One of the most-reported general liability insurance claims are slips and falls. A variety of hazards might cause someone to fall and get hurt when visiting your business. You have a responsibility for customer safety. What can you do to reduce trip and fall risks throughout your workplace and customer areas?
Safety must remain one of your first priorities in your business. As fall risks develop, immediately take steps to fix the problem.
How Fall Risks Develop
People can trip and fall anywhere, at any time. Nevertheless, the risk of doing so increases when obstructions exist in heavily-trafficked areas. Fall risks might be anything from frayed carpet to broken steps or puddles in bathrooms. They might also come simply from the wrong piece of furniture sitting in the wrong place at the wrong time.
If a customer falls in your business, they might hold you responsible for their injuries, lost income or rehabilitation costs. Lawsuits or other settlements might result. With general liability insurance, you can often receive assistance paying for these losses. Still, your goal should be not simply to clean up after accidents happen. You should try to prevent them from happening in the first place.
Reducing Fall Risks in the Business
Every morning, before you open your doors, take a look around. Do you see any fall risks?
- Look at parking lots and outdoor areas. If walkways have cracks or broken spaces, notify the appropriate repair services. Even if you don’t own your parking lot, you should still tell the property management company.
- Don’t forget to walk through the business also. Pay particular attention to bathrooms or staircases, where fall risks might increase. If you notice leaks or broken flooring, call a repair service or notify your property manager.
- Spend some time checking high-traffic areas. Don’t let clutter or stock accumulate in walkways. Walk through the business a few times per day, and make sure these areas stay clear.
- Test furniture for soundness. Remove items that looks shaky.
- Place notices near fall risks. For example, make ample use of wet floor signs or fall notices.
- If customers complain about potential hazards, immediately investigate.
Sometimes, property damage that creates fall risks might come from accidental circumstances. In these cases your business property insurance might help you pay for the damage.
Nevertheless, don’t put off making repairs even if you don’t have coverage. It might save you a lot of problems in the future. Don't forget to periodically review your liability coverage to see how it covers fall accidents.
Also Read: Does Business Insurance Cover Lost Employee Personal Items After a Covered Incident?