A normal day in your office is not without risk. Suppose that an employee trips on a rug and breaks his or her leg? What if a patron falls down an unmarked step and gets a concussion?
These problems are not isolated only to risky businesses like construction or manufacturing. Slip-and-fall-risks exist in stores, medical offices and even insurance firms. Anyone is at risk of a fall, and no business is immune.
If an employee suffers an injury at work, he or she might sue you for workers' compensation. If a patron or outside party gets hurt on your property, the patron might sue you for damages or compensation.
Lawsuits can cost your business a pretty penny. Proper business insurance and workers’ compensation insurance can reduce the risk of financial loss.
However, it should be the priority of every business to reduce slip-and-fall risks on the premises. That way, the risk of financial loss is less.
Some ways that you can reduce slip-and-fall risks in your business include:
- Securing furniture. Don’t place your office furniture in common walkways. Close drawers and push chairs under tables when not using them.
- Smoothing carpet and rugs. People can commonly trip of rugs are not flat on the floor, or if carpets have creases or snags.
- Using proper lighting. Poor lighting impairs eyesight. Someone walking through an office might trip over an unseen box. Even a burnt out bulb can be enough to cause someone to trip and fall over unseen items. Change faulty or broken lighting in a timely manner.
- Cleaning up spills. Whether you spill a drink or have a leaking pipe, a spill is one of the biggest risks of a fall in a business. Clean up spills immediately when they occur. If the spill is from a leak, take immediate steps to contain and repair the leak.
- Keeping pathways clear. Don’t let office supplies or other materials accumulate where people walk. Store these items in proper places.
- Doing a walkthrough. Walking through your business once or twice a day can help you spot potential fall risks.
- Marking hazards. Many workplace safety laws require you to mark fall risks like wet floors, broken pavement, obstructed views and step-downs. By marking hazards, you let patrons and employees know that there’s a risk to them.
By reducing slip-and-fall risks, you also reduce the risk of having to face a costly lawsuit. You also can reduce other insurance risks.
If you have pointers about reducing fall risks in your business, leave a comment below. You can also contact our office at 432-570-4373 with any questions you have about your business insurance. You can find more information about business insurance on Area Insurance Services website.