Massive resources are available on the OSHA site managed and maintained by the US Dept of Labor. Canadian regulations are also very similar, if not often to the same standard. An estimated 5 million workers are required to wear respirators in 1.3 million workplaces throughout the United States. Respirators protect workers against insufficient oxygen environments, … Continue reading
How would you like to get up in the morning and help keep our province safe? That’s exactly what the 300 employees of the BC Safety Authority do every day, and the organization has again been named one of BC’s Top Employers. The 2012 competition announced its winners today and for the fourth year running, … Continue reading
You might want to think twice before you jaywalk, ignore a stop sign on a bicycle or drive through a crosswalk in the city of Vancouver. Police and city staff are launching a new six-week road safety campaign and pedestrians are getting special attention. “[It’s] called ‘People are Fragile,’” explains Vision Vancouver Councillor Heather Deal, as … Continue reading
By Dave D. Wagner For those of us who work for manufacturers of gas monitoring instruments, “confined space” is a term that we use and discuss frequently. But when it comes right down to it, most of us have never seen the inside of a confined space firsthand nor experienced a true confined space entry. … Continue reading
There are new Occupational Health and Safety Regulation amendments approved by WorkSafeBC Board of Directors that take effect February 1, 2012. These changes will impact Safety Programs, and safe work procedures. Some include amendments to: Part 6, Substance-Specific Requirements – Asbestos-containing material definition (from 1% to 0.5%) Part 9, Confined Spaces – new requirements for … Continue reading
Safe use of access equipment and fall protection continue to be the two major health and safety concerns related to access equipment on construction projects, according to the Ontario Ministry of Labour. The Ministry recently released results from an August 2011 blitz involving all types of access equipment at Ontario constructions sites. Inspectors checked on … Continue reading
New Brunswick’s health and safety authority is considering a demerit system that would give it the legislative authority to levy fines against companies that break the rules, without having to turn to the courts. Still in the early stages of planning, WorkSafeNB is asking for input from stakeholders, through an online survey, on a system … Continue reading
CALGARY — A contractor who was excavating a site for a luxury condominium complex says he had advised the site superintendent of safety concerns because of large cracks in a 30-metre-high wall at the side of the pit. Mark Bates, who owned On-Track Excavating, said he told the superintendent, Nick Papa, about the crack he … Continue reading
B.C. Education Minister George Abbott has promised to take seriously safety concerns made by industrial education teachers. He has asked his staff to review recommendations that were made in a two-hour meeting held on Tuesday, and to meet back with the trades teachers within two to three months. Abbott also requested the industrial education teachers review suggestions made … Continue reading
OSHA recently released a report of the 10 most frequently cited standards, as well as the 10 standard violations for which the highest fines were assessed, during its fiscal year, October 1, 2010- September 30, 2011. The most frequently cited standards were: 1. Construction scaffolding, general safety requirements. 29 CFR 1926.451.; 2. Fall protection in … Continue reading
A New York ladder accident demonstrates the fall hazards common to the construction industry. When an accident happens, an injured worker may be able to obtain compensation for his or her injuries. January 27, 2012 — Two recent construction accidents in New York demonstrate the fall hazards common in the construction industry. To help prevent … Continue reading