10 Common Causes of Fall-Related Injuries in the Workplace

Falls can cause serious, even life-threatening injuries if proper safety precautions are not taken in the workplace. Unfortunately, slips, trips, and falls are among the most common causes of workplace accidents and are often completely avoidable. That’s why it is important to recognize the potential hazards before they become tragedies.

This blog post will explore 10 common causes of fall-related injuries at work to help keep you and your coworkers safe from preventable injury. By implementing preventive measures for these commonly cited culprits of falls in the workplace– such as wet floors or blocked walkways –you can prevent devastating occurrences from happening in your business environment.

Common Causes of Fall-Related Injuries in the Workplace

There are many potential contributors to falls in the workplace. Here are some of the most common causes:

1. Wet Floors

Wet floors can be a major hazard in the workplace, causing falls which can lead to nasty injuries. Unfortunately, spills and inevitable moisture can occur, and it is important to take proper precautions to avert any danger. Clean up any spills immediately, and ensure your floor is adequately mopped after cleaning.

Special attention should be given to key safety aspects, such as ensuring that employees wear appropriate footwear and keep the area fitted with anti-slip mats or other preventative measures. Taking these steps could mean a more secure workplace and significantly reduce the high risk of fall-related accidents.

2. Loose Cords

Loose cords around the workplace can be extremely hazardous and should be handled cautiously. If they are not carefully taken care of, they could result in serious injuries to the workers, especially when left on a working path. Tripping on the cords may result in falling to the ground and sustaining broken bones, head trauma, or even more debilitating effects that would take time–and potentially money–to heal from.

Workplaces need to properly manage their cords by tucking them away so no worker may trip over them. Even if it’s just a short time saver now, it could save your workplace from a great deal of trouble in the future.

3. Uneven Floors

Uneven flooring is one of the most common causes of workplace fall-related injuries. Loose tiles, rugs, or carpets can easily be tripped on and cause people to lose their balance, resulting in a nasty fall.

Employers must ensure that their floors are even throughout the business space. It’s essential to conduct regular inspections of floors and check on any newly laid flooring. Any new floor that is not up to scratch should be investigated and fixed before it can cause injury.

4. Stairs

Stairs can be extremely dangerous places in the workplace if not properly managed. Every step must have appropriate lighting so that any worker can see where they are walking – a trip on an unlit stairway can be extremely hazardous, resulting in serious and potentially life-threatening injury.

Also, stairs must have sturdy railings attached to the wall at all times. This way, employees can properly grip them as they go up and down the stairs, providing the necessary support to navigate the stairs with ease and safely.

5. Obstructed Walkways and Stairwells

Walkways and stairwells that are obstructed by objects can be a severe hazard in workplaces. Chairs, boxes, files, or other items should always be kept from where people walk as they can cause someone to trip and fall.

It is essential to keep walkways – inside and outside of the building– free from unnecessary items and ensure they are illuminated properly at all times.

6. Insufficient Lighting

Poor lighting in workspaces can also lead to a greater risk of fall-related injuries. Workers need to have good visibility when working, or else they may not be able to see a potential hazard, such as obstacles on the floor, which could cause them to trip and fall.

It is, therefore, essential for employers to ensure that their workplaces are properly lit so that workers can spot any potential trip hazards and be able to respond quickly if needed.

7. Rugs

Rugs are common in many workplace offices and can be an issue if not properly fitted. Loose rugs or those that slide out of place when walked over can easily cause someone to lose their balance and fall, leading to a potential injury. It is essential for employers to effectively secure all rugs so that no worker may trip on them and have an accident.

8. Unstable Ladders

Ladders can also be hazardous in a workplace if not properly maintained. Unstable ladders can cause workers to fall as they are trying to climb them, resulting in potential fractures or head trauma from the fall. Employers must conduct regular ladder inspections and ensure they are always stable before workers attempt to climb them.

9. Wrong Footwear

The type of shoes workers wear can also affect their safety in the workplace. Shoes with inadequate grip or support can lead to slipping, tripping, and falling, resulting in potential injuries. Employers must ensure that all workers wear appropriate footwear for their line of work – such as shoes with anti-slip soles for those working outdoors – to provide greater protection from potential fall-related injuries.

10. Improperly Maintained Equipment Or Machinery

Equipment or machinery that is not properly maintained can also cause fall-related injuries in the workplace. Loose fittings, exposed wires, and faulty components can easily lead to someone slipping or tripping as they are using the equipment, causing them to have a nasty fall.

Employers must carry out regular maintenance checks on all of the equipment and machinery used in the workplace to ensure they are functioning properly and safe for workers to use.

In conclusion, employers must be aware of numerous common causes of fall-related injuries in the workplace. From uneven flooring to unstable ladders and improper footwear, employers need to take all the necessary precautions and conduct proper assessments and inspections of their workplaces to reduce potential risks that may lead to serious injury.  By doing so, employers can ensure the safety of their workers and reduce incidents of fall-related injuries within the workplace.