A slip and fall accident could be financially devastating for a business owner.
Customer slip and fall accidents are the most common type of liability claim. Consider your business from the perspective of the customer…
- Are the exterior parking areas and walkways well lit, level and free from standing or occasional water?
- How is the drainage around your business? Are there areas prone to ice accumulation?
- Are the handrails secure?
- Are the walkways clear and wide enough for two people?
- Are there tripping hazards inside your business? Slick glazed floors, carpet in need of repair or poorly marked walkway transition areas?
Creating a Safe Passage
- Routine inspection and maintenance should be a regular part of your safety program to help prevent falls for both your visitors and employees.
- Design your entrances and walkways to accommodate the expected volume of foot traffic through your business.
- Conduct periodic walkthrough surveys of your premises to help ensure your property is kept in safe conditionEnsure all walkways are properly lit.
- Maintain all flooring surfaces at all timesUse slip-resistant floor treatments, especially in areas proven to be wet.
- Apply floor treatments to manufacturer’s instructions.
- Use “wet floor” signs to warn of known hazards.
- Schedule maintenance of floor surfaces during times of low traffic.
- Have spill cleanup supplies readily available.
- Ensure that entry areas are properly maintained and any mats are secured.
- Promptly investigate incidents, and document findings if an accident and/or injury occurs.
To be best prepared for an unfortunate incident, create a business system and share the process of handling accidents with all employees, as an example:
- Remain calm and determine if emergency help is necessary.
- Record all contact information from the injured as well as all the witnesses.
- Take photographs and videos of the area.
- Document or video record statements from the injured and the witnesses.
The better your business is prepared for unfortunate events, the less likely they are to occur.
If you have questions regarding your business or commercial insurance needs, please feel free to give us a call. 519-736-8228.