Frankly, slips, trips, and falls aren't exciting safety subjects. They don’t involve fireballs, hazardous chemicals, or dramatic rescue scenes. But they’re some of the most frequent, costly, and preventable incidents in the workplace. And in Canada, they’re one of the leading causes of lost-time injuries across nearly every sector—from construction sites to office towers.
If you’re a business owner, site supervisor, or OH&S manager, ignoring STF hazards is like leaving money—and employee safety—on the floor.
The good news? The fix isn’t complicated. A proactive, well-planned housekeeping program can drastically reduce STF incidents, improve safety culture, and keep your operation compliant with Canadian legislation. And you don’t need a six-figure budget or a battalion of cleaners to make it happen. You just need structure, buy-in, and the right guidance.
Let’s break it down.
Here’s a reality check: STFs account for roughly 20% of all workplace injuries in Canada, according to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS). That includes everything from minor bruises to fractures, concussions, and even fatalities.
And the financial hit? It’s no small puddle. According to Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety data, the average direct cost of a single STF injury is over $12,000, not including lost productivity, retraining, or equipment downtime. Multiply that by multiple events per year, and suddenly that wet floor by the breakroom is costing you more than your coffee budget.
https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/safety_haz/falls.html
https://ohs-pubstore.labour.alberta.ca/slips-trips-and-falls
But here’s the kicker—most of these incidents are preventable with simple housekeeping and hazard awareness. Not fancy equipment. Not expensive consultants. Just smart, proactive habits embedded into your daily operations.
You’ve probably heard it before: “Everyone is responsible for housekeeping.” That sounds great until you walk into a shop after a busy shift and see cords across the floor, a leaking jug of oil, and an emergency exit blocked by packing foam.
Here’s the thing—cleaning up after the fact is reactive. That means the hazard already existed and someone either tripped over it, almost tripped over it, or didn’t see it in time.
A proactive program builds systems around prevention, not cleanup. That includes engineered solutions, scheduled inspections, defined responsibilities, and data-driven monitoring. If you’re just hoping your team notices and fixes hazards before something happens, you’re gambling with people’s safety—and your bottom line.
Across all provinces and territories, employers are legally required to ensure that floors, stairs, and walkways are kept in a safe condition. It’s a core principle of every Occupational Health and Safety Code.
For example, in Alberta, Part 2 of the OHS Code (Section 9) mandates that employers must identify, assess, and control hazards—including STF hazards—and ensure safe conditions are maintained.
Failing to do this can result in:
That’s not just regulatory jargon—that’s real risk.
Let’s walk through what a proactive STF prevention and housekeeping program looks like. These steps aren’t theoretical—they’re built from what we implement every day at Calgary Safety Consultants.
1. Leadership Sets the Tone
Housekeeping has to be owned from the top. If managers walk past a mess and say nothing, that tells your team it’s not a priority. Set KPIs tied to safety and cleanliness. Include STF prevention in safety meetings. Make it visible, consistent, and mandatory.
2. Assess and Map Your Hazards
Start with a walkthrough. Use your site maps and mark high-traffic zones, entrances, loading bays, staircases, and production floors. Look for:
Use incident logs and near-miss reports to identify historical hotspots.
For help with this process, check out Alberta’s Hazard Assessment and Control Handbook:
https://ohs-pubstore.labour.alberta.ca/download/sample/25
3. Set Clear, Measurable Standards
Vague policies like “keep walkways clear” don’t cut it. Define what “good housekeeping” looks like in measurable terms. For example:
Write these into your procedures. Train to them. Audit against them.
4. Assign Ownership
Ownership makes or breaks your housekeeping program. Each work zone needs an assigned person (and a backup) responsible for daily checks and sign-offs. This could be tracked on a whiteboard, mobile app, or inspection form. When everyone knows who’s accountable, things get done.
5. Train, Engage, Repeat
Don’t just talk about it once during onboarding and forget it. Regular toolbox talks, safety moments, and even friendly competitions keep people engaged. Use real photos from your own site to highlight common risks.
Encourage near-miss reporting. If someone almost trips, that’s not just lucky—it’s valuable data. Celebrate when people speak up, not just when no one gets hurt.
WorkSafeBC offers excellent guides on creating an STF-aware workplace:
https://www.worksafebc.com/resources/health-safety/books-guides/preventing-slips-trips-falls?lang=en
6. Track Leading Indicators
Waiting until someone gets hurt to evaluate your program is too late. Instead, measure things like:
Use this data to adjust, improve, and allocate resources. Bonus: when the inspector shows up, you’ve got hard proof you’re managing STF risks proactively.
7. Review and Improve
Housekeeping is a living program, not a set-and-forget policy. Review your metrics monthly. Celebrate the wins (e.g., 30 days without a spill-related near-miss). If your data shows repeat issues in one area, investigate the root cause and fix it. Maybe it’s a drainage issue. Maybe it’s poor lighting. Maybe people need better PPE.
You don’t need to spend a fortune to level up your STF prevention game. Here are some quick wins we recommend:
Small fixes, big payoffs.
At Calgary Safety Consultants, we help businesses of all sizes build OH&S programs that work—not just on paper, but in real life.
Our housekeeping and STF prevention support includes:
We’ve helped Alberta manufacturers, contractors, warehouse operators, and office teams slash their STF incidents—and improve safety culture while doing it.
Let’s chat: https://calgarysafetyconsultants.ca or email info@calgarysafetyconsultants.ca
Slips, trips, and falls might not make headlines, but they’re among the most preventable and disruptive incidents out there. Don’t wait until someone gets hurt to take action.
A proactive housekeeping program is more than mops and mats—it’s a mindset. It’s a culture of care, accountability, and action. And it’s one of the most cost-effective investments you can make in your team’s safety and your company’s success.
Slips, trips, and falls are among the most common causes of workplace injuries in Canada. They lead to lost-time claims, medical costs, and potential legal liability. Most are preventable through proper housekeeping and hazard control.
Common causes include wet or oily floors, uneven surfaces, cluttered walkways, loose cords, poor lighting, and improper storage. These hazards are often the result of poor housekeeping practices.
Yes. Every province and territory in Canada mandates that employers maintain safe floors, walkways, and work areas. Poor housekeeping can lead to citations, penalties, and prosecutions under OH&S legislation.
Calgary Safety Consultants is here to help you ensure compliance, enhance safety, and streamline your OH&S program. Don’t wait—fill out the form, and we’ll connect with you to discuss how we can support your business. Let’s get started!
Calgary Safety Consultants delivers game-changing COR Audits and OH&S consulting designed to keep your business safe, compliant, and accident-free. With 30+ years of expertise in high-risk industries like oil & gas, construction, and manufacturing, we understand the unique challenges you face. We offer tailored safety solutions that not only meet regulatory standards but also reduce operational risks and protect your workforce. From conducting thorough safety audits to implementing comprehensive safety management systems, we ensure your team is fully supported. Our hands-on, collaborative approach means we're with you every step of the way, helping you achieve a safer, more efficient workplace. Let us handle the heavy lifting so your team stays protected, and your business thrives!
