A business must do all it can to prevent slips and falls in its establishment to avoid liability or potential claims. Therefore, as a business owner, you could be liable if a customer slips and falls on your commercial property. Should a plaintiff prove your company negligent, you may lose thousands of dollars in a settlement. Fortunately, you can take preventative steps.
Prevent Slips and Falls With These Suggestions
From property casualty insurance to landscaping management, here are eight tips to protect your company.
Find the Right Property Casualty Insurance Company
Business slip and fall prevention are essential to keeping customers safe, but accidents may occur despite your efforts. Moreover, comprehensive insurance ensures you don’t have to pay for court costs out of pocket. Additionally, your insurance company handles the paperwork, allowing you to focus on daily operations.
Use Ladders Correctly
Ladders can be surprisingly dangerous when misused. To prevent falls, train employees in basic ladder safety:
• Stay under the load limit.
• Open the ladder fully.
• Clean the ladder of slippery material before climbing.
• Choose a non-slippery, even surface for ladder placement.
• Lock ladder extensions before use.
Clean Up Spills Immediately to Avoid Slips and Falls
Spills make floors slippery, especially if you have tile, vinyl, or linoleum. Thus, you should prioritize mopping spills immediately and invest in portable warning signs to let customers know the danger. Have designated janitorial staff to ensure employees don’t have to balance cleaning with their other responsibilities.
Repair Damaged Stairs to Prevent Slips and Falls
Stairs sustain wear and tear over time. The more significant the damage, the bigger the risk of injury. Therefore, to ensure timely repairs, regularly inspect steps for the following:
• Loose handrails and posts
• Excessive creaking
• Broken or loose treads
Keep Walkways Clear
High-traffic areas should be free of clutter to prevent tripping. For example, a business entrance should remain clear, allowing people to enter and exit freely. Behind the scenes, you should have designated storage space for inventory and a protocol to avoid items accumulating on the loading dock.
Hire a Landscaping Company
Even if you keep your indoors clean, there’s always the chance customers and employees will track in mud or slush. Hiring professionals to install rock landscaping is an excellent way to prevent this issue. You should also consider a snow removal company to keep your entrance ice-free during the cold months.
Purchase Non-Slip Floor Mats
Non-slip entrance mats are another great way to minimize the amount of mud tracked into your enterprise. Make sure these mats lay flat; you may have to smooth out bumps throughout the day as people come and go.
Add Workers’ Compensation to Your Property Casualty Policy
Customers aren’t the only people who can sustain an injury in your store. If employees fail to fulfill their duties, you may have to pay their medical expenses. Adding workers’ compensation to your property casualty policy ensures employees receive funds for medical costs and loss of wages without eating into your budget.
About The Hilb Group
Deciding what coverage you need and what limits and deductibles make the most sense can be tricky. Founded in 2009, the Hilb Group has been helping clients to make sense of their options and make the smartest choices for their circumstances. Whether you need Warehouse Insurance or any other type of business or personal coverage, we encourage you to contact our friendly, experienced, and capable team today. Call us at (800) 776-3078 for a consultation.