Fall in Canada never sticks around for long. One week it’s crisp leaves and cool evenings; the next, snow, ice, and salt tracked through every doorway, and that seasonal shift comes with some big headaches: messy, slippery floors and freezing outdoor conditions for your team.
The good news? Preparing now, before the first storm hits, can save you stress, money, and a whole lot of cleanup later. Two simple upgrades make all the difference: floor mats and proper winter outerwear.
Stop the Mess at the Door with Entry Mats
Your entryway is your first impression, and in winter, it’s also your first line of defense against dirt, slush, and salt. A good floor mat traps moisture and debris before it spreads, saving your staff hours of cleaning and preventing your customers from walking into a slip-and-slide.
Why mats matter in winter:
Trap the mess before it spreads – Quality mats can absorb a lot of water (Waterhog mats can hold 1.5 gallons per square yard!). That’s a lot of potential puddles you’re stopping at the door.
Reduce slip-and-fall risks – 66% of workplace falls happen on flat surfaces due to slips and trips. In 2018 alone, Canadian workplaces reported over 51,000 lost-time injuries from falls.
Save your floors – Road salt is basically floor enemy #1. It stains, corrodes, and wears down surfaces faster than you’d think, and mats can act as that buffer between the two.
Cut cleaning costs – Less moisture and dirt inside means your cleaning crew spends less time mopping and more time on other priorities.
Pro Tip: Don’t just place mats at the front door. Think about side doors, employee entrances, loading docks, and delivery zones.
How to Keep Mats Clean Without the Hassle
A dirty, soggy mat won’t do much good; in fact, it can make your floors worse. That’s where a mat rental program comes in handy. Instead of trying to shake out, vacuum, or spot-clean mats in-house, a rental program picks them up, launders them professionally, and returns them fresh and ready to work.
That means:
- Mats always look clean and professional
- No bacteria, odours, or salt buildup
- Your staff spends less time on maintenance
Pair mats with a mop rental program, and your floors are covered from entryway to back room.
Don’t Forget About Outerwear: It’s Now or Weather
You could have your team buy their own winter coats and hope they show up with something appropriate, or you could provide consistent, professional outerwear that keeps everyone warm, visible, and looking like they’re part of your team.
Here’s why smart businesses go the rental route:
1. Your Employees Actually Stay Warm (and Productive)
When someone’s shivering through their shift, productivity tanks. Outerwear uniform rentals mean your team gets proper gear designed for real Canadian winters, whether that’s insulated parkas for warehouse work, high-vis coveralls for road crews, or utility jackets for delivery drivers.
2. Safety and Visibility Come Standard
Winter days are short, and by 5 PM, it’s already dark out. If your team is working in loading zones or anywhere near traffic, hi-vis winter outerwear is non-negotiable. Rental programs make it easy to get reflective, high-visibility jackets that meet safety standards without the upfront cost.
Our P.A.S.S. Program (Protective Apparel Safety System) handles all of this for you. Your team gets CSA Z96-09 Class 3 Level 2 garments, which is the industry-leading standard for visibility. We maintain them with an ISO-approved care system, handle all the reflective striping installation and repairs, and even provide a compliance binder with all your documentation ready for audits.
Plus, we offer 24/7 emergency support. That matters when you’ve got a crew working overnight during a storm and someone needs a replacement jacket ASAP.
3. Consistent Professional Appearance for your Team
Safety shouldn’t come at a cost. The P.A.S.S. Program was designed to help you implement safety standards with no upfront investment while keeping your uniform program easy to update as your team grows or changes. With streamlined employee additions, simple invoicing, and the ability to plan your budget long-term, you can maintain a professional, safe team without any unexpected surprises. On top of that, when your team shows up in matching, branded winter gear, it leaves a professional, trustworthy impression that people notice.
4. No Laundry Hassles
Heavy winter coats and hi-vis gear aren’t easy to wash. Most businesses don’t have the setup to handle them in-house and your team probably isn’t getting those bulky work parkas cleaned the right way at home either. With a uniform rental program, you don’t have to worry about it. Laundering, repairs, and replacements are all taken care of, so your crew always has clean, well-maintained gear ready to go week after week.
Stay Ahead of Winter with Northern
At Northern Uniform, we’ve been helping Canadian businesses manage the challenges of winter for decades. With our mat rental services and uniform programs, you don’t have to worry about dirty floors, unsafe entryways, or scrambling to outfit your crew at the last minute. We’ll handle it, so you can focus on running your business.
Let’s talk about the best plan for your facility before the snow starts to fly.
