Author Archives: Kimi Nomura Schwab

Photo of a female worker in a warehouse wearing a high vis vest picking up a box.

Suitable work after an injury at work helps support recovery.  Modified duties, or work accommodations, are temporary job changes offered to workers recovering from a workplace injury. This work can vary greatly depending on the industry, type of workplace, and physical and psychological abilities of the worker. No matter the industry, modified duties are an […]

Photo of two women sitting in a meeting room having a conversation.

Good communication and collaboration help support recovery.  By Tanya Colledge When someone is injured at work, good communication can make all the difference in their recovery. No one goes to work thinking they’re going to get injured, and for a lot of workers the fear of the unknown—lost wages, job security, and losing their connection […]

Photo of a male raising hand in a meeting.

Learn more about your employer responsibilities as WorkSafeBC’s return-to-work specialists answer the top 5 employer questions following a workplace injury.  By Tanya Colledge On January 1, 2024, amendments to the Workers Compensation Act under Bill 41 came into effect, outlining the legal obligations for employers and workers to cooperate with each other and with WorkSafeBC […]

Photo of worker at garden store pushing a cart outdoors.

Hantavirus is a virus carried by rodents that can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) in humans.  Spring and summer are the time of year when building supply stores and nurseries bring out all the fresh flowers, plants, and grass seeds. And while those with green thumbs can’t wait to dig in and get gardening, there’s […]

Shipper/receiver Gilda Adamson (left) and Loretta Fulton, owner of ALCA Distribution in Surrey, talk about Gilda's recovery from a shoulder injury

Returning to work safely while recovering from an injury requires collaboration between the worker and the employer.  By Marnie Douglas If you are injured at work, should you stop working until you recover? Not necessarily. Depending on the injury, a worker can benefit from remaining at work and taking on modified or alternative duties as […]

Photo of Charley and Genevieve Cragg at a winery.

A brave mother shares her experience and advocates for workplace safety changes in the maritime industry so that no one ever has to suffer a loss like she has.  “It was 100 percent predictable and 100 percent preventable.” That’s how Genevieve Cragg describes the incident that took the life of her 25-year-old son Charley in […]

Photo of two males wearing PPE in a warehouse discussing information on a paper document.

Whether your business is large or small, employers are responsible for ensuring a healthy and safe workplace.  I recently spoke with Tami Der, manufacturing consultant in Prevention Programs and Services at WorkSafeBC, who gave me an overview of how employers can find resources to help them meet their health and safety obligations. Q: How can […]

Photo of two workers in PPE welding material.

Learn more about the duty to cooperate and duty to maintain employment.  By Tanya Colledge, Guest contributor to Speaking of Safety When you’re injured at work, there are a lot of questions that come to mind. When will I recover? How will I pay my bills? What will happen to my job? It can be […]

Photo of a male putting on PPE on an asbestos abatement site.

New protections to help keep everyone safe from the danger of asbestos came into effect on January 1, 2024 in British Columbia.  By Marnie Douglas, Guest contributor to Speaking of Safety Starting January 1, 2024, all asbestos abatement contractors must be licensed to operate in British Columbia. Additionally, anyone performing asbestos abatement work must complete […]

Photo of male holding protective equipment in a classroom setting.

An important date for employers and workers in the asbestos abatement industry in British Columbia is fast approaching.  By Marnie Douglas, Guest contributor to Speaking of Safety Exposure to asbestos can cause serious long-term health issues and even death. Anyone who repairs, renovates, or demolishes buildings is at risk of exposure, as asbestos was widely […]