Employers are expected to take all steps necessary to maintain a safe work environment. This means doing whatever they can to prevent a slip-and-fall accident.
Unfortunately, there are times when floor conditions cause a slip-and-fall accident, thus leading to the injury of a worker or visitor.
Here are some of the most common floor conditions that cause a slip-and-fall accident:
- Lack of signage when a floor is being cleaned or is still wet from a recent cleaning
- Failing to use barriers to close off a floor that is wet or being treated
- Using too much wax or polish, which makes for a slippery surface that is unsafe for walking or working
- Treating one part of a floor but not another, thus causing a change in conditions
- Using the wrong type of floor treatment
- Using floor treatment, such as wax, on an incline
- Treating steps with wax or polish
As a worker, you have so much going on around you that you may not think twice about the floor conditions. This can lead to a situation in which you slip and fall, which always has the possibility to cause serious injury.
If you slip and fall on the job, receive immediate medical attention. Also, make sure you report the accident to your employer.
In the event that your injury will keep you away from your job for an extended period of time, you may be able to apply for workers’ compensation benefits. This will provide you with money until you recover to the point of being able to return to work.
Source: FindLaw, “Conditions Leading to Indoor Slip and Fall Accidents,” accessed Aug. 11, 2017