![]() Preventing Slip & Fall Claims Slips, trips, and falls accounted for 27% of the 888,220 nonfatal work injuries that resulted in time off, in 2019, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2018, numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show about 7,850 injuries were caused by slips, trips, and falls in restaurants. Causes of Slip, Trip & Fall Accidents: The most common causes of slips, trips, and falls, including those that occur in restaurant kitchens, include:
Easy Prevention Methods You can prevent falls and injuries at your restaurant or facility with good housekeeping. Otherwise, the risks of employee injuries and time out of work increase. As do the chances of paying higher insurance rates and incurring regulatory fines and legal penalties. Slip, trip, and fall accidents can be prevented by taking these steps: Clean Spills Immediately Wet floors in food preparation areas, restrooms, and general walking surfaces pose a danger to employees and others. Using microfiber mops whenever there is a spill or otherwise wet floor mitigates the risk. The longer you wait to eliminate the hazard, the higher the chances of someone inadvertently contacting a wet surface and slipping. Mark Wet Areas A “Wet Floor” sign provides a clear indication of danger when the hazard cannot immediately be eliminated. For example, if you’ve just mopped a floor, it will take time to dry. Make Sure Flooring Has No Bumps or Cracks Bumpy, lumpy, and loose walking surfaces are common causes of falls and injuries. If necessary, repair, replace, or regrout the floor as soon as any problems are found. This protects workers who spend all day on foot. Create a Mopping Schedule A bit of planning ensures everyone knows what needs to be done, by whom, and when. By creating a mopping schedule, you can prevent a buildup of slippery materials. This is especially important if you have an active kitchen. Make Sure the Kitchen Is Brightly Lit Fewer injuries occur when work areas are well lit. Workers can then see and avoid slip hazards. Also make sure light switches are visible and easily accessible. Make sure all lighting fixtures, switches, and cords are in good repair and replace those that aren’t. Do Regular Tripping Hazard Inspections Your housekeeping program should include inspections accounting for wet/slick areas, moisture sources (such as leaks or water being tracked in by foot), lighting issues, potential sources of spills, and the types of footwear your employees are wearing. The type and condition of flooring surfaces must be accounted for as well. Require Non-Slip Footwear Slick soles and loose shoelaces can easily trigger a fall. Workers should wear properly fitting, non-slip footwear suited for the types of surfaces in your restaurant. It also improves comfort and helps reduce fatigue. Get ahead of the New Year's rush and request your TILE & GROUT ESTIMATE now >>> #restauranttile #tilerepair #kitchenregrout #commercialtileandgrout #floridarestaurant #restaurantrepairs Standing water is usually caused by 2 common problems: water leaks and low grout lines.
Tips to Avoid Standing Water 1. Find the source of the leak and repair 2. Use floor fans 3. Mop/squeegee puddles throughout the day 4. Keep floor drains unclogged and free of debris 5. Re-grout your tile floors 6. Repair broken tiles We are a commercial flooring contractor in Orlando, Florida specializing in tile and grout repair for restaurants. We have been in business since 2007, and we serve clients throughout Florida.
For long-lasting usability at a low price, QUARRY TILE is the best option for a commercial kitchen8/12/2020 Quarry tile has exceptionally low absorption rates —as low as 0.5 to 3%— leaving a slightly rough texture better suited for high-moisture environments and better equipped to reduce slips and falls.
In fact, it provides better slip resistance than almost any other hard-surface product. Terrazzo has a fall rate of 9.6 incidents per million dollars of sales. Smooth quarry tile has only 7.3 incidents. And abrasive quarry tile comes in at 4.7. Clearly, quarry tile has a marked advantage over other materials when it comes to accident prevention — a key concern in most commercial environments. NOTE: Make sure your tile contractor is using an abrasive quarry tile or a raised-tread quarry tile to maximize slip resistance. Smooth quarry tile is not recommended for commercial kitchen environments. ![]() Grout Isn't Forever Even in the places designed to withstand moist and humid conditions, a tiled surface is not waterproof. The tile itself may not allow moisture to penetrate, but the grout, or thin lines of mortar between the tiles, is susceptible to water damage. If you leave water standing on the surface, it can loosen the seal between the tile and the grout, allowing water to leak through. Cracks and Gaps Cracks in the tile, gaps in between the tile, or chips in the grout can allow water to make its way underneath or behind the tiled surface. The crack does not need to be big for standing or excessive water to create considerable damage. Repair any tile or grout that shows damage or excessive wear to prevent water from making its way below the surface. Behind It All Once water makes its way past the tile or grout, it starts to do real damage, including loosening the bond between the tile and the subsurface. The mortar that holds the tile in place will start to loosen and crumble and the tile will fall away. In addition, if the subsurface is not waterproof, it will swell and warp, further pushing the tile away. Mold and mildew may form, which eats away the mortar even further. Damage Control Regular maintenance and limiting water contact can prevent water damage to tile surfaces. Do not allow standing water on tile surfaces whenever possible.In cases where you can't avoid it, remove it as soon as possible. Use a squeegee or mop to wipe away puddled water. We are Celebrating our 10th year of service to Central Florida Businesses!Thank you to all of our dedicated customers, and cheers to many more years!
You should periodically clean and maintain your ceramic tiles for them to look their best. However when floor, wall or countertop tiles demand professional attention, trust Imperial Solutions to provide you with the best service in town. You can rely on us get your tiles and grout looking brand new. Restaurant Lobby, Tile and Grout Cleaning, Ceramic Tile
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