claims, and DOT/FMCSA compliance.

Whether you have questions about workers’ compensation, general liability or the everyday risks facing your operation, our Middle Georgia team can help you make sure your coverage and your risk-management strategy are keeping pace with your business.

Have questions about protecting your business? Contact Roland, Abbott & DeZoort Insurance to review your commercial insurance coverage and talk through the risks that could affect your operation.