july2015
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Canada's premier occupational health, safety and environment E-magazineTRANSCRIPT
Worksite NEWSVOLUME 23 NUMBER 7 July 2015 Canada’s premier occupational health, safety and environment E-Magazine
CONFINED SPACE RESCUE TEAMSWhat’s needed after training
...page 6
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www.worksitenews.com Worksite NEWS July 2015 Page 2
SAFETY IN THE OILSANDS
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PRODUCTS & SERVICES
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Published by Morrow Communications Inc.
HEAD OFFICEEdmonton, Alberta Canada
Publisher/EditorJeff Morrow
[email protected]: 587-412-0173
Associate EditorJ.D. Greene
Contributing Writers Lakeland Simms
Barbara Semeniuk, Erik David Kristian Jay
NEWS & VIEWS
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TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: [email protected]
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9 Ways to Kill the Office-Gossip VineBy Bale Gausi
nce you work with other people talking to them is Oinevitable but, be aware of the workplace grapevine that twists, turns and distorts words. So
to avoid gossip,1. Behave well everywhere you go. Do not think because you are out of the office and at the shops you can lose your temper, shout at the teller or jump the queue. Be consistent and behave well no matter where you are. This includes your social media hang outs.2. Beware, some people are very good at making others feel comfortable and liked. This is not necessarily a sign that you should pour out your heart to them. Many people are friendly, but do not assume they are your friend.3. Do not have love affairs at work. They are the most transparent and easiest to spot for every one. Also, they are the quickest way to lose face no matter how mature and discreet you think you are being. Or that you will be friends when it is over. You never are and that's when the talking starts4. Do not share too much information about your personal life. Sharing every detail about the goings on at
home with office-mates will only provide them with material for gossip.5. Do not write or send personal information using office messaging systems. The message may accidentally end up in everyone's receive folder and not just the one or two persons you meant it for.6. Maintain proper channels of communication and do not discuss professional problems with your junior's unless it is directly to do with them. Take the problem higher up to the next person in the chain of command (who ever that maybe for you).7. Stop the chain by not forwarding offensive material or comments about another person or business. Sometimes this forwarding habit may give people a reason not to trust you.8. Try not to leave home angry and frustrated about something. Chances are you will be at the peak of your anger and ready to blow off steam by the time you get to work. Some innocent person may bear the brunt of your frustration or things may be shared that you did not intend to.9. Walk away from and do not take part in the tittle-tattle. Share only what you know is true and useful and refuse to take part in hurting someone else's reputation or business.Bale Gausi is a freelance writer with a background in Public Administration, Journalism and Short Story writing.
FRONT LINES
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MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
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CONFINED SPACES www.worksitenews.com
Calgary– United Safety launched TeQTM Shield, the latest innovation in confined space monitoring at the Global Petroleum Show in June.Confined space work is one of the most challenging aspects of a maintenance project. Accidents can occur if potential hazards are not properly managed. This considerable level of danger calls for extra safety measures, such as constant monitoring and record keeping of confined space work by an attendant positioned at the opening. However, the duties of the attendant are restricted to the outside of the vessel. To ensure that the interior of the confined space is remotely monitored, United Safety designed the TeQ™ Shield, an innovative confined space monitoring solution. From the command center, the safety operator has continuous awareness of all confined space work, monitors gas levels, controls worker access information and can communicate with personnel outside and inside the vessels. In the event of an emergency, he is able to convey valuable information to the rescue team prior to their arrival. According to Shayne McCallum, Vice President, Canada for United Safety, “The TeQTM Shield provides the safety operator with a solution that combines gas detection, video surveillance, two-way communication, access control and a command center to effectively monitor confined spaces, improving safety without delaying projects or increasing costs”. The TeQTM Shield has a host of unique features including cameras with day/night vision, video recorded along with gas detection logs and data that can be utilized for training or investigations. Two-way communication — outside and inside of the confined space — keeps personnel in constant contact with the command center. The TeQTM Shield is also equipped with continuous real-time gas detection. If a toxic atmosphere is detected, audible and visual alarms ensure proper evacuation of the vessel or area. Lastly, an access control feature allows only authorized individuals to gain access to a confined space with their site badges. This enables an accurate count of who is present in the space. United Safety sees a variety of future enhancements to the TeQTM service line, such as body cameras, monitoring of employee wellbeing and facility access control. The possibilities and applications will only grow as the technology evolves. “By combining technology with safety expertise, we redefine confined space work safety while improving the overall productivity of the event,” said Tim Wallace, Executive Vice President-Western Hemisphere for United Safety. With TeQTM Shield, safety in and around confined spaces is redefined. United Safety sees this as the path to the future of a technical turnaround, where liabilities are greatly reduced and safety takes a quantum leap through the implementation of technology.
For more info: Laura Twible Marketing Communications United Safety - CanadaTel: 587-435-2970 Email: [email protected]
Photo Subjects: Left to right (looking at the picture) Andy Kveps – General Manager, Innovations Shayne McCallum – VP Canada Ted Gibson – General Manager, Canada Meritt Shank – Sales and Marketing Manager- Daryl Helmer – CFOTim Wallace – Executive VP Elie Daher– Executive VP & CMO Lee Whittaker – President & CEO (Cutting the ribbon)
By Chris A. Harmen
Safety teams can have knowledge of the best confined space rescue procedures in the world, but without the equipment needed to perform the job and rescue properly, their knowledge isn't going to help them. Confined space rescue teams need to have all of the necessary equipment needed for the entire job from the start to finish. It also needs to be in good working order and conveniently located. Every second lost on poor equipment or having to gain access to an item can mean the difference between life and death.Communication Devices Communication between all members or between confined space rescue teams needs to be continuous throughout the entire job. Because of the materials surrounding these areas as well as the depths these spaces are generally found, traditional radio communication systems often don't work. As an alternative, confined space rescue procedures involve hard line communication devices that will continue to work inside various types of metal containers and at extreme depths. This allows the team in the hole, those on the outside, and the rescuers to keep in continuous contact so that everyone can be notified immediately if something changes.Lifting EquipmentA large part of confined space rescue procedures involves having to lift the victims from the space. Items such as backboards are important to protect the victim's spine and help to minimize spine trauma. Because there is an extensive amount of lifting and lowering people into these areas, lifting equipment is also extremely important. High-quality ropes are important, but Class
III harnesses are necessary to ensure the team member doesn't fall during the rescue. This type of harness also has several different attachments in different locations so that the person can be raised in various ways. This can be either horizontal or vertical depending on the specifics of the space and the location of the victim.Air Quality Items Quality monitoring and fresh air supply equipment is a must for confined space rescue teams. Because of the way these areas are shaped, harmful gases can collect easily. Gas detection equipment keeps track of the quality of the air in the space. Respiration equipment will help to keep the workers safe while they are in the area. Finally, specialized equipment that removes the stale air from the space and brings fresh air in will aid in controlling the amount of toxic vapors in the work area. Confined space rescue procedures help individuals deal with dangers, the work in the area, and understand what steps they need to take if something should go wrong. Confined space rescue teams also need to have the proper equipment to use this information to the best of their ability. These items aren't the only requirements and they can be expensive. There are two ways to justify the added expense: this equipment can be used in many other situations, and you can take comfort in the knowledge that they are prepared to use this information and equipment if they need to. Christine O'Kelly writes for the leading training company in confined space rescue procedures, Safety Supervisor. They are experts in training as well as providing safety equipment and professional confined space rescue teams.
What Confined Space Rescue teams need after quality training
Confined Space Training:Dealing with the dangers
United Safety launches Confined Space innovation: TeQM
Worksite NEWS July 2015 Page 7
CONSTRUCTION SAFETY
Three steps to an Electrical System Recoverywww.worksitenews.com
[email protected] www.keesafety.ca
By Chris J Meacher Choosing the safety products that a company uses will be very important for the company. Employees need to be able to feel safe while they are on the job. Anti slip flooring is going to help to prevent slip and fall accidents. These accidents could occur because of things that get spilled on the floor. It could be water, chemicals or another substance. Some things are more slippery than others and can leave a residue on the floors. The type of flooring is very important to consider for this. Some of these things are going to affect different surfaces differently. Everybody has a different option for their facility.The person or people that are in charge of safety for the facility are going to choose the best options for them. Using an anti slip surface is going to reduce the risk of these falls as well. They could use something that is a permanent surface or something that is peel and stick.Not every situation requires something that is permanent. There may be an issue that has to be resolved that will eliminate the hazardous situation with the floor. Finding the best options for every facility can be difficult if people do not understand what each one is used for. This is why it is important to check out each type and make sure that people are choosing what is going to work the best for them. This is not something that is going to necessarily be easy though. There are a lot of different types of products that are used for this type of thing. Changing out the entire surface of the current flooring could be very expensive and time consuming. It may not be a practical thing for the company to do right away. This is something that would take careful planning. There are products that can be purchased and used instead of making major changes though. This is something that is very important to consider when choosing to do this kind of thing.
The products that are purchased for this are often nonslip tape. This is something that is required in most of the factories. Choosing which products to use will be made by making sure that it will stay stuck down on the floor. Most people want to have something that is easily applied and will last for quite a while. When someone is walking on a floor, they are not expecting to come across a place that is going to be slippery. Everybody has something different that they are going to be doing for their job. They should not have to worry about where they are stepping because it may be slippery. Having an area that is safe for everything there is very important. This is going to ensure the safety of the employees that are working there as well as customers or others that are in the area. Each factory will be facing different obstacles when they are discussing the safety of their employees. Slip and fall accidents are something that are going to be present in many work places and in public places. Dealing with these issues is going to be something that will be very important. Every manager of companies will have to make sure that they are dealing with these types of things accordingly.Safety should be a number one priority in any work place. Anti slip flooring is going to eliminate the risk of some accidents, but not all of them. It will still be important to make sure that the proper steps are taken to ensure safety for all of the employees. Every type of business has hazards. Choosing how to handle those hazards so that people are not getting hurt can be important. Using anti slip tape can be a good choice for some of the hazards throughout a building. There are many different colours, sizes and types available. These products are offered at a competitive price and available in different quantities.WSN
Brian Halina, Director
Labour Relations
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION OF ALBERTA17725 - 103 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5S 1N8
Ph: (780) 451-2412 Fax: (780) 455-9815 Toll Free: 1-800-252-9375
[email protected]: www.ecaa.ab.ca
“Voice of the electrical industry in the Province of Alberta”
Anti Slip Flooring helps with safety in factory and construction work
Stepping up to safetyWith the warm summer weather now in full swing, construction jobsites are busy, and homeowners are gearing up for renovations. During this busy time of year, we're reminded of some sobering facts. Falls from heights continue to be one of the leading causes of serious, life-changing injuries and death in the construction industry. Ladders — one of the most commonly used pieces of equipment around the home and at the jobsite — continue to be one of the most dangerous, if not used correctly.Falls are the most frequently occurring incidents in the construction sector, with 995 reported falls from ladders between 2011 and 2013. The recovery isn't exactly a quick one either — a fall usually takes a person off the job for an average of 96 days. That means, losing a seasoned worker for over three months, and having to train a temporary replacement. Sometimes — if the injuries are serious enough — the loss of the worker is a permanent one. Falls from ladders can cause serious, life-changing injuries — even death. Whether you're on a job site or working around the house, before using a ladder plan ahead and ask yourself, “Is this the right tool for the job?” Here are some tips to help keep you safe when setting up a ladder.* Check the condition of the ladder — make sure that it's strong enough for the job
* Ensure that the base of the ladder is secure, to prevent side-slip or kick-out from the base* Make sure there's enough room to safely step off the ladder Here are some ladder safety tips once your ladder is set-up and ready for use.* Keep three points of contact with the ladder at all times* Carry tools in a tool belt, or raise and lower them with a hand line* Check that your boots and ladder rungs are free from grease and mudNo matter what type of project you're doing — whether at home or at work — always plan for safety. Make sure you've the right tools and equipment for the job. If we all commit to building a culture of health and safety where we're all encouraged to make a contribution, we can make fatalities and workplace incidents a thing of the past. For safety resources on ladder set-up and ladder use, and for more information on how to prevent falls from ladders, visit the construction portal at worksafebc.com/safetyatwork.
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CRANE SAFETY
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SAFE SLINGING & RIGGING ONLINE TRAINING
OVERHEAD CRANE ONLINE TRAINING
At the same time as they undermine traditional forms of reading, smart phones and other connected devices like watches and tablets, can increasingly deliver us information in timely, bite sized, chunks: traffic alerts tailored to our journey, shopping list reminders as we pass the grocers, todo lists and nudges to complete our fitness goals. These technologies will likely never replace traditional forms of learning for skilled and specialist staff. But they have the potential to supplement that learning, and to help staff who may not be comfortable with intensive study of written material. For example, location-aware smartphones or watches could remind staff of PPE requirements as they enter a job site. Bluetooth devices could present pre-lift checks for operators as they approach the cab. Inspection engineers could call up maintenance records of the crane they are working on. Indeed, much of this is already happening. Both crane manufacturers and third party controls and software companies are developing new ways of giving staff the information they need, when they need it. But, it doesn't seem like these new ways of presenting information are always being considered fully when standards and best practice guidance are developed. The most obvious way in which document development could be improved is
by considering its format. For example, written material is almost always prepared as an A4 PDF. Might it make more sense for it to also be written to be viewed on a smaller screen? Can the traditional contents and index pages be replaced by alternative ways of navigating a document or presenting information as needed? Can this be done in a way that works across all systems? If some staff will need to know a standard from cover to cover, others reminders of in-depth training, and others prompts as they work, how will employers make sure the right information is presented in the right way?Many of us will be used to clicking through warning dialogues without reading them. What then is the correct frequency of safety reminders for staff? To what extent should they act as a stop to continued work if left unacknowledged? Finally, if staff are increasingly going to be getting routine safety information and prompts on devices rather than posters or handbooks, how can we ensure these are reliable? While paper has its flaws, it rarely fails for the lack of a GPS lock or sufficient battery. Is an overall standard needed for when these devices are used in a working environment?
Crane use standards in the digital age
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CRANE SAFETY
www.actisafety.ca
Leadership Lessons from a Top Gun: Retired Air Force General Charles V. Ickes
What do leaders in the Air Force and the crane industry have in common? As it turns out, quite a lot according to retired two-star Air Force General Charles “Chuck” Ickes. General Ickes spoke to nearly 40 crane industry leaders at the recent Annual Meeting of Crane Institute Certification (CIC) about his experiences as an F-15 fighter pilot in the Air Force and Air National Guard and later, as a two-star General at the Pentagon. Jim Headley, CEO and founder of CIC invited General Ickes to share some valuable leadership lessons learned through his many years of military service. During his remarks, General Ickes described lessons learned in the key areas of training/education, safety, planning and change management.Training and Education –Inbred in the Military Culture No other organization is better at training than the military. Training is totally inbred in the military culture, and it is integral in the crane industry. In the Air Force, training is ongoing, it is intense and it is endless. The earlier training and education begins in a person's life, the better-equipped professional you get, and ongoing evaluation and testing of skills and knowledge is necessary to keep everyone up to speed. Training and education continues on an ongoing basis throughout one's Air Force career, regardless of rank or position. Continuing education develops well-rounded, adaptable individuals who learn and understand how all the pieces come together. Training and education are vital to ongoing individual and corporate growth and success.Safety is Paramount Safety in the Air Force, as in the crane industry, is a foundational value. The Air Force focus on flight safety has three objectives: to protect the people who are flying, to protect the people on the ground, and to protect the investment. Each time a pilot flies a safety briefing occurs an hour and a half prior to flight, and in fact, the first slide
shown at every briefing reads, “Safety is Paramount!” After a 50-minute safety briefing, the pilot spends another 45 minutes getting his or her aircraft ready to fly. Everything always begins and ends with safety. Safety must be a characteristic of the corporate culture, supported by clear policies & procedures. Assess risks in advance. Inspect equipment and practices for safety regularly. Investigate any safety incidents immediately and be actively involved in continuous process improvement. And perhaps most importantly, lead with and encourage honesty and integrity. General Ickes shared the following story illustrating the importance of integrity when it comes to safety: “I was the commander of the flight unit and had just finished my initial F-15 training and was taking off to fly my first sortie from home base. My crew chief was a great guy I'd known for years. A few minutes into the flight a sheepish voice came on the radio and said, “Boss you need to return home.” So we dumped some fuel and returned. My crew chief was almost in tears as I came down the ladder and I asked him what had happened. The chief replied, “I realized after you left that I was missing a very important wrench.” I asked, “So what'd you do then?” He proceeded to tell me everything he had done and it was all by the book. I told him that it was all I needed to hear. The crew chief apologized profusely and I told him that he had done absolutely the right thing and then we figured out why it
happened. He already knew and readily admitted it. At a meeting that night I made an example of the chief for how he did his job. Anybody that has that kind of integrity that has the wing commander flying his airplane and realizes he just launched him with a safety issue and then readily fesses up? That's integrity. Plan, Plan and Plan Again Nothing happens without planning. It's a truism in the military that all plans are good until war starts and then you throw them out the window. But in a military context or any other, the exercise of planning is inherently valuable, as it demands that you consider all aspects of what you are doing, from training to safety and more. It forces you into a routine, a system that makes you constantly reevaluate what you are doing and why you are doing it. Another important consideration in the early stages of planning is to involve leadership early in the process to determine what the Air Force calls “Commander's Intent.” In other words, know the boss's intent from the get-go. Being clear about that will help inform and guide planning and operational decisions.Lead Through Difficult Change One of the biggest change processes General Ickes was involved in was BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) beginning in 2005. He served on the Air Force BRAC Committee and faced some extremely difficult decisions that would affect 100,000 Air Force personnel. Many people – including members of Congress – were shocked by the committee's final recommendations. Their decisions changed nearly 30% of the entire Air Force in a 3-year period. The end result was quite successful though the process was anything but easy. Major General Charles V. Ickes, II, USAF, Ret. General Ickes served the nation as a fighter pilot through the Air Force and Air National Guard for approximately 38 years and has more than 4,500 flying hours in the F-15, F-16, F-106, C-26 and T-33. General Ickes served as the Chief Operating Officer and the Deputy Director for the Air National Guard.
Air Force General (retired) Charles “Chuck” Ickes
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VIOLENCE IN THE WORKPLACE
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Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) is looking at implementing workplace harassment policies into its five-year update to the OHS Code. Danielle Boucher, public affairs officer with the Ministry of Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour, said while final results are not yet confirmed, the review process included discussions about workplace harassment. “Feedback received through consultations earlier this year included a proposed amendment requiring employers to develop a policy and procedure regarding workplace harassment,” Boucher explained. Susan Coombes with the Alberta Human Rights Commission said the tentative inclusion of bullying under OHS was likely proposed because of the affects bullying has on a person's mental or physical health. “I think there's a lot more attention being paid to recognizing the adverse affects of bullying,” Coombes said. “It's really important for companies to have a policy because then you can say, 'We're trying to protect our employees.' If you don't have that policy, how do your employees know that it's not OK to pick on somebody?” John Scott said he's been bullied at his job for almost a full year now. He said what started out as a few co-workers poking fun at him at work escalated into death threats and harassment from management. “My jacket or bag would be knocked off the coat hooks and I would find them on the floor at the end of the day,” Scott said. “Another co-worker baited me to fight, and then mocked me when I wouldn't. My other co-workers threatened to run me down with their vehicles.” Christine Berry, a registered psychologist and director of the Family Violence Prevention Initiatives Program at the Calgary Counselling Centre, said she sees a lot of clients come in who work in a psychologically, and sometimes even physically unsafe environment. “It's happening to adults, and its mostly adult-to-adult,” Berry explained. “People use their mouth, money or their might to intimidate and control others, and it causes harm.” Berry said another problem with workplace harassment is it's underreported. She said employees may be in denial or are simply scared to speak out for fear of losing their job.“It's likely underreported because there are consequences,” Berry said. “What if your boss is the one being the bully? And for men sometimes there's a barrier because we all know men can't be victims…they're told, 'Why can't you handle it? What's wrong with you?'”Scott said he's in the midst of looking for another job, but it doesn't take away the shock of facing workplace harassment at the age of 30. “I haven't been bullied since high school. I can't believe I'm getting bullied now as an adult,” he said. “I hope we can shine a light on workplace bullying and change the way companies deal with it.”WSN
More than four out of five counselors who treat patients for substance abuse have experienced some form of patient-initiated workplace violence according to the first national study to examine the issue, led by Georgia State University Professor Brian E. Bride. The study, forthcoming in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, is the first to measure the extent of workplace violence in substance abuse treatment centers across the United States. Bride and his co-authors analyzed a large, national sample of Substance Use Disorder counselors from the National Institutes of Health-funded National Treatment Center Studies. "We know that workplace violence disproportionately impacts health care and social service providers," said Bride, who is director of the School of Social Work in the university's Andrew Young School of Policy Studies. "Our goal was to quantify its existence in substance abuse treatment centers, identify personal and institutional responses, and identify any characteristics that may put counselors at greater risk."Bride and his co-authors found: More than half of the counselors personally experienced workplace violence (53 percent), while 44 percent witnessed violence directed at another colleague and 61 percent had knowledge of such violence. Counselors reported that exposure to workplace violence led to an increased concern for
personal safety (29 percent), affected their treatment of patients (15 percent) and impaired job performance (12 percent).In terms of organizational responses to patient violence, 70 percent of organizations increased training on de-escalation of violent situations and 58 percent increased security measures. "Workplace violence has been shown to interfere with a clinician's ability to manage his or her workload," said Bride. "Additionally, these professionals suffer lower mental energy. They are less likely to participate in work decisions and more likely to offer a decreased quality of care." While most substance abuse counselors exposed to workplace violence are those who witness or hear about violence directed at their co-workers, prior research has demonstrated that witnessing such acts can produce the same negative outcomes as being the target of a violent act, Bride said. "Patient-initiated workplace violence clearly affects substance abuse counselors," he said. "Further research is needed to fully examine the negative impact of this violence on counselor well-being, the quality of treatment offered as a result and the organization's effectiveness in treating such patients."
Source: Georgia State University
Substance abuse counselors becoming victims of violence from patients
Workplace harassment and bullying could soon to be part of Alberta’s OHS Code
Though it would seem supervisors or managers are usually the ones that bully subordinates, the opposite also happens. The behaviour can range from being ignored, humiliated or intimidated to being the brunt of practical jokes and pranks. Even though bosses generally have the authority to stop bullies at most workplaces by, say, firing them, that's not always the case, said workplace psychologist Jennifer Newman. "In some workplaces, the boss may have all the responsibility to get the job done but no authority to see that it happens," she saidHere are some tips from Newman on what bosses can do to assert their authority and regain respect.Find out what's contributing to the bullying"Identify the system factors first, like having lots of responsibility and no power, or being unable to be firm with a subordinate who's being protected from above for some reason," Newman said. "And then look at your personal factors, like being overly passive in the face of disrespect."Team up with an ally "Go to the boss with the authority, ask him or her to co-present to the team with you to identity project goals and timelines together," Newman said. "The responsible supervisor needs to be seen as an extension of the boss with authority. They need to be a strong team themselves."Take a stand "Tackle how you respond to bullying employees, let them know it's unacceptable," said Newman."Follow your company bullying and harassment policy, and if the company doesn't have one, spearhead making one, and get it in place. “Expect a few hard months while you establish your credibility and right to be treated respectfully."
How bosses can stand up to bulliesBosses get bullied to, particularly when they have responsibility without authority
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PSYCHOPATHS AMONG US
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SAFETY IN THE OILPATCH
SEATTLE — A woman who was permanently injured while working on one of Shell's Arctic drilling support ships has sued, saying the company compromised safety in its rush to drill for oil. The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Seattle by Anita Hanks said Shell and its contractor maintained dangerous work conditions on the Arctic Challenger as it prepared to drill in the Arctic in 2012. The oil spill containment vessel is part of Shell's drilling fleet. It was docked in Bellingham at the time of an accident. Shell spokesman Curtis Smith declined to comment, saying “we don't comment on pending or ongoing litigation.” Shell's Arctic drilling plans have been the target of protests by environmental groups, Native American tribes and others who are concerned about the fragile environment off the coast of northwest Alaska and the wisdom of pursuing fossil fuels instead of investing in renewable energy sources that don't contribute to climate change.According to the federal complaint, Hanks was hired to work on the Arctic Challenger as a “fire watch” in May 2012 by a Shell contractor Greenberry Industrial, based in Vancouver, Washington. She said she was told that Shell had ordered work on the vessel completed by July so that it could head north if drilling permits were granted. Her new boss told her that in order to meet that schedule, “we would have to agree to 16 hour work days as necessary, or be replaced,” the lawsuit said. Hanks said she immediately became concerned with the lack of experience of the people around her and the “culture that disregarded basic safety and created dangerous conditions in order to speed up the completion of the job, resulting in sloppy and injurious work practices and the risk of death and serious injury.”As a “fire watch,” Hanks worked with welders to ensure their flames did not set anything ablaze, but she cited numerous situations that fell short of appropriate safety standards. “The safety culture was vastly different and inferior to that anywhere else I had worked,” she said.Hanks said she was trying to hold up a fire blanket when a defective ladder collapsed. She fell and broke several bones in her leg. She had to undergo several surgeries and was partially disabled, she said. “It was just the latest example of a workplace culture that devalued safety and fire watch in favor of speed and sloppy practices to get the rig completed and out of there to meet an artificial and unrealistic deadline,” the lawsuit said.
Former off-shore worker sues
Shell over unsafe conditionsAlberta's newly elected NDP Government is calling for an independent review of Hydraulic Fracturing by the energy sector, downplaying its pre-election calls demanding the process be haulted due to an increase in earthquakes in the region. The NDP cites the independent review as only one option to deal with the controversial energy extraction process, even as new concerns are raised about environmental damage being caused by fracking. NDP Energy Minister Marg McCuaig-Boyd said she's asked the Alberta Energy Regulator to compile and present the government all of its information on hydraulic fracturing, a technology that uses pressurized water and chemicals to fracture rock below the Earth's surface and allow oil and gas to flow to the top.“I'll take that and if we maybe need to do a meta-review or a meta-analysis of what's available, or a scientific review, we'll go there,” she told reporters at the legislature.“But I want to find out what we know first.”AdvertisementMcCuaig-Boyd said she could not say whether there is too much hydraulic fracturing in the province.The primary concerns raised by environmentalists about fracking have surrounded the amount of water used in the process and concerns about potential contamination of groundwater.Just over a year ago, then-NDP leader Brian Mason pointed to a freedom of information request that showed over 1,500 fracking licences approved by the Alberta Energy Regulator in 2013, describing the situation as “out of control.”The NDP demanded an independent scientific panel review fracking, along with groundwater monitoring and a scientific assessment of river inflow needs, before more licences were granted. In February, about three months before the provincial election that put the NDP in power under new leader Rachel Notley, Mason called for a science-based investigation to determine whether a January earthquake in the Fox Creek area had been caused by process.There has been further seismic activity in the area this month, leading to a shutdown of fracking activity in the northwest Alberta region in accordance with new AER regulations.McCuaig-Boyd said the government is “always concerned when there are issues like that,” but she is leaving the AER to deal with the situation.But the government is facing calls for action from some quarters. Liberal Leader David Swann wants the government to implement standardized baseline groundwater testing before fracking occurs to help determine whether contamination from the process is occurring, as well as investigate the seismic activity.“I do support stronger regulations around fracking,” he said. Bill Andrew, chairman and chief executive of Long Run Exploration Ltd., recently said he was concerned over the NDP's signals around fracking.The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers issued a statement noting companies already follow strict regulations and have developed monitoring, mitigation and response procedures to ensure safety. Notley said that fracking is an issue that needs to be looked at, but reiterated her government won't do anything to take the energy industry by surprise.Statistics provided by the AER show there has been no upsurge in fracking wells over the last few years. There were 3,395 wells fractured in 2014, an increase from 2013 but the second-lowest number in the last seven years. In 2008, more than 8,000 wells were fractured. Dustin Kenyon of the Pembina Institute environmental organization said the current slowdown in industry activity due to low commodity prices gives the government an opportunity to “get ahead” on a number of energy policy areas, including fracking. An independent review isn't necessarily a bad idea, but the government's initial focus should be directing the energy regulator to do more inspections and greater enforcement of existing rules, Kenyon said. Mike Hudema of Greenpeace Canada said an independent review and a moratorium on fracking are both warranted. “I would encourage the government to look not just at what the AER is giving them, but to also look at the impacts this type of technology is currently having — the warning signs we are seeing,” he said.WSN
NDP calls for fracking review
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TRANSPORT SAFETY
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When you walk onto a job site, you know what you're getting yourself into. You have the plans, the tools, and the knowledge to be able to get the job done, and so do your workers. But what about the things we can't see? The invisible hazards. Odourless, tasteless, and often invisible, asbestos is one of these invisible hazards that has become the single largest occupational killer in British Columbia. In fact, since 2000, more workers in B.C. have died from asbestos-related disease than any other workplace injury. Unfortunately, the harmful effects of asbestos exposure happen over years and can often go undetected. This is why it's so important for workers and employers to work together to ensure they are aware, informed, and have the proper equipment and procedures to keep everyone safe. A real area of concern is in residential demolition. As part of the 2015 high-risk strategy, WorkSafeBC is conducting an enforcement initiative aimed at reducing occupational disease and death caused by exposure on these particular worksites. From June to December, prevention officers will perform planned inspections of residential demolition and renovation worksites to ensure homeowners, contractors, and consultants are informed and equipped to safely remove asbestos containing materials and are complying with the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. Any home built before 1990 may contain asbestos materials — that's a lot of potentially dangerous residences. And given that asbestos fibres become airborne easily; are light enough to stay in the air a long time; and can be inhaled without you knowing, it's in everyone's best interest to be informed about these dangers before work begins. Employers, building owners, and homeowners, are responsible for having a qualified person inspect the site to identify any asbestos that may be handled, disturbed, or removed. If asbestos is detected, ensure its properly removed and disposed of by trained and qualified asbestos removal workers before any demolition, renovation, or salvage begins. Please refer to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation for more information. When it comes to asbestos, it's everyone's responsibility to take the appropriate actions so we can help reduce the risk of occupational disease in our province. Be prepared, be informed, and don't be afraid to ask questions or seek out resources for more information. It may just help save a worker's life. For more information on the Asbestos Enforcement Initiative 2015 and resources on safe work practices and how to be compliant when it comes to asbestos, visit www.worksafebc.com/asbestosbeaware
WORKPLACE WELLNESS
Be Asbestos Aware Three-quarters of nurses in southern Alberta who treat residential dementia patients frequently experience distress from being unable to give patients what they need, a new study has found. The findings from the University of Lethbridge also report that one-third of those nurses also engage in unhealthy behaviour because of those circumstances. “If things don't get better, we're going to have a revolving door of care providers that aren't going to stay,” said Shannon Spenceley, lead researcher on the study and nursing professor at the university. “Nobody would want to stay when they're feeling the way that participants in our study were saying they feel.” The research focused on the phenomenon of moral distress — the feeling nurses and caregivers get when they know what the right thing for their patient is, but are unable to do it because of a lack of time and resources.Because of it, half of the study's respondents said they were frustrated weekly and losing sleep monthly. Around 40 per cent said they felt physically exhausted, emotionally drained and powerless once a week or more. Six of the 10 situations they reported as the most distressing were also the most frequent ones they faced.Spenceley says a staff shortage is one of the main causes.“We heard stories from nurses where they were in a situation where two patients needed them, and they needed them right now, but … because of the staffing levels, they had to choose which resident to help first,” she said. “Nobody goes into caregiving because they want to make those kind of decisions.” Colin Zieber, executive director of seniors health in Alberta Health Services' south zone, says the results will guide his organization in the future.“We know we have much more that we can provide, but we can accept the report and certainly it gives us more focus,” he said.In the beginning of the study, Spenceley and her colleagues interviewed caretakers and nurses about their experiences. Using that information, they designed a survey to measure how common those feelings and situations were. The study included 30 of 35 facilities in southern Alberta with 400 participants.Jane Sustrik, first vice-president of United Nurses of Alberta, says almost any nurse could tell you stories about the problem. She says the number of moral distress situations reported to the union is on the rise.“It's fairly common now, given the massive changes and reduction of funding to health care that we've seen over the years,” Sustrik said. Liberal MLA David Swann, who is also a medical doctor, says providing enough staff is vital to the well-being of the entire health-care system.“There's no substitute for setting a staff ratio that allows professionals to spend more time with people and not be treating them like objects, like tasks to be done,” Swann said. “Once you break the relationship between the caregiver and the patient, there's a tremendous loss of humanity and healing and well-being for everybody in the system,” he said. “It becomes destructive to mental health and physical health throughout. “Morale goes down and people stop feeling proud of themselves and their job. The patients themselves start to just disengage and get depressed and ultimately, stop wanting to live. There's a very important and sensitive relationship there and if it's not nurtured, everybody loses. More illnesses, more premature death.” The study, which has yet to be submitted to a peer-reviewed publication, also asked care providers what would improve their situation. The vast majority said being able to talk to managers and co-workers about their difficulties would be a large help. About 88 per cent said they needed more staff, and 41 per cent wanted more dementia-specific training and support. Spenceley says these solutions won't be hard to put in place. “We're talking about things that could be started on tomorrow that would really make things a whole lot better for caregivers in this sector.”WSN
Nurses prone to stress: study
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HEALTH & WELL-BEING
BE SMART: STAY SAFE
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HEALTH & WELL-BEING
By Larissa Coxwww.safetyline.ca
Not all safety in the workplace is about prevention.
Do you know if all of your people are safe right now? In many companies and many jobs, the most obvious safety measures focus on prevention. As an employer, it is good practice to put every measure in place to mitigate the risk of an incident from happening. This can range from the obvious?putting on a hardhat to stop an injury from falling debris?to procedures and protocols that guide workers away from exposure to hazards. Unfortunately, safety isn't just about mitigating the chances of an accident. In reality you can do everything by-the-book and accidents will still happen. The other component of a good safety program is preventing bad situations from getting worse. For example, a broken leg is a bad injury that can lead to a much worse situation, or even death, if nobody knows that the leg is broken. In many jobs, workers are surrounded by coworkers doing similar or complimentary roles. In these workplaces, if a worker needs help there is a good chance that coworkers will quickly notice and begin to take action. But what happens if that worker is alone? Defining a new kind of worker Working alone has a different definition in every region. In general, “lone worker” refers to any employee carrying out some or all of their job activities in isolation from other workers. This might bring to mind a rugged worker far out in the wilderness, but a lone worker could also be a homecare nurse driving to see their next patient, or a businessperson on a sales trip. Certainly, the worker out in the brush by themselves is alone, but the homecare nurse, while near a patient, is still working alone. Although a patient could potentially provide aide to a healthcare nurse during an emergency, like all members of the public that patient also presents the risk of violence. In the example of two businesspeople travelling together in a car, if the car has an accident, both of the workers remain in isolation from the rest of the workforce. In some regions, travelers are considered to be working alone even while together. While all workers need to avoid injuries on the job, additional hazards exist for lone workers such as car accidents, violence from strangers or coworkers, trip & fall injuries, threats from wildlife, and a host of other hazards that differ for each job role. When a worker is alone, what would otherwise be a minor accident can very easily escalate to a more serious threat. Employers should do a complete risk & hazard assessment for every worker, and factor in cases where workers might be exposed to hazards while alone. For every hazard on the job, the risk to the worker increases if present while working alone.Mitigating the risks to lone workersIf the risk is so great, then why is anyone still permitted to
work alone? Why not just require all workers to use the buddy system? The reality is that many job roles necessitate workers to be occasionally or always alone, for practical purposes. The solution, just like in any other safety situation, is for the employer and employee to work together in mitigating the risks. Lone workers need unique policies and training which will allow them to identify high risk situations using pre-set criteria. This will allow them to proceed with their job using caution, and in a way that minimizes the chance of hazards. Training and procedures should also address “what if?” scenarios, where caution is not effective in preventing an accident. Workers will need procedures and tools to either call for help themselves, or more importantly, the ability for others to be notified in the event the worker is unable to call for help. One fundamental protocol that should be a part of every lone worker's procedures is the requirement to check-in with the employer on a regular basis while working alone. Doing so gives the worker a set amount of time before another check-in is required, and allows the employer to know that if the worker misses their next check-in, an accident may have occurred. Each worker's unique hazard assessment should be used to determine how often those check-ins should happen, and the worker should have the ability to change the frequency of their check-ins based on their ever-changing hazards. Because this is such a fundamental need to a good lone worker program, many regions' regulations explicitly require such a system. Using technology to streamline safety An effective tool for helping manage the safety of these
employees is what is known as a “lone worker safety monitoring solution.” These solutions, typically available as a service, integrate with multiple communications devices to manage the detection and notification of accidents in the workplace for workers who are alone, remote, or in isolation. The services available range from provider to provider, but all include having the workers communicate with a central location or server, and the ability to notify the company and its managers when an alert is detected. Alerts are typically generated through the action of workers, or more effectively, through the lack of action (a missed check-in or lack of motion, for example). Some of the best solutions are fully automated, using technology to manage check-ins, alerts, and notifications. These systems can integrate with a variety of different devices depending on need, ranging from simple phones to smartphones, and even dedicated satellite devices. These solutions also help manage the procedures taken by managers after they've received an alert notification. A good lone worker safety monitoring solution is not just about putting a device in the hands of workers, but more importantly it is about managing the entire end-to-end protocol. Lone worker safety systems help mitigate risks in a way that is different than standard safety solutions–they aren't about preventing injuries. While injury prevention is important, it is equally important to know if a worker has had an accident. A good lone worker solution should be a part of every general safety program, and can prevent bad situations from getting worse, thus minimizing the overall risk of any job where someone is working alone.WSN
Managing the Safety of the Lone Worker
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LONE WORKER SAFETY
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FARM & RANCH SAFETY
Communities Continue to Show Support for Children's Farm Safety Education
CASA encourages communities to host a 2016 Progressive Agriculture Safety Day
Winnipeg- The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) is pleased to announce that over 10,000 Canadian children and participants have already taken part in a Progressive Agriculture Safety Day® event in 2015. In addition to the 46 Safety Days already held, there are 27 Safety Days planned to take place later this year. Marcel Hacault, the executive director of CASA, says, “The number of children that have already participated in Safety Day events shows the local volunteers' commitment to safety. This year, over 1,700 volunteers have already participated in safety days – It is encouraging to see so many people invested in keeping our children safe.” The need for children's farm safety education is sadly backed up by statistics. According to Canadian Agricultural Injury reporting, an average of 10 children die each year on Canadian farms. “The Progressive Agriculture Foundation (PAF) is pleased to partner with CASA and members of local communities to hold Progressive Agriculture Safety Days throughout Canada,” says Susan Reynolds-Porter, Chief Executive Officer of PAF. The Progressive Agricultural Safety Day program is the largest rural safety and health education program for children in North America. Safety Day event topics are based on each community's individual needs. Each Safety Day features fun and interactive stations that teach children to recognize and think about topics like tractor safety, fire safety, sun safety and animal safety. “Progressive Agriculture Safety Days are an innovative and knowledge packed way to educate our youth on safety”, says Ashley McCoshen, a Safety Day Coordinator from Saskatchewan. “Our youth are the future and Safety Days give everyone the opportunity to help build a safety culture. The value of these safety days is priceless because of the community, school, parental and volunteer involvement.”Communities that would like to host Safety Days in 2016 can apply online at www.casa-acsa.ca and click on Safety Days. The deadline for applications is July 15, 2015. Safety Day coordinator training is available in both English and French. The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and safety of farmers, their families and agricultural workers. CASA is funded in part by Growing Forward 2, a federal, provincial and territorial initiative and receives additional support from the agricultural and corporate sectors. For more information visit www.casa-acsa.ca
Canada's traditional farm community can step into the digital age accessing crucial safety info on-line. The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) has launched three online farm safety training courses, courtesy of Farm Credit Canada (FCC) and the Canadian Fertilizer Institute (CFI). Each year, CASA and the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) partner to present Canadian Agricultural Safety Week (CASW). CASW is an annual public education campaign focusing on the importance of safe agriculture. The 2015 theme "Be the Difference" encourages all Canadians to make a difference for farm safety.However, CASA acknowledges that farm safety isn't just about one week. Farm safety is important 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. That's why CASA continues to "Be the Difference" and has developed three different on-line farm training courses.“Farmers and farm workers can access this training directly from their home computers,” says Marcel Hacault, Executive Director of CASA. “We know that removing barriers to training is an important part of improving the safety of Canadian farmers."Additionally, CASA has teamed up with FCC and CFI to make all three training courses available for a nominal fee. “We are committed to helping producers and the agriculture industry achieve success, and that includes keeping people
safe when doing farm work,” says Brenda Stasuik, FCC Director of Corporate Social Responsibility. “We're pleased to offer these training courses to empower farmers and their families to stay safe on the farm.” “The safe and responsible storage, distribution and use of fertilizer products supports global food production. Our industry is proud to work with organizations including CASA to raise the profile of safe agriculture practices, and fertilizer safety year-round,” says Clyde Graham, Acting President of the Canadian Fertilizer Institute.The three training courses available are:- Agricultural Machinery Safeguarding- Seasonal Agricultural Workers Health and Safety Orientation- Working in Confined Spaces on the Farm.Once registered, participants have the option of taking one or all of the courses offered. Each course takes approximately 45-60 minutes to complete and offers a quiz at the end of the learning experience. Currently, the on-line training is available in English.To access the new on-line training courses, please visit casa-acsa.ca and click "Training". CASW 2015 was presented by Farm Credit Canada and brought to you by the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association and the Canadian Federation of Agriculture with assistance from the Government of Canada through
Growing Forward 2, a federal, provincial and territorial initiative. In 2015, CASW sponsors include long-time corporate sponsor Farm Credit Canada, Imperial Oil and its Esso Branded Resellers, Ag for Life, Canadian Fertilizer Institute, Dupont Pioneer, Viterra and Brandt. For more information about CASW please visit agsafetyweek.ca. For more information, contact: Robin AndersonCASA Communications 1-877-452-2272/[email protected]
Farm Safety On-Line
Worksite NEWS July 2015 Page 18 www.worksitenews.com
MINE SAFETY & TRAINING
Ontario mining safety review prioritizing proposals After the fanfare of putting out mining safety proposals, they get
Members of the Ontario Mining Health, Safety and Prevention Review are pushing ahead to turn safety recommendations into legislation. The chair of the committee, George Gritziotis is also the province's Chief Prevention Officer. He said he will soon be meeting with an advisory group which is prioritizing proposals from the review, as well as a recent inquest in Sudbury. Gritziotis said the 24 recommendations from the inquest into the deaths of Jordan Fram and Jason Chenier at Stobie Mine in Sudbury overlap, or dovetail, with the 18 from the review. "You know there are recommendations in there that speak to hazards that are present in the workplace today that we want to move on right away," he said. "Following our May meeting, we will begin prioritizing which ones we are going to push forward on, and which are priority areas based on a number of things including risk assessment, our data around evidence and discussions we have with our partners. In terms of timeline it's going to be a busy six to twelve months." Gritziotis said requiring mines to file formal plans for water management and ground control are among the top issues.He said those are items that will involve the Mining Legislative Review Committee. But some interim safety proposals are already in the works. These were announced about six months ago when the review was at its halfway point. As a result, a Ministry of Labour spokeswoman says the province is recruiting more mining inspectors and engineer.Gritziotis said the committee is also considering improved training for inspectors.Another recommendation is the mandatory use of high visibility clothing above and under ground.Vale's spokeswoman Angie Robson said the company isn't waiting on that one. "That was something we actually decided on even before that recommendation came out and we're looking to launch here in our operations hopefully by the end of the year." said Robson. There is already a proposal drawn up for this regulation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.The provincial government convened The Mining Health, Safety and Prevention Review more than a year ago due to pressure, in part, from unions upset with the deaths of two miners at Stobie in 2011.WSN
Foul mouthed coalminer loses bid to reclaim job
A former Rio Tinto worker who was sacked after saying "f--k you" to a supervisor who confronted him about alleged unsafe conduct has had his unfair dismissal claim rejected by the Fair Work Commission. Trevor Godfrey was dismissed from his job as a production operator at Mount Thorley Warkworth mine in the Hunter Valley in October 2013, after the company accused him of breaching safety procedures and using abusive language when his supervisor spoke to him about the breach. Godfrey denied both allegations, alleging he was a victim of bullying and harassment and asking to be reinstated to his former position. Godfrey's employer, Coal and Allied Mining Services, alleged Godfrey had acted against the company's safety policy by driving over a windrow containing large rocks, some as big as basketballs. Windrows are the mounds used to redirect wandering vehicles or absorb the impact of a vehicle on a haul road of an open cut mine. Coal and Allied Mining also accused Godfrey of speaking "in an unacceptable manner" to his supervisor, using words to the effect of "who the f--k cares, it's your word against mine", "ah, f--k you" and "I'll take you to f--king court".Commissioner John Stanton ruled in a judgment that the dismissal was valid. After hearing evidence and viewing GPS and photographic proof Commissioner Stanton ruled that the safety breach had occurred and could have led to "serious consequences for the immediate safety of employees and equipment".He also found Godfrey had "used inappropriate language to communicate his frustration or displeasure".The combinations of the driving breach and the "inappropriate language" provided a valid reason for the dismissal and the sacking was appropriately handled, according to the ruling.
TORONTO - CSA Group, a leading standards development organization and a global provider of testing and certification, and Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC) have released Canada's first standard on ground search and rescue operations. This new standard will act as a Canada-wide benchmark to help develop training materials and program delivery models for search and rescue operations, focusing on three core roles that are vital to ground search and rescue operations: Searcher, Team Leader, and Search and Rescue Manager. It will provide Canadians with the confidence that GSAR teams across the country will have a consistent set of skills to apply when someone is lost or missing. The standard covers a range of competencies for all three roles including an understanding of first aid and survival skills, navigation, transportation and equipment safety and communications. It offers guidance for search and rescue operations in all kinds of scenarios and takes into account the different skills required to conduct searches across Canada where the terrain varies coast to coast. The voluntary standard was initiated by SARVAC, with the support of the Government of Canada's National Search and Rescue Secretariat. The members of the GSAR community in Canada identified the need for a standard to establish a Canada-wide benchmark that could be used to help develop training materials and program delivery models for search and rescue operations. Those trained and certified to the standard will use the same program which will allow movement of GSAR volunteers throughout Canada helping to make more volunteers available in a crisis."The search and rescue standard builds on CSA Group's long history of developing standards for public safety, emergency management and occupational health and safety," said Gianluca Arcari, Executive Director, Standards and Vice President, CSA Group.
CSA sets standard for ground rescue and first aid testing
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ERGONOMICS & THE ADJUSTABLE WORKPLACE
Ergonomics for the Modern World
Using Laptops and Tablets in
the Mobile Environment
By Shona Anderson, CCPEPresident, Anderson Ergonomics Consulting Inc.www.anderson-ergo.ca
Mobile devices such as cell phones, tablets, and laptops have changed the way we do work today. We can work from anywhere, anytime.
Look around you and it's hard to find someone between the ages of 12 and sixty-five that doesn't have a cell phone. We are very connected. But as a result, we are also harming our bodies in ways that we never did before. We are putting ourselves at risk for repetitive strain injuries; Blackberry Thumb, Nintendinitis, and iHurt are terms coined for these types of injuries that are occurring to thumbs and fingers, necks and arms from awkward postures and repetitive motions to use these devices.One of the reasons we are so tied to these devices is that more and more people are working outside of a corporate office at least one day per week. According to Global Workplace Analytics, since 2005, the number of people telecommuting and working multiple days per week from home has grown nearly 80%. Their statistics also show that in 2012, 2.6% of the US population (3.3 million people) telecommutes at least half the time.1 Laptops and tablets are two of the most commonly used tools for the teleworker. Their portability allows them to be used anywhere in the house as well as in planes, trains and automobiles. But their very nature causes people to use them in an awkward position. A laptop has the screen and keyboard attached together. Most often, the user will use the laptop on a table or counter that is too high for the keys but too low for the screen. This can contribute to muscle stress in shoulders, neck, and upper
back, as well as soft tissue stress in forearms and wrists. Tablets have only one unit, with the keyboard built into it. Placing a tablet flat on a table or counter has the same issues but to a bigger degree when the neck bends over the flat device to view the screen.The head weighs approximately 10-15 lbs when situated directly over the shoulders and there is no strain on your neck. But Dr. Kenneth K. Hasraj, Chief of Spine Surgery at New York Spine Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine did some computer modeling which showed that bending the head forward 15 degrees equates to the head weighing 27 lbs, bending it forward 30 degrees puts strain on the neck like a 40 lb head, and 60 degrees forward equates to 60 lbs of strain on the neck.2 Thus working on a laptop or tablet with the head bent forward can contribute to a literal “pain in the neck”, which can also affect nerves that stem down the arms. A good rule of thumb for laptops is to remain true to the word and keep them in your “lap”. For Occasional Users – It is of course fine to use your laptop on a desk or table for occasional use. However, if you are in a hotel room or have a couch, you may find it more comfortable to recline and use a laptop in your lap as in the picture below. It is always best if you can:* Recline in a chair or a bed, bring your knees up high (as in the pictures below - with a pillow beneath your knees ideally) and place the laptop in your lap on a pillow or books or a stand (like the one shown in picture below)* Push the screen back to maintain a good viewing angle (you may find that your screen to
keyboard angle is up to a 135 degree), and* Keep the keyboard at elbow level and keep a straight wrist angle.http://www.arthritissupplies.com/laptop-laidback-bed-desk.htmlFor Full-Time Users - If you use your laptop as your main computer, you should have an external keyboard and mouse. To maintain a supported upright posture that is as neutral as possible, it is best if you can:* Position the laptop on your desk or work surface at the proper height in front of you so that you can see the screen without bending your neck forward. You will likely need to raise it on a stable surface.* The top of the screen should be level with your seated eye height (unless bifocal lenses are worn).* Use an external keyboard and mouse (see picture below) and position these so they fall just below your fingers when you are sitting properly and your elbows are bent at 90-degrees. (Depending on the height of the desk you are using, you may need to consider a footrest to support you in a raised position or a keyboard tray to lower the keyboard and mouse.)When using a tablet, it is best to angle it towards your eyes. For occasional use, having a stand behind it works well.For longer use, it would be best to use it with a blue tooth keyboard and mouse.If a laptop or tablet is to be used in a vehicle, this poses new challenges in that it is often used to the side of the driver's seat. It may be attached into a laptop holder, which is the safest way to transport it in a vehicle. However, leaning to the right to work on a laptop puts a large twist into the spine and can cause lower and upper back discomfort as well as shoulder and neck discomfort.Image taken from http://grewallevymarketing.com/2007/02/22/ebay-the-largest-online-automobile-marketplace/The laptop cannot generally be used directly in front of you when in the driver's seat, as the steering wheel gets in the way of placing it there. For long duration use, it would be best to sit in the passenger seat and either bring the laptop on its holder in front of the passenger seat (if the laptop holder's arm is long enough) or put it onto a pillow or laptop desk in your lap.Whatever way you choose to use your devices to work outside of a typical desktop computing environment, it is important to be comfortable. There are many options to enhance your comfort. Remember to take breaks as needed. If you are working from a mobile office, be mobile!1 Global Workplace Analytics. Making the Case for Place. http://globalworkplaceanalytics.com/telecommuting-statistics2 Joshua M. Ammerman, MD. Is Your Cell Phone Killing Your Back? Spineuniverse, http://www.spineuniverse.com/wellness/ergonomics/your-cell-phone-killing-your-back
Worksite NEWS July 2015 Page 21
Tips for avoiding electrocution hazards
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9712 - 54 Ave., Edmonton, ABPhone: (780) 436-7342 Fax: (780) 436-7344
Email: [email protected] Webpage: www.grbwelding.com
www.yowcanada.com/courses/.asp?=wsnews
www.yowcanada.com
1.866.688.2845
A Way of Thinking: Create a Culture of
Safety with SafethinkPresident of HDC
Human Development Consultants Ltd.
Gordon Shand unveils his newest
book—Safethink. Safethink provides a specific thinking strategy to prevent illness and injury in the workplace.
Edmonton—Gordon Shand, 35-year instructional design and training expert, is helping every worker get home safe and healthy by providing workers, supervisors, and business owners with an advanced thinking strategy in the book Safethink. Safethink is a structured critical thinking strategy that can be used to identify, predict, and control hazardous situations to prevent workplace illness and injury. The strategy is useful for all workers from the inexperienced to the experienced and promotes a workplace culture of safety. “90% of participants from different industries said that they
would feel safer if their co-workers or peers learned the strategy,” states Shand. “The power of thinking in determining our safety, health, and welfare is obvious, but how to manage such cognition or self-talk for injury prevention, self-motivation, and self-improvement is not so obvious. Answers are provided in this action-focused series of self-help books on The Exemplary Worker by Gordon D. Shand.” – E. Scott Geller, Ph.D., author of The Psychology of Safety Handbook; Alumni Distinguished Professor, Virginia Tech; Senior Partner, Safety Performance Solutions. Safethink is the newest book in the Exemplary Worker book series.There are no comparable books on the market,” says Shand. “The amount of time to do the research and writing is impressive—more than 9500 hours. In addition, people in industry volunteered about 2500 hours reviewing the books, field testing, and providing feedback.”Gordon Shand is President of HDC Human Development Consultants Ltd. and has 35 years of experience designing and developing educational programs and training programs that have excellent practical value and contribute to the customer's business success. Read more about Safethink at http://www.hdc.ca/safethink.html
Worksite NEWS July 2015 Page 22 www.worksitenews.com www.worksitenews.com
www.mmm.com/occsafetywww.sideshield.com
www.magidglove.com www.mcrsafety.com
www.acornsafety.com www.radians.com
www.moldex.com
Worksite NEWS July 2015 Page 23 www.worksitenews.com
WORKSITE DIRECTORY
Acorn SafetyP.O. Box 3527 City of Industry, CA 91744 Contact Robert BowlesPh: (775) 284-7212 Fax (626) 961-2200 [email protected]
Alberta Construction Safety Association (ACSA)Head office:#101, 225 Parsons Road SWEdmonton, AB T6X 0W6Tel: 780-453-3311 or1-800-661-2272Fax: 780-455-1120 or1-877-441-0440Executive Director: Dan [email protected] Calgary:#101, 292060 Wagon Wheel LinkRocky View, AB T4A 0E2Tel: 403-291-3710 or1-800-661-6090Fax: 403-250-2852 [email protected] Fort McMurray:Nomad Inn Hotel10006 MacDonald AvenueFort McMurray, AB T9H 1S8Tel: 780-715-2157Fax: [email protected]
Alberta Employment, Immigration and Industry9th Flr, 10808-99 AvenueEdmonton, Alberta T5K 0J5Ph: (780) 427-5585Fax: (780) 427-5988
Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA)3660-Blackfoot Trail S.E. Calgary Alberta T2G-4E6Ph: (403) 214-3428
Alberta Specialty Services Ltd.Rear Bay 4, 2705 5 Ave NECalgary, AB T2A 2L6Ph: (403) 225-2759 Toll Free: (877) 347-5588Fax: (403) 253-4560info@albertaspecialtyservices.comwww.albertaspecialtyservices.com
Canadian Industrial Training River City Centre Mall620B 8600 Franklin AvenueFort McMurray, Alberta T9H 4G6Contact: Lori BurkePh: (780) [email protected]
Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC)14920-118 AveEdmonton, Alberta T5V 1B8Ph: (780) 454-6181Fax: (780) 451-3976www.clac.ca
BC Construction Safety Alliance#400, 625 Agnes StreetNew Westminster, BC V3M 5Y4Ph: (877) 860-3675Fax: (604) 636-3676Contact: Alicia [email protected] www.bccsa.ca
Creative Wellness SolutionsPO Box 3061Tantallon, NS B3Z 4G9 Ph: (902) 820-3096 Toll Free: (877) 480-9355 Fax: (902) 820-3097Contact: Dr. Lydia Makrides [email protected]
CTK Safety Consulting79 Eastbrook Way E Brooks, Alberta T1R 0H9Ph: (403) 501-5686 Cellular: (403) 363-9304 Fax: (403) 793-8030
Electrical Contractors Association of Alberta11235 120 StreetEdmonton, AB T5G 2X9Ph: (780) 450-1777Contact: Pat Barnes [email protected]
Electrolab Training SystemsPO Box 320 335 University AveBelleville, ON K8N 5A5 CanadaPh: (800)267-7482 Fax: (613) 962-0284
Contact: Claire Stewart [email protected]
Enform Safety and Training 1538 - 25 Avenue NECalgary, Alberta T2E 8Y3Ph: (800) 667-5557Fax: (403) 250-1289Contact: Tanya [email protected] Grant MacEwan UniversityPO Box 1796Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2P2Ph: (780) 497-5796Fax: (780) 497-4593
GRB College of Welding9712—54 AvenueEdmonton, AlbertaPh: (780) 436-7342Fax: (780) [email protected]
Institute for Work & Health 481 University Avenue Suite 800Toronto, ON M5G 2E9 CanadaPhone: (416) 927-2027 x 2131 Fax: (416) [email protected]
ITF Association40 Scenic Drive NW Calgary, Alberta T3L 1C2Ph: (403) 241-8443Contact: Tes Bewick
KnowledgeWare Communications #204, 20475 Lougheed HwyMaple Ridge, B.C. V2X 9B6Contact: Ron McNuttPh: (800) [email protected] Manufactures Health & Safety Association (MHSA)#201 292060 Wagon Wheel Link Rocky View, Alberta T4A 0E2Fax: (403) 279-1993 Toll Free: (888) 249-2002Contact: Lorne Kleppe [email protected]
Moldex-Metric Inc.10111 West Jefferson BoulevardCulver City, CA 90232
Contact: John AmbrosioPh: 800-421-0668Fax: (310) 837-9563Team -1 Academy780 Pacific Road, Unit 19Oakville, ON L6L 6M5Ph: (905) 827-0007 X 26Fax: (905) 827-0049www.team1academy.com
The Checkerby Dectra Inc.CA - PO Box 265, 146 Lakeshore Rd W, Oakville, ON L6K 0A4US - 2316 Delaware Ave, # 611, Buffalo NY 14216-2687Ph: 800.291.4719 Fax: [email protected]
Turning Technologies Canada 35 Cedar Pointe Drive, Suite 39 Barrie, ON, L4N 5R7Toll Free in Canada: 1.888.522.8689 x 212 Ph: 705.726.8876 x 212Fax: 1.866.552.8935Contact: Peter FerreiraNational Sales [email protected] Unique Products(E-Zee`Lock Outs)16865 - 110 AvenueEdmonton, Alberta T5P 1G8Contact: Pat HanlonPh: (780) 974-7039Fax: (780) [email protected]
Work Authority 415 Thompson DriveCambridge, ON N1T 2K7 CanadaPh: (416) 896-3525 Fax: (519) [email protected]
Worksafe B.C.Toll Free: 1-800-663-9509www.worksafe.bc.com
YOW Canada Inc.1306 Algoma RoadOttawa, Ontario K1B 3W8Contact: Marie-Chantale PerronPh: 1-888-288-0489Fax: 1-613-248-0711
Worksite NEWS July 2015 Page 24www.worksitenews.com
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