Slip, trips and falls that occur in Texas workplaces can result in serious injuries for workers. Because these types of injuries can have a major impact on an employee’s health and ability to work, employers should be diligent in uncovering and preventing these types of injuries from occurring.
Although inspections may be time consuming, employers should conduct a comprehensive safety audit in order to identify any unsafe workplace conditions that the workplace may have. It should be noted, however, that many safety audits do not focus on floor safety. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, floor safety audits are not required although employers are responsible for inspecting all walking-working surfaces. Regardless, conducting a floor audit could save the company money and provide a safe workplace for employees.
Employers may be able to get help from their insurance carriers. Because slips, trips and falls can be costly to compensate, many insurance carriers have an interest in minimizing these types of workplace accidents. Many insurance providers are able to provide employers with inspection checklists, information and even training to help employers reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls. Some carriers may even offer to assist with conducting floor safety audits at a reduced cost.
When a worker suffers a workplace injury after slipping, tripping or falling, the injury may be severe enough to prevent them from being able to work. Although employers are required to provide injury benefits if the incident occurred while the employee was on the clock, workers compensation claims can still be denied. A workplace injury attorney may assist with filing an appeal, especially if there is evidence that the employer’s negligence or an unsafe workplace resulted in the injury. In some cases, the attorney might litigate if the offered benefits do not cover the injured worker’s medical costs and a portion of the employee’s wages.