For decades, the slip and fall has been a tried and true sight gag in television and movies. But any worker in Connecticut who has been injured in a fall will attest that there is nothing humorous about the situation.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2014, more than a quarter of a million workers suffered injuries due to falls that led to at least one day of missed work. More than 700 deaths occurred due to falls, with the majority considered “same level falls,” as opposed to a fall from one height to another.

In the area of slip and fall prevention, the old saying of ‘be the change” is especially appropriate. It is one area where each worker should be on the lookout for potential hazards and report situations where falls are likely. Spilled liquids, debris on the ground, uneven surfaces and obstructions in a walkway are the most common. On raised areas that could cause a fall, the worker should be vigilant to report loose railings and guy wires, slippery or weak stairs, and ladders or scaffolding in disrepair.

The most important form of injury prevention is also the simplest. The worker should keep a lookout on the area in which he or she is walking. Looking down at a cell phone or papers while walking, or otherwise not paying attention to the walking area can be an accident waiting to happen.

For those injured on the job due to a slip and fall or a trip and fall situation, medical bills can quickly add up, especially when work is lost. An experienced attorney may be able to provide advice to a client seeking compensation for an injury.

Source: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and health, ‘Falls in the Workplace,” Center for Disease Control, April 2, 2018.