Slip-and-Fall Liability: Why Parking Lots Need Regular Professional Cleaning

Slip-and-Fall Liability: Why Parking Lots Need Regular Professional Cleaning. Slip and fall lawsuits can cost a business thousands, or even tens of thousands, of dollars. While that might sound shocking for something as common as losing your balance, slip-and-fall injuries can be serious and expensive. And both commercial businesses and building owners can be held liable.

Maintaining a clean parking lot is key to preventing falls from happening in the first place, and CleanPro is here to make sure your lot is clean and safe. We are St. Louis' #1 exterior cleaning company, covering both parking lots and parking garages. If your lot needs a clean, call us today at (314) 72-CLEAN or get in touch online.

Today, we'll look at the details behind liability in slip-and-fall accidents in St. Louis, a checklist for things you can do to prevent them, and the role of professionals in helping you care for your property and protect your business.

Call us now for a free quote - stop slip-and-falls before they happen, and improve the look of your parking lot, all at the same time.

Why Are Slip-and-Falls More Common in Dirty St. Louis Parking Lots?

Falls are the most common preventable injury in the United States. Parking lots are a common place where falls occur, and that risk is exacerbated when a parking lot is dirty. Concrete's porous nature allows moisture to seep into the surface, making it slippery for longer. This moisture can pull in other contaminants, creating slippery sections with a dirty film on top.

In the long term, water, salt, and abrasive grit will cause more wear on the concrete, making it easier for moisture to get trapped in. The moisture can also contain oils or grease, creating lasting slippery spots when it sinks in. And with St. Louis's freeze-thaw cycle, the contaminants deep within the concrete will expand and contract, causing cracks, potholes, and other tripping hazards.

Power-washing your parking lot reduces these risks, protecting everyone in both the short and long term.

How Can Professional St. Louis Cleaning Services Reduce Parking Lot Slip-and-Fall Risks?

When you bring in the pros to clean your parking lot, you're reducing both short-term and long-term risks. Right away, removing the buildup of grime and the slippery film on top of the concrete will help protect your customers and employees. We can also reduce stains on concrete for improved curb appeal.

To save your business from long-term issues, CleanPro uses hot water and professional detergent to attack stubborn contaminants and remove deep moisture. This not only helps with stain reduction but also protects your business from the damaging effects of the freeze-thaw cycle. Additionally, we use vacuum recovery to prevent dust and debris from entering the air and water around your business, protecting the environment you operate in.

Liability and Slip-and-Fall Accidents in St. Louis: What You Need to Know

While many factors can play into someone's fall incident, if it happened at your business location, you might be held liable.

This is because you have a legal duty to care for your parking lot. This not only prevents slip-and-falls from happening, but also sets up your defense should one occur. Your efforts to prevent slip-and-fall conditions will be key in the case.

Liability is generally a bit of a gray area in these cases, making it even more important to protect your interests. Regularly cleaning your parking lot is a key part of that.

Checklist to Prevent St. Louis Slip-and-Falls/Avoid Liability

While it would be impossible to account for every sort of dangerous condition, you can use the checklist below to make sure your parking lot is in good maintenance condition:

1. Ensure Your St. Louis Parking Lot Has Proper Lighting

Broken, burnt out, or missing lights can hide other dangers, particularly at night. What is a clearly visible hazard in the daylight can be practically unnoticeable at night. Take a flashlight and inspect your parking lot at night, ensuring that there are no lights out or unsafe dark spots.

2. Fix Any Uneven Surfaces and/or Potholes

Beware of twisted ankles! The ground itself needs to be safe to walk on. Fill potholes and repave uneven sections. Be aware - these can develop over time due to weather, erosion, and oil spills.

3. Use Clear Signals and Markings

This generally falls into two categories: Directions and warnings. Directions are all about telling people where it's safe for them to be. This includes arrows to direct people when driving, and crosswalks for pedestrians.

Warnings are more unique, as they should be tailored to a hazard on your lot. If there is a section of the lot that is uneven, for example, put up a sign to warn people while you wait for repairs. As that example illustrates, warning signs can also become obsolete and need to be changed over time.

4. Ensure Your St. Louis Parking Lot is Clean and Well-Maintained

There are three main things to do when checking your lot for cleanliness:

Remove Debris

• Look out for litter and trash that was left on your lot.
• People could trip or otherwise injure themselves walking through it.
• Additionally, debris is unsightly.

Clean Up Spills

• Spills are especially important because they can pose multiple dangers.
• Right away, people could slip on a spill and injure themselves in the fall.
• Over time, the spill will cause damage to your parking lot, potentially leading to uneven surfaces and potholes.
• For both reasons, it's critical to rapidly clean up any spills on your lot.

Schedule Regular Professional Maintenance

• Don't wait until you notice debris, spills, or any other issues.
• Work with a company that can handle routine cleanings, not just one-offs.
• Take advantage of regularly scheduled service to take the stress of scheduling off your plate.

5. In the Winter - Plow Snow and Use Ice Melt

• In St. Louis, winter weather can be a dice roll - one day everything's sunny, the next, everything's frozen.
• Not properly preparing for winter conditions can make you liable for a fall.
• Prep your lot with ice melt to combat winter conditions.
• Make plans to plow your lot as soon as possible after a snow.

Caring for Your Parking Lot - Professional St. Louis Parking Lot Cleaners

Showing your care for your customers starts when they first arrive. CleanPro helps you protect your lot and your business by bringing a commitment to excellence for every customer. Our mission is to work together to make St. Louis the cleanest place to live and work. And we want to do that with you.

On top of safety, having your parking lot regularly cleaned by professionals gives added benefits:

• Make a good first impression on customers with a clean environment.
• Improve your business image with a professional look.
• Protect your lot from damage, avoid needing repairs, and extend its lifespan.

Is Your Parking Lot a Slip-and-Fall Liability? Call CleanPro Today.

Don't wait until after you're facing a multi-thousand-dollar lawsuit to clean your parking lot - call CleanPro to set up a plan for regular cleaning and maintenance, and let us help protect your business from slip-and-fall liabilities.

We're experts on parking lots and parking garages, bringing over a decade of experience to industries across St. Louis.

You can reach us at (314) 72-CLEAN or contact us online for a free quote.