Slips, trips and falls are among the leading causes of general industry work-related accidents. They have the potential to cause serious injury to employees and sadly, roughly 15% of slips, trips and falls result in death.
U.S. Department of Labor 2014 statistics reveal that 27 percent of of missed workdays were on account of slips, trips and falls in the workplace, a quarter of which resulted in more than 30 days away from work.
The main causes of slips, trips and falls involve spills, poorly maintained walkways, weather related conditions, unsuitable flooring, stairs, poor lighting, inappropriate footwear and, of course, human behavior sometimes plays a role.
In order to prevent slips, trips and falls, businesses should have spill kits and warning signs available for immediate use. Slip resistant flooring should be used preferentially and walkways and entryways should be properly maintained with special attention to icy and wet conditions during Iowa winters.
To prevent falls, dark places such as stairwells and parking areas should be illuminated for employees and visitors to your business. In order to protect your employees from injury, take time to educate them on what steps they can take to prevent slip, trip and fall accidents in the workplace.
If you have been injured at work following a slip, trip or fall, contact the Des Moines workers’ compensation law offices of Stoltze & Stoltze PLC for help. We have assisted numerous Iowa workers to get the compensation they need after suffering a work injury. Call today 515-244-1473.
