Recent Posts
Safetydude's Safety Tip of the Week
Yes, I missed one!
Well, I now know that people really read and think about these Weekly Safety Tips. Which totally validates the time and effort taken to produce them.
Last weeks topic was on "Weather Do you treat it as a workplace hazard?". I definitely agree with the responses that I forgot Extreme Heat and Cold Situations. And might I add that my experience is that these situations affect not only employees exposed to outside work, but also those within buildings normally protected by a suitable HVAC system.
Thanks to those of you who responded with your feedback. Feedback is the breakfast of champions. This time it made my day.
Moving onwards to this week's topic, I want to address an observation that the Safetydudette and I are noticing more and more as we are "out and about". Unfortunately, the retail sector takes the hit on this one as you are always front and center in the face of the consumer. However, we are pretty confident based on our exposure to offices and manufacturing that the same issue could be happening in those workplaces.
It simply drives both of us crazy when we find employees "just standing around", while at the same time we see many opportunities for that employee to be performing cleaning and other housekeeping duties. Yes, they have to be present to provide the required customer service. But they can at least clean the counter tops, etc while they wait. The other night on Undercover Boss one of the Supervisors had a great tag line that I want to pass on. To assist I even put it onto a poster for you.
Picture of the Week
In lieu of a Picture of the week, I want to forawrd onto you something that a good friend sent to me a few years back. It is the story about:
The Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Cups of Coffee
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous "yes."
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things---your principles, your beliefs, your family, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your home and it’s contents, and your other prized possessions.
The sand is everything else---the small stuff. "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked.
It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee (Or wine!) with a friend."
Weather Do you treat it as a workplace hazard?
This isn’t so much a Safety Tip; as it a few of questions that I have to make you realize that in every workplace, weather is workplace hazard that requires recognition, assessment and controls.
At the very least, I suggest that the “general duty clause” of every provinces safety legislation requires Employers to assess the effects of weather on their workplace and implement appropriate preventative measures to protect their employees. The Occupiers Liability Act (Ontario) places a similar burden on workplaces that invite customers into their workplace. All other provinces have similar legislation.
Do you consider weather as a hazard in your workplace? If you don’t you should!
Slip and Fall accidents
Icy Parking lots
Driving Conditions
Severe Winter weather
Severe Spring & Summer conditions
Recommendation to everyone: Register to get email and text alerts from the Ontario Emergency Management System by going to their website by clicking here.
Click here for another great video from our collection. Turn up the speakers!
Ten things that every Employee should know
The following is a list of ten things that EVERY employee should know. Test yourself, your co-workers, Employees and Family members. In particular, challenge your teenage working children as this age group has an unacceptably high accident frequency rate.
From the Courts
Plumbling company fined $100k after worker is fatally injured
New Water Plumbing Inc., of Thornhill, was fined $100,000 for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was killed.
On December 23, 2009, two workers from New Water Plumbing Inc. were in the mechanical room of a Toronto condo tower. They had taken a large exhaust fan out of its housing. As the workers were moving the fan, a light fixture they had swung out of the way swung back and hit the fan. Part of the light fixture was damaged, allowing its electrical charge to contact the fan. The worker who was holding the fan at the time was fatally electrocuted.
New Water Plumbing Inc. pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that the fan was lifted, carried or moved in a way that would not endanger a worker. Click here for addtional cases.
So much for safety first in this household.
Health and Safety Posted Materials
All Provincial Health and Safety legislation require that the Employer post (or make readily available) a wide selection of Health and Safety Materials in the workplace. Most commonly these documents are affixed to a Health and Safety Bulletin board that is located in a central meeting place or other conscpicuous location within the workplace.
Here are a few common suggestions that I have been making to Employers to help them comply with their obligations.
1) If you have limited space within the workplace that restricts your ability to have a bulletin Board:
2) Company Vehicles are considered as workplaces. So does this mean that every vehicle requires a binder? My opinion is that it depends on the circumstances.
3) In workplaces where there is space for a Health and Safety Bulletin Board:
4) Here is a basic list of the items that should be posted on the Bulletin Board or maintained in the Binder within the office workplace. Binders located within vehicles are really impossible to maintain with the monthly documents noted below. Remember that the three Company Policies noted below have to be signed and dated annually.
Vehicle Part Manufacturer Fined $50,000 After Worker Injured
Chatham, ON - KSR International Co., carrying on business as Dresden Industrial-Ridgetown, a maker of vehicle parts, was fined $50,000 for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was injured.
A Ministry of Labour investigation found that the worker had not used a block to stop the press from moving.
KSR International Co., carrying on business as Dresden Industrial-Ridgetown, pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the press had maintenance work preformed on it only after it had been blocked to prevent its movement.
For other cases click here
Apparently the driver of this vehicle was carrying a bottle of acetylene in the truck. He knew there was a leak when he entered the vehicle. After moving the vehicle from the garage to the driveway, he went to lower the power windows, when..... The pictures tell the rest of the story. By the way, propane from a simply BBQ tank would have done the same.
Handling Work Refusals
During my tenure as a Corporate Multi-location Health and Safety Professional, I have had many occasions to support and guide the Operations Team through Work Refusals. I offer, you my standard guidance and directions that I have found very useful.
1) First and foremost, know and understand the prevailing Health and Safety Legislation whether it be the Provincial Act or the Canada Labour Code. While I didn't expect that the Operations Team Member could repeat the legislation verbatim, I did expect that they:
2) Maintain an active and effective Health and Safety Program. My experiences are that locations that maintained an active Safety Committee, that regularly performed their workplace inspections, and responded promptly to their findings didn't have Work Refusals. If they did they were quickly resolved as the condition reported was clearly an unexpected condition that occurred since the last inspection.
3) Remain calm and act professional at all times. Unfortunately, in many of the cases, the Operations Team Member acted "impulsively" or "emotionally". This commonly left me in the position of protecting them from a Reprisal compliant.
4) Ensure that the Employee is refusing unsafe work. Reporting a hazard to their Supervisor, and invoking their right to refuse unsafe work are two separate and distinct situations. If in doubt, directly ask the Employee if "they are invoking their right to refuse unsafe work"
5) Follow exactly the steps required by the Legislation. Don't add or delete steps.
6) Keep copious amounts of notes. The list below is just a short collection of the prudent information that should be documented:
7) Take pictures. Also allow the Worker Member of the JHSC to take pictures. Remember to document what pictures where taken, and why.
8) Error on the side of Safety. Keep in mind that the general duty clause requires that you "do everything reasonable for the protection of the worker". Try to put yourself in the shoes of the Employee, and see things from their perspective.
9) Don't hesitate to call in the appropriate Government Organization, if you truly believe that no hazard exist. I have often found that many Operations Team Members are reluctant to make the call to request the assistance of the Ministry of Labour or HRSDC Inspector. Their past relationship was always one where the Inspector was there to write "orders" and cause the Employer "harm". My experiences are that the Inspectors have seen through the "politics" or "underlying issues" causing the work refusal. It is permissible, to advise the Inspector of your beliefs that this work refusal is brought on by other conditions or situations not related to safety.
10) Do a Post mortem at your next Joint Health and Safety Committee Meeting. Learn from the event, what was done correctly, opportunities for improvement, missing documentation, barriers to resolving the issue, etc.
Gas Company, Utility Locator and Excavator Fined in Excess of $1.1 Million Total After Explosion
Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc., of North York, was fined $350,000 for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after an explosion near a construction site. Precision Utility Limited, a Mississauga provider of underground pipeline location services, was fined $200,000 in relation to the same incident. In addition, Enbridge pleaded guilty to charges under sec. 9(2) of Ontario Regulation 210/91 under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000 and was fined an additional $350,000. Furthermore, the excavator on this project, Warren Bitulithic Ltd. pleaded guilty in October of 2006 under the same regulation and was fined $225,000.
During the spring of 2003, a construction company was performing road work in Toronto along Bloor St. W. between Kipling Ave. and The East Mall. This project included excavation work on Bloor St. W.
In March 2003, the company requested that underground natural gas pipelines in the construction area be located and marked. Enbridge Gas, the natural gas distributor, had a contract with Precision Utility to locate and mark their gas lines. Precision Utility sent a worker to identify and mark all underground natural gas pipelines along the construction area on Bloor St. However, the worker did not locate a natural gas line leading into the plaza at Bloor St. W.
On April 24, 2003, a backhoe struck and damaged the gas line not located by the Precision Utility worker. This caused gas to escape into the basement of the building. The gas was ignited and the resulting explosion killed seven people, some of whom worked in the plaza, destroyed the plaza and damaged several nearby buildings.
A Ministry of Labour investigation found that the Precision Utility worker did not use all available records while in the field. Also, the worker did not act on visual clues to the presence of natural gas.
Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that gas services in and near the area to be excavated were accurately located and marked before the excavation began. Precision Utility Limited pleaded guilty to failing to adequately supervise an employee in the implementation of the locate process.
Click here to review additional cases.
Office Safety Overview
Different business sectors have a variety of hazards and dangers. Each area needs to be treated independently and the hazards need to be recognized and addressed.
The office space has its own hazards, and they can be divided into four categories:
Physical
Ergonomic
Chemical Pollution and Vapours: airborne contaminants can cause Employees health problems. Airborne disturbers include things like carbon monoxide, radon, cleaning fluids, and cigarette smoke. An adequate ventilation system would provide quality air and filter harmful air. In addition to purifying the air, it helps to maintain a comfortable temperature necessary in the office.
Biological Viruses and Bacteria: germs and bacteria are found on every surface and can cause Employees to become ill. Keeping a sanitary work place is the best prevention against the spreading of illness. Wash surfaces down frequently, and ensure to keep bathroom facilities as clean as possible. The easiest prevention to spreading bacteria is consistent hand washing with warm water and soap.
This is no place to park your plane!
Electrical Cords and Extension Cords
Extension cords are commonly used throughout the home as a handy, temporary way to get electrical power to wherever you want.
Unfortunately, if these cords are not used properly they can cause serious injuries even deaths.
Common injuries include:
Please follow these tips for the safe use of electrical cords and extension cords
Wonder if this guy ever thought what would happen if he slipped?
Is prolonged sitting dangerous to your health?
This week I had the article below sent to me via the Workers Health and Safety Centre's E-Bulletin Newsletter.
At first I "scoufed" at it. I know that being a "couch potato" at home has it's many issues. But sitting at work? Then as I started to investigate further I began to accept the basis of the findings.
What are your thoughts? Email me at Safetydude@operationsafety.ca and let me know.
Time spent sitting linked to higher death risk
Sitting on the job can kill you – literally. This is the decision handed down by a United States judge on June 27 this year.
The New York Superior Court in New Jersey heard the case of Renner v. AT & T which involved the death of Cathleen Renner who worked as a manager for AT&T and whose job required her to sit at her computer for long periods.
The cause of her death was a pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolism is defined as a blockage of the main artery of the lung or one of its branches by a substance that has travelled from elsewhere in the body through the bloodstream (embolism). Usually this is due to embolism of a thrombus (blood clot) from the deep veins in the legs.
Renner’s husband applied for dependency benefits from workers’ compensation arguing his wife’s death was work-related. A doctor acting as an expert for Mr. Renner agreed sitting for extended periods can lead to a slowing or stoppage of blood flow which can then cause clots.
A workers’ compensation judge concluded the claim was compensable because most of Renner’s inactivity occurred while she was working. AT & T appealed the decision to a state of New York court.
In coming to its decision the court found evidence that:
Renner had worked through the night in the hours before her embolism;
An autopsy report supported testimony that the embolism was recently formed.
The court ruled the requirements of New Jersey’s workers compensation law for a claim for injury or death from a cardiovascular cause had been met. The court upheld the decision by the workers’ compensation judge and award dependency benefits to Renner’s widower.
This decision comes on the heels of an American Cancer Society study that also confirmed sitting for long periods can significantly shorten your life.
The study looked at health outcomes for 123,216 people during a 14-year period and concluded that time spent sitting was associated with an increased risk of death, regardless of the level of physical activity.
The study found women who reported sitting for more than six hours a day verses less than three hours a day had an approximately 40 per cent higher death rate from any cause. Men had about a 20 per cent higher death rate associated with sitting for the same length of time. Time spent sitting regardless of physical activity was mostly associated with deaths from cardiovascular disease in both men and women. However it was also associated with increased risk of cancer deaths in women only.
Findings of the Cancer Society study are consistent with three other recent studies which also looked at the effects of prolonged sitting.
The authors of the Cancer Society study suggested public health messages and guidelines be updated to include reduced time spent sitting in addition to increased physical activity.
From the Courts click here for more Court Action
Kirkland Lake Gold Inc., a company that operates an underground gold mine in Kirkland Lake, was fined $100,000 on September 6, 2011, for violating the Occupational Health and Safety Act after two workers were injured.
On February 24, 2009, two crews were having lunch in the mine when they learned that a machine in a tunnel off the main haulage line had a flat tire. They were instructed to take one crew to examine the machine, before obtaining the appropriate tire from storage. One crew left with a tram - a train consisting of a motor and ore cars - and along the way, they found a tire placed at a curve in the main line and assumed it would fit. The second crew left shortly after, unaware the first crew had stopped to pick up the tire and was still on the main line. The second crew's tram hit the other tram at the curve, crushing and seriously injuring a worker. Kirkland Lake Gold Inc. pleaded guilty, as an employer, to failing to supervise the implementation of its procedure for instances where a train may meet another on a single track.
In a separate incident on August 5, 2009, a worker was installing ground support at a working face in a drift - a horizontal tunnel - at the 4750-foot level. A piece of loose rock fell, glancing off a drill and hitting the worker, who suffered leg injuries. A Ministry of Labour investigation found that Kirkland Lake Gold Inc., the employer, failed to follow bolt patterns used to stabilize rock excavations as prescribed by the mine plan, and utilized bolts significantly shorter than what was called for. The investigation also found that the screening along the wall and roof of the drift had not been properly cleared of loose rock, also contributing to unsafe conditions. Kirkland Lake Gold Inc. pleaded guilty, as an employer, to failing to ensure that ground conditions be examined for dangers and hazards before work was begun.
Kirkland Lake Gold Inc. was fined $50,000 for each conviction.
Safetydude needs your help!
After two years of developing and distributing the Safetydude's Safety Tips of the Week, I am starting to run low on new "thought, provoking" pictures. Do you have some favourite ones that you would like to share? Please email them to me at Safetydude@operationsafety.ca
Is the bag over the childs head suppose to be a helmet or gas mask?
Stretching Programs: We should do them at Home and at Work
Have you ever experienced a muscle or joint injury? One of the first things that your treating Health Care Professional asks is…..”Are you stretching?!” For most Health Care Professional, stretching is one their favourite treatment modalities because of the immediate outcomes which tend to be achieved in terms of both pain management and increased function and as well…..it’s practical!!
Stretching should be performed at the gym, at home, at the office, before performing any physical labour of any sort!
The Benefits of a Stretching Program The health benefits of stretching have become more recognized over the last few years, especially with society’s increased participation in Pilates and Yoga. Stretching is often prescribed as a way in which to increase performance and/or function as well, is often prescribed as a pain management technique. When performed correctly, stretching can provide endless benefits, including increased flexibility, increased mobility, increased joint range of motion, increased circulation, decreased anxiety, management of general stiffness/achiness and functional independence.
Stretching Programs to Prevent Injuries Stretching is a wonderful prevention tool; as you prepare your muscles with stretching, they are able to sustain the forces and loads that are exerted during sport and/or work activity. If your muscles are unable to function through their full range of motion, they will be unable to tolerate excessive loads and increase likelihood of injury. Sprains, twists and pulls do not occur unless the muscle or connective tissue is brought past its physiological endpoint. Consequently, increasing range of motion with stretching can decrease the chance of injury to joints and surrounding tissues.
Basic Principals of Stretching The philosophy behind performing stretching has changed over the last couple of decades. The practice of stretching was typically implemented before activity (i.e., on a ‘cold’ muscle) and often involved a bounce and/or ballistic stretch on the muscle. This practice often resulted in more injuries than it prevented!! The following is a review of some of the basic principals to keep in mind when performing stretching.
Remember, stretching is probably one of the most single important exercises to remember – it takes little time and does not require special attire. So start stretching and enjoy the benefits!!
From the Courts (From Ontario Newsroom)
Toronto, ON - Marcelo Ponciano, a representative with Toronto-based Asbescan Environmental Company Inc., was fined $15,000 on June 22, 2011, for violating the Occupational Health and Safety Act, after refusing to cooperate with Ministry of Labour inspectors.
On February 17, 2009, a ministry inspector visited a house renovation project on Roxton Road in Toronto and found live electrical wires, poor housekeeping and debris that could potentially contain asbestos. The inspector issued stop-work orders on the project, including one requiring the project owner to produce a designated substance report.
Two days later, ministry inspectors visited the site after they were notified that the house interior had been cleaned, a violation of the stop-work order. They were approached by Ponciano, who said he was called in to handle the asbestos concerns. The inspectors told him that as a result of the cleanup, a ministry hygienist would need to take samples the next day at the worksite and that no work was to be done without the hygienist present.
The following morning, ministry inspectors found Ponciano with two other workers. An inspector told Ponciano that no work was to be performed until the hygienist arrived. Ponciano then reached over the stop-work barrier to take a sample. The inspectors told him he was breaching the stop-work order and told him to stop. Ponciano proceeded to take another sample. The inspectors asked Ponciano to identify himself. He refused, despite being told he was required to do so by law. The inspectors also approached one of Mr. Ponciano's co-workers to request identification. Mr. Ponciano told the worker not to cooperate.
After a trial, Justice of the Peace Alice Napier fined Mr. Ponciano $15,000 for failing to cooperate with ministry inspectors. In addition to the fine, the court imposed a 25-per-cent victim fine surcharge, as required by the Provincial Offences Act. The surcharge is credited to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime.
I wonder if this is what they mean when you see the signs on the side of the road warning you about "falling rocks"
Tornado Safety
Growing up in St. Louis and Fort Lauderdale, we were taught as kids what to do in case of a Tornado. We had more Tornado drills than Fire Drills in our school. I have seen the damage and destruction that these horrible storms cause. Unfortunately, I have personally witnessed three funnel clouds. Thank God they all remained in the sky and never touched ground.
As a Safety Professional, I continue to strongly encourage Employers, Family and Friends to understand and RESPECT the power and furry of a Tornado.
The best defence is always a good offence..
Know the signs of a tornado:
Besides an obviously visible tornado, here are some things that people describe when they tell about a tornado experience
What To Do...
If you see a tornado and it is not moving to the right or to the left relative to trees or power poles in the distance, it may be moving towards you!
In a house with a basement:
In a house with no basement, or an apartment:
In an school, workplace, office building:
In a car or truck:
In the open outdoors:
In a shopping mall or large store:
AFTER THE TORNADO...
For more information on Tornados, please click here
From the Courts (from Ontario Newsroom)
Algoma Tubes Inc., a Yukon metal pipe manufacturer, was fined $55,000 for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was injured.
On December 17, 2008, at the company's Sault St. Marie facility, a worker opened a door, slipped on a wet surface and fell to the ground. The worker suffered a fracture to the arm.
Algoma Tubes Inc. pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that the floor was kept free of hazards.
In addition to the fine, the court imposed a 25-per-cent victim fine surcharge, as required by the Provincial Offences Act. The surcharge is credited to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime
I would hurry up and paddle!
Summertime Heat Safety
In the summer the combination of high heat and high humidity can be very dangerous. Everyone should follow these basic heat safety tips in order to avoid heat exposure and possible death. Try especially hard to make sure that at risk individuals follow theses tips religiously People at risk:
Prevention Tips:
Signs & Symptoms
Heat exhaustion is a warning that the body is getting too hot. With heat stroke, body organs start to overheat. They will stop working if they get hot enough. If it is not treated, heat stroke can result in death.
For a Heat Stroke
These signs and symptoms can occur suddenly with little warning:
For Heat Exhaustion
In the Courts (excerpt from Ontario Newsroom)
A Brampton company that recycles metal, was fined $150,000 for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was killed.
On June 9, 2009, at the company's Brampton scrap yard, a machine made for shredding metal was shut down for maintenance. The shredder had a dome lid that could be opened for access to its interior. The dome lid was opened using a hydraulic system and secured in place with a pin. After maintenance work on the shredder, one worker removed the pin while a second worker activated the hydraulic controls so that the lid could close. The first worker went away and some time later the second worker was found trapped in the shredder, between the dome lid and base.
A Ministry of Labour investigation found that during the shredder's maintenance, there were no guards or devices in place to prevent access to the shredder's pinch point. Additionally, the company did not have a procedure to ensure that the shredder was clear of equipment and workers before its lid was closed.
The Company pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that the shredder was equipped with a guard or other device to prevent access to its pinch point.
Admit it ! You've done this before
Last week, I experienced technical issues with posting the Picture of the Week. Received several emails asking what happened to the Picture. So for those fans of the picture of the week.... Here is what was going to be posted last week.
One of the most important parts of safe lifting is to pre plan your lift, ensuring the the pathway you take is safe.
Wonder how much pre-planning this team did?
Safetydude's Safety Tip of the Week The Importance of Hydration
With the warm summer months just around the corner, understanding and recognizing the importance of hydration is important. Facts about Hydration!
Dehydration at Work When you are dehydrated at work, accidents may occur due to fatigue, confusion, nausea and other debilitating symptoms. For your safety, as well as the safety and well being of your co-workers, stay hydrated. Drink water. Causes of Dehydration The most common causes of dehydration include:
Treatment for Dehydration
Signs and Symptoms of Dehydration The most common signs of mild dehydration include:
If dehydration continues, other symptoms arise, including:
Severe signs and symptoms of dehydration include:
A Concord company that employs people who work at a concrete plant operated by Toronto Redi-Mix was fined $60,000 for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was seriously injured.
On May 19, 2009, a worker employed by 614949 Ontario Limited was working at a Concord plant owned by Toronto Redi-Mix. The worker, who was removing debris from the frame of a conveyor, slipped and fell. The worker's hand and arm became entangled between the conveyor belt and a roller, which caused severe arm and shoulder injuries.
A Ministry of Labour investigation found that the conveyor had exposed moving parts, which were improperly guarded. Also, the worker had not locked out the conveyor before starting to work on it.
The Company was fined $60,000 for failing to ensure that a conveyer was suitably guarded.
In addition to the fine, the court imposed a 25-per-cent victim fine surcharge, as required by the Provincial Offences Act. The surcharge is credited to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime.
Are Your Supervisors Competent? Are you as the Owner/Operator Competent?
This weeks Safety Tip is written in response to a request from a "follower". Please let me know if you have a topic of interest that you would like me to write on. According to the Ontario Occupational Health & Safety Act, Employers are required to hire "competent" persons to supervise their workers. The word competent has a very specific meaning under the Act. The definition section of the Act defines a competent person as a person who: a) is qualified because of knowledge, training and experience to organize the work and its performance, b) is familiar with this Act and the regulations that apply to the work, and c) has knowledge of any potential or actual danger to health or safety in the workplace. It can be argued that, Supervisors who truly are competent generally have better injury statistics associated with their personnel, higher production rates, higher levels of employee morale, and are seen as positive contributors to the safety of employees. Unfortunately, there isn't a formal test to take, or one particular course that a Supervisor must enroll in to prove that they are competent. Every workplace should be considered different and unique from all others. Just because you recruit an experienced Supervisor away from another Employer with lots of Health & Safety training doesn't mean that they should be considered as competent within your workplace. The following is not meant to be legal advise, but a suggestion of ideas for you to consider in determining if your Supervisors (or yourself) are competent. By no means should the list below be considered complete. It's a starting point for your consideration. Are they (you) qualified to organize the work and its performance because of their knowledge, training and experience: I found the following a few years ago on the internet and still feel that it is still applicable. In your role as a supervisor, are you able to: Carry on with a positive attitude at all times? Observe operations and stay informed? Motivate employees by setting an example? Plan and prioritize your actions? Employ the right people for the job? Take care of problems and conflicts before they worsen? Express your expectations clearly and make sure they are understood? Not hesitate to delegate? Co-ordinate and guide your team by building upon individual strengths so they will succeed? Immediately take action to ensure employee satisfaction? Evaluate the achievement of performance objectives? See your own stress factors and find ways to reduce them? Can they demonstrate that they can and have properly managed the following situations:
An Employee who is noticed not wearing the required Personal Protective Equipment
A Work Refusal
An Employee noticed not following proper safety procedures
A hazard compliant from an Employee
A defective piece of equipment that must be removed from service
Are they (you) familiar with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the regulations that apply to the workplace: Can they explain without coaching or referencing any material, the following basic elements of the Act:
Their Duties and Responsibilities as set forth in the Act
The Duties and Responsibilities of the Employer and their role in supporting the Employers initiatives to comply with the legislation The proper steps that must be followed in the case of a Work Refusal
What is a Critical Accident and what is the requirement for reporting
The required steps in performing an accident investigation and workplace inspection
Can they explain without coaching or referencing any material, the following:
What Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required to be worn within the workplace, any why
How to effectively perform a Lock Out procedure on equipment located within the workplace
How to properly perform Pre-Use Inspections (as required) on equipment within the workplace
Any requirements within the workplace for specialized training such as for Forklifts and Fall Arrest
How to determine equipment is properly guarded
Are they (you) knowledgeable of any potential or actual danger to health or safety in the workplace:
Do your supervisors know the actual or potential hazards associated with the work?
Are they aware of the contents of the Workplace Hazard Assessment?
Do they receive some form of training on topics such as hazard awareness, machine guarding, ergonomics, lockout, etc.
Do they know the Safe Operating Procedures for all the equipment, machinery, hazards that their employees are exposed to?
From the Courts (Ontario Newsroom)
A automotive part supplier was fined $120,000 on May 11, 2011, for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was seriously injured. On April 20, 2010, a worker at the manufacturing plant attempted to clear a clog in a picker, a machine with a large spiked roller used to mulch materials. The worker locked out the energy source of the machine before opening an access window to reach the clog. However, the roller was still in motion, requiring several minutes to slow down even after the power was turned off. The worker's hand was caught by the roller and drawn into the machine, causing serious injuries. The Company pleaded guilty, as an employer, to failing to ensure that the rotating roller on the picker was cleaned or adjusted only when motion that may endanger a worker had been stopped. In addition to the fine, the court imposed a 25-per-cent victim fine surcharge, as required by the Provincial Offences Act.
Picture of the Week Someone couldn't make up their minds if they were to stay to the right or left of this navigation marker. Imagine the "sudden stop" of the boat, and the increased momentum of the boats occupants as the boat stopped.
Contractor Safety
The Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act defines an "Employer" as: a person who employs one or more workers or contracts for the services of one or more workers and includes a contractor or subcontractor who performs work or supplies services and a contractor or subcontractor who undertakes with an owner, constructor, contractor or subcontractor to perform work or supply services; All the other provinces of Canada have similar such wording in their Provincial Health and Safety Legislation.
As you should already know, the Act sets forth requirements for the Employer to protect all of their employees by ensuring that:
(a) the equipment, materials and protective devices as prescribed are provided;
(b) the equipment, materials and protective devices provided by the employer are maintained in good condition;
(c) the measures and procedures prescribed are carried out in the workplace;
(d) the equipment, materials and protective devices provided by the employer are used as prescribed; and
(e) Employees are trained and educated on any hazards they are exposed to;
(f) Supervisors are competent as defined by the Act;
(g) Worker or a person in authority over a worker is acquainted with any hazard in the work and in the handling, storage, use, disposal and transport of any article, device, equipment or a biological, chemical or physical agent;
(h) Every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker;
The above list is just a few of the many requirements that Health & Safety Legislation places on the Employer. The list was truncated due to size constraints.
Essentially, an Employer who uses the services of contactors, vendors, or other service companies needs to ensure that:
OperationSafety is pleased to announce that it has added an innovative web based program called ContractorSafety24-7 to it's program offerings to Employers.
The ContractorSafety24-7 software was originally designed for larger companies with hundreds and thousands of contractors who would host and manage the program themselves.
In keeping with their commitment to the smaller and medium size employer, OperationSafety has developed a package where this program can be easily afforded to all employers regardless of size.
Please feel free to contact me for more information.
From The Courts (from Ontario Newsroom)
A uniform supplier, was fined $60,000 for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was injured. The company operates an industrial laundry service at its Windsor facility. As part of the laundry process, clothing is placed in a bag with a drawstring at the bottom. The bag moves vertically along a conveyor until it gets to a sensor at the end. When the bag hits the sensor, it is hoisted up into the air.
A worker noticed that the drawstring on a bag was not tied. The worker attempted to tie the bag while walking with it along the conveyor. When the bag hit the sensor, it was hoisted up. The worker's thumb was entangled in the bag's drawstring, and the worker was lifted into the air with the bag. The worker's thumb was amputated by the force of the moving bag.
A Ministry of Labour investigation found that the emergency stop button on the bag hoist was too high up for a worker to reach in an emergency.
The company pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that the emergency stop button on the bag hoist was located within easy reach of the machine operator.
If only he knew of the danger he is in.
Personally, I find this picture more shocking the the previous two weeks pictures. No pun intended!
Fragrances, Scents and Sensitivities in the Workplace
Have you ever been near someone and became "overwhelmed" by the amount or type of perfume the person was wearing?
In the early 80's, I had a co-worker that after several months of becoming ill when I was in the office politely asked me to stop wearing the Polo cologne that I wore. I was horrified to learn that I had been causing her discomfort.
I investigated scents in the workplace further and learned that:
I now consider any fragrance brought into the workplace as a hazard. During my tenure as a Corporate Safety Professional I know of cases where the following simple items caused serious (even life threatening) situations:
As an Employer, the general duty clause of the Ontario Occupational Health & Safety Act which requires that you "do everything reasonable for the protection of a worker" falls into play in these circumstances. Particularly, if you know that an Employee has a chemical sensitivity or serious Food Allergy. To learn more what you can do, please click here.
As an Employee, you should be comfortable in advising your Employer ( co-workers, family and friends) of your sensitivity or allergy. Particularly, if it could result in a serious reaction. If you carry an Epi-pen, I strongly urge you to let your co-workers, family, and friends know where you keep the pen, and how to help you administer it if necessary.
(extracted from the Ontario Ministry of Labour Newsroom)
A construction company, was fined $110,000 yesterday for violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was injured.
On July 23, 2008, workers were at a tower construction project, where they were preparing to hoist two structures made of reinforcing bar, or rebar, with a crane. The rebar structures were sitting one on top of the other. The workers attached the bottom rebar structure to the crane but did not secure the top structure.
As the crane lifted both structures, the load shifted and the unsecured structure fell on a worker. The worker suffered multiple fractures and damage to internal organs.
The Employer was found guilty of failing to ensure that the crane's rigging was arranged to prevent the top rebar structure from slipping or falling. The company was fined $80,000 for this offense.
Additionally, the Employer was also found guilty of failing to provide information, instruction and supervision to a worker on preventing a hoisted object from slipping or falling. The company was fined $30,000 for this offense.
In lieu of a Picture of the Week, I wanted to send you a video link. So let's call it the Link of the week.
I am not afraid of heights, but this video and what these employees do is "absurd".
Several times in the video the commentator mentions that using Fall Arrest is either "not required" or not used because "it slows them down"
http://gqballer.com/random/stairway-heaven-tower-climb-video-how-much-do-tower-climbers/
It gives me great pleasure to introduce the newest innovative Systems 24-7 web based Health and Safety Management tool.
Contractor Safety 24-7, the newest, innovative “green program” available to resolve the question……Do the contractors and subcontractors you engage, provide every reasonable precaution for the safety of workers?
From this interactive website, your company sets the program requirements. Contractors/Subcontractors and Suppliers answer the required questions, provide documentation and prove that they know the hazards to be faced and how to prevent those hazards from causing injury or damage.
Contractor Safety 24-7 provides Companies with a web based solution by an objective third party provider that monitors their contractors and suppliers Health & Safety programs.
Contractor Safety 24-7 ensures that all contractors and suppliers to the company are compliant to Provincial Health & Safety Legislation, Regulations and Standards.
This program gives you “peace of mind”; those who are working on projects, buildings and workplaces are competent in Health & Safety; thus minimizing risk, preventing injuries and mitigating your Company’s liability.
Can you currently prove your companies "due diligence" in the selection, retention and monitoring of their contractors and subcontractors?
For more information on this program, please contact me at Klamson@operationsafety.ca
SafetyDude's Safety Tip of the Week
Good Housekeeping
Regardless of whether you are in the workplace, at home, or "at play", you need to follow standard Good Housekeeping principles.
Below is a Good Housekeeping Tip that I have used throughout my career. Your challenge is to consider your home as your workplace.
Think about your work bench at home, your kitchen, the mess you make while your cooking, even your clothes closets, etc. A clean and orderly workplace is more likely to be a safe workplace than an area full of dirt, debris and clutter. Less junk means fewer things to fall over, set fire to or get poisoned by. With less dirt there are fewer places for hazards to hide. Jobsite housekeeping is everyone's responsibility each day. Cleaning up spills and scrap, returning tools to their storage locations and keeping materials safely arranged are on-going tasks requiring your co-operation. When you think about it, once an area gets untidy or messy it takes longer to find the things you are looking for than it would be to clean it in the first place. How is the housekeeping in your work area? Try this checklist: • Is the area free of trash and scrap? Are trash receptacles emptied regularly? • What about dirt? Are work surfaces cleaned frequently to remove dust, grime and grease? • Are windows kept clean for good lighting? Is there enough light in the first place? • Do you report burned-out lights so they can be replaced promptly? • Do you clean up after yourself in the lunchroom and washroom, helping keep these areas dry and sanitary? • Do you help keep unnecessary materials, tools and equipment removed from the work area to reduce clutter? Damaged tools should be tagged so they can be repaired or discarded. • Are traffic lanes kept free of obstructions such as stored materials, cords and cables? • Do you watch for damage to steps and stairways? Report any hazards such as torn carpet, slippery treads or shaky handrails. • What about ladders? If defective, they should be tagged and removed from service. • Does everyone keep an eye on the condition of electrical equipment? Frayed cords, damaged insulation and other defects can result in shock or fire. • Is a regular maintenance schedule followed for equipment to prevent breakdowns? • Are there enough fire extinguishers of the correct size and type for your workplace. Are they serviced regularly? Is firefighting equipment easily accessible and not blocked by materials or equipment? • Are stairwells and exits kept free of flammable and combustible materials which could prevent escape in case of a fire? Keeping your work station clean and orderly is more than a matter of personal pride. It is an important measure for protecting your safety and that of your fellow workers.
A construction company, was fined $65,000 for violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a routine inspection. Additonally, a supervisor with the company, was fined $2,000 in relation to the same inspection.
The company was constructing a hotel and retail space when a Ministry of Labour inspector conducted a routine inspection of the project. The inspector noticed that the entranceways to and from the work area were obstructed and issued an order to keep the routes clear. When the inspector visited the site the next day, the entranceways were still not clear.
The company was found guilty of failing, as a constructor, to keep the routes to and from the work area clear of obstructions and fined $40,000. The supervisor was found guilty of failing, as a supervisor, to ensure the same and fined $2,000.
The company was also found guilty of failing to comply with an order or a requirement by an inspector and fined $25,000.
Knew I shouldn't have parked my truck here.
Hotel Safety
To protect yourself:
Keep the door to your room locked at all times. If you are inside the room, turn the deadbolt and fasten the security chain.
When you leave your hotel room, pull the door completely closed behind you- even on quick trips to the ice machine. Make sure the latch has engaged. Take a moment before you leave to try the door and make sure it is closed and locked.
Do not open your door to strangers. Use the security viewport to see who is outside your door. Do not trust someone claiming to be a hotel employee if you are not expecting one.
If you are unsure, call the front desk to check. Leave the security chain engaged while opening the door for further protection.
Check all windows and doors in your room every time you enter it and leave it to make sure they are closed and locked.
When entering or leaving the hotel after dark, use the main entrance.
If you travel often, consider buying a portable alarm system to hang on the doorknob for added protection. These movement-sensitive devices can awaken you if a door lock should happen to fail. To protect your valuables:
Use the safe provided in the room to store keys, wallets, extra cash and credit cards, jewelry, and other small valuable items you are leaving in the room. If no safe is supplied, check with the front desk. They may have locked storage available for your use.
Don't leave cash, travelers checks and expensive electronics and jewellery lying around the room.
Leave larger expensive or breakable objects at home, if at all possible. If you must bring them, store them in the closet and out of the way of the cleaning crew.
Fire Safety:
Before a fire
When making a hotel reservation or checking into a hotel, ask about the fire safety features of the facility and choose a facility that's protected by both smoke alarms and is fully fire sprinklered.
When checking in, ask what the fire alarm system sound is for the facility.
Become familiar with the fire escape plan posted in your room.
Locate the two nearest stairs and count the number of doors between your room and the stairwell. In a fire, the hall may be dark and it may be difficult to see the exit stairway. Counting the number of doors may help you find the stairs.
Look for exit signs wherever you are in the facility.
Check to make sure the exits are not locked or blocked. Notify the hotel manager if exits are not accessible.
Keep your room key by your nightstand so that you can easily reach it in an emergency.
Travel with a flashlight and fresh batteries in case the power goes out.
Report any unusual behaviour or fire hazards to hotel management.
During a fire
If the fire alarm sounds, leave the building immediately. Take your room key with you, in case the exits are blocked by fire or smoke, you can return to your room.
Test doors before you open them. If there is fire on the other side, it will feel warm around the cracks. If the door is warm, use your second way out or stay in your room and begin procedures for "If You Are Trapped." If the door is cool, open it cautiously and check to make sure your escape path is clear of fire and smoke.
Always use the stairs, not an elevator, during a fire.
If you must escape through smoke, crawl low under the smoke on your hands and knees to your exit.
If you are trapped
If you can't escape and there's not fire in your room, stay put.
Call the fire department and let them know your exact location.
Shut off fans and air conditioners because they can draw smoke into the room.
Stuff towels or sheets in the cracks around all doors and vents between you and the fire.
If you can, open the window at the top and bottom, but be prepared to shut it if smoke comes into the room. Do not break the window so that you are able to shut it if needed.
Stay at the window and signal the firefighters by waving a light-colored cloth or a flashlight.
From The Courts (new section)
For just the second time in Canada an Employer has been convicted of criminal negligence stemming from a workplace incident leading to the death of a worker.
The owner of a Quebec landscape company, was operating a backhoe on June 12, 2006 when it rolled down a slope pinning his employee against a wall. The worker suffered fatal injuries. The front brakes and the emergency brake on the backhoe were found to be completely non-functional. It was also determined that the backhoe, bought in 1976, had not undergone any regular maintenance.
As a result, the court found there was a breach of the “legal duty to take reasonable steps to prevent bodily harm to a person” imposed on an employer by section 217.1 of the Criminal Code of Canada.
The Owner will serve a conditional sentence of imprisonment of two years less a day
Safetydude's Safety Tip of the week
Compact Fluorescent Lights
If you are like me you have converted your house from incandescent bulbs to the new energy efficient Compact Fluorescent lights (CFL's). But beware, these lights may be harmful to you.
In particular, if they are broken or damaged they need to be handle with extreme caution. There is actually a small amount of mercury contained within the bulb.
Under normal conditions they should be considered safe. However, I should point out that consumers have reported "sensitivity to CFL's. These bulbs emit both ultraviolet radiation (UV) and electric and magnetic fields (EMF's). Some people, such as those with Lupus or another auto-immune disease and certain skin conditions are extremely sensitive to these emissions and need to take extra precautions when exposed to CFL's.
Health Canada offers the following directions for handling broken or damaged CFL bulbs: (extracted from Health Canada website at http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/prod/cfl-afc-eng.php )
I would like to add the suggestion that you wear a dust mask during this entire process.
For those of you who are interested,
this is NOT an acceptable fall arrest harness.
Snow Blower Safety
1.A snow blower is not a play toy, and should be treated with the utmost care and respect.
2.Always do a thorough check of your machine at the start of the winter, before the first snow.
3.The operator must have the proper physical capabilities and maturity to safely operate the snow blower.
4.Inspect the area for any obstructions (Newspapers, sleds, toys, curbs, etc.)
5.Always keep by-standers at a safe distance from the work area.
6.Do not allow children to run back and forth through the path of the ejecting snow.
7.Never leave a snow blower running and unattended.
8.Protect yourself from carbon-monoxide poisoning by starting and running gasoline-powered snow blowers outside, rather than in your garage or shed.
9.Don't wear loose pants, jackets, or scarves, which can get tangled in a snow blower's moving parts.
10.Wear proper footwear that eliminates or reduces the operators chance of slipping and falling.
11.Avoid where possible using a snow blower on any areas where there is a steep slope.
12.Dislodging Snow or ice from the auger or chute:
a.Stop the engine and use a long stick to unclog wet snow and debris from the machine. Do not use your hands to unclog a snow thrower.
b.Always keep hands and feet away from all moving parts.
13.Never leave the machine running in an enclosed area.
14.Add fuel to the tank outdoors before starting the machine.
15.Always keep the gasoline can capped, and store gasoline out of the house and away from ignition sources.
16.Dont add gasoline to a running or hot engine.
17.If you have an electric-powered snow thrower,
a.Be aware of where the power cord is at all times. b.Inspect the cord to ensure that it is not frayed or damaged and replace if necessary.
c.Only use an outdoor extension cord and an outlet with ground-fault-circuit-interrupting protection.
Picture of the Week I'm not a hunter or woodsmen, but even I know that this is not the smartest or safest things to do with a bear cub.
Safety is a controllable expense
A properly designed and executed "balanced" Health & Safety program will easily pay for itself with the many hidden benefits that it affords to the organization.
While prevention should always be the key to any Health & Safety program, it always has to be supported by a solid claims management process. It is through the claims management process that incident trends as well as determining the underlying and root causes are developed into new preventative techniques.
Below are some just three of the benefits that will pay back dividends to your ornganizations investment in safety.
It is widely accepted that the "true hidden costs" of an employee accident is closer to 5 to 9 times what the actual workers compensation costs are.
1) Reduction in the frequency of customer and employee accidents;
Fewer accidents = less paperwork, reduction in claims management costs, and the claim costs associated with the accidents, increased employee morale and retention.
Ever consider what the true cost of a simple Medical aid claim costs the organization when you add up all the time invovled in just propler completing and submitting the paperwork.
Fewer accidents in the workplace that has entrenched a culture of safety excellence will result in less non-occupational accidents which results in reduced disability costs, decreased potential for costly mistakes made by untrained employees filling in for the injured worker.
As employees take home what they learn and the proper "safety attitude" from work, they make their home life and the lives they surround themselves with safer.
Promote "Safe as a life event, not just a work event."
2) Reduction in the severity of customer and employee accidents;
Reducing the severity of accidents = less days losts, reduction in workers compensation payments, dramatically less claim management costs, improved employee morale and retention, decreased potential for costly mistakes made by untrained employees filling in for the injured worker.
How much time, and effort does it take to successfully return an injured employee back to a successful modified return to work program?
What is the true cost of the loss the employee's skills, qualifications, abilties to an organization for everyday that they are not at work?
Every explore why your employee turnover is so high?
Reducing the severity of customer accidents = less legal fees, less claims management costs, reduction or stabilization of insurance costs, increased customer satifaction.
Would you shop in a retail established that seriously injured one of your family members or a friend?
3) Protecting the Company’s "branding" and reputation.
Protecting the Company's "branding" and reputation results in improved customer satifaction and respect for the "brand", higher stocks prices, less "bad press", greater customer loyality.
How many people quickly learn about a family member that was injured in your workplace?
Ever consider how come your organization can't seem to find "the best candidates available in the market" when searching for new hires.
span>
Bill 168, an Act to amend the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act with respect to Workplace Violence and Harassment in the Workplace, which promises to significantly impact all workplaces in Ontario became law on June 15th, 2010.
To comply Employers must: 1) Perform a Workplace Violence Risk Assessment 2) Develop, implement and post a Workplace Violence Policy (workplace with greater than 5 employees) 3) Develop, implement and post a Workplace Harassment Policy (workpalces with greater than 5 employees) 4) Establish a Workplace Violence and Harassment Coordinator 5) Develop and implement Employee Training 6) Establish Prevention measures to address identified Workplace Violence Risks 7) Establish and implement Employee reporting procedures 8) Establish and implement procedures to investigate incidents and complaints 9) Develop and implement Emergency Procedures to deal with all types of possible incidents and occurrences
Prepare your vehicle for Winter driving
For those of you who know me well; you know just how much I love snow. In my book it is a four letter word that isn't allowed to be used in my household.
For those of you who love the "stuff", I would be happy to request that my share gets dumped into your driveway instead of mine.
Unfortunately, though this great land of ours has four seasons. One of which provides us with the white stuff. Thus, representing a hazard to all of us when driving. Before the #$%@ hits the road, let's all get our vehicles prepared. Here are a few ideas:
1) Take your car to a mechanic and check out the following:
2) Install good winter tires.
3) Purchase winter wiper blades to cut through snow and ice instead of using regular ones throughout the year 4) Check the spray nozzles of your windshield-washer system.
5) Visually inspect your vehicle’s lights.
6) Keep a windshield scraper and small broom for ice and snow removal. 7) Maintain at least a half tank of gas during the winter season. 8) Plan long trips carefully.
9) Maintain your Cell Phone
10) If you must go out during a winter storm, use public transportation. 11) Dress warmly. Wear layers of loose-fitting, layered, lightweight clothing. 12) Prepare a Winter Car Kit by keeping these items in your car:
This is what happens when you fall asleep at the wheel.
Luckly, no one was seriously injured.
We recognize the emotional and financial impact a workplace incident has on employees and their families, as well as the employer. In light of this, we believe that an extraordinary safety opportunity, designed to reduce the severity and frequency of workplace accidents, is worth investing in.
Through a variety of different programs and services, OperationSafety demonstrates commitment to helping employers protect their company reputation, their due diligence and, most importantly, their employees from injury.
Our workplace safety services specialize in understanding the inner workings of an organization and teaching employers how to implement an active and effective safety program. Our programs bring the meaning on safety to life and include:
