While having the right insurance coverage is vital to protecting your business in the event of a lawsuit, it’s always better to prevent incidents from occurring in the first place.

Taking precautionary steps to guard against slips and falls can reduce the risk of these accidents occurring at your business.

Key facts about slips and falls

Slips and falls are so common that they actually make up the majority of general industry accidents. The causes can vary depending on the business. A restaurant’s biggest faults are likely wet and oil-slicked floors, while a woodshop could be coated in slippery sawdust. Other potential risks include:

● Floors with irregularities
● Freshly polished floors
● Loose carpeting
● Transitions between rooms and types of flooring
● Lack of handrails on stairs
● General clutter
● Cables
● Ramps and stairs without skid-resistant strips
● Poor lighting

So how can you make your place of business safer?

1. Tidy up up clutter and keep things clean by mopping up spills and sweeping away dust. But don’t just wait until things get messy. Instead, have a regular cleaning regime in place. Enforce this policy with employees and keep signs posted reminding them of this duty.

2. Use mats in areas where water, oils and other agents gather. During poor weather, place mats at exterior doors to limit the amount of water that is tracked inside. Anti-skid strips can be designated in any area where the risk of slipping and falling is greater.

3. Limit obstacles in walking paths. Hallways, corridors and paths between workstations should always be clutter-free. When people need to navigate their way around objects, they are more likely to trip.

4. Ensure there is proper lighting at all times. In many cases, slips and falls can be prevented if people can easily see the risks for themselves.

5. Keep all walking surfaces smooth. Make sure that carpets and rugs are not bunched up and repair surfaces with irregularities.