OSHA and EPA regulations require business owners in Georgia to conduct routine inspections, including ones meant to reduce fall hazards. Since slip-and-fall accidents can happen anywhere, many workplace areas periodically inspected for other reasons are also the same places where fall hazards could exist. For this reason, business owners may be able to save some time by incorporating floor safety procedures into existing walk-throughs and inspections. Doing so could also eliminate the need to do redundant inspections.
With production areas, for example, OSHA has workplace safety requirements in place requiring workplaces to be orderly and well-maintained. In addition, EPA stormwater regulations specifically require facilities to quickly clean up spills and regularly sweep and vacuum to prevent pollution. Workplaces may need to remove necessary clutter, frequently sweep or mop and organize equipment to satisfy both OSHA and EPA requirements.
Similar concepts can be applied to outdoor areas, places where hazardous waste materials are disposed of and common areas like building entrances. Even in instances where there is no specific requirement for housekeeping or sanitation inspections, businesses that go beyond what’s required tend to be safer. One possible way to implement added floor safety procedures is for businesses to have a policy in place that requires employees to immediately clean up any leaks or spills they may spot on surfaces, especially ones in high-traffic areas, instead of assuming maintenance staff will do it.
In order to reduce the risk of injuries that may lead to workers’ compensation claims, many businesses make an effort to keep commonly used areas and surfaces clean. If an accident does occur, however, an injured employee can file for workers’ compensation benefits. An attorney may get involved if a workers’ comp claim is filed and either denied or unreasonably delayed.
