What are the most effective ways to reduce slips, trips, and falls in commercial buildings?

Slips, trips, and falls are among the most common and costly workplace injuries, especially in commercial buildings where employees, customers, and visitors are exposed to various hazards. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), slips, trips, and falls account for 15% of all accidental deaths and 25% of all injury claims. As a facilities engineer, you can play a vital role in preventing these incidents by implementing some effective strategies to improve the safety and accessibility of your building. Here are some of the most effective ways to reduce slips, trips, and falls in commercial buildings.

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1 Assess the risks

The first step to reducing slips, trips, and falls is to identify and assess the potential risks in your building. You can do this by conducting regular inspections, audits, and surveys of the premises, looking for any hazards that could cause someone to lose their balance or footing. Some of the common risk factors include wet or slippery floors, uneven or damaged surfaces, poor lighting, clutter, cords, mats, rugs, stairs, ramps, and transitions. You should also consider the human factors, such as the behavior, awareness, and needs of the people who use your building. For example, some people may have disabilities, impairments, or medical conditions that affect their mobility or vision.

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Xolani Mekeni

Facilities Manager at Texton Property Fund Ltd
Regular Maintenance: 1.Keep floors clean and dry. Promptly clean up spills and wet areas. 2.Regularly inspect and maintain flooring for any defects, uneven surfaces, or tripping hazards. Proper Lighting: 1.Ensure adequate lighting in all areas, especially in stairwells, hallways, entrances, and other high-traffic areas. 2.Replace burned-out bulbs promptly Non-Slip Flooring: 1.Install non-slip flooring in areas prone to moisture, such as entrances, kitchens, and bathrooms. 2.Consider using slip-resistant mats and rugs, and ensure they are properly secured. Clear Walkways: 1.Keep hallways, corridors, and walkways clear of obstacles, clutter, and loose cables. 2.Use cable management systems to secure and organize cords.
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2 Implement the controls

The next step is to implement the appropriate controls to eliminate or minimize the risks that you have identified. You can use the hierarchy of controls, which is a framework that prioritizes the most effective and feasible solutions. The hierarchy of controls consists of four levels: elimination, substitution, engineering, and administrative. For example, you can eliminate a risk by removing a tripping hazard, substitute a risk by replacing a slippery material with a more slip-resistant one, engineer a risk by installing handrails, guardrails, or signs, or administer a risk by providing training, policies, or procedures. You should also monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of your controls and make adjustments as needed.

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3 Maintain the standards

The final step is to maintain the standards of safety and accessibility in your building by ensuring that your controls are functioning properly and consistently. You can do this by performing regular maintenance, cleaning, and repairs of your facilities, equipment, and systems. You should also communicate and collaborate with your staff, contractors, and tenants to ensure that they follow the rules and regulations and report any issues or incidents. You should also keep records and documentation of your inspections, audits, surveys, controls, maintenance, and communication. This will help you demonstrate your compliance and accountability and improve your performance and reputation.

By following these steps, you can reduce the likelihood and severity of slips, trips, and falls in your commercial building, which will benefit your business, your employees, and your customers. You will also improve the indoor environmental quality and health of your building, which will enhance the comfort, productivity, and satisfaction of the people who use it.

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4 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What are the most effective ways to reduce slips, trips, and falls in commercial buildings?

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2

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1 Assess the risks

2 Implement the controls

3 Maintain the standards

4 Here’s what else to consider

Facilities Engineering

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What are the most effective ways to reduce slips, trips, and falls in commercial buildings?

1

2

3

4

1 Assess the risks

2 Implement the controls

3 Maintain the standards

4 Here’s what else to consider

Facilities Engineering

Rate this article

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