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FIVE-STEP SLIP & FALL PREVENTION PROGRAM

(Written by Roger McFadden, VP Technical Services at Coastwide Laboratories)

 

STEP ONE: KEEP THE FLOOR CLEAN

 

·        Clean the floor surface daily using an effective floor cleaner and autoscrubber or mop.

 

·        Frequently dust mop the floor surface to remove loose soil.

 

·        Clean up all spills, liquids, broken materials and puddles without delay.

 

·        Report and repair all damaged flooring immediately.

 

·        Select a floor care system from a reputable manufacturer whose floor treatments are classified as slip resistant.

 

·        Ask your floor care product supplier or manufacturer to verify sufficient liability insurance.

 

 

STEP TWO: EDUCATE APPROPRIATE PERSONNEL

 

·        Hold brief and informative educational sessions regarding floor safety. Inform all personnel of hazards associated with slippery floors and how they can assist in keeping workplace floors safer.

 

·        Locate all high-risk floor surfaces areas. Inform all personnel to execute extra caution in these areas.

 

·        Provide good lighting on floor areas where a higher potential risk exists.

 

·        Assign someone to floor safety on every shift and establish written responsibilities.

 

·        Report all accidents, near accidents, high-risk areas and damaged flooring immediately.

 

·        Emphasize the use and respect for all floor-warning signs.

 

·        Inform personnel that most slips and falls occur during the busy hours.

 

·        Provide adequate floor matting to wipe off wet or soiled footwear.

 

·        Use proper walking techniques, which include keeping steps short and toes pointed inward when crossing slippery floors. Never run across a slippery floor. Abrupt stops, starts and turns should be kept to a minimum.

 

·        Communicate the importance of floor safety to all facility personnel.

 

·        Designate at least one employee per shift to conduct frequent walk-through inspections of the facilities.

 

 

STEP THREE: TRAIN ALL MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL

 

·        Train floor maintenance personnel to maintain floors for safety as well as appearance.

 

·        Teach the importance of using the appropriate caution or wet floor signs.

 

·        Instruct floor care personnel to follow all floor maintenance procedures carefully and to spend additional time on high-risk areas.

 

·        Provide instructional floor maintenance safety wall charts and insist that all procedures be followed carefully. Post these signs in the appropriate location.

 

·        Don’t allow horseplay during hard floor care procedures.

 

·        Teach proper cleaning and storage of all equipment when cleaning is complete. Remember that mop buckets, mops, brooms, electrical cords, brushes and squeegees can cause trips, slips and falls.

 

·        Insist that safe footwear be worn at all times.

 

 

STEP FOUR: INSPECT AND DOCUMENT RESULTS

 

·        Develop a simple written floor inspection program.

 

·        Create and use a one-page inspection form. Include sections to identify and report damaged flooring, protruding nails, holes, cracked tiles, slippery conditions, accidents and near accidents.

 

·        Conduct and document regular floor inspections.

 

·        Promptly repair and correct floor damage or slippery conditions.

 

·        Communicate potential slip and fall risk areas to your safety and risk management departments.

 

 

STEP FIVE: DO’S AND DON’TS

 

·        DO stress good housekeeping to all employees.

·        DO provide and ongoing floor safety training program for all new personnel.

·        DO provide absorbent materials for quick response to spills and puddles.

·        DON’T wax or seal floors.

·        DON’T allow running or horseplay on floor areas.

·        DON’T allow use of greasy or dirty mops.

·        DON’T overuse dust mop treatments.

 

 

 

 

FLOOR SAFETY PROGRAM PAYS MAJOR BENEFITS

 

An effective slip and fall prevention program provides several important benefits.

 

1)    Substantially reduces the risks and potentials for slips and falls in the workplace.

 

A)   Reduces opportunity for accidents caused by slips and falls.

 

B)   Keeps workers compensation costs down.

 

2)    Provides a permanent and effective floor safety program to present liability insurance companies.

 

A)   Improves your corporate image and relationship with insurance companies.

 

B)   Encourages more favorable insurance rates.

 

3)    Improves floor safety, cleanliness and sanitation.

 

A)   Satisfies local health and sanitation authorities.

 

B)   Provides a safer working environment for personnel.

 

C)   Projects a better company image to customers and personnel.

 

4)    Creates a line of defense against injury claims and lawsuits.

 

A)   Establishes the creation and use of a well-organized floor safety program to prevent slip and fall accidents.

 

B)   Provides a definite and responsible prevention plan that will defend against claims of negligence and irresponsibility.