Falls in the workplace are nothing to mess around with. In 2009, the Bureau of Labor estimated that 212,760 workers were seriously injured by a fall, and even worse, 605 workers were killed. And according to the National Safety Council, 25,000 slip, trip and fall accidents occur daily in the U.S. While workers across all trades face the risk of falling, the most dangerous trades of them all often involve working six or more feet from the ground, such as construction, roofing, tree trimming, utility repair, etc.
Here at U.S. Standard Products, we advocate strongly for fall prevention—both on the same level and to a lower level. We’ve compiled our top six tips for identifying fall risks and preventing fall-related injuries in the workplace.
-
- Be a pro; proactivity is the best protection – Implement regularly scheduled safety walkthroughs to ensure that all hazards are clearly marked, and your premises are kept in safe condition. Educate employees of the dangers and risks, and properly train them on how to properly use safety equipment. Not only will proactive risk mitigation activities help keep your employees safe, but they will also help you secure the best insurance at the best price.
-
- Don’t cry over spilled milk, just clean it up ASAP! – Spills, leaks, drips… they’re all dangerous the minute they hit the floor. Be sure that you have cleanup supplies readily available, including “wet floor” signs. Also consider applying a slip-resistant treatment to floors that are prone to getting wet.
-
- Say yes to yellow – Yellow is the color of choice for marking hazards that could result in accidents from slipping, falling or striking against something, according to OSHA Standards. Be sure all steps, corners, trip hazards are marked clearly in yellow to minimize risk. Learn more about color coding in the workplace.
-
- Light it up – Proper lighting is key for maximizing visibility and minimizing slips, trips and falls. All walkways, staircases, etc. should be well lit at all working hours. If working in a heavy industrial environment, consider investing in specialized rough service lighting fixtures to extend the longevity of the lamps.
-
- Ice, ice, maybe? – Snow and ice melt: your ultimate weapon against winter slipping. Stock up on more snow and ice melt than you think you’ll need before the first freeze so that you’re prepared when you need it.
- Boots and ladders – Workers who are exposed to vertical drops of six or more feet from the ground are at risk of injury or death in the event of a fall. It’s imperative, and required by OSHA, to provide these workers with proper fall protection equipment—whether that is the appropriate ladder or scaffold for the job, non-slip shoes, or personal fall arrest systems (PFAS).
U.S. Standard Products provides a wide range of safety products to help you and your team stay safe on the job. For more tips on safety in the workplace, follow U.S. Standard Products on social media: