in the first place )
First , it ’ s important to examine some of the most common causes ( direct and indirect ) of slip and fall accidents . Direct causes are such things as spilled liquids , food , cracked or broken tiles , worn mats , cracked or broken sidewalks , uneven steps , ice and snow , potholes , and physical obstacles . Indirect causes include inadequate or dim lighting , and missing handrails or guardrails , among other things . Some of the most common causes include :
• Wet Floors . Food or beverages , rain , snow , and ice can be deposited on the floor or tracked into buildings . In reviewing housekeeping , maintenance , and cleaning policies , floors should be cleaned during non-peak hours and the premises inspected on a consistent and routine basis . Audits should be conducted , and performance tracked and retained . Cleaning / Checklists should be filled out and retained for a sufficient period of time . Caution / warning signs need to be placed in close proximity to the actual spill or wet area . These signs should be sufficient in number and placed in a timely manner so as to provide adequate warning .
• Ice and Snow . A business is responsible for the sidewalks , parking lots and landscaping on their property . Walkways may include areas outside the sidewalks immediately surrounding the building . In most cases , the law does not require a business owner to remove snow and ice off the property . However , if the weather causes an unusually heavy accumulation of snow on the roof , and that snow then melts and drips off onto the sidewalk and freezes on the ground , the business owner could be held responsible for an injury resulting from the ice created by the melting and refreezing . Regular inspections of the property , gutters and downspouts will help identify potential problems .
• Misplaced Physical Objects . Misplaced mats , furniture , door stops , moldings , fallen merchandise , power cords or wiring can all be the source of a slip and fall injury . A number of hotels and / or restaurants have made it the responsibility of the surveillance teams to monitor various areas of the property and notify the proper internal group to address any perceived problems .
• Congested Means of Ingress and Egress . Business owners must ensure adequate means for patrons to enter and exit the building or premises without severe congestion . Heavy amounts of congestion through obstructed areas could cause a business owner to become liable for injuries stemming from the congestion . To address these concerns building maintenance coordinates with the event planners in scheduling on-going maintenance so as have minimal impact on visitors .
• Inadequate Lighting . Dim or inadequate lighting can result in liability by hiding hazards such as steps , curbs , potholes or uneven pavement ( and it can also invite criminals to assault or steal from patrons ).
• And a Note about Sidewalks . In some jurisdictions , the property owner is responsible for maintaining the sidewalk adjacent to its property . In other jurisdictions , the business owner and governmental entity share the responsibility for maintaining the sidewalk .
Preventative steps can help avoid slip and fall accidents
In addition to safety training , take time to survey a property – note potential hazards and take immediate action to eliminate these hazards . These steps include :
• Maintaining floors , sidewalks , aisles , and walkways at regular intervals and documenting the inspections .
• Provide regular training for employees regarding safety measures and protocols with immediate reporting .
• Create safety protocols and instruct employees in slip and fall safety – create and retain incident reports . Instruct employees on procedures for assisting customers who have fallen - emergency assistance police and rescue .
• Conduct regular maintenance of outdoor areas including sidewalks , play areas , and parking lots and , monitor and repair landscaping , potholes , and lane markings , and remove any obstacles .
• Maintain records of maintenance including actions to remove and repair conditions . Make sure governmental inspections are all passed and maintain proof of passing scores .
• Conduct regular safety surveillance of mats , carpeted floors , lighting , litter , fallen merchandise , and uneven or buckled flooring .
• Maintain proper liability insurance with periodic policy reviews .
• Improve safety through constant monitoring , setting benchmarks , and examining policies and procedures .
Beyond these day-to-day safety procedures and protocols , staff training , and monitoring / inspections to ensure the safety of your grounds , there are some “ big picture ” planning principles that can be implemented . For example , it ’ s important to measure ( and record ) the slip resistance of all floor surfaces ( both wet and dry ) on the property .
A number of hotel , restaurant and resort companies have started to address slip and fall concerns by conducting floor slip resistance testing , which establishes baseline benchmarks using a tribometer set to ASTM requirements in order to establish both dry and wet coefficients of friction for inside and outside walking surfaces . They then monitor the findings and conduct routine audits to ensure compliance with standards ( and promptly take any corrective action as required ). It is critically important to establish this baseline , in case of
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