Walking surface safety. What’s to worry about, almost everyone walks, put one foot in front of the other and look where you are going. Well, true enough, but not the entire truth. As an employer keeping walking surfaces clear of hazards is a requirement under OSHA to protect employees.
But, depending on the nature of your workplace it is likely others use your walking surfaces as well. For example, maintenance contractors on site doing repairs, cleaning, painters, window washers, etc. So you may ask what’s the big deal? Well, your employees are familiar with their working environment including the walking surfaces. However, outsiders who have need to access your workplace via walking surfaces are present as well and may not be as familiar.
Here are some suggestions: 1) train your employees (takes about 3 minutes, depending on the nature of your workplace) as to what to look for from a safety perspective. Tools, spills (Coffee, soda, proverbial banana peel, etc.) cords, waste baskets, and on and on. 2) Tell your employees, if they see an obstacle or condition (spilled something on the floor) to either remove it, mop it or contact your maintenance department immediately to correct the unsafe condition.
Why? Slips and trips are among the highest sources of injury in the workplace. And, correcting such unsafe conditions is easy. A mop or simply removing the item, a few minutes of effort, will eliminate the potential for a long-term and possibly life-changing injury. For more information check out OSHA 1910.21 and go to https://www.osha.gov/walking-working-surfaces/faq.html.
(This blog originally posted July 30,2018)