Personal Injury Lawyer Blog
Many people every year suffer major injuries from slip and fall accidents. Wet floors, faulty floors and, walkways have made many people victims of slip and fall cases. Even though there are many who are victims of slip and fall accidents, there are some who could of easily prevented the accident themselves. I have accumulated a number of facts, statistics, and tips to prevent from being a victim in a slip and fall case.
Slip and Fall Injury Statistics according to www.safetytoday.com
– An estimated 300,000 disabling injuries occur each year in the American work force, resulting in 1,400 worker deaths. Slips, trips and falls account for 15 to 20 percent of all workers’ compensation costs.
– The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 303,800 workplace fall injuries in 2000.
– A new American National Standard from the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) focuses on reducing slip and fall injuries in the workplace, the second leading cause of incidental workplace deaths.
– A1264.2 Standard for the Provision of Slip Resistance on Walking/Working Surfaces explores surface characteristics, footwear traction properties and environmental factors of slip resistance to ensure a safer walking and working environment. The standard provides basic guidelines for professionals to apply to their own workplace.
– According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 15 percent of incidental workplace deaths are caused by slips, trips and falls, second only to traffic accident fatalities.
The standard covers:
– floor characteristics, including how to install mats and runners;
– controlling access to areas with slippery environment and providing appropriate signage;
– footwear traction properties, such as a shoe’s sole design to ensure slip resistance;
– housekeeping training and maintenance;
– surface testing equipment; and
– floor selection.
–Source, ISHN Online, ASSE.
A variety of policies and practices can be established to reduce the number of injuries and deaths due to slips, trips and falls. A few suggestions:
– Owners, managers and supervisors must make a commitment to prevent accidental slips, trips and falls.
– Conduct frequent inspections of working and walking areas to identify any hazards that could cause slips, trips and falls. Special attention should be given to working and walking surfaces, housekeeping, lighting, visibility, stairways and ladders. Immediately correct dangerous situations.
– As mandated by OSHA, provide extensive safety training on the prevention of slips, trips and falls for all new employees. Regular retraining should be provided for all employees. Give special attention to proper walking, carrying, and climbing as well as descending stairways, ladders, vehicles and equipment. Unsafe practices should be corrected immediately.
– All workers should wear proper footwear for their work and environment whether in the office, shop, plant, or field.
– Prohibit riders on tractors, trucks or other self-powered or towed equipment unless a safe seat or workstation is provided.
– Report and record all slips, trips and falls, with or without injury. Every incident should be thoroughly investigated. Take immediate corrective action to prevent repeat occurrences.
–Source, ISHN Online, ASSE.
– ANSI sets standards for shoes and boots. Never purchase work shoes that do not meet these standards. A typical ANSI rating could be 1-75 C-25. This means the toe will withstand 75 foot pounds of impact and 2,500 pounds of compression.
Tips for safe footwear:
– The soles and heels should be slip-resistant
– The toe of the shoe should resist crushing injuries
– The shoe should support the ankle
As a Sacramento personal injury lawyer, Moseley Collins specializes in serious personal injury cases, including Slip and fall cases. We believe that if you or a loved one have been seriously injured and your not at fault, you have the right to obtain an experienced personal injury attorney. Hiring an experienced lawyer will help you win the money to pay for medical care, and other expenses resulting from the your accident.