When the majority of Americans think about dangerous workplaces, most probably conjure up images of logging centers or construction sites. However, when it comes to injuries from falls, the most common workplace for this injury may surprise you.
In fact, Americans are statistically more likely to sustain injury in a fall at the office as compared to any other work site. According to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, workers are more than twice as likely to suffer injury from falls at the office as compared to other places of work.
What makes offices so dangerous?
The majority of falls at the office happen because of carelessness either on the part of the employee or the employer. For instance, it is not uncommon for an employee to leave a file drawer open when done using it. If another employee walks by, they may trip over this hazard.
Another reason why falls are so common in the office is due to issues with flooring. In older offices with carpet, it is not uncommon for the carpet to bunch up in certain areas of the building, particularly in hallways. With hard floors, dealing with puddles either due to janitorial staff cleaning or workers tracking in rain or snow from outside may produce falling hazards.
How can I prevent falls at the office?
It is important for both employers and employees to take responsibility for workplace safety. Employees should keep an eye on spills in the office and clean them up, and should report hazardous situations to their employer. In turn, the employer should make sure the office is well-maintained and that the flooring is not a hazard.