Awareness is key when it comes to safety and the prevention of slips, trips, and falls. Effectively identifying potential hazards and taking the necessary preventative measures against accidents are crucial to providing a safe environment.
By understanding what can cause potentially hazardous situations and taking appropriate steps to report and elimiate the hazard, you will be able to protect yourself and others.
Be Aware of Your Environment
Be aware of your environement and know how to recognize unsafe surface conditions and other hazards. Ensure walking surfaces are maintained and in good repair, free of clutter, and monitored for potential hazards. Debris, spills, power cords, boxes, uneven flooring, and poorly lit areas are all hazards. Approaching and opening closed doors may also be a hazard if you are not sure what is on the other side. Coming around corners too quickly may also be a hazard if there is someone or something just around the corner that you cannot see.
Outside hazards may include uneven pavement or slick surfaces due to weather conditions. Especially this time of year, wet leaves or ice may result in a slippery situation. Be cautious of seemingly wet surfaces and take steps to remove snow, leaves, sticks, and stones from walk areas to avoid slips, trips, or falls.
Once a hazard is identified, you will want to secure the area and notify others of the potential danger. It is important to use signs or other ways to communicate with others to make them aware of the safety risk until the hazard can be removed. The hazard may be something like a pen or power cord on the floor which could cause someone to slip or trip. If you see something concerning always take steps to safely remove the hazard or inform someone who can take care of it for you. You were lucky to have spotted it but it may not be obvious to someone else.
Falls are preventable when you take steps to control your environment to ensure the safety of yourself and others.
If you want to make a compelling difference in the lives of others, are enthusiastic about life-long learning, and are seeking employment where your strengths will be valued, then Wesley Enhanced Living is the place to be! Check out our current career opportunities to learn more!