This section may be of interest to the teen
worker but is provided mainly for the employer. Other sections of this
eTool reference this area for more information. The following topics
will be covered:
Employee exposure to wet floors or spills and clutter that can lead to slips/trips/falls and other possible injuries.
Possible Solutions
Employer Solutions
Employers have the primary
responsibility for protecting the safety and health of their
workers. Employees are responsible for following the safe work
practices of their employers.
Follow OSHA Standards including:
Keep all places of employment clean and orderly and in a
sanitary condition. Walking/Working Surfaces Standard [29
CFR 1910.22(a)(1)]
Keep floors clean and dry.
In addition to being a slip hazard, continually wet surfaces
promote the growth of mold, fungi, and bacteria that can
cause infections. [29
CFR 1910.22(a)(2)]
Keep aisles and passageways clear and in good repair, with
no obstruction across or in aisles that could create a hazard.
For example, provide floor plugs for equipment, so power cords need not
run across pathways. [29
CFR 1910.22(b)(1)]
Provide warning signs for wet floor areas. Accident
Prevention Signs and Tags Standard [29
CFR 1910.145(c)(2)]
Provide warning signs
Keep exits free from obstruction. Access to exits must
remain clear of obstructions at all times Exit Routes, Emergency
Action Plans, and Fire Prevention Plans.
Consider implementing recommended safe work practices, including:
Do provide adequate lighting.
Do repair any uneven floor
surfaces. Relay or stretch carpets that bulge or have become
bunched to prevent tripping hazards.
Do use no-skid waxes and surfaces coated with grit to create
non-slip surfaces in slippery areas or use non-slip mats.
Do promote a shoe policy program that provides for
appropriate work shoes for employees. Shoe policy programs
require workers or employers to purchase non-slip footwear for
work use.
Do make aisles and passageways
sufficiently wide for easy movement and keep clear at all
times.
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