Learn how to eliminate trip and fall hazards in your parking lot.
Trip and fall injuries are a big deal, and they happen more often than they should. In fact, as much as 80% of snow and ice-related trip and fall accidents occur in parking lots or sidewalks. As a property owner, it is your responsibility to ensure people are safe on your pavement. Continue reading for a few ways you can eliminate trip and fall hazards in your parking lot.
Maintain the Surfaces
It is crucial to have an inspection and maintenance plan for your parking lot. Begin with an inspection to identify current hazards, create a plan to fix them, and stick to a monthly inspection and maintenance schedule. Your inspections should look for signs of cracking and potholes or uneven surfaces in the pavement.
Curbs, islands, and ramps should be painted with slip-resistant paint in a highly visible and contrasting color. If you can, get rid of the wheel stops, since these pose a significant trip hazard, or at the very least, paint them in highly visible slip-resistant paint as well. The curb should include cutouts that are slip-resistant and meet ADA requirements.
Respond to Weather
Winter plays a significant role in trip and fall accidents, as the majority of accidents occur in the snow and ice. When winter arrives, you should make sure you have a winter weather plan in place for your pavement. Parking lots and walkways should be cleared before employees and customers arrive. Remember that north-facing areas receive the least sun and often stay icy much longer than other areas. Make sure that you are removing the snow and ice and treating the surface with a deicer or abrasive material to prevent slips. If you plow the snow, push it to the low end of the lot, or towards the drains.
Professional Help
When it comes to maintaining your pavement, the best option is to seek professional help. At PTG Enterprises, we have paved many asphalt lots, and our crew always works quickly and professionally. We offer asphalt services ranging from striping and signage to ponding water issues and so much more. Call PTG today for pavement services to ensure your paved areas remain in great condition for years to come!
Maintenance You Can Trust from PTG Enterprises
If you want to protect your pavement and ensure it has a long lifespan, choose PTG Enterprises for your community sidewalks, parking lots and pavement maintenance needs. We offer commercial concrete, asphalt, masonry, paving, consultation and survey report services throughout Baltimore, Harford, Anne Arundel, Howard, and P.G. Counties. If you are interested in hearing how we can help you, contact us online or give us a call at (410) 636-8777. For more tips and tricks, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Google+, and Flickr.
Tags: liability, My Pavement Guy, parking, PTG Enterprises, trip and fall
