Slip and fall prevention equipment education and training is crucial to avoid injuries to workers and customers on your business premises. Thousands of people are injured each year in falls and workers' compensation claims and lawsuits from injured parties continue to be a major issue for businesses and insurers.

Slip and fall prevention equipment can help to reduce some of these problems in the home, workplace and commercial buildings. Training in slip and fall prevention can also help, and includes:

1. Finding out which slip and fall products meet federal standards and recommendations;

2. Learning to implement a slip and fall prevention program;

3. Getting trained in specialty programs for slip and fall prevention.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Know how to choose compliant slip and fall products

The best way to choose the right slip and fall prevention equipment is to make sure it is compliant with federal safety standards. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration provide regulations and guidelines for flooring, safety equipment and other equipment that offers slip prevention and protection from falls. It's important to have some knowledge of these standards and regulations before looking for equipment.

I recommend: Learn about ADA requirements from the Carpet and Rug Institute. A full library of OSHA compliance information is available from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Research fall protection safety for seniors

Falls are especially prevalent among senior citizens and can have devastating consequences like broken bones and declining health. Caregivers and those who provide services and products to seniors can learn methods to help to reduce falls in and out of the home.

I recommend: Mayo Clinic offers fall prevention tips for seniors. The Center for Disease Control also offers tips and checklists. Premier offers solutions for preventing falls among patients and residents in health care facilities.

Learn how to develop and implement slip and fall prevention programs

There are many resources online to teach you to implement a slip and fall prevention program for your business. A slip and fall prevention program can be used to ensure compliance with safety standards and provide a safe environment.

I recommend: Betco, a chemical and cleaning distributor, provides a workbook for slip and fall prevention. Nu-Safe Floor Solutions provides an article on implementing a slip and fall prevention program. Coastwide Laboratories offers a five-step slip and fall prevention program for building managers. Safety Daily Adviser provides tips for restaurants and businesses. OSHA offers a number of publications about walking surfaces safety.

Learn about construction fall protection

Falls are especially common in the construction industry. While there are many products that help reduce falls, one of the most valuable tools for prevention is thorough safety training.

I recommend: Miller Fall Protection and Training-classes offer safety courses for construction workers. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection provides specialized slip and fall prevention classes for miners.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Stay up to date on fall prevention programs. Offer training courses periodically to refresh employee initiatives.

Several hundred employees die each year because of falls, often from roofs and stairs, and manufacturers have developed many types of slip and fall products/equipment to help prevent these accidents. Not only must you ensure your employees' safety, but you also need to protect yourself and your business in these days of rising workers' compensation claims and lawsuits run amok.

As a business owner or decision maker, you can reduce your liability by addressing all areas where accidents might likely occur. As you search the Internet for products and equipment that assist in slip and fall prevention, keep in mind the following:

1. Ensure that any fall protection equipment or anti-slip product you spend money on is approved by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Construction Safety Alliance (CSA) and is American National Standards Institute (ANSI) compliant.
2. Install fall protection equipment like railings wherever you have steps or inclined walks.
3. In addition to your building's interior, inspect the outside areas as well (sidewalks, entrances and parking lots) for smooth walking surfaces with a high coefficient of friction and regular maintenance and repair.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy fall protection equipment that will keep your workers safe when they're working up high

If you're responsible for crews working above ground level, then you must ensure their safety. Whether they perform roof work or inspection, roof-mounted HVAC repair or window washing, provide the proper equipment and make certain that you've done all you can to keep them safe.

I recommend: Check out the applications and associated solutions offered by Tritech Fall Protection Systems. You can also find specific equipment to meet your fall prevention needs at MSA.

Purchase slip and fall prevention equipment to protect workers in potentially unsafe areas

In an environment prone to spills and/or slick floors, like a restaurant, pet grooming business, hair salon, gym or spa, the first step you can take in slip prevention is to ensure your employees wear proper anti skid or anti-slip footwear. Beyond that, you can help make your floors more resistant to falls by changing the flooring surface or improving the floor's coefficient of friction.

I recommend: Look for men's and women's shoes at Shoes For Crews. If you want a product that will make it more difficult to slip on wet floors, check out the floor safety products at Nu-Safe. Also, visit Safety Direct America for information on their anti-slip treatment.

Keep your employees safe in your office building with slip prevention products

Even if you work in a typical office building, you still likely face potential hazard areas. When it rains, your entrance may get slick. Perhaps a toilet overflows in your bathroom or water ends up on the floor around the bathroom sink. If your office has a kitchen, you'll find potential problems there, too.

I recommend: Buy signs warning of slick floors at Professional Equipment, and view the large selection of different flooring solutions at Mats Inc.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you're serious about instituting a slip and fall prevention plans for your business, start by contacting OSHA. You can also find consulting firms online that help build fall prevention programs tailored to your company.