Preventing Slips & Falls in the Workplace

Keeping the workplace safe for employees and visitors is a paramount concern for administration and facility managers. In addition to being harmful for employees' wellbeing, workplace injuries can result in significant financial losses for a company. According to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), slips and falls represent the primary cause of lost days from work and are the leading cause of workers' compensation claims. Clearly, one of the most important ways to ensure the safety of employees is by preventing slips and falls.

Factors contributing to slips and falls

There are several factors that influence slips and falls. A person's physiological (balance, hearing, vision) or social (age, health, disposition) makeup may contribute to the likelihood of a slip or fall. These factors are not within an employer's control, but employers can control environmental factors (flooring, lighting, hazards). In fact, the NFSI reports that 50 percent of the time the walkway is the cause of the slip or fall, while a staggering 85 percent of workers' compensation claims are a direct result of employees slipping on slick floors. Preventing slips and falls in the workplace starts with incorporating slip resistant flooring.

The need for slip resistant floors

Not all flooring has the same friction level. Even tiled floors can change over time, especially with introduction of contamination or with improper maintenance. Studies have shown that high-traction walkways are 50-90 percent less likely to induce a slip-and-fall claim. Facility managers, more than anyone else, will understand floor usage. They know where waters and oils are most likely to be spilled and can incorporate slip resistant floors appropriately. Incorporating slip resistant floors will absolutely decrease the risk of slips and falls, but for many facility managers, replacing the current flooring is not an immediate option.

Performance coatings for fall prevention

If a slip resistant floor cannot be immediately installed in a hazardous area, another option is a slip resistant performance coating. Slip resistant performance coatings can be applied directly to the floor's surface to create a safety floor and help prevent slips and falls. Performance coatings are clear but can be combined with colors, which is helpful when it's necessary to distinguish specific work areas.

Performance coatings are easy to maintain, as well. Once the coating is applied, a floor with slip resistant performance coating can be cleaned just like any other hard floor surface. Slip resistant performance coatings are specifically engineered for preventing slips and falls in the workplace.

MilliCare slip resistant performance coatings exceed the recommended safety ratings for slip resistance and provide fall protection even in high-traffic areas. Learn more about how MilliCare slip resistant performance coatings can help prevent slips and falls in the workplace.