Slips and falls to the same level are the second leading cause of lost worktime injuries, and the cause of 171 employee deaths in 2014, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Identifying and eliminating the most common causes of these injuries can reduce OSHA recordable incidents and workers compensation claims.
Not every contributing factor of a slip and fall injury can be controlled. For example, as employees age, their eyesight, gait, balance, mobility and ability to concentrate on a task can all diminish or become impaired. Although employees can be taught to be aware of biological changes and can even be taught to walk more slowly or with shorter steps, these factors can’t be eliminated and, at best are difficult to try to manage.