Grooming Matters
Watch Your Step: The Dangers of Trips, Slips &
digital illustration of man in orange pants and blue striped long sleeve shirt falling
Falls in the Salon

by Daryl Conner

A few weeks ago, a customer exited our grooming studio with her dog, and then came right back in saying, “There is a woman lying in your driveway.” To my horror, one of my regular customers was, in fact, flat on her back and unable to get up. This customer, who is in her eighties, had been pulled down by her boisterous dog, and ended up with a contusion on her head and a broken clavicle.

When it comes to safety, slipping and tripping hazards are high on the list of ways both humans and animals can be injured. According to the National Safety Council, 36% of emergency room visits in the United States are the result of falls.1 And statistically, pets are involved in causing over 86,000 non-fatal falls per year.2

The upsetting incident with my poor customer made it clear to me how dangerous falls can be, so I did a complete survey of our property to see if any improvements could be made. When it comes to customers bringing in pets, it is a good idea to check the following potential hazards around your business:
  • Are pavement and walkways smooth or are there holes, cracks or raised areas that might cause someone to fall?
  • If you have a space for dogs to walk and eliminate, is it well-lit and free of things someone could fall over?
  • Are stairs or ramps in good condition? Are there rotting or damaged boards that could cause someone to trip? Are they slippery? If so, can you apply adhesive grip strips?
  • Are any railings in good repair? Are they obstructed by plants or decorative items making them unusable?
  • Is there adequate lighting for people to navigate by in all of your outdoor spaces?
  • Do all of your flooring, carpet and rugs lay flat, or are there edges curled or raised that could cause a tripping hazard?
  • If you are located in an area that gets cold, do you have protocols in place for dealing with ice?
  • If the area gets wet from people coming and going with damp shoes, does the floor get slick?
  • Are there any electrical cords or vacuum hoses that could be tripped over?
  • How about point of sale items, plants or even dog toys? The entryway should always be free of anything that someone might step on or trip over.
Staff members are also susceptible to fall injuries. Due to the nature of grooming, wet floors are a constant concern, and the sheer number of electrically powered tools that we use means that keeping those cords corralled safely is a perpetual issue. Other potential concerns include:
  • Inappropriate footwear, such as flip flops or sandals with slick soles or open toes, are not safe in the grooming environment.
  • Pets on the floor, whether customer dogs or staff pets that come to work, can be underfoot and problematic.
  • Leashes used when transporting pets from one area to another are potential sources of tripping, especially the retractable models.
  • Shop vacuums with long, flexible hoses seem to be exceptionally good at wrapping around ankles if they are not properly secured.
Slipping or tripping accidents are categorized as “premises liability” which puts the responsibility of keeping an environment safe in the hands of the property owners.3 This is another reason to make sure that your insurance is up to date and that your coverage is adequate.

The animals in our care are also susceptible to fall injuries. This is especially true with elderly dogs who may have limited mobility and potentially also have vision problems. For these pets, navigating in the unfamiliar area of the grooming environment can be filled with danger. Additionally, if there are ramps or stairs that they need to contend with, the chance of injury is increased. Combine all of this with smooth floors and wet areas and you can see the potential for a problem.

Dogs can fall from grooming tables or tubs if not constantly and consistently monitored. They can also be injured if they anticipate our movements as we are putting them down on the floor or into a cage. Often the dog will unexpectedly leap in the direction we are trying to place them, and land badly. For this reason, it is imperative that groomers keep dogs in firm control as they are moving them from one place to another.

Grooming tables and tubs should have secure, non-slip footing to help keep pets safe while they are being worked on. Cages, too, need something that provides texture for the pet to stand on so their legs don’t splay out from under them.

If a person or pet falls on your property, first check on their wellbeing, and then seek medical attention if necessary. You should also take a moment to write down what happened and when. This will help you remember the incident more clearly later if needed.

Slips, trips and falls can happen anywhere, but the grooming environment offers extra opportunities for accidents because we have pets, water and cords all lying in wait for an accident. Being aware of potential hazards can help us make plans to keep our space as safe as possible.

References:
  1. National Safety Council. Top 10 Preventable Injuries. https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/all-injuries/deaths-by-demographics/top-10-preventable-injuries/
  2. Stevens JA, Teh SL, Haileyesus T. Dogs and cats as environmental fall hazards. J Safety Res. 2010 Feb;41(1):69-73. doi: 10.1016/j.jsr.2010.01.001. Epub 2010 Jan 28. PMID: 20226954. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20226954/
  3. Berman & Simmons. Navigating Slip and Fall Claims: How Experienced Attorneys Prove Negligence and Secure Justice. https://www.bermansimmons.com/practice-areas/slip-fall-unsafe-properties/slip-and-fall-liability/
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