If someone working or visiting your place of business has a slip and fall accident that results in an injury, you may be at fault for not creating a safe environment. While many business owners don’t believe that they can be dragged into a lawsuit for a slip and fall accident, it happens all the time.

Slip and fall accidents are the top cause of workplace injury, and victims are increasingly filing liability lawsuits if they feel that the business owner knew about a hazard or high risk to foot traffic but did nothing about it. If you neglect to create a safe environment, and procrastinate in repairs or maintenance, you could be liable for things like the victim’s medical bills, legal fees, lost wages and for pain and suffering.

Here are just a few of the causes of slip and fall accident at the workplace:

• Liquids, dust or debris on the floor
• Large and small obstacles
• Cleaning products that leave slippery or sticky areas
• Damages to flooring, like cracks, ripples, buckles and gaps
• Uneven walking surfaces
• Transitions between one type of flooring material to another

All these and more can cause a workplace slip and fall accident. Thousands occur every day across the country, and many Jackson business owners deal with the fallout of slip and fall accidents annually.

So what is a business owner to do? Many business owners hire independent and certified walkway auditors. A Jackson walkway auditor is a flooring expert with particular training in walkway safety and slip and fall accident causes. A Jackson walkway auditor will arrive at the location, do a thorough investigation and evaluation, then prepare a report that highlights high risk areas. You will get this detailed report along with recommendations on what to do to reduce the risk of slip and fall accidents in these high risk areas.

Jackson walkway auditors can also help you develop appropriate floor safety plans, such as what your employees need to do in case of a spill. They can also check out your company’s cleaning program, and make sure that the cleaning products and techniques are appropriate for the type of flooring material.

Of course a business owner never wants to see an employee or customer injured. That’s why hiring a Jackson walkway auditor makes so much sense. The best way to minimize the risks of a slip and fall accident happening at work is to contact a Jackson walkway auditor. To ensure that the workplace is safer for foot traffic, business owners in the area should hire a Jackson walkway auditor.