Did you know that falls are the leading unintentional injury and account for more than 8.7 million emergency room visits each year in the United States? One in every three adults age 65 and older falls each year. This information comes from a National Safety Council fact sheet on preventing slips, trips, and falls.
From June 17 – 23 the National Safety Council is encouraging employers to promote the prevention of slips, trips, and falls as part of National Safety Month. They have put together a five-minute safety talk, fact sheets, articles, a crossword puzzle, posters, and more for employers to utilize in promoting this safety effort, available online.
Over the past five years, VML Insurance Programs estimates that we have received more than 6,300 slip, trip, and fall claims from our more than 460 members. Nearly 22 percent of those were from various school systems and accounted for approximately $6.7 million in claims costs.
At approximately $6,000 for each claim, slips, trips and falls not only affect continuity in school operations, but they impact the bottom line when it comes to schools’ insurance premiums.
To help prevent these incidents, this spring VMLIP partnered with Spotsylvania County Schools to produce a new training video targeted at preventing slips, trips and falls in the school environment. The video will be released to members this summer. Check out a preview for the video below.
[youtube=http://youtu.be/7X0rm4YBYPQ]
Meanwhile, for more information on preventing slips, trips, and falls check out VMLIP’s safety bulletins including: Fall Prevention; Ladder Safety; Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls; and Tips for Winter Slip and Fall Prevention available online for eligible members.
VMLIP offers more than just coverage. We are partners in risk management. How does your insurer stack up? Having all lines of coverage with VMLIP ensures that your organization is receiving comprehensive coverage and a wide variety of value-added services tailored to Virginia’s local governmental entities. Call for a quote today: (800) 963-6800. For more information on VMLIP visit: www.vrsa.us or follow us on Facebook.
** VMLIP blog postings are offered for VMLIP members to utilize in strengthening their risk management efforts. See copyright information for clarification on sharing this information.