Summary:
Slip-and-fall liability stems from failing to take “reasonable steps” to keep visitors safe under Alberta’s Occupiers’ Liability Act. Regular floor care, fast spill response, scheduled inspections, hazard escalation, and proper logging are essential. Free tools like PPC’s interactive seasonal checklist highlights gaps, provides a risk score, and offers targeted actions so businesses can improve safety programs and protect themselves from costly incidents.
Slip-and-fall accidents are one of the most common causes of workplace injuries and liability claims. Under Alberta’s Occupiers’ Liability Act, business owners must take “reasonable steps” to keep visitors safe, and that means more than putting out a wet floor sign.
This article explains what those steps look like, why having the right cleaning program plays a major role in safety for commercial businesses, and how to create a plan that offers comprehensive protection: for employees, customers, and the reputation of your business.
To find a reliable commercial cleaning partner in Alberta, contact Picture Perfect Cleaning. We can create a flexible cleaning plan based on the needs of your space so that everyone who sets foot in it can do so with confidence.
Your Legal Duty Under Alberta’s Occupiers’ Liability Act
Alberta’s Occupiers’ Liability Act sets a clear expectation: if you control a property, you must take “reasonable steps” to make sure that people entering it are reasonably safe.
For business owners, this means:
- Identifying hazards: Wet floors, loose mats, ice at entrances, and spills in high-traffic areas.
- Addressing risks promptly: Cleaning, repairing, or cordoning off hazardous areas as quickly as possible.
- Providing warnings: Posting clear signage if a risk cannot be removed immediately.
- Keeping records: Documenting cleaning and inspection routines to demonstrate that you acted responsibly.
Failure to meet these standards can result in negligence claims, lost productivity, and reputational damage (not to mention costly legal action).
Common Risk Areas That Lead to Slip & Fall Incidents
Entrances and Lobbies
Tracked-in snow, mud, or water can make entrances the most dangerous part of your building. High-quality entrance mats and frequent cleaning are critical.
Washrooms and Kitchens
Spills near sinks, soap drips, and water leaks often go unnoticed. These areas need more frequent checks and wipe-downs than other parts of the building.
High-Traffic Hallways
Dust, debris, and worn flooring in corridors increase slip hazards over time. Proper maintenance schedules help reduce buildup.
Learn More: Tips to Keep High-Traffic Areas in Your Facility Clean
Stairs and Ramps
Missed spills or dust on stairs and ramps can lead to serious injuries. They should be checked and cleaned multiple times daily if traffic is heavy.
How Cleaning Programs Can Help Prevent Workplace Accidents
Slip-and-fall liability is not about how your business reacts after an accident happens. It’s about preventing the conditions that make accidents likely, and a strong cleaning program does exactly that.
Here are some of the most common ways the right cleaning program will make your business safer and reduce risk for everyone:
- Floor Maintenance: Regular sweeping, mopping, and refinishing keep floors free from grit, dust, and surface wear that reduce traction.
- Spill Response: A well-defined process ensures that spills are spotted and cleaned quickly, minimizing exposure time for visitors.
- Seasonal Prep: Extra matting and more frequent entry cleaning during Alberta’s long snowy months and brief-but-intense summer rains can prevent moisture from collecting in areas with high foot traffic.
- Inspection Frequency: Scheduled walk-throughs catch hazards early and document fixes so that future risks can be identified and prevented more efficiently.
- Audit Trails: Having these logs and incident reports creates evidence that your business is performing its due diligence to ensure public safety, which is crucial if a claim does get filed.
This means a comprehensive cleaning program has to do more than just make your environment appear clean. Cleaning is practical as well as aesthetic: it is an important aspect of protecting people and shielding your business from preventable claims.
Building a Safer Cleaning Program with Professional Janitorial Services
Meeting your duty of care under Alberta’s Occupiers’ Liability Act takes time, expertise, and consistency. Not every business is well-positioned to do this with an in-house team, so hiring a reliable cleaning partner for professional janitorial support is often the most cost-efficient way to ensure compliance and safety.
Learn More: The Ultimate Guide to Janitorial Companies in Calgary & Edmonton
Here’s how professional cleaners typically support businesses with each of the steps that reduce slip-and-fall risk:
Floor Maintenance
Keeping floors safe involves more than a quick daily mop. Professional cleaners can:
- Schedule routine sweeping and mopping
- Choose the right cleaning products for each surface
- Monitor finish wear to keep traction consistent
In high-traffic areas, teams like ours may also recommend periodic deep cleans or refinishing to prevent surfaces from becoming slippery.
Spill Response
Effective spill response is as much about speed and documentation as cleaning itself. Professional cleaners can:
- Ensure spill kits and supplies are available in key areas
- Respond quickly and leave the floor fully dry and safe
- Log each cleanup with time stamps for liability protection
Seasonal Prep
Seasonal conditions can dramatically change floor safety, especially during Alberta’s long winters. Cleaning partners typically:
- Rotate and maintain entrance mats to capture snow, ice, and mud
- Increase cleaning frequency during wet seasons to keep entrances clear
- Use salt- and floor-safe products to prevent damage while reducing slip risk
Inspection Frequency
Consistent inspections catch hazards before they cause an incident. A professional janitorial plan can:
- Include hazard checks as part of routine cleaning rounds
- Inspect mats, floors, and stairwells multiple times daily if needed
- Report issues with photos and notify management right away
Audit Trails and Records
Proper documentation is your strongest defense if a claim is filed. Professional cleaners can:
- Maintain detailed cleaning and inspection logs
- Provide digital reports that can be stored and retrieved easily
- Help prove that your business took reasonable steps to protect visitors
Keep Your Business on Sure Footing with Picture Perfect Cleaning
When these steps are combined into a single, consistent cleaning program, you create a safer environment for everyone who enters your space, and reduce your risk if a claim is ever made. Picture Perfect Cleaning can deliver this kind of program with scheduled floor care, seasonal adjustments, hazard inspections, and detailed reporting all built into a custom plan designed for your business.
Use our interactive checklist below to see if your current cleaning plan covers these critical areas. For help plugging the gaps, contact Picture Perfect Cleaning. We can help you close the gaps and build a plan that protects your visitors and your business year-round.
How to Use This Checklist
This tool makes it simple to assess your slip-and-fall prevention plan and take action where it matters most.
- Select your current season so the checklist reflects real-world floor conditions.
- Answer five quick questions about your floor care, spill response, inspections, hazard reporting, and logging practices.
- Review your risk score to see whether your program is Low, Moderate, or High risk.
- Follow the recommended actions and seasonal tips to close gaps and strengthen your cleaning plan.
- Download your checklist for printing or sharing with your team so everyone can stay accountable.
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