Safety Tips to Avoid an Injury

Slip and fall season is almost upon us. In many parts of the country, winter means icy roads and sidewalks, which increases the chance of an injury. Often the weather outside is brought inside by our footwear, which can cause falls in shopping centres, grocery stores, and apartment buildings.

How do falls happen?

Falls can happen in many different ways. They can happen when there is too little friction between the footwear and the walking surface. Common types of falls are caused by:

• Wet or oily surfaces
• Spills that have not been wiped up
• Weather hazards
• Loose, unanchored rugs or mats
• Flooring or other walking surfaces that do not have the same degree of traction in all areas
• Obstructed views
• Poor lighting
• Clutter in the way
• Uneven walking surfaces¹

How to avoid slip and falls

• Walk on designated walkways, especially those that have been treated for ice
• Take shorter steps and walk slower to ensure you have proper footing
• Get rid of distractions when walking – put the phone away, and try not to carry heavier items, if possible.
• If something spills on the floor, wipe it up right away.
• Wear proper footwear with extra traction when walking outdoors
• Plan ahead and don’t rush or travel too quickly for the surface conditions
• Enter buildings slowly and watch for slippery floors and puddles
• Proceed carefully when entering and exiting vehicles in case the ground beneath you has not been properly cleared.^{2 3}

Occupier’s Liability Act

An occupier is anyone who has a physical possession of the premises or has responsibility for and control over the condition of the premises. For instance, the landlord and tenant retain some responsibility for property maintenance and they would owe duties to their customers. Their job is to make sure it is safe for anyone walking on the property.

¹ Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, Prevention of Slips, Trips, and Falls, https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/safety_haz/falls.html

² Canadian Red Cross, Slips, trips and falls: How to stay safe in icy weather, para 1, https://www.redcross.ca/blog/2023/1/slips-trips-and-falls-how-to-stay-safe-in-icy-weather

³ University of Guelph, Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls, https://www.uoguelph.ca/hr/about-hr/environmental-health-safety-ehs/ehs-programs-policies-guidelines-and-forms/preventing-slips