Rain and snow can create slippery conditions when customers track water into your store. Wet, slippery floors can turn a routine shopping trip into a slip-and-fall injury. Keeping your store’s floors clear and dry starts with a strong plan and consistent follow-through. Documented inspection and cleaning procedures will help your team identify hazards, address them quickly, and maintain safer walkways for customers.
Make floor inspections and cleaning a documented part of your store’s routine. During rainy and snowy seasons, assign someone to inspect floors in main traffic areas every 30 minutes. If wet spots are found, place WET FLOOR or CAUTION signs in front of the affected area and have an employee mop it up as soon as possible. Keep floors dry and check that rugs and mats lie flat and remain in good condition.
Industrial rugs and mats provide a nonslip surface, soak up water, and collect sand and salt. But they can also become trip hazards if they don’t lie flat or aren’t kept in good condition. Include them in your floor inspections rather than assuming they make an area safe on their own.
If a customer reports a slip-and-fall accident or injury, follow these procedures to address their immediate needs and document the incident:
It's important for your entire team to help keep your store's floors safe for customers. Regular inspections, prompt cleaning, and well-maintained mats can help reduce the likelihood of slip-and-fall injuries. Keeping clear records of those efforts can also help your insurance company when handling a slip-and-fall injury claim. Together, these habits help keep your floors safer for everyone in your store.
Put these tips into practice with our sample Slip, Trip, and Fall Inspection Form. Use this checklist to help identify and document potential hazards in your store.