We’ve previously discussed safety at your laundromat in terms of theft and vandalism, but what about slips and falls? Slips and falls account for over 1 million hospital emergency room visits each year, according to the National Floor Safety Institute. Laundromats are, unfortunately, full of potential hazards. Water on the floor, soap spills, dropped clothes, and loose tiles or carpeting are all hazards, especially as people are carrying baskets and bundles of laundry and not looking down. If there is anything in the way that shouldn’t be there, you can almost guarantee they’ll slip or trip over it. No business owner wants to deal with legal issues and settlements, so it’s best to be proactive. There are plenty of little things you can do to help prevent trips and falls at your laundry business and keep employees and patrons safe.
1. Frequently inspect your commercial laundry equipment.
Even the best commercial laundry equipment can have issues due to consistent use and inexperience of customers. It’s important to inspect your equipment, especially hoses and seals, for cracks and potential weak spots that may cause leaking. If there is an issue (or even a potential issue), mark the machine as out of order and take care of it immediately. The more frequently you’re inspecting your equipment and maintaining it, the more likely you are to notice and/or prevent any potential issues. Check out our list of easy maintenance tips to help keep your laundry equipment in top shape.
If you need replacement commercial parts or it’s time to upgrade your commercial laundry equipment, contact OEM Laundry Parts.
2. Make cleanliness and building maintenance a priority.
You should be taking the time to inspect and clean your building as well. Garbage on the floor, cracked tiles, or leaky sinks and toilets are just as much a hazard as wet floors from a leaky washer. It’s easy to let these types of routine tasks slide as other more pressing business issues come up, but making them a priority can help you avoid major safety and health issues. Not to mention, a clean and well-kept building will make for a more positive experience for your customers.
3. Hire additional staff (and train them).
If possible, you might want to consider hiring additional staff and attendants for your laundromat. That way there are people on hand to monitor potential tripping hazards and assist customers who may be carrying a large load of laundry. The more eyes, the better! Once you have a set staff, document and train them on potential hazards to watch for, what to do if a trip occurs, and other safety procedures. While it’s an extra expense and responsibility, it can help prevent a costly injury lawsuit.
4. Keep electrical cords and wires covered.
Cords and wires in walkways are a big tripping hazard. Use cord covers and cable concealers where necessary to help reduce any danger to people or your commercial laundry equipment. They’re a cost-effective tool to help reduce falls.
5. Have plenty of garbage cans on hand.
Garbage cans are a great way to promote a clean and tidy facility. You want to make it convenient for your customers to throw aluminum cans, wrappers, empty soap bottles, and other debris away, rather than leaving them to become a tripping hazard. It’s better to have more garbage and recycling bins around than not enough.
6. Place mats and rugs near doors.
Mats and rugs near entrances and exits can help trap excess dirt and water from being tracked in and making floors slippery, especially during rainy days. Check rugs and mats frequently for wear, fraying, and upturned edges that can also cause tripping. There are a variety of mats and flooring options but look for wiper mats that are designed to absorb and contain moisture from shoes and have a rubber or vinyl backing to prevent slipping.
7. Utilize wet floor signs after spills and cleaning floors.
This is pretty commonplace, but signs often get forgotten in the shuffle of cleaning up a spill or going through normal cleaning duties. The sooner the sign gets placed, the better. If you don’t have an attendant monitoring your laundromat during business hours, this isn’t as simple. Keep the signs on hand and visible to try and encourage customers to use them.
What to do if a fall occurs
Even your best efforts can’t prevent all injuries and accidents. If a fall occurs, the most important thing is to stay calm. Call for emergency help and then properly document the accident in a log. It may be helpful to ask any witnesses for their statements and take down name and contact information, in case you need to get in touch with them later on. At the end of the day, taking the necessary precautions before and after an injury occurs and making safety a top priority at your business can help make your laundromat a safer and more secure place to work and do business.