Signage for Wet Floors Important

Wet floors pose a significant risk to consumers visiting supermarkets and other stores, and also pose dangers in office buildings and other public places. When the floor is wet and slippery, a person is much more likely to fall, and difficulty regaining balance on the way down can also increase the likelihood of significant injury.

Wet floors are usually caused by the cleaning process, as tile floors or other hard surfaces are mopped. The residual water leaves the floor slippery. In other instances, rain or ice melt or other water can accumulate on floors for a variety of reasons. In some instances, such as in garages, the slippery floor is caused by oil or grease.

To lower the fall risk for patrons, businesses and other landlords should properly sign any wet floors. Proper signage should possess a variety of properties, including:

• Being made in a highly eye-catching color, such as yellow or orange
• Indicate using symbols (and words) the nature of the potential hazard
• Be at both ends or a large space, such as an aisle, if the entire space is slippery

Failing to properly sign wet floors puts people at unnecessary risk. As most slippery forms of flooring are also hard (such as hardwood or tile), falling is likely to result in sprains, muscle pulls, and even broken bones. If the falling individual hits their head, there is a high likelihood of a concussion or, in rarer cases, a Traumatic Brain Injury.

If you or someone you love has been injured due to a wet floor fall, and the floor was not properly signed, please consult with an experienced attorney. It is reasonable to assume that slippery surfaces will be marked, and a qualified lawyer can help you make your case.