Preventing Slip and Fall Accidents: Power Washing for Safety
Slipping accidents are among the most common types of workplace injuries. While most of these falls aren’t fatal, they can still cause serious injuries, including broken bones and back problems. Fortunately, a little awareness and simple indoor and outdoor maintenance on the part of employees can prevent most, if not all, slips.
Establish practices to encourage employees to keep walkways clear of clutter, equipment, or other obstructions. For example, make sure that employees do not leave crates or other packaging lying around where they can block a pathway. Also, make sure that furniture and equipment are not located where they could obstruct the view of people walking by or create tripping hazards.
Make it clear to employees that they should report any slipping hazards or other unsafe conditions they notice inside or outside the building, whether it is a walkway, parking lot, or another area of the property. They should know that they will not be retaliated against for doing so. This can help ensure that any dangerous conditions are promptly fixed before someone gets hurt.
Educate employees on the proper use of power washing equipment. This includes following the manufacturer’s instructions for hose length and distance between the nozzle and the surface, as well as making sure to set the safety lock and bleed off pressure BEFORE disconnecting the power washer. In addition, they should wear proper PPE to protect themselves against high-pressure water spray. This should include protective pants and long-sleeve shirts to shield themselves from cuts, punctures, or other skin injuries that can occur from being too close to the nozzle. If you need power washing services in Annandale, click here.
Make sure that any slick surfaces are cleared of snow, ice, or other slippery substances as soon as possible. This is especially important in areas where snowy weather leads to a higher number of slip and fall accidents. In addition, employers should consider installing walkway cleats for employees to use on icy sidewalks.
The entryway of a building is one of the most common places for slip and fall accidents to occur. This is because it’s the first place that patrons enter and usually the area that receives the most traffic. To prevent this type of injury, it’s a good idea to place large mats at the doorway to soak up any snow, rain, or other precipitation that might be tracked in with shoes or boots.