labor lawAdivision of labor law center

Employers should be aware of the Iowa OSHA standards on slips, trips, and falls. These accidents account for 15% of industry accidents that result in death. Employers may not realize that only motor vehicle accidents account for more deaths than slips, trips, and falls.

Preventing slips, trips, and falls should be the goal of all employers. The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, has revised standards for surfaces that employees walk on and work on. These revised standards apply to businesses that are permanent places of employment. The only exceptions are businesses where only mining, domestic, or agricultural work is performed.

Keeping places of employment, such as service rooms, storerooms, and of course, passageways, clear of obstructions, clean, and sanitary, will go a long way to preventing slips, trips, and falls. This sort of housekeeping makes the workplace safer.  Employers also should post a Slips Trips Falls Poster in a prominent location. When workers see this poster, they will be reminded to use caution. They also will remember to clean up spills and messes immediately, which will reduce the chance of injury. 

OSHA’s standards require that floors in work areas be kept clean and as dry as possible. In a business where a wet process is used, the building needs to be equipped with drains, gratings, mats, or a raised platform to prevent accidents and injuries.

In addition to keeping work areas clean and free of clutter, employers should repair any areas that have holes, loose boards, protruding nails, or splinters. Aisles should be wide and kept clear of obstructions and in proper repair. Moreover, all aisles and passageways that are permanent inside the building should be marked appropriately. 

To help prevent employee accidents, employers should have a safety awareness program. This program can be critical when it comes to preventing slips, trips, falls, and other accidents. Employers should make certain aisles are wide enough that employees and equipment can pass easily. Many serious accidents happen when employees are using aisles and passageways to exit the building in a hurry. 

Last 10 posts by Amelia

• COBRA Subsidy Extended Again - March 5th, 2010
• New York Uniform, Meals and Lodging Rules - February 10th, 2010
• New York Non-Exempt Employee Rules - February 3rd, 2010
• New York Tipped Minimum Wage is $4.75 - January 27th, 2010
• Oklahoma Direct Deposit - January 20th, 2010
• 2010 Minimum Wage Recap - January 1st, 2010
• Vermont Minimum Wage 2010 is $8.06 - December 30th, 2009
• New GINA Regulations - December 23rd, 2009
• Kansas 2010 Minimum Wage Increases to $7.25 - December 9th, 2009
• 2010 Washington Minimum Wage is $8.55 - December 2nd, 2009