Smoke Break - Episode 30: Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls

Episode Duration: 8 minutes

Join host Mike Hernandez as he reveals how to eliminate the most common cause of convenience store accidents through systematic floor safety protocols. Learn proven strategies for managing wet surfaces, creating effective cleaning schedules, redesigning high-risk areas, and implementing regular hazard monitoring systems that protect customers and employees while reducing your liability exposure.

Episode Overview

Master essential slip, trip, and fall prevention elements:

• Floor safety fundamentals
• Wet surface management systems
• Strategic cleaning schedule optimization
• Store layout hazard elimination
• Regular inspection protocols

Success Story: Rachel's Wake-Up Call

Learn from real implementation:

• Perfect aesthetics versus basic safety
• Coffee station puddle incident
• Minor spill major consequence recognition
• Floor safety priority realization
• Comprehensive prevention transformation

Wet Surface Management Systems

Develop approaches for:

• Entrance mat installation
• Regular floor-checking schedules
• Immediate "Wet Floor" sign deployment
• First-sign-of-moisture response
• Zero-incident achievement strategies

Strategic Cleaning Schedule Optimization

Master techniques for:

• Spill cleanup excellence
• Hazard-creating routine identification
• Slow-period mopping scheduling
• Area sectioning during cleaning
• Customer traffic flow protection

Store Layout Hazard Elimination

Create systems for:

• Temporary stock placement assessment
• Designated staging area creation
• Customer traffic separation
• Delivery-time protocols
• Complete tripping hazard removal

Regular Inspection Protocol Implementation

Implement strategies for:

• "15-minute sweep" system establishment
• Hourly walk-through scheduling
• Spill identification procedures
• Misplaced item detection
• Proactive hazard removal

High-Risk Area Redesign

Establish protocols for:

• Problem area identification
• Beyond-mat solutions
• Slip-resistant flooring installation
• Better drainage implementation
• Investment-through-prevention ROI

Visual Training Method Development

Develop approaches for:

• Daily inspection photo documentation
• Staff meeting visual aids
• Exact hazard demonstration
• Problem-fixing illustration
• Team awareness enhancement

Store Owner's Action Item

This week's comprehensive hazard assessment:

1. Conduct fresh-eyes store walkthrough
2. Identify slip hazards (spills, wet spots)
3. Identify trip hazards (uneven flooring, obstacles)
4. Identify fall hazards (poorly lit areas, unstable displays)
5. Fix one hazard from each category this week

Check-In Question

What's the difference between a slip hazard and a trip hazard, and why do you need different strategies to prevent each type of accident?

Resources Mentioned

• Visit cstorethrive.com for additional slip, trip, and fall prevention resources

Next Episode Preview

Stay tuned for the answer to today's check-in question and additional workplace safety strategies for convenience store owners.

"Smoke Break" delivers weekly insights for independent convenience store owners in bite-sized, actionable episodes under 10 minutes.

#ConvenienceStore #SlipAndFall #WorkplaceSafety #StoreOwnership #AccidentPrevention #FloorSafety #CustomerSafety