Slip and fall accidents are a leading cause of liability claims against CIRMA members.
Although virtually everyone who uses municipal or school facilities is at risk of a slip and fall injury, the risk increases with age. Town senior centers, libraries, schools, recreational centers, train stations, recycling and landfill operations are encouraged to have a slip and fall prevention program in place to help prevent slip and fall accidents.
The risk of slip and fall accidents increase in the winter months, when outdoor surfaces may be covered with ice and snow. Meltwater from boots and shooes may puddle indoors in entryways and hallways, leading to increased numbers of slip and fall accidents indoors. CIRMA encourages faccilities staff to have a snow removal plan and a slip and fall prevention plan in place. For more information, please order a Preventing Slip and Falls Training Kit from CIRMA's Learning Media Library.
Download CIRMA'sPreventing Slips & Falls poster for Schools- PDF
A few simple precautions:
For Maintenance Staff:
1. Keep yourself safe! Wear proper clothing and footwear, especially when clearing snowy or icy walkways or wet floors.2. Slip and fall accidents spike in winter weather. Review your snow removal plan and update as necessary. Consider keeping a container of sand and salt next to entryways for easy access for use by employees.3. Indoors, make sure rubber mats are properly placed in entryways and any damp areas marked by signage.4. Light up the space! Make sure outdoor and indoor areas are brightly lit. Replace burned-out bulbs and use care when moving into poorly lit or glaring light. 7. Order CIRMA's free Preventing Slips, Trips, and Fall Training Kit to develop A Slip and Fall Prevention Program for your facility.
Here are some additional resources to help your town, public school, or local public agency prevent slip and fall accidents this year:
Employee Handouts
Distribute to your employees
CIRMA Training Kit Handout Materials
Contains tools to develop your own facilities Slip and Fall Prevention program
Build Everyone's Awareness of Slip & Fall Injuries!
Six Ways to Preventing Slips & Falls- PDF
Tips for Maintenance and and General staff-Winter Download
Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls Training Kit
Order through our Learning Media Library!
This CIRMA Training Kit contains materials for you to use to help your staff reduce the number of slip, trip, and fall accidents in your facility. The kit can be used by both municipalities and public schools to increase safety awareness among staff and to provide training to custodial and maintenance staff on implementing best practices to improve workplace safety and reduce liability.
Proper Maintenance Helps Prevent Injuries.Download
Wear Treaded Shoes and Boots Poster. Download
Informational video
Share with your team this informational 3.5 minute video which highlights the causes and consequences of slip and fall accidents.