How Industrial Cleaning Machines Help Prevent Slip and Fall Accidents
What do Lowe’s, Wal-Mart, and Chevron have in common? Yes, they’re all billion-dollar, household-name enterprises. But it’s not just size or ubiquitousness that these corporations share. At one point or another, all three have been sued for slip and fall accidents.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that slips and falls are the leading causes of injuries in restaurants, hotels, and other public buildings. Furthermore, the National Safety Council notes that the medical costs and compensations associated with such accidents amount to a staggering $70 billion per year.
While it’s true that business establishments are not directly on the hook for such mishaps—It’s usually their maintenance contractor that assumes liability—such accidents don’t exactly endear them to clients. Though they might not lose money on litigation and settlement fees, they will lose customer loyalty, which is detrimental to all businesses. Fortunately, there are steps all business owners can take to minimize the occurrence of slipping.
Types of Machines Used
One of the first things to look at are the industrial floor cleaning machines used by your company. Cord-based equipment (i.e. those that need to be plugged into a socket) have a bigger chance of causing slips and falls because people can trip on the power cords. A safer bet would be battery-powered cleaners, as they do not have cords that can serve as obstacles.
Likewise, evaluate how quickly your industrial floor scrubber dries the floor after a pass through. Remember, even a slightly wet floor can prove perilous to a customer who’s on the go. As such, consider buying scrubbers that have excellent water recovery, which produces a completely dry floor on the first pass.
How Well and How Often to Clean?
After checking your cleaning equipment, take extra care when cleaning the floors around your business’ entrances. Often times, people drag in debris or liquids via their shoes, and this might cause other people to slip and injure themselves. Also, make sure that there are no structural hazards near the entrance, such as half-steps that can trip folks on their way in.
Lastly, if your floor is truly prone to causing slips, consider re-flooring your premises with slip-proof material. While the cost might be considerable, you’ll be spared from the headache caused by lawsuits and litigation brought about by slip and fall cases. Ensuring your customers’ safety is truly vital for everyone’s benefit, so preventing slips and falls inside your business is of utmost importance.
Sources:
Chevron accused of negligence in slip-and-fall case, SETexasRecord.com
Woman claims slip-and-fall injuries at Wal-Mart store, PENNRecord.com
Lowe’s Faces Possible Punitive Damages At Brain Injury Slip And Fall Trial, CVN.com