USCG Facility Inspector Practice Test

Promptly cleaning spills is the best way to reduce slip hazards because it removes the slippery surface at its source and minimizes the time people are exposed to the danger. A spill left on the floor can quickly spread and become slick, especially in high-traffic areas, so addressing it immediately dramatically lowers the chance of someone slipping. If it can’t be cleaned right away, containing the spill with absorbent material and putting up a caution sign helps control the risk until cleanup is possible, and then the floor should be dried completely. Wearing non-slip shoes helps reduce the risk, but it isn’t enough on its own because the hazard remains until the liquid is removed. Keeping cords in walkways creates another danger—tripping—not a slip hazard from liquids, and it doesn’t address the risk from spilled fluids.