Preventing Slips and Falls at Work

Preventing Slips and Falls at Work

While slips and falls can be a pretty common occurrence they can be much more dangerous than you think. When we were children tumbling and springing right back up was a regular occurrence but as we get older slips and falls can pose a serious danger to our health and well-being.

According to Statistics Canada falls are a leading cause of injury in Canada. They go on to say “About 63% of seniors and one-half of adolescents were injured in falls, as were 35% of working-age adults.”

Among working-age adults, the most common location of injury is the workplace. 

Everyone should feel safe in their workplace, and employers should try to help employees feel safe. Keeping health and safety as a main priority at work is crucial for everyone to keep coming back to work healthy and safe.

Not to mention, maintaining a safe work environment not only protects employees but it helps protect employers and any customers that may be on company property. To make your business a safe place the Canadian Safety Council has created tips to help you prevent slips and falls at your place of work.

Safe floors

Treating the floors at your workplace with a non-slip treatment can help create a safer walking surface for employers, employees and customers alike. Floors that you should consider applying a non-slip treatment to are surfaces that can naturally become very slippery like tiles or polished untreated concrete. Also, if your workplace has high-traffic areas where people are travelling from indoors to outdoors there is great potential in those areas for falls. The tracking in of water from snowy boots or muddy/wet shoes can make for slippery high-traffic areas.

Busy kitchens or other high-traffic areas where employees work with oils can lead to a settling and collection of oils on the floor. A non-slip treatment to act against falls in both slippery high-traffic areas and places where oils can potentially settle on the ground would be a great help. But it doesn’t end there. It’s vital that floors be cleaned regularly and that clutter is removed in order to prevent slip and fall injuries.

Safe shoes

While it’s likely you can’t really control the shoes worn by customers on your property, you can control what you and your employees wear on your feet. What shoes you wear can make all the difference in preventing a slip and fall accident.

If special shoes are required for the job that is done in your workplace, consult the supplier you order your shoes from to determine the best shoes for the floor surfaces you work on. Encourage employers, employees and customers to wear shoes that will grip well on the floors in your workplace.

Shoes that often lead to slip and falls are heels, cleats and smooth-soled shoes.

The Government of Ontario also suggests the below administrative controls to help reduce the likelihood and frequency of slip, trip and fall accidents.

  • “provide wet floor signage
  • train workers to prevent slips, trips and falls
  • establish safe work practices
  • communicate a procedure for reporting hazards
  • ensure prompt maintenance
  • design jobs to minimize tasks requiring excessive pushing/pulling, line-of-sight obstruction and over-reaching
  • ensure shovels, mops and buckets are readily available
  • correct poor work practices
  • conduct joint health and safety committee monthly inspections
  • review slip, trip and fall incidents”

While you can take precautions to be safe in the workplace sometimes a slip and fall can still occur and leave you seriously injured. If you have been injured, and need legal assistance, give Dye & Russell a call. We will offer you a free claim assessment.

December 15, 2022 , , ,
Skye OliverPreventing Slips and Falls at Work
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11 Ways to Manage Your Chronic Pain

11 Ways to Manage Your Chronic Pain

If there is one thing that makes day-to-day activities or tasks more difficult, it is chronic pain. That constant throbbing in your neck, sharp pains in your back or aching in your knees. So many people spend countless hours trying to relieve their pain or symptoms with no satisfaction. Common ailments linked to chronic pain can include injuries received in a motor vehicle accident, slip, trip or fall incidents or more severely as a result of a catastrophic or traumatic accident.

To give you a hand and to help bring you some relief, we are sharing WebMD’s list of 11 tips for living with chronic pain. Some of these you might be more familiar with, and some may be new, but everything is worth a try once.

 

  1. Relax using Deep Breathing or Meditation Practices

When we are stressed, our muscles can become tense and tight. Practicing deep breathing or forms of meditation can reduce these symptoms and help you relax. Having a gentle massage or taking time to focus on clearing your mind are other ways to combat tension.

  1. De-Stress

Did you know that feelings of depression, anxiety, and anger can increase the intensity of chronic pain? Learning to manage these types of emotions has been said to provide some relief. There are several ways that you can de-stress. For example, listening to calming music can uplift your mood or writing out your emotions in a journal.

  1. Exercise

This is a popular way to deal with injuries. When you exercise your body naturally releases endorphins which help improve your mood. Exercise, in general, is good for your health, it keeps your blood pressure regular, and cholesterol levels normal and decreases risks for heart diseases. It also strengthens your muscles which, when strong, limit the chance of reinjuring yourself and reduces chronic pain symptoms.

  1. Limit Alcohol Intake

When you deal with chronic pain, getting a night of proper restful sleep is next to impossible. Having a drink to take the edge off may seem like a good idea. However, unlike popular belief, alcohol can make sleep problems worse. Limiting how much you drink alcohol can help improve your quality of sleep.

  1. Connect With Others

It is natural to associate with people who have similar traits to you or interests. Going to group meetings with others who have been in serious motor vehicle accidents or are now suffering from the side effects of others’ negligence keeps you from feeling alone. Connecting with people who are also suffering from the same or similar chronic injury or disease can evoke the same feelings of belonging. Others may also offer symptom relief methods or practices that you may not have tried.

  1. Do Not Smoke

Reduced circulation levels are a known side effect of smoking. This can intensify any circulation conditions and further increase the risk of heart disease and cancer.

  1. Track Pain Levels

Keeping your doctor informed about how you are feeling helps them provide the proper care. Between visits, track how you are feeling in a journal. Using a scale of 1 – 10 and listing out activities or things done that day can help pinpoint what triggers higher pain levels. Sharing this with your doctor can help in the management of chronic pain. This can also be useful if you have suffered an injury at work, such as a slip and fall, and need detailed documentation for medical appointments.

  1. Try Biofeedback Therapy

This method of therapy is new to us. Biofeedback claims to allow you to control various body functions. Using sensors, you can “hear” or “see” different body functions. It is displayed on monitors as squiggly lines that you eventually learn to control these functions using your biological system.

  1. Get a Massage

Quite possibly the most widely used form of stress and chronic pain relief. Massages alleviate the tension in your muscles and allow for complete relaxation. Those who suffer from back and or neck pain as a result of a slip and fall or motor vehicle accident find this method of relief a fantastic way to manage their symptoms.

  1. Eat a well-balanced diet

Believe it or not, what you eat plays a part in how you feel. Eating a well-balanced diet keeps your digestive system running well, reduces the risk of heart disease and keeps your weight under control.

  1. Get Distracted!

Get out and get your mind off things. Sitting around and thinking about your bad knee, cursing the sidewalk for causing you to slip and fall does not make things better, in fact, it does the opposite. Doing something you enjoy will take the focus off your pain and instead keep you preoccupied with the activity at hand.

 

If you experience chronic pain due to a motor vehicle accident, slip, trip or fall or other traumatic accident and are being treated unfairly, you might need legal assistance. Call Dye & Russell for a free claim assessment.

August 22, 2022 , , , , , ,
Skye Oliver11 Ways to Manage Your Chronic Pain
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Park and Playground Safety

Park and Playground Safety

Time spent at the park allows children to socialize, get some exercise, and explore and engage with age-appropriate challenges in a supervised environment. Even with an adult supervising the fun, accidents can still happen– bruises, falls, scraped knees and elbows, and other risks and injuries are all possible on the playground. According to the Canadian Public Health Association, “An analysis of playground falls between 1994 and 2003 estimated that each year 2,500 children below 14 years of age were hospitalized for serious injuries. Of this total, 81% had suffered a fracture while 14% were admitted for a head injury…”. Teaching kids about the importance of playing safe and the rules of the playground is critical in avoiding injuries and maintaining fun. Here are some things you can do to ensure your child remains safe.

Remain Alert

Enjoying the carefree energy your child has is important to healthy growth and development, but it can be dampened by an injury that could have been avoided. As a parent or guardian, you are responsible for remaining aware of potential risks such as unsafe climbing or running, arguments on the playground, and any dangers in the environment. If you or your child has experienced an injury obtained at a park or playground you may be eligible for compensation. Contact the professionals at Dye & Russell for your free claim assessment today.

Look For Potential Risks

Even if you keep your eyes on your kids as much as possible, an accident can happen before you have time to react. Preparing before enjoying the many fun activities, like the slide and swings, take a look at the playground park area for any potential risks. The play equipment and play spaces must meet the CSA (Canadian Standards Association) requirements for safety. Shock-absorbing materials such as woodchips, synthetic shredded rubber or sand should be used for a safer and softer area to play in. All equipment should also be free of breakage or sharp and dangerous areas.

Glass, nails, bolts, or bottles are all things that can be left behind by careless people and have the potential to injure your child. Take a thorough look around before playing in the sand or grass in the park and playground area.

Proper Maintenance

If you believe there are safety issues with a playground reach out to your park’s local operator. An unsafe play area can be avoided with proper maintenance– if you or your child has been injured due to negligence, contacting a personal injury lawyer like the ones at Dye & Russell is the right step on the road to recovery.

Review The Rules

Go over the rules of the playground and ensure your child understands the risks that come with playing on any park structures. Make sure they stay or play in age-appropriate areas that are meant for them specifically.

 

Looking after your child’s safety while they run around and enjoy the excitement of park activities is a hard job, and sometimes an injury can happen. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident at a park or playground, contact the professionals at Dye & Russell today for your FREE Claim Assessment and more helpful resources.

Reach us toll-free at 1-877-883-6171 or visit us online to speak with a live agent. Your road to recovery is important to us.

 

June 15, 2022 , ,
Skye OliverPark and Playground Safety
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Easy ways to prevent slip and falls at work

Easy ways to prevent slip and falls at work

While slips and falls can be a pretty common occurrence they can be much more dangerous than you think. When we were children tumbling and springing right back up were a regular occurrence but as we get older slips and falls can pose a serious danger to our health and well-being.

According to Statistics Canada falls are the most common cause of injury hospitalizations in Canada, and among working age adults the most common location of injury is the workplace. Out of all injuries by Canadians in that age cohort, 18% were injured at work.

Everyone should feel safe in their workplace, and employers should try to help employees feel safe. Keeping health and safety as a main priority at work is crucial for everyone to keep coming back to work healthy and safe. Not to mention, maintaining a safe work environment not only protects employees but it helps protect employers and any customers that may be on company property. To make your business a safe place the Canadian Safety Council has created tips to help you prevent slip and falls at your place of work.

1. Safe floors

Treating the floors at your workplace with a non-slip treatment can help create a safer walking surface for employers, employees and customers alike. Floors that you should consider applying a non-slip treatment to are surfaces that can naturally become very slippery like tiles or polished untreated concrete. Also, if your workplace has high traffic areas where people are traveling from indoors to outdoors there is great potential in those areas for falls. The tracking in of water from snowy boots or muddy/wet shoes can make for slippery high-traffic areas. Also, busy kitchens or other high-traffic working areas where employees are working with oils can lead to a settling and collection of oils on the floor. A non-slip treatment to act against falls in both slippery high-traffic areas and places where oils can potentially settle on the ground would be a great help. But it doesn’t end there. It’s vital that floors be cleaned regularly and that clutter is removed in order to prevent slip and fall injuries.

2. Safe shoes

While it’s likely you can’t really control the shoes worn by customers on your property you can control what you and your employees wear on your feet. What shoes you wear can make all the difference in preventing a slip and fall accident. If special shoes are required for the job that is done in your workplace, consult the supplier you order your shoes from to determine the best shoes for the floor surfaces you work on. Encourage employers, employees and customers to wear shoes that will grip well on the floors in your workplace. Shoes that often lead to slip and falls are heels, cleats and smooth soled shoes.

While you can take precautions to be safe in the workplace sometimes a slip and fall can still occur and leave you seriously injured.

If you have been injured, and need legal assistance, call #1000 on your cell phone for free. We will offer you a free claim assessment.

December 15, 2017
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For active seniors: a guide to safe walking in the winter

For active seniors: a guide to safe walking in the winter

Winter can be a beautiful season in Canada. But, the cold weather brings with it lots of hazards—especially while getting around. Whether you’re out and about to enjoy the season, or just get from point A to point B, you need to be careful.

Sustaining an injury from slippery conditions on the ground can bring with it serious long-term health problems and a fear of staying active. To prevent a slip and fall this winter here is the Canada Safety Council guide for active Canadian seniors:

1. Make your pathway a safe one

Make sure that surfaces around your home are safe by having them cleared of snow and sprinkled with salt, or sand, if necessary. If you have trouble removing the ice and snow on your own contact a local support agency or other community services for assistance. Report hazards on your walkways to your landlord or your municipal government.

However, while venturing beyond your property you have less control when it comes to the conditions you will face. Carrying a small bag of sand or non-clumping cat litter with you can come in handy when confronted by icy sidewalks while out and about.

2. Be prepared for the weather conditions

Dressing for the weather can make all the difference while you’re out and about in the winter. Proper footwear is key. Wear boots that are insulated, waterproof and light-weight with wide heels, and soles that are thick, treaded and non-slip.

For added grip in icy conditions ice grippers can be helpful but they can easily become dangerous and need to be removed before walking on smooth surfaces like tiles. Be careful if you are considering using them.

To help with balance walking aids like a cane (which an ice pick can be added to) or a walker can help. Also, wearing a hip protector and bright or reflective clothing can help prevent injury while walking outdoors.

3. Know what to do if you’re caught on ice

Walking on ice should be avoided, but if somehow you end up caught on an ice patch on your route walking in a certain way can help make you more stable. First, slow down, keep your body loose and your base wide (feet more than a foot apart). Keep your knees loose but bent to lower your centre of gravity and make your steps with your whole foot, shifting your weight slowly before bringing your feet together again. If shuffling your feet feels better just remember to keep a wide base.

Unfortunately, despite everything we do to prepare for a safe walk we can meet unsafe conditions while outside in the winter. A slip and fall outdoors due to dangerous conditions can change your life.

Fast dial #1000 free from your cell and we’ll get you the support you need.

December 1, 2017
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How to Practice Boat Safety this Summer

How to Practice Boat Safety this Summer

Once the summer months arrive, people are quick to pack up their belongings, hop into their vehicles, and head towards the water. Cottage culture is one of the cornerstones of the classic Canadian summer. However, there are risks involved with many cottage related activities that those participating must be aware of.

According to the Red Cross, every year 525 Canadians die in unintentional water-related fatalities. In addition to this startling truth, 166 of those deaths are caused by boating-related incidents.

If you plan on going out on the water in a boat this summer, there are many ways that you can decrease your risk of injury or drowning:

Wear a Lifejacket

They aren’t called life jackets for nothing. In fact, wearing a lifejacket could potentially prevent up to 90 percent of boating related drowning incidents. However, less than 50 percent of Canadians who go boating always wear their lifejackets, despite 82 percent believing it’s a legal requirement.

Despite their cumbersome design, lifejackets are a vital safety device that you must wear on board. When water is present, slip and fall accidents are all too common, so boats are a high-risk area for this. Although they primarily work to keep boaters afloat, they can additionally delay the onset of hypothermia in cold waters. Plus, newly designed models reject the traditional bulky stereotype and fit the body’s form much better.

Be Prepared

Before heading out to sea, inspect your boat to ensure it’s ready to make the trip. Operating an unsafe boat that is not seaworthy is against the law, so be sure to keep up with any boat maintenance that needs to be addressed.

Additionally, if you are taking any inexperienced boaters out for a ride, explain the precautions they must take while on board to avoid injury, and instruct them on how to use the safety equipment. Furthermore, make sure that at least one passenger is aware of how to operate your boat, should anything happen to you.

Check the Weather 

Weather dictates so much of what people are able to do in a day. When it comes to boating, however, the weathers control over personal safety is even higher. If you’re planning on taking a boat out, check the latest forecast. During Ontario summers, thunderstorms can appear seemingly out of nowhere, so keep your eyes peeled and monitor the sky for any changing weather conditions.

Play Safely

The adrenaline that kicks in when you participate in recreational water activities can be exhilarating. There are dangers, however, if you don’t play safely. If you plan to go waterskiing, tubing, or kneeboarding, it’s crucial that you take safety precautions to limit the risk of injury. These measures should entail having a spotter on board who can oversee that those in tow are safe, leaving a seat empty in case the person in tow needs to come onboard, and not towing during hours of limited visibility.

The summer months bring endless opportunities to take advantage of Ontario’s many lakes. Boating and watersports are both invigorating activities that when done safely, can provide hours of fun.

If you have been injured, and need legal assistance, call #1000 on your cell phone for free. We will offer you a free claim assessment.

June 7, 2016
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Slip and Fall Prevention During April Showers

Slip and Fall Prevention During April Showers

You’ve experienced it at one point or another. While walking to grab coffee on a lunch break a lapse of attention hits, and you’re distracted by something your boss said earlier. Suddenly your foot slides, your back twists, and soon you’re looking at the sky while seeing stars, even though its still daytime.

The rainy season is upon us. April showers have arrived. While we wait for May’s flowers to bloom, there are some necessary steps to take in order to avoid harmful injuries caused by puddles and lack of visibility.

Although you can say to yourself “it won’t happen to me”, or “I’m a cautious person”, heightened precautions can never harm, only help. The pain, suffering, and lack of income that can be experienced after a fall can be avoided using these tips and tricks.

At Home

Do you remember your mother always nagging at you to wipe your shoes on the welcome mat before you entered the house? Well, she had a good point. Wiping your shoes off after coming inside is a simple yet effective way of preventing accidents. If your shoes aren’t wet, you won’t slip, easy and your mother’s homemade pie.

Furthermore, it’s prudent to keep your eyes peeled for spills and muddy tracks dragged inside by family members or visitors. When the weather is especially rainy, it can be easy to find puddles of the outdoor downpour on your kitchen floor.

Out and About 

The first step to slip and fall prevention on the go starts with your footwear. It’s imperative to invest in a pair of non-skid shoes for the rainy season. That means that unfortunately, your favourite pair of high heeled pumps or your old sneakers with the flat soles are best to be thrown to the back of the closet for the springtime. 

When you are out of the house doing errands, you are at a higher risk for slips than within the familiar confines of your home. From the workplace kitchen to the department store, be quick to observe if anyone has left a spill on the floor. Spilled liquids such as beverages, soap, or grease can be slippery without appearing hazardous, so be careful to watch your step.

Additionally, be mindful when using staircases. Handrails are meant to be gripped, and can prevent slips on patches of liquid that even a trained eye couldn’t detect. Furthermore, while climbing the stairs, do not carry objects that obstruct your line of sight.

When you’re young, slipping doesn’t appear to be the most threatening thing that could occur. As you age, however, the risks associated with falling increase dramatically. Furthermore, the financial and emotional burdens that an injury can inflict upon individuals can be highly stressful.

Have you recently been injured on the sidewalk or at your workplace due to unsafe conditions caused by the rainy season? At Dye and Russell, we strive to ensure that those dealing with a personal injury get properly reimbursed to pay for the treatment of their injuries. Our clients don’t pay us until their cases are settled or won, because the last thing they need is another expense.

Fast dial #1000 free from your cell and we’ll get you the support you need.

April 25, 2016
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Why the Onus is on you to Prevent Slip and Fall Accidents

Why the Onus is on you to Prevent Slip and Fall Accidents

The day you become a homeowner, you take on responsibility for something bigger than yourself. While settling into your new house can feel like you are living in the physical manifestation of your hard work, there are crucial things to take caution of once you are handed the keys. In a country that boasts its four seasons proudly each year, it’s your responsibility to ensure the safety of pedestrians passing by your property.

While summertime yields generally hazard-free sidewalks, the other seasons are not so accommodating. When winter hits, morning commutes and afternoon walks can transform from leisurely strolls to calculated steps to ensure minimal danger.

Yes, pedestrians and visitors are expected to take reasonable precautions while walking, but it your job to ensure they are not subjected to unexpected hazards. As a homeowner, you are required to take the care necessary to ensure the safety of guests and those traversing across your property.

Every personal injury case is not black and white. However, you can be held personally liable for an accident if you were previously aware of a hazardous condition and did not correct the issue or forewarn guests of the danger.

Do any of these dangerous conditions exist on your property?

  • Recently washed floors or spills
  • Uneven terrain such as potholes or lopsided staircases
  • Snowy or icy sidewalks
  • Unfinished flooring
  • Poor lighting
  • Missing handrails

In short, if you knew that your floors were still wet from being mopped, didn’t warn your guests, and one of them happened to slip and injure themselves – the onus is on you.

Although you may know to take caution while walking in your freshly mopped kitchen, your guests are unaware of the hazard. So if a visitor is injured on your property, he or she has the legal right to sue for the suffering inflicted by the accident, any medical expenses, and the loss of income incurred due to your negligence.

The emotional and physical aspects of an injury can be both immensely painful and financially stressful. At Dye and Russell, we strive to ensure that victims of homeowner negligence get the proper compensation to pay for the treatment of their injuries. Were sympathetic to the difficulties that injured individuals face, and we offer free case evaluations with no obligation. Our clients don’t pay until their cases are settled or won, because the last thing they need is another expense.

So homeowners, if you see an ice patch on your driveway, salt it. If you have a pothole on your sidewalk, fill it. If you see anything that could cause danger to pedestrians and guests, address it.

If you have been injured, and need legal assistance, call #1000 on your cell phone for free. We will offer you a free claim assessment.

April 4, 2016
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