Preventing slip and fall injuries in winter

Slip and falls are a common occurrence during winter weather, and they may result in lawsuits against businesses. Companies in New York and elsewhere should take a few steps to prevent slip and falls during the winter.

Precautions during inclement weather

Businesses need to be extra cautious about preventing slip and fall injuries during inclement weather. Customers may track snow into businesses during stormy weather, and this can create a slipping hazard. During snowy and rainy weather, it is especially important to clean up liquids on floors near entrances and ensure that snow is not tracked into a store so that businesses reduce the risk of an incident.

Hire outside contractors

If a business has sufficient resources, they may hire an outside contractor to handle snow removal activities. Such companies are trained in snow removal techniques, which might reduce the possibility an accident more than in-house efforts alone. Moreover, companies may absolve themselves of legal liability by hiring such contractors under the right circumstances.

Regular inspections

Businesses should conduct regular inspections of their premises during snowy weather. Liquids may be difficult to detect on floors because clear fluids might blend in with floor tiles or other surfaces. As such, businesses should conduct regular inspections to ensure that there are no hidden hazards upon which a customer may slip.

Notice of hazards

Businesses may also wish to convey to customers that hazards exist on the premises so that customers can take the necessary precautions. Normally, this is as simple as using a yellow sign stating that a surface is slippery and that customers should use caution to avoid an accident. Business owners may also want to speak to an experienced attorney to ensure that they do everything possible to mitigate the legal risks associated with a slip and fall on their premises.