With hiring picking up, this is a good time for employers-and employees-to realize that the most common accident in the office environment is a fall. Worse, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls also result in the most disabling injuries.

According to the CDC, the most common office falls are the result of:  

  • Tripping over an open drawer, electrical cords, loose carpeting, or similar items on floor surfaces;
  • Bending or reaching for items while sitting in an unstable chair;
  • Using a chair for a ladder;
  • Wet or slippery floors; and

  • Poor lighting.


According to Adam Strizzi, marketing manager for Crown Mats & Matting, a manufacturer of entry, anti-fatigue and other matting products, the first step in preventing an office fall is to "simply be aware that it can happen. People get so accustomed to their surroundings [that they] don't keep an eye out for changes in their office setting or potential dangers."

Along with greater awareness, Strizzi's other suggestions include:  

  • Do not leave drawers open;
  • If a cord is attached to an outlet over a walkway — to charge up a laptop computer for instance — put a chair over the cord. This brings attention to the cord and can help prevent a fall; and
  • Always use a ladder or step ladder to reach for things; never use a chair. "In general, avoid stretching for items," Strizzi adds. "Even if on a ladder, stretching for an item on a shelf, for instance, can result in a fall;" and
  • Report wet areas on floors, carpets that have buckled, or any floor areas that potentially could lead to a fall.


"It's also a good idea to install indoor matting in walkways, around elevators, in elevators, and, of course, lobby entries," says Strizzi. "Not only do the mats provide a dry surface to walk on, but they also help remove moisture and soils from shoe bottoms which might contribute to a fall."