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If someone told you that one of the major causes of accidental deaths was motor vehicle accidents, would you believe me? How about if they told you that the second most frequent cause of death was tripping and falling at work? As a matter of fact, that’s true, as well. Fifteen percent of all accidental deaths at work are a result of tripping and slipping and falling. That’s why the Washington OSHA recently released an alert on keeping employees safe.

How safe is your work environment? The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) made edits to the requirements for most permanent places of employment. This is to improve working and walking surfaces to prevent accidents. Splinters, loose floorboards, loose screws and other such hazards should be eliminated. Floors should be kept as dry as possible. Areas that use a lot of water should have clear, well working drainage. Mops and warning signs should also be kept handy in these areas, just in case. Emergency exits should be clearly marked and easily accessed.

In keeping with these ideas, aisles should be wide enough for people to comfortably walk through. In essence, there should be enough space for a couple people to walk through at once. Many times large, wide, and heavy equipment is used in between aisles. There should be more than enough space for any machinery to fit, without being scratched or otherwise damaged.

In addition to all of these basic standards of conditions, the Washington OSHA has encouraged businesses to raise awareness of the problem. The Slips Trips and Falls poster is a great way to remind employees to keep the aisles clear, the walkways dry, and the workspaces tidy. Having people patrol around occasionally to insure that these standards are met, and the posters are visible is a good idea. It is most effective to involve workers by making them aware of the issue and instructing them on how to keep things safe and sound.

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