VANCOUVER, Feb. 16, 2012 /CNW/ – Ten years ago, a survey of BC ultrasound technologists found 91% of them had suffered work-related injuries at some point in their careers. Medical literature still says 80% of sonographers seek medical treatment for musculoskeletal injuries, 17% miss work due to the symptoms of their injuries, and 15% reduce … Continue reading
By Andrea Raso Amer WorkSafe BC (the Province’s occupational health and safety regulator) recently introduced policy guidelines which describe an employers’ responsibilities over its internal joint health and safety committee. The guidelines also set out the factors that WorkSafe may take into account when deciding whether when an employer is exempt from the joint committee requirements set … Continue reading
The Ontario government today announces that “Tupling Farms Ltd. Fined $90,000 After Worker Killed” citing the following: Caledon, ON – Tupling Farms Ltd., a Shelburne potato farm, was fined $90,000 for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was killed. On September 21, 2010, on a field in the Township … Continue reading
Written by Susan Main Mike McKenna – executive director of the BC Construction Safety Alliance – gave the thumbs-up to a new app that lets employers and homeowners request clearance letters from WorkSafeBC via smart phone. “This new app is of real benefit from a construction safety perspective because it allows the purchasers of construction services – like general … Continue reading
OAKVILLE, February 13, 2012 — Today, the Honourable Vic Toews, Canada’s Public Safety Minister, accompanied by the Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of the Environment, announced the participation of Environment Canada in the National Alert Aggregation and Dissemination (NAAD) System. It is anticipated that Environment Canada will provide over 80% of the overall NAAD System content. “Canadians understand … Continue reading
A report released Tuesday by B.C.’s Ministry of Mines paints a picture as to what went wrong when three people were struck by flying rocks after a disastrous explosion at a Shawnigan Lake blasting company in September. One woman lost an arm and two men were hit on the head with rocks that flew more … 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
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
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