Think Tidy

MAKE-IT-SAFE MONDAY

Accidents and injuries are caused by numerous situations at work but cleanliness is often overlooked. A wet floor or foreign object laying in a walkway can cause huge problems for someone carrying a heavy box with an obstructed view. Today on Make-It-Safe Monday we are going to cover a few simple suggestions that will ensure your work place is accident free.

Slippery Floors:

Slippery floors are a nightmare for any unsuspecting passersby. A wet floor is often hard to notice and even harder when your view is obstructed by the object your carrying. Wet floors are caused by multiple factors including spilled drinks or food, leaky roofs, or snow on shoes. It is a good idea to place water absorbing mats at all entry points to with a sign indicating to wipe your feet. Have a designated area such as a break room for consuming food or drinks. Slippery when wet signs should clearly indicate where wet conditions exist. This will allow maintenance to clean up the affected area and fix the cause or leak.  

Clearly Mark Obstacles:

Pillars, obstacles, and obtrusions should be marked with highly reflected neon tape. If you have stairs, any change in elevation, trip hazards, or change in flooring (concrete to gravel, tile to carpet) it should be marked with neon tape along with an overhead sign indicating to watch your step. It is a great idea to apply non-skid tape to any stairs or inclines to avoid slipping.

Cleaning Schedules and Rules:

Signs should be placed in clearly visible areas with procedures and expectations regarding the timely cleanup of spills and debris. If your company does not have a dedicated cleaning or maintenance crew a roster should be created to assign specific clean up duties as frequently as needed. These duties should be signed off on by a supervisor to ensure a safe and clean work environment.

Always remember to slow down and watch where you are going! Hand trucks and lifting devices such as the Lift’n Buddy can dramatically reduce slipping and falling injuries and more information can be found at www.liftnbuddy.com. Implementing these few items will ensure your employees make it home safe each day.

Thank you for your time and attention. Let's make it safe this Monday.

Brad Lindemann

Sales Coordinator, Lift'n Buddy, a Southworth Company.