Ask your insurance representative about liability coverage in your current business policy. If your loss experience indicates that additional coverage may be of benefit, your representative can provide guidance on available options.
Tips for Managing Slip, Trip and Fall Risks
- Develop and implement an inspection and maintenance policy that states:
- The purpose of the policy.
- Effective and revision dates of the policy.
- How often it is to be carried out.
- How it will be documented and by whom.
- Corrective actions to be taken if minimum standards are not met.
- Who is responsible.
- Use a regular and reasonable cleaning and maintenance program.
- Perform inspections frequently for hazards or maintenance deficiencies.
- For example, spills and water at entranceways are common causes of slips, so regularly check for wet floors in high-risk areas such as entrances, bathrooms and beverage-service areas.
- Create a form to be used during inspections.
- Train employees and volunteers to identify and remove or minimize hazards.
- When hazards are discovered, address them using methods such as:
- Posting signs or notices in highly visible locations to warn patrons of potential danger
- Erecting barriers to prevent access to hazards
- Conducting repairs
- Removing the hazard.
- Ensure all areas are adequately lit.
- Use a non-slip floor treatment (especially when wet or greasy floors are inevitable).
- Keep records of inspections, repairs and the state of all buildings and premises.
INDOORS | OUTDOORS |
Keep floors free of hazards and debris. | Salt, shovel and sand icy or snowy areas. |
Keep entrances clean (as much as possible). | Follow by-laws and/or best practices that dictate when snow clearing should be completed. |
Place mats over wet areas (especially in wet weather). | |
If you receive notification of a claim or are aware of a potential claim situation, immediately contact your insurance representative.
Source: Compiled with Canadian Risk Intervention Inc.