In 2020 alone, over 42,000 people died due to the consequences of a fall, and many suffered severe injuries. Clearly, this is not something to take lightly.
Why Do Slip and Fall Accidents Occur?
The majority of slip and fall accidents happen due to carelessness. Whether it is around the home or at work, not taking safety precautions is one of the biggest reasons for injuries due to falls. In 2020 alone, over 42,000 people died due to the consequences of a fall, and many suffered severe injuries. Clearly, this is not something to take lightly. Let’s review the different reasons for slip and fall incidents at home, at work, and even in government buildings and how they can be prevented.
What Are the Most Common Reasons for Slip and Fall Accidents?
The most frequent reasons for slips and falls are:
- Objects scattered about the floor
- Failure to provide adequate lighting
- Stairs that are not even
- Wires strewn about the floor
- Cracks in the pavement
- Floors that are wet
- Handrails are absent
- Broken or cracked floors
- Old, worn carpets
- No signage to warn of fall threats
- Absent handrails
How to Protect Yourself From Falls in the Home
One of the first things you should do is remove clutter from your home. This includes children’s toys and excess furniture/display items. The furniture placement should ensure that anyone walking through the room has a clear path. Ensure drawers on tables and filing cabinets are closed to avoid a fall hazard. Since many falls occur on stairs, it is critical to install handrails.
Never stand on a chair or a table with or without wheels to reach an item in a cabinet or change a lightbulb. A chair can collapse, and tables are not meant for this type of usage. Use a ladder.
Lighting should be sufficient, so small objects on the floor are easily visualized. If it is raining outside, a mat should be placed in front of the entrance doors to avoid slipping. Finally, a mat near the sink is another means of preventing slipping on a wet surface.
Prevent Falls in the Workplace
From offices to manufacturing plants, steps must be taken to prevent slips and falls. In 2020, 211,640 workers were injured, and 805 died from falls. Many of these workers fell from a standing position. Construction workers frequently suffer from slip and fall accidents, especially those working at an above-ground height.
Ways to Prevent Falls at Work
It is important to review safety features before starting a job. Here are some examples:
- Determine the necessary safety precautions you and your coworkers will need.
- Understand how the safety precautions are used.
- Look at the workplace to find potential safety hazards.
- Always make sure you have the right tools for the job.
- Set up the equipment you are using to complete the job on level ground or on a platform.
- Make sure the weather will not interfere with your job every day.
- If you use a ladder, ensure it is locked in place before taking the first step.
- Make sure you stabilize the ladder on a solid surface before starting.
- Don’t forget to fasten the top of an extension ladder.
- Use slip-resistant footwear.
- Have someone hold the ladder at the lower end.
- Don’t put yourself in a position of reaching for something when on a ladder.
Roeser Law Firm
If you’ve been injured in the home or at work due to another’s negligence, you have the right to file a claim. Call the Roeser Law Firm at (202) 660-4070 for help. Our investigators stand ready to examine the accident for negligence, and our legal team is available to meet with you for a free case review. We will answer your questions and discuss your options moving forward. If you wish, you can also contact us online. Remember, you will not pay fees until your case is successfully resolved.
