Now that Canada has adopted the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) as its new standard for hazard classification, this means immediate changes to the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) to align as closely as possible with the international standard. Danatec is now offering online WHMIS training that has been updated to adapt to the GHS. A worker can complete Danatec’s course in only a few hours, the company’s website says. The training includes an overview of the new WHMIS and its hazards and labels, as well as new video content and integrated gaming experiences, covering such content as personal protection, emergency actions and special situations. There are also printable resources for easy reference, as well as a printable WHMIS 2015 certificate upon completion. Bulk pricing is available, including $26.95 per course for more than 200 workers. For more information, visit https://www.danatec.com/industry-news/whmis-is-changing-to-adopt-the-ghs/.
Category Archives: Health and Wellness
NIOSH publishes guidelines for reducing crystalline-silica exposure in asphalt work
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in the U.S. has recently released a 79-page e-booklet, Best Practice Engineering Control Guidelines to Control Worker Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica during Asphalt Pavement Milling. These guidelines are the result of more than a decade of collaborative research by the Silica/Asphalt Milling Machine Partnership, which is made up of government organizations, unions and industry members from NIOSH and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to numerous paving contractors and the Laborers International Union of North America. The booklet includes a guide to dust control on milling machines, top recommendations for how to operate and maintain dust-control systems, the health effects of respirable crystalline silica and occupational-exposure limits. Appendices include a daily dust-control checklist and an explanation of the statistical methods used. Best Practice Engineering Control Guidelines is available to download for free at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2015-105/pdfs/2015-105.pdf.
New Brunswick government appoints commission to study fracking
FREDERICTON, N.B. – The government of New Brunswick announced on March 24 that it had created a commission to research hydraulic fracturing, a controversial well-stimulation technique informally known as “fracking”, and determine whether it would be possible for the oil and gas sector to meet government-imposed conditions on the practice. The new commission, which will report its findings to the government within a year, will be led by Guy A. Richard, former chief justice of the New Brunswick Court of Queen’s Bench, and will also include former University of New Brunswick president John McLaughlin and former New Brunswick Community College board chair Cheryl Robertson. “I am confident in the ability of the members of this commission to lead this important work,” said provincial Energy and Mines Minister Donald Arseneault in a press release. “I thank them for taking on this task that will give us more information about this industry and its impact on people’s health, water and the environment through evidenced-based research.” N.B. became the third province in Canada to ban fracking on Dec. 18; the moratorium is in effect until certain conditions are met, including a social licence in place and the availability of more information on the practice.
Quarterly Calendar: Spring 2015
April
8-10
INRS 2015 Occupational Health Research Conference – Chemical Risk: Innovative Methods and Techniques
Nancy, France
http://www.inrs-risque-chimique2015.fr
Contact: risque-chimique2015@inrs.fr
9-11
Ontario General Contractors Association’s Construction Symposium IX
Blue Mountains, Ont.
http://www.ogca.ca/symposium
Contact: (905) 671-3969
http://www.ogca.ca/symposium/contact-us
10-11
Seventh International Conference on Climate: Impacts and Responses
Vancouver
http://on-climate.com/the-conference
Contact: support@on-climate.com
14-16
Workplace Safety North Mining Health and Safety Conference
Sudbury, Ont.
http://www.workplacesafetynorth.ca/subsite/mining-health-and-safety-conference
Contact: training@workplacesafetynorth.ca
16-18
ExpoCam 2015 – Canada’s National Truck Show
Montreal
http://www.expocam.ca
Contact: Joan Wilson
(877) 682-7469 ext. 247
mjoanw@newcom.ca
20-21
2015 Western Conference on Safety
Vancouver
http://www.pacificsafetycenter.com/wcs15
Contact: (604) 233-1842
registration@pacificsafetycenter.com
25
Steep Slope Roofing Safety Symposium
Victoria
http://www.worksafebc.com/news_room/conferences/assets/pdf/SteepSlopeRoofingSafetySymposiumBrochure.pdf
Contact: msteepsloperoof@worksafebc.com
28-29
Partners in Prevention 2015 Health & Safety Conference & Trade Show
Mississauga, Ont.
http://www.wsps.ca/Partners-In-Prevention/Conference/Home
Contact: Sherry Kirkpatrick
(905) 614-1400 ext. 2415
Sherry.Kirkpatrick@wsps.ca
28
National Day of Mourning
Events planned across Canada
http://www.ccohs.ca/events/mourning
May
2-3
Steps for Life: Walking for Families of Workplace Tragedy
Events planned across Canada
http://stepsforlife.ca
Contact: Susan Haldane
(888) 567-9490
shaldane@threadsoflife.ca
3-8
North American Occupational Safety and Health Week
Events planned across North America
http://www.naosh.ca
Contact: naosh@csse.org
4-6
Canadian Aviation Safety Officer Partnership Spring 2015 Event
Winnipeg
http://www.casop.ca
Contact: Nathalie Bhindi
BhindiN@navcanada.ca
5-7
Enform Petroleum Safety Conference
Banff, Alta.
http://www.psc.ca
Contact: (403) 516-8079
ENFORMPSCinfo@mci-group.com
6-9
Work, Stress and Health 2015: Sustainable Work, Sustainable Health, Sustainable Organizations
Atlanta
http://www.apa.org/wsh
Contact: Wesley Baker
(202) 336-6033
wshconference@apa.org
6-9
West Virginia Public Safety Expo
Charleston, W.Va.
http://www.wvsafetyexpo.com
Contact: Jim Shedd
(304) 766-7655
jshedd@k12.wv.us
8-9
Vancouver Regional Construction Association’s 2015 Construction Leadership Forum
Whistler, B.C.
http://www.vrca.bc.ca/conference/default.aspx
Contact: Jennifer Jones
(604) 294-3766 ext. 118
events@vrca.bc.ca
8
Workers Compensation Board of PEI Workplace Health & Safety Conference
Charlottetown
http://www.wcb.pe.ca/Workplace/OHSConferenceRegistration
Contact: Tricia Affleck
(902) 368-5697
conference@wcb.pe.ca
19-21
Texas Safety Summit
Austin, Texas
http://www.tdi.texas.gov/wc/safety/summithome.html
Contact: Allyssa Lee
(512) 804-4610
safetytraining@tdi.texas.gov
26-27
Pipeline Integrity & Safety 2015
Calgary
http://www.canadianinstitute.com/PipelineIntegrity
Contact: Yasmine Mohamed
(416) 927-0718 ext. 7321
Y.Mohamed@canadianinstitute.com
27-30
Canadian Association of Road Safety Professionals Conference 2015
Ottawa
http://www.carsp.ca/carsp-conference/carsp-conference-xxv/
Contact: info@carsp.ca
30-June 4
American Industrial Hygiene Conference & Exposition
Salt Lake City
http://aihce2015.org
Contact: Lindsay Padilla
(703) 846-0754
lpadilla@aiha.org
June
2-3
Workplace Wellness and Mental Health 2015
Toronto
http://www.conferenceboard.ca/conf/workwellness/default.aspx
Contact: Rhonda Bradbury
(416) 481-1904
bradbury@conferenceboard.ca
2-4
Canadian Biosafety Symposium 2015
Calgary
http://biosafety.icid.com/en
Contact: biorisk@icid.com
7-10
ASSE Safety 2015
Dallas
http://www.safety2015.org
Contact: (847) 699-2929
customerservice@asse.org
9-11
Global Petroleum Show
Calgary
http://globalpetroleumshow.com
Contact: Brad Ridler
(888) 799-2545
bradridler@dmgevents.com
14-16
2015 BC Municipal Occupational Health & Safety Conference
Whistler, B.C.
http://www.pacificsafetycenter.com/bcmsa
Contact: (604) 233-1842
registration@pacificsafetycenter.com
15-16
2015 National Health Leadership Conference
Charlottetown
http://www.healthcarecan.ca/about/events/national-health-leadership-conference
Contact: Laurie Oman
(800) 363-9056 ext. 237
loman@cchl-ccls.ca
15-18
AIHA Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene
Westerville, Ohio
https://www.aiha.org/education/CourseCalendar/FacetoFace/Pages/Fundamentals-of-Industrial-Hygiene.aspx
Contact: Erin Breece
(703) 849-8888
ebreece@aiha.org
23-24
Shutdowns Turnarounds Superconference
Houston
http://www.shutdownshouston.com
Contact: (877) 927-7936
customerservice@canadianinstitute.com
27-29
Association for Professionals in Infection Control Annual Conference 2015
Nashville
http://ac2015.site.apic.org
Contact: Colleen Campbell
(703) 964-1240 ext. 25
ccampbell@conferencemanagers.com
Report: Border officers facing many safety hazards
A recent report from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has said that Canadian border officers are being put at risk by many health and safety hazards at the smaller and more remote crossings. Excessive radon gas, insufficient heating and poor shelter were a few of the risks highlighted.
The report, Evaluation of Small and Remote Ports of Entry (SRPOE) – Final Report, also noted pests, inadequate ventilation, lack of air conditioning and lack of water as issues contributing to health and safety risks for the officers. “At some SRPOE locations, the primary- and secondary-inspection area does not provide a shelter from the elements,” it read, adding that the lack of camera systems and cell-phone reception “presents threats with respect to general safety and security of officers at these ports.”
Although the report is dated September 2014, it wasn’t published on the CBSA website until the end of January, according to Agency spokesperson Esme Bailey.
Another safety concern was the ages of many of the SRPOE facilities, according to the report, which identified 34 facilities that “have buildings more than 40 years old, with the oldest over 80 years old. This is beyond the expected service life of these structures and presents repeated maintenance issues and health and safety concerns.”
Additionally, the remote locations of many border-crossing facilities have created possible safety hazards “due to the distance from law-enforcement backup or medical services in the event of an emergency and the lack of cell-phone coverage in some areas. The Personal Alarm Security System radio system used at POEs [points of entry] has limited ability for port-to-port communication and cannot be used to communicate with other agencies.”
From 2008 to 2013, the report stated, there had been 105 reports of occupational health and safety-related incidents at SRPOEs. “Only 6.7 per cent of the incidents reported were related to infrastructure,” it added. “Between 2008 and 2012, 64 grievances and two work refusals related to OHS were initiated at SRPOEs, compared to 206 grievances and 25 work refusals related to OHS at other land-border POEs over the same period.”
In response to these concerns, the CBSA plans to invest $99 million over the next five years towards both infrastructure and oh&s issues at SRPOES.
“There are plans to address these issues through the replacement of critical SRPOE infrastructure under the Small Ports Infrastructure Replacement Initiative by 2015 and the implementation of recommendations developed by the Small Ports Working Group,” the report concluded.
Evaluation of Small and Remote Ports of Entry (SRPOE) – Final Report is available online at http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/agency-agence/reports-rapports/ae-ve/2014/srpoe-pepte-eng.html.
Chemical leak at pigment factory sparks evacuations
VARENNES, Que. – Several homes in the Montreal area were temporarily evacuated on the morning of March 21, after a leak of titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4) occurred in the chloride process unit of a Kronos Canada pigment-manufacturing plant in Varennes. The company, which creates a whitening agent called titanium dioxide, estimated in a press release that about three cubic metres of TiCl4 had spilled in the production unit at approximately 10:00 a.m. that day. The release added that the leak had resulted in no injuries or contamination to any Kronos employees and that the situation was under control. “Kronos Canada has implemented all usual environmental emergency and safety rules and procedures,” the company said, adding that it was “working in cooperation with the environmental and municipal authorities to take all appropriate measures to protect the population and the environment.” Three plant workers and two local residents received medical treatment following the leak, according to media reports.
Public-service employees rally nationwide against sick-leave changes
NATIONAL – Federal public-service workers across the nation came together in various municipalities on March 19, to protest against the government’s proposed changes to a sick-leave policy. Organized by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and its provincial and territorial branches, the nationwide rally included events in several cities in every province. “We are coming together to call for a stronger public service for all Canadians,” PSAC national president Robyn Benson said in a press statement on the day before the rallies. “We all reject the Treasury Board’s ‘Go to Work Sick’ plan. Instead, we want to negotiate measures for healthier workplaces.” Background information from the union noted that all federal public-service collective agreements were up for renewal and that cutbacks had led to unhealthy work environments and poor morale among PSAC members. Mental-health claims had been rising in public-service work, and the government had been ignoring buildings in poor shape and toxic workplaces, the PSAC said. The union represents more than 170,000 public-service workers in Canada.
Labour ministry, union investigate asbestos complaint
Alarm bells have been raised about the presence of asbestos and lack of sprinklers at a federal building in Ottawa, following two recent CBC media reports. But health and safety concerns at 875 Heron Road may have been resolved years ago, according to a union representative in Ottawa.
“Yes, there were certainly issues, but they were dealt with, as far as I can see,” said Marc Briere, the first national vice-president of the Union of Taxation Employees, the union representing employees at the Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC)-owned building. “And corrective measures have been taken.”
Briere noted that asbestos had been there from the start, but believed that workers had been aware of it for a while, although he could not say for how long. Since Briere was alerted to the CBC investigation, he has been talking with the local health and safety committee and going through years of reports.
The CBC report detailed the story of a former electrician, Denis Lapointe, who had worked for the Canada Revenue Agency from 1992 to 2008 at the Heron Rd. building and suffered negative health effects, which he now believes asbestos exposure caused. Lapointe claimed that his employer had deliberately withheld information that he had the right to know, such as potential hazardous exposure and his own medical records. The claims were the subject of a 2012 complaint to the Public Service Labour Relations Board. Lapointe uncovered, through Access to Information requests, documents that he believed showed evidence of asbestos exposure to workers during his employment.
The Ontario Ministry of Labour has confirmed that a health and safety officer is investigating a complaint related to the possible exposure of employees to asbestos at the building. “The Government of Canada is committed to preventing accidents and injury to [sic] health of employees in workplaces under federal jurisdiction,” said Andrew McGrath, director of communications for the Office of the Minister of Labour, in an email.
Most federally owned buildings in Ottawa contain asbestos because they were built before the dangers of asbestos were known, said Briere. Based on reports and conversations with local health and safety committee members, he believes some of the asbestos at 875 Heron Rd. has been treated and removed and some of it encapsulated to protect workers. “I don’t have the details, but I see multiple reports on actions that have been taken by the employer CRA and Public Works.”
Briere related that the co-chair of the committee had no concerns with air quality in the building and that a management plan ensured the safety of employees. But he admitted it was not an ideal situation. “Removal of asbestos is always the best solution because it eliminates the hazard completely,” he said.
The PWGCSC said that due to the age of the building, it was not uncommon for asbestos to be present. “That is why PWGSC commissions third-party reports on a yearly basis. These reports help identify new areas where asbestos may pose a risk,” said Annie Trepanier, media and public-relations manager for PWGSC.
“When new issues are raised, PWGSC informs the tenants as well as the Occupational Health and Safety Committee,” she added. “The PWGSC asbestos-management plan is also updated to ensure all contractors, maintenance staff or other workers are aware of the location of the asbestos, so it is not disturbed.”
Based on reports and inspections, PWGSC said, it follows an asbestos-abatement and -encapsulation program, which includes securing access to areas containing asbestos that may pose a risk, indicating its presence through signage and undertaking repairs or the removal of asbestos.
Committee not concerned about lack of sprinklers
Updates to the sprinkler system to install sprinklers throughout all floors of the high-rise building have not been made due to asbestos contamination, according to a subsequent CBC report. While not having sprinklers throughout all floors of a high-rise building contravenes current fire-code regulations, if the building was in compliance with the code when it was constructed, modifications are not necessary until major renovations take place, said a PWGSC spokesperson.
“When the building was constructed, it was compliant with the applicable code,” said Trepanier. “There is no requirement to retroactively address code changes until such time as major renovations are undertaken.”
Briere said the building did have sprinklers and that the local health and safety committee was not concerned because the building had a first-rate emergency plan. “When it comes down to it, they [the sprinklers] are not there to save lives. It’s there to protect the building,” he said, stressing that sprinklers cannot force workers to evacuate the building more quickly.
The CRA would not comment on the specific complaints, but a spokesperson said that the joint health and safety committee addresses health and safety hazards and shares information with employees.
“Our management and organizational culture ensures health and safety are fundamental considerations in every aspect of CRA business,” said Philippe Brideau, assistant director of media relations. The CRA’s occupational health and safety program not only meets, but exceeds legislative requirements, according to Brideau.
The union would be meeting with the CRA and the investigating safety officer soon to find out more, said Briere. “We are looking into it very seriously, and we are trying to make sure that we get all the answers to reassure our people. The employer is fully aware of the importance of the situation.”
How compatible are participatory ergonomics programs with occupational health and safety management systems?
Amin Yazdani, M.Sc., Nancy Theberge, Ph.D. and Richard Wells, Ph.D., Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario; W. Patrick Neumann, Ph.D., Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Ryerson University, Toronto; Daniel Imbeau, Ph.D., Département de Mathématiques et de Génie Industriel, École Polytechnique de Montréal; Philip Bigelow, Ph.D., School of Public Health and Health Systems, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, University of Waterloo; Mark Pagell, Ph.D., Smurfit Graduate School of Business, University College Dublin, Dublin; and Margo Hilbrecht, Ph.D., Canadian Index of Wellbeing, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, University of Waterloo
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are a major cause of pain, disability and costs. Prevention of MSD at work is frequently described in terms of implementing an ergonomics program, often a participatory ergonomics (PE) program. Most other workplace injury-prevention activities take place under the umbrella of a formal or informal occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS). This study assesses the similarities and differences between OHSMS and PE, as such knowledge could help improve MSD prevention activities. Using the internationally recognized Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series (OHSAS 18001), 21 OHSMS elements were extracted. In order to define PE operationally, the researchers identified the 20 most frequently cited papers on PE and extracted content relevant to each of the OHSAS 18001 elements. The PE literature provided a substantial amount of detail on five elements: (i) hazard identification, risk assessment and determining controls; (ii) resources, roles, responsibility, accountability and authority; (iii) competence, training and awareness; (iv) participation and consultation; and (v) performance measurement and monitoring. However, of the 21 OHSAS elements, the PE literature was silent on eight and provided few details on eight others. The PE literature did not speak to many elements described in OHSMS, and even when it did, the language used was often different. This may negatively affect the effectiveness and sustainability of PE initiatives within organizations. It is expected that paying attention to the approaches and language used in management-system frameworks could make prevention of MSD activities more effective and sustainable.
Scand J Work Environ Health, Volume 41, Issue 2, pages 111-123. Correspondence to: Amin Yazdani, Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1; email: ayazdani@uwaterloo.ca.
Epidemiology of work-related traumatic brain injury: A systematic review
Vicky C. Chang, M.P.H. and Angela Colantonio, Ph.D., Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto; E. Niki Guerriero, Bsc. (Hon.), Graduate Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Toronto
This systematic review aimed to describe the burden and risk factors of work-related traumatic brain injury (wrTBI) and evaluate methodological quality of existing literature on wrTBI. A search of electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL) was conducted to identify articles published between 1980 and 2013 using a combination of terms for work, TBI, and epidemiology, without geographical limitations. Ninety-eight studies were included in this review, of which 24 specifically focused on wrTBI. In general, male workers, those in the youngest and oldest age groups, and those working in the primary (e.g., agriculture, forestry, mining) or construction industries were more likely to sustain wrTBI, with falls being the most common mechanism of injury. This review identified workers at highest risk of wrTBI, with implications for prevention efforts. Future research of better methodological quality is needed to provide a more complete picture of the epidemiology of wrTBI.
Am J Ind Med, Volume 58, Issue 4, pages 353-377. Correspondence to: Angela Colantonio, Ph.D., Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, 160-500 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1V7; email: angela.colantonio@utoronto.ca.