I have never known anyone to successfully walk on water without getting wet, or in this case, wiping out.

I recently attended a wedding reception at a county facility. As part of the décor, the three-level facility was only accessible by a beautiful stone staircase. But, the view was very deceptive on this wet evening and as I approached the stairs, it was obvious that this beautiful stone was actually a serious slip-and-fall hazard.

I mentioned the hazard to those around me and proceeded gingerly up the steps without incident. Later in the evening, I had heard that not everyone had been so careful and a few injuries — some more serious than others — had transpired.

Incidents like this are easy to avoid for a mindful facility crew. First and foremost, proper matting both in and outside entrance doors is essential to remove moisture from shoes. Not only will it help reduce water, but matting will also aid in the removal of dirt and debris, helping to reduce contaminants from ever entering the facility.

Slip-resistant strips can also be added to the stairs to provide additional traction for building occupants. For facilities focusing on appearance, strips are traditionally available in various styles and colors — even clear.

Finally, it is important — no matter what safety measures are already in place to prevent slip-and-falls — to provide warning signs of potentially wet floors. Pay attention to high traffic areas and make sure signs are in plain sight for building occupants.

With relatively minimal effort, facility managers can maintain the desired appearance of the facility, while providing safety to its building occupants.

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Posted 01-19-2009 8:00 AM by Corinne Zudonyi