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
Heenan Blaikie LLP Cheryl A. Edwards and Shane Todd A new and surprisingly complex Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Standard may be arriving at and impacting your workplace soon. A proposed Standard has been developed, setting out optimistic goals and processes for achieving “psychological health and safety” in the workplace. Policies, procedures, hazard identification, incident investigation and monitoring … Continue reading
The B.C. government plans to hire 10 new mine inspectors over a 12-month period – more than a 25-per-cent increase – to keep pace with increased mining activity and help ensure work-site safety. BY VANCOUVER SUN The B.C. government plans to hire 10 new mine inspectors over a 12-month period – more than a 25-per-cent … Continue reading
BC Ambulance Service (BCAS) is the largest provider of emergency medical services in Canada and one of the largest in North America. Serving over 4.4 million British Columbians and responding to calls for service across six health authorities, BCAS covers an area of 944,700 square kilometres. BCAS strives to provide timely and high quality emergency … Continue reading
OTTAWA, January 26, 2012 — The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and SaputoInc. are warning the public not to consume the Neilson Trutaste 2% Microfiltered Partly Skimmed Milk, with best before date February 12, 2012, described below. This product may be contaminated with a cleaning solution. The affected product, Neilson Trutaste 2% Microfiltered Partly Skimmed milk, is … Continue reading
If a recent OHS-related case in Nova Scotia is any indication, health and safety officers may now be required in the eyes of the law to go beyond their traditional duties and responsibilities to help mitigate risks. One health and safety coordinator had to learn this the hard way: through a conviction. Last September, James … Continue reading
A British Columbia mining company is considering installing seatbelts in buses transporting workers to and from their Myra Falls Mine site on Vancouver Island a month after a highway accident injured 12 employees. Dave Keiver, human resources superintendent with Nyrstar, the owner of the underground zinc mine and mill, says that the company is in … Continue reading