Many different types of contamination can cause a slip, trip, or fall for customers and employees. These can be prevented by educating all employees to identify them and assigning responsibility for prevention and correction of these situations. The top ten slip, trip, and fall hazards are:
1. Contaminants on the floor (food, water, grease, dirt, etc.) These situations normally occur during busy times, and it is important to empower employees to take the time to alert management and / or correct any identified hazards.
2. Indoor walking surface irregularities (holes, frayed carpets, cracks, steps, ramps or other sudden changes of elevation, etc.) These can occur due to poorly planned design features or normal wear and tear.Failure to alert people to changes in elevations or abnormal surface conditions can also contribute to this risk.
3. Outdoor walking surface irregularities (potholes, cracks, obstacles, etc.) These are similar to indoor irregularities and require additional effort to inspect and correct them. In the event the establishment does not own or have responsibility for these locations, it is imperative to make written notice to the entity that does to enact correction and reduce liability.
4. Weather conditions (rain, ice, and snow, etc.) Having procedures in place and assigned responsibility for clearing Ice and snow (and necessary supplies) is imperative.
5. Inadequate lighting both inside and outside the establishment. Ambiance is one thing, but failure to identify a potential trip hazard is another. Accent lighting is key.
6. Stairs and handrails (or lack thereof) that may be damaged, loose or poorly marked.
7. Stepstools and ladders when not safely positioned, improperly used or in disrepair.
8. Chairs, tables and other furniture that is poorly designed, unstable or damaged.
9. Tripping hazards (clutter, loose cords, curled mats, etc.)
10. Poor drainage (pipes and drains, etc.)
OSHA has found some of the most common causes of slips to be wet products or spills on smooth floors or walking surfaces (such as water, mud, grease, oil, food, and animal blood; loose, unanchored rugs or mats; and transitioning from one surface to another (i.e., carpet to vinyl). Additionally, OSHA states that common causes of trips includerumpled or rolled-up carpets/mats, carpets with curled edges, irregularities in walking surface thresholds or gaps, and missing or uneven floor tiles and bricks. Causes for trips include, for example, debris, accumulated waste materials, and uneven surfaces are often the result of poor maintenance or cleaning procedures.
OSHA also states that environmental conditions that increase the risk of slips, trips, and falls include poor housekeeping, improper cleaning methods and products, and inadequate or missing signage. In the process of designing for the workplace, OSHA advises using adequate ventilation to avoid smoke, steam, and condensation of water and grease onto the floor.
Procedures to regularly (pre shift, during and post shift) inspect these areas must be established to reduce the potential for these occurrences.
INCIDENT REPORT FROM RESTAURANT - AMHERST INSURANCE
