As our Atlanta workers’ compensation attorneys have been discussing, the entire month of June is dedicated to worker safety.
The National Safety Council has declared it as National Safety Month and is using each week to focus on a different work hazard. The goal of the month is to help to raise awareness and to educate workers and employers nationwide about the leading causes of injury as well as offer simple ways to help to reduce the risks of these kinds of accidents.For the third week of the campaign, from the 17th through the 23rd, officials are pushing the Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls campaign. Did you know that falls are in fact the number one cause of unintentional injuries across the nation. These accidents account for more than 8.5 million trips to the emergency room each and every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Slip, trip and fall work accidents in Atlanta are common when the proper safety precautions are not taken. Officials with the NSC are offering safety tips to help to keep your workplace safe.
The first and quite possibly the simplest thing you can do to help to reduce the risks of these kinds of accidents is to clear the areas where people walk. You want to keep all floors clear of loose objects and obstructions. Common things that can be found in walkways but should be removed are electrical cords, tools, garbage and other debris.
It’s also important for you to keep floors clean. You want to make sure that the floors are dry and that they’re well lit. If you spill something, be sure to clean it up immediately. It’s important to keep an eye on outdoor walkways, too. If it snows or rains, it’s important to get out there and to clear up walkways. If leaves fall on walkways, those can be dangerous hazards, too!
Did you know that there are things that you can do to help avoid a fall accident?
You should consider getting moving. Get out there and exercise to help to improve your body’s flexibility, its strength and its balance. All of these factors help to keep you healthy and better able to avoid slip and fall accidents. It’s also a good idea for you to review your current medications and to keep an eye on your prescriptions. Many medications, even over the counter drugs, can have a serious effect on your balance and can drastically increase your risks for a slip and fall accident. You might also want to get your vision checked out periodically. Poor vision can be one of the main causes for these kinds of accidents, too. Remember that your vision changes every year if not more frequently so stay on top of it!
The truth of the matter is that people usually blame slips and trips on clumsiness and on not paying attention, but the truth is that these accidents are oftentimes caused by external factors, or factors that can be regulated and eliminated with the proper safety precautions.
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a work accident in Atlanta or in the surrounding areas, contact your Worker’s Compensation Lawyers at J. Franklin Burns, P.C. to schedule a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights. Call 404-920-4708 today!
