In 2019, 880 workers died in falls, and 244,000 were injured badly enough to require days off of work. A worker doesn't have fall from a high level to suffer fatal injuries; 146 workers were killed in falls on the same level in 2019, according to Injury Facts.

How do workers end up falling? Well, as many of us know, slips, trips, and falls can happen under almost any circumstances—particularly if people aren’t paying attention to their surroundings. But according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, falls in the workplace are most often connected with

• Slippery, cluttered, or unstable walking surfaces
• Unprotected edges
• Floor holes and wall openings
• Unsafely positioned ladders
• Misused fall protection

The medical and workers’ compensation costs associated with falls in the workplace have been estimated at about $70 billion in the United States annually—but of course, the cost is only one facet: no company wants to be responsible for the death of one of its employees.

Are your employees at risk for falls? Here are some tips to help manage that risk:

• Place cones in areas where the floor is wet.
• Install signs to alert people to changes in floor elevation.
• Recommend that staff wear shoes that will have friction against slippery floors.
• Install railings to protect people when walking on stairways or on elevated surfaces.
• Train staff in the proper use of fall protection systems and safe ladder use.

For more than 25 years, Beall Financial and Insurance Services, Inc., has been helping corporations and individuals protect their most important assets. The agency’s client base covers a spectrum of businesses that require specialized insurance packages and knowledge. With offices in California and Indiana, Beall Financial and Insurance Services serves clients nationwide.