Winter is approaching quickly in Massachusetts. And for workers and businesses concerned with workplace injuries, that means taking some needed precautions to ensure a safe work environment. According to reports, business owners spend $70 billion a year in workers' compensation payments and medical claims that result from trips and slip-and-falls. Indeed, workers of every kind have a right to do their jobs in an environment that isn't needlessly dangerous, just as employers have a responsibility to take the appropriate precautions to prevent injuries, even in the more slippery winter months.

According to the president of the National Floor Safety Institute and author of "Slip and Fall Prevention Made Easy," the first thing employers should do to protect against slip-and-fall injuries is to install the appropriate floor mats on both the outside and inside of entryways. The matting system can help reduce the amount of moisture and soil entering the work environment, thereby reducing the chances of slip-and-fall accidents. It is important, however, that the proper kind of mat is used. The mats must have a high-traction surface and a backing that resists slippage. The mats must also be made to lay flat. They should be cleaned often and tested for effectiveness. When mats are not cleaned deeply on a regular basis, they accumulate soil and moisture, and can become a cause of danger and not a protection against it.

If employers fail to take the necessary actions to prevent slip-and-fall injuries, it is usually the workers who suffer the consequences. Every year, serious neck, back and head injuries occur because a workplace isn't made sufficiently safe for employees. When Massachusetts workers are injured on the job, they should know that Massachusetts and federal laws provide for certain employee rights with regard to workplace accidents. In addition to pain and suffering, an injury such as a slip-and-fall can result in high medical bills and lost wages. Individuals who have been hurt in the workplace because of the negligence of another have a right to seek workers' compensation, along with some measure of solace after the pain of an injury.

Source: sacbee.com, "'Tis the Season for Slip, Trip, and Fall Claims," Dec. 12, 2011