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Common Slip & Fall Accidents – And How You Can Avoid Them

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Posted by Ben Long

Image of boy stepping on banana peel

Injuries from slip and fall accidents can be serious.  Every year, nearly 32,000 deaths occur because of falls.  Slip and fall accidents can be separated into two types – work-related falls, and falls that occur outside of work, usually at home.

Work-Related Falls

Falls in the workplace commonly occur because of slippery, unsteady, or unsafe work conditions.  Ladders can be unstable.  There can be spills on the floor or debris where employees frequently walk.  If you find these unsafe conditions in your workplace, let a supervisor know as soon as possible.  Avoid the area if you can until the unsafe conditions have been resolved.

If the problem is not being fixed and you worry about the safety of yourself and others, you can contact Iowa’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) office to file a complaint.

If you have suffered a fall at work and have been injured, it may be a good idea to talk with a workers’ compensation attorney.

Home-Based Falls

Falls are common around the home during this time of year when surfaces are slick with ice and snow.  There are a few ways to prevent falls both inside and outside of your home:

  1. Use ice melt, especially on steps and other slick spots. If you have pets or children, use deicer that is non-toxic to keep them safe.
  2. Wear boots with good treads or buy traction cleats, like Yaktrax. These cleats slide on over your footwear and grip the snow and ice to keep you from falling.
  3. Lay down a rug at each entrance of your home. Coming in with wet or snowy shoes can quickly make foyers slippery.  The rug can sop up any moisture that you bring in.  Machine-washable rugs are a good idea so you can toss them in the washing machine for easy cleanup.  Just make sure there is non-slip backing on each rug so it’s not a tripping hazard.

Falls can also happen any time of year in the bathroom or tub, where slick surfaces lead to hazardous conditions, or in areas where carpet or rugs bunch up, leading to trips.  Keep your eye out for these or any other issues in your home.

Stay safe!

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