Wet floors are a leading factor in these incidents. Sometimes they're caused by major events such as blizzards or Nor'easters. Other times, they're simply due to heavy rainfall.

Both inside and outside a facility, rain, snow and ice can prove dangerous to customers and employees, with injuries that result in claims and possible litigation. Yet many of these incidents can be prevented.

Mitigating risks must be a top priority during inclement weather. Measures that can be taken range from common sense adjustments to those that employ new and emerging technology.

Start simple

Prevention begins with planning. Check your weather forecasts diligently, especially in areas where severe weather can occur suddenly. Managers should set up severe weather alerts on their phones using weather apps. Never let a weather event surprise your business.

When wet weather is on the way, slip-resistant walk-off mats in high-traffic areas such as entrances and exits are an effective first line of defense. Don't just put them down, though. Make sure they're rotated and replaced at regular intervals, and have spare dry mats ready. Per the ASTM F1637-10 standard: “Mats, runners … shall be provided, as needed, during inclement weather. Replacement of mats or runners may be necessary when they become saturated.” Also, keep “wet floor” signs on hand to mark any areas that present a slip hazard.

If possible, station employees by the entrance to warn customers as they enter to wipe their feet and watch their step. It's a personal touch that can dramatically decrease slip and fall claims. And of course, all restaurants and retailers need to schedule routine inspections so that hazards can be detected and addressed before they lead to incidents. Training is key, so that employees are familiar with all procedures. In the case of wet floors, have employees mop up and dry any wet areas immediately and mark them off with signs until completely dry. When possible, increase the frequency of inspections during inclement weather or even during times of year when weather events take place more frequently.

Use technology

In addition to the above-mentioned actions, technology is increasingly effective as a way to detect and mitigate risk. Today, there's a great opportunity to use digital risk management solutions — such as those that use sensors and the Internet of Things (IoT) — to detect risks, prevent accidents and reduce claims. These new tools become invaluable when the weather turns bad and exposure to hazards increases.

Technology can be used to make inspections both easier and more effective.

At Argo, for example, we offer a digital risk management solution that combines a variety of IoT tools, mobile applications, and data analytics to find and reduce/remove hazards. Systems such as these can help ensure that inspections take place on a regular basis, that hazards — such as wet floors — are noted and addressed immediately, and that a record of all actions is digitally documented. This doesn't just lead to a safer restaurant or retail environment — it provides a line of defense against claims when the unfortunate does happen. Our clients who use this kind of technology report a 30% to 40% reduction in the frequency of slip/trip and fall incidents.

Although we are focusing here on preventing slips and falls, it's worth mentioning that using sensors to actively monitor your premises allows you to respond to other critical weather-related events, even if no one is there. For example, a sensor that sends an alert if the temperature in a freezer or cooler deviates from a specified range during a power outage can allow you to respond quickly and reduce food spoilage. If your heating system fails, you can get a notification on your cell phone that the temperature inside your facility is dropping, allowing you to respond quickly and prevent freezing pipes from bursting and causing costly water damage.

We've also found that when you collect data during inspections, you can use it for more than just immediate actions. You can also use it to review and predict trends. For example, you might note areas or times of the day — or of the year — in which accidents happen more frequently.

Programs and policies to prevent hazards can be created around what you glean from your digital records, and there are endless uses for data analysis.

Looking ahead

As the insurance industry moves toward smarter and faster solutions, we must seek to educate our clients on both accepted best practices and new, innovative solutions alike. The process of preventing slips and falls can be simplified, and providing products that are easy to use is our job. It's critical for all parties involved to work together to ensure weather-related risks are detected and mitigated in a proactive and efficient manner.

Rooney Gleason ([email protected]) is president of Argo Insurance and head of Digital Business Development at Argo Group.

See also:

• 10 ways to reduce slips, trips and falls in your business
• States where employee lawsuits are most likely to happen
• Top 10 safest states for seniors