Slip & Fall Prevention: Exterior Spaces

Accidents involving slips and falls are the most common cause of liability claims submitted to insurance companies. Your organization is responsible for the safety of its premises, including its exterior spaces.

Sidewalks, Parking Lots & Driveways

Over time, sidewalks and parking lots can become a significant liability hazard for slips and falls due to frequent use. These exterior areas will require regular inspection and maintenance. When conducting an inspection, consider the following items:

Ensure the surfaces are level and in good condition, free from cracks and potholes.
Repair any variation in the surface greater than ¼ inch.
Keep the surface free of gravel, rocks and mud.
Remove items placed in the path of travel, such as trash cans and garden planters.
Prune landscaping that is planted closely to the sidewalks.
Identify and correct areas where tree roots are causing sidewalks to buckle and heave.
Ensure pedestrians are not allowed to walk through areas under construction.
Closely watch for inadequate patching to sidewalks where there are raised or lowered edges, depressions or changes to the surface texture.

Tire Stops

Tire stops are exposed to damage from snowplows and therefore require maintenance. If tire stops are present, the following should be true:

They should be in good condition without any deterioration.
They should not be taller than 6.5 inches.
There should be at least three feet between wheel stops.
They should not extend beyond the width of the wheels.
They should be marked with a contrasting color, such as yellow, white or red.
Reinforcing rods used to anchor the stops should be level with the top and sides of the stop.

Speed Bumps

Speed bumps are usually made of asphalt, which may break down quickly when it is driven over regularly and exposed to winter weather conditions. You should review your speedbumps annually for these traits:

They should not be installed next to natural pedestrian walkways (sidewalks or ramps), exit or entrance areas.
They should be marked with a contrasting color, such as yellow, white or red.
Areas around speed bumps should be adequately lit so the speed bumps do not become a tripping hazard in the dark.
Speed bump signs should be installed to give warning of their presence.

Curbing

Curbing is also susceptible to damage from snowplows, vehicles and winter weather conditions. Curbs frequently interact with walkways and therefore require regular review for these characteristics:

Curbs should be six inches high.
Curbs leading to entrances and sidewalks should be painted a contrasting color, such as white, yellow or red.
Curb cutouts that are installed to provide handicapped access should be marked with a contrasting paint color and have grit added to the paint to provide surface roughness.

Lighting

Proper lighting both inside and outside your buildings can help prevent slip and fall incidents. Review the following items as they relate to lighting your interior and exterior walkways:

At a minimum, use 10 foot-candles (a unit to measure lighting) for all lighting.
Use a level of illumination higher than 10 foot-candles in high use areas.
Provide illumination of interior and exterior walking surfaces.
In stairwells, provide a light switch at the top and bottom of the stairs whenever feasible.
Inspect all lighting on a daily basis. Replace light fixtures or bulbs that do not work.

Wet Surfaces

Walking surfaces outside your buildings may face wet conditions due to weather, irrigation systems, spills or other sources. When the temperatures reach freezing level, wet surfaces may turn icy and become a hazard. Even in warm weather, wet walking surfaces can pose a slip and fall risk. Inspect your facilities for the below items and complete repairs or adjustments as needed to prevent wet exterior walking surfaces:

Ensure land grading is away from the building to allow for adequate drainage.
Ensure adequate drainage for storm water run-off.
Clear blocked drains and gutters.
Redirect gutter downspouts so they do not drain onto walkways.
Check outdoor air conditioner units to ensure condensation does not accumulate on walking surfaces.
Test the spray pattern of lawn sprinklers to ensure that they do not cover or pool on walking surfaces.
Eliminate moss that has grown on walkways.

Additional Considerations

When conducting inspections of any of the above areas of your facility, you may observe miscellaneous slip and fall hazards. The following are examples of miscellaneous slip and fall hazards that should be repaired:

Access covers, which should be flush with the surface, that are missing or ill-fitting.
Drainage holes with missing covers or grated covers with openings greater than ½ inch.
Access covers or grated drainage-hole covers that are not painted to contrast with surrounding surfaces.
Old posts, temporary pole supports and other such obstructions.
Sprinkler heads used for irrigation that sit above the ground’s surface when not in use.
Holes and depressions formed as a result of settling.
As you inspect your premises, keep an eye out for hazards such as those listed above.
Ensure repairs are completed in a timely manner to maintain a safe environment for your organization's employees, members and guests.