4 Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents at Work

In terms of workplace mishaps, slip, trip and fall accidents are among the most common. Because slip and fall accidents can happen at any time, the severity of injuries can vary greatly as well, ranging from minor scratches and bruises to severe head trauma and spinal cord damage.

Most slip and fall accidents are completely preventable if proper precautions are taken on the job site. Below are 4 of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents in the workplace. Once you know these common causes, it will be easier to prevent a slip and fall at work.

1. Flooring hazards

Among the leading causes of slip and fall accidents is flooring conditions, such as:

• Carpet that is broken, bulging or worn
• Spilled grease or oil
• Icy surfaces
• Lack of non-skid flooring when necessary
• Inadequate signage or barriers for wet floors
• Loose flooring
• Potholes in parking lots
• Uneven flooring/ground
• Waxing or polishing floors

2. Environmental factors

Weather conditions are another common cause of occupational slip and falls. Environmental hazards that can lead to slip and falls include:

• Allowing cabinets and/or drawers to remain open
• Allowing cords to run across walkways
• Failure to remove obstacles from walkways
• Failure to provide adequate lighting
• Mixed flooring materials
• Trash and debris collecting on the floor
• Using lighting that is too bright and causes a glare on floors, or lighting that is too dim to see hazards

3. Unsafe climbing

While the use of ladders and stairs is essential at many workplaces, they also increase the risk of falls. Ladders and stairs can become hazards when employers or employees:

• Fail to repair or replace worn or warped stairs
• Fail to secure ladders for use
• Fail to wear proper footwear when using stairs
• Leave debris or trash on stairs
• Fail to install proper handrails
• Fail to use non-skid materials when waxing or polishing stairs
• Fail to use existing handrails
• Move too quickly on the stairs
• Use a chair rather than a ladder

4. Not following safety protocols and improper training

Responsible businesses should put protocols in place to ensure the safety of employees and customers. When workers fail to follow these procedures, slip and fall accidents can happen. Certain occupations that are more prone to these injuries:

• Chefs and kitchen workers
• Construction workers
• Custodial staff
• Factory workers
• Housekeepers
• Manual laborers

Before beginning a job, employers should ensure that all employees are trained on how to use all of the tools their job requires and know the proper safety procedures.

These Are Easy Slip and Fall Accidents at Work

Given how easily slip and fall accidents can happen, it should come as no surprise that many workers’ compensation cases involve slipping at work. While a slip and fall accident seems like a simple occurrence, workers’ compensation cases can still be complex enough to require assistance from an experienced workers’ comp attorney.