Slip and fall accidents account for about 25% of all personal injury claims per year, and 15% of all accidental deaths per year. Slips, trips, and falls can happen anywhere, including in the home, outside, or on-the-job. The information below provides tips and guidelines for preventing slip and fall accidents at home and at work. Contact a Boston Injury Lawyer Today.
Falls in the Bathroom
In the home, most slip and fall accidents occur in the bathroom and most victims are over the age of 65. Utilizing the following safety precautions can help reduce the risk of bathroom falls:
- Remove all clutter from the floor, including hampers, trash cans, and rugs. Consider installing wall-to-wall carpet, or flooring with a non-slippery surface, such as textured tile.
- Install grab-bars near the toilet and on the inside and outside of the bathtub or shower enclosure.
- Replace a standard soaking tub with a walk-in shower, or install a bench that straddles the tub. This will make it much easier to get in and out of the tub safely.
- Install an adhesive non-slip mat on the tub or shower floor.
- For elderly individuals with difficulty getting on and off the toilet, consider installing a toilet riser.
Falls in the Restaurant
Of the nine million annual workplace slip and fall accidents, approximately four million occur in the foodservice industry. Spilled liquids, grease, dim lighting, and a chaotic, fast-paced environment all contribute to restaurant and kitchen falls. To reduce the risk of serious injury in a restaurant slip and fall accident, follow these safety guidelines:
- Mats should be strategically placed throughout the kitchen and restaurant in places where they are most needed. For example, front doors, beverage and cooking stations, and areas near ice machines should always have a mat.
- Choose the right mat for the job. High traction mats with sloped edges are necessary for high traffic areas. Low traction mats can curl and buckle, resulting in trips and falls.
- Mats should be properly cleaned on a regular basis. Especially in commercial kitchens, mats can accumulate dirt, grease, and grime in a short period of time. In order to prevent slick mats, and the transfer of grime throughout the kitchen and restaurant, mats should be cleaned on a daily basis.
- Clean up spills as soon as they happen, and walkways should be kept clear of clutter and debris at all times.
Falls at Work
The majority of workplace injuries are due to slip and fall accidents. In fact, these accidents account for more than 95 million lost workdays per year. To prevent slip and fall accidents in any workplace environment, implement these safety practices:
- Create an effective housekeeping routine in your workplace facility. Create a program, assign different responsibilities to different employees, and make it a daily routine.
- Keep surfaces dry. During winter, make sure sidewalks, walkways, and parking lots are kept clear of ice and snow. Place ‘wet floor’ signs in areas that have been recently mopped or where spills have occurred, and clean up spills immediately.
- Use mats and adhesive non-skid tape where necessary.
- Keep all walkways free of clutter and debris, such as boxes, cords, and files. Regularly inspect walkways for tripping hazards.
- Keep walkways and work areas well illuminated. Poor lighting can contribute to slips, trips, and falls.
- Wear proper shoes. Soles should have good tread and shoelaces should always be tied tightly. Avoid flip flops and excessively high heels.
- Stay alert at all times.
Altman & Altman, LLP – Personal Injury Lawyers Serving Boston and the Surrounding Areas
If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, contact Altman & Altman, LLP today. We have been protecting the rights of accident and injury victims for over 50 years. Our injury team has an impressive track record of obtaining compensation for our clients. We can help you get the compensation you deserve so that you can get on with your life. Contact us today for a free consultation about your case.