3 Simple Ways to Reduce Everyday Risk
Slips, trips and falls are one of the most common causes of workplace injuries across Canada, yet they are often underestimated. Most incidents happen at ground level, typically when a worker loses traction or encounters an unexpected obstacle. These are not always dramatic accidents. They are everyday hazards that build up quietly until something goes wrong.
What makes them particularly challenging is how easily they blend into routine work. A small spill, a poorly lit corner, or a curled mat can be enough to cause a serious injury. The good news is that these risks are highly preventable when fundamental policies and PPE are consistently applied.
Here are three ways to make a measurable difference.
1. Watch Your Step
Most slip and trip incidents begin with something simple that was overlooked such as a wet patch that was not cleaned right away, debris left in a walkway, or damaged floor surface that became part of the background.
Strong housekeeping practices are the foundation of prevention. When work areas are clean, clear, and maintained, many hazards never have the chance to develop. This includes maintaining even flooring, securing mats so they lie flat, and ensuring cables or equipment never interfere with pedestrian paths.
It is easy to think of housekeeping as a routine task, but it plays a far more important role. Without it, more advanced safety measures lose their effectiveness. A well-maintained walking surface gives workers the assumptions to move safely and confidently.
2. Make Hazards Visible Before They Become Incidents
Visibility often determines whether a worker avoids a hazard or walks directly into it. Poor lighting, blocked sightlines, and cluttered spaces increase the likelihood of trips because hazards remain hidden until it is too late.
In many workplaces, especially in Canada, seasonal conditions add another layer of risk. Snow, ice, and wet entryways create constantly changing hazards that require extra attention. Inside, changes in flooring or transitions between surfaces can also catch people off guard. Read more about preventing winter slip hazards here!
Improving visibility is about more than installing brighter lights. It involves thinking about how workers move through a space and whether potential risks are obvious at a glance. Clear sightlines, consistent lighting, and the use of signage or markings all contribute to a safer environment where hazards are easier to identify and avoid.
3. Reinforce Safe Habits and the Right Gear
Even in a well-maintained workplace, behaviour still plays a role. How people move, what they wear, and how they respond to hazards all influence the outcome.
Footwear is one of the most important factors. Slips happen when there is not enough traction between the shoe and the surface, particularly on wet or smooth floors. The right footwear helps maintain stability, especially in environments where conditions can change quickly.
Awareness is just as important. Workers who rush, carry obstructed loads, or become distracted are more likely to miss hazards that would otherwise be easy to avoid. Building a culture where employees actively look for and report risks helps close this gap. Over time, this shared responsibility makes hazard identification a normal part of the job rather than a separate task.
Read our guide on how to build a culture of safety!
Why It Matters
Slips, trips and falls remain a leading cause of workplace injuries and lost time incidents across Canada. Beyond the immediate injury, these incidents affect productivity, staffing, and overall workplace morale.
What stands out is how often the root cause is something preventable. A missed inspection, a delayed clean-up, or a lack of awareness can all contribute to outcomes that were avoidable.
Preventing same-level falls relies on consistency and proper PPE.
Contact your Bunzl Safety expert to help build out your site-specific safety gear assortment to prevent slips, trips and falls and build a stronger safety culture across every part of your operation.
