September 21-25 is Falls Prevention Awareness Week, and here at Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys, we’re highlighting critical safety tips to help the people of Phoenix avoid falls at home, school and at work.
Contrary to popular belief, falls don’t just affect the elderly. In fact, according to the National Safety Council (NSC), slip and fall accidents in the workplace are among the top three causes of employee injury in the United States.
While many falls are minor and injure only your pride, other slip and fall accidents can result in sprains, broken bones, cuts and bruises and even head injuries. The good news is that most falls are completely preventable—check out the following tips for avoiding slips, trips and falls from our Phoenix personal injury lawyers.
Wear the Right Shoes
Start off on the right foot by making sure you invest in appropriate footwear. What kind of shoes you need may vary depending on your line of work. For example, while an open-toe shoe might be appropriate in a casual office setting, closed-toe shoes are a must-have at most jobs that have a physical component. Regardless of where you work, look for shoes with anti-skid soles and replace your old shoes once the bottoms start to wear out.
In addition, always make sure your shoelaces are properly tied so you don’t trip over your own feet— and that your shoes are fit tightly enough that your foot won’t slip out. Consult your employee handbook for guidance on specific footwear requirements.
Keep Your Workplace Clean and Organized
A bit of regular housekeeping can go a long way when it comes to preventing slip and fall accidents in the workplace. Here are some jumping off points for keeping your workplace free from tripping hazards:
- Keep objects and clutter out of walkways.
- Tuck loose cables beneath cord covers to avoid snagging on your shoes when walking.
- Get into the habit of cleaning up spills promptly and use wet floor signs when you can’t clean up immediately.
- Make sure your workspace is well-lit and change out light bulbs as soon as they burn out.
- Talk to your coworkers about creating assignments for who cleans what on which days of the week to help keep everyone accountable.
Talk to Your Supervisor About Safety Concerns
When it comes to premises liability, your employer is responsible for providing a safe workplace for their employees. Part of that means taking action when a worker points out potential injury hazards. Failing to address known safety issues in the workplace constitutes negligence.
If you see something that seems unsafe at work, bring up your concerns with your supervisor or your boss. If no action is taken, you can file a complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Your identity will remain confidential, and you can also file a whistleblower complaint in the event that you face any kind of retaliation.
What to Do If You Are Injured at Work
Much as we might try, even the most cautious employees can sometimes suffer slip and fall accidents in the workplace. If you’ve been injured on the job in Arizona, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance should help cover the cost of your medical bills and lost wages. Unfortunately, filing a workers’ compensation claim isn’t always as straightforward as it should be.
If your Arizona workers’ comp claim was denied or you find out that your employer doesn’t have insurance at all, you need an experienced Phoenix workers’ compensation attorney to help you get the rightful settlement you deserve after being injured at work.
Our workers’ comp legal team will review your case for free when you call our office at 602-977-1900. Better yet, Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys won’t charge you a dollar unless we win your case and make a recovery on your behalf. Call us today!
Representatives are standing by to answer your questions via LiveChat. You can also send us a secure message requesting your free consultation online. For more information about workers’ comp cases, be sure to read our Arizona workers’ compensation FAQ page.