Business owners spend a lot of time looking ahead. But if they want to keep employees and guests safe and avoid costly and disruptive workers’ compensation or personal injury claims, they need to look down.
All employers need to provide a safe working environment for their employees, and all businesses must take all reasonable steps to keep customers and visitors safe from avoidable hazards. And that starts from the bottom up with the quality and condition of the floors of offices, buildings, warehouses, and other facilities.
Checking for potential slip, trip, and fall dangers should be part of every business’ safety program. On a regular basis, business owners and property managers should thoroughly inspect the floors inside their facilities as well as the sidewalks and other outdoor spaces which people use to access their buildings.
Here are five things to include on your floor safety checklist:
- Get outside. Ensure that all outside walkways are clean and clear of debris and weather-related hazards like snow and ice and look for cracks or uneven surfaces that could present a tripping risk.
- Get stuff out of the way. Aside from cleaning away dirt and water off your floors and outdoor surfaces, you need to clear any obstacles that may impede foot traffic. That means no clutter, no boxes, and nothing in the way that shouldn’t be there.
- Get into the details. Spills, moisture, and other hazards are not always readily apparent until it’s too late. In addition to inspecting entrances and high-traffic areas, don’t forget to check by the loading dock, garbage and recycling areas, and other out-of-the-way places where liquids and other debris can develop and make adjacent areas slippery and dangerous.
- Get ready for the unpredictable. Spills and other hazards are almost inevitable, but you never know when and where they will happen. Pipes burst, roofs leak, and other sudden events can create immediate dangers where there weren’t any even seconds earlier. Have a plan for responding, addressing, and remediating such problems immediately.
- Get high-quality, safety-enhancing floor mats from Eagle Mat. Eagle Mat and Floor Products proudly offers the finest in commercial mats and floor covering products in the marketplace. Our products are designed to provide safety, durability, and functionality in all types of environments.
We sell and rent matting, safety flooring, and other products that help businesses deliver the highest quality of service and provide safety to clients, patrons, and employees alike. Contact us today at 1-877-333-1018 to speak with our knowledgeable sales team.
