Safe work habits, good housekeeping, and commonsense precautions can make a major impact on the incidence of slips, trips, and falls in the workplace and on the job site.

Here are some tips for reducing slip-and-fall accidents:

--Keep floors clean and dry. Immediately mop up spills and water on floor surfaces.

--Post warning signs for wet floor areas.

--If possible, replace tile or linoleum flooring with carpet.

--Clean one side of the passageway at a time.

--Eliminate uneven floor or sidewalk surfaces.

--Keep aisles, walkways and exits free from obstructions.

--Provide adequate lighting inside and outside.

--Ensure that stairwells are well-lit, stair treads and risers are up to safety code and free from obstructions, and handrails are sturdy.

--Document defects and actions taken to correct problems.

In an article on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, University of Florida researchers offered such additional recommendations as: conducting regular frequent inspections of working and walking areas; requiring all workers to wear proper footwear for their work and environment whether in the office, shop, plant, feedlot or field; and not permitting any riders on tractors, trucks, or other self-powered or towed equipment unless a safe seat or workstation is provided.

But, from a safety professional's perspective, the two most telling recommendations were these:

--Owners, managers, and supervisors must make a commitment to prevent accidental slips, trips, and falls.

--Extensive safety training on the prevention of slips, trips, and falls should be provided for all new employees. Regular retraining should be provided for all employees. 

Keep in mind - training doesn’t have to take a long time!  In my next blog I’ll present an outline for a 5 minute training session that you can use to make your workplace a safer place!