Did you know that as a business owner you may be held liable if an injury occurs at your laundromat? While no business owner wants to think about someone being injured in their business, knowing the risks and taking steps to manage them before there is an injury can help you avoid this nightmare. The most common safety risks and injuries at laundromats come from poor planning or improper maintenance on the part of management or the staff. Preventing these injuries is possible. Walk through your laundromat today and consider these common areas of risk as you do. Searching for new or used laundromat equipment? Call T & L! Even though we don't offer Maytag dealers SC services, you'll find the best commercial washers and dryers from Speed Queen and Continental.
Dryers, Steamers, Irons and Other Heated Equipment
It's no secret that these items are hot. However, many times people are distracted while they are working or doing their laundry. Burns can quickly happen if your customers or employees aren't paying attention. Consider posting smaller signs near the equipment that is likely to cause a burn reminding patrons and employees alike to use caution when operating this equipment.
Slips and Falls
Slips and falls make up the majority of accidents that occur each year in laundromats. More than 8 million people visit the emergency room each year according to the National Fall Safety Institute for treatment related to a fall. Ensure that your customers aren't among them by enforcing strict standards for dealing with spills in your laundromat with your staff members. Leaking machines need to be repaired promptly, water and detergent spills should be flagged with caution signs and cleaned up right away, and ample space should be available for patrons to put their laundry baskets and carts out of the way of aisles and walkways. Another common problem in laundromats is customers and staff crawling on top of equipment to reach items that are on high shelves. Having the right step stool or ladder available to get to these items is important for both customer and employee safety. To reduce the risk of a fall even further, find a way to store commonly needed items on a lower, more accessible level.
Chemically Based Products
There are a wide variety of chemicals that are present in your laundromat. These products are used to get clothes clean, keep your laundromat clean, and to help maintain the cleanliness of your machines. Chemical burns from these products can happen quickly. Eye irritations, skin irritations, and worse can happen when coming in contact with these products. Keeping them away from children and labeling them correctly can help both staff and customers know what they are handling and reduce any confusion. Have gloves, eye protection, and handling instructions available to employees and customers for these chemicals.
Fire Prevention
More than $238 million in property damage was reported as a result of fires involving laundry equipment. From clogged lint screens to overloaded outlets, there are a number of potential fire hazards in your laundromat. When you combine these hazards with the presence of dangerous chemicals, routine fire safety checks should be a part of your operating plan. Be sure that your employees know how to use the fire safety devices in your laundromat. Check to ensure that sprinkler systems and fire extinguishers are working properly and have not expired. Change the batteries in the smoke detectors in your business twice a year.
An Affordable Alternative Maytag Dealers SC Company
Keeping your customers and employees safe in your laundromat is crucial for a healthy bottom line and a great experience for all. Need to upgrade your dryers or want to install a fire suppression system in your laundromat? Call the area's vended laundry experts at T & L Laundry Equipment and find out how our team can help you keep your staff and patrons safe.
For more helpful tips on preventing laundromat injuries, check out part two.
