Safety check-ins are crucial if you’re working alone or in isolation. This applies whether you’re outside in a remote location, in an office, or in a store. Happy Valentine’s Day! On this day of the couple, let’s talk about being alone – more specifically, being alone at work. If we work alone or in isolation, […]
Have you ever wondered about the name of the Ironworkers Memorial bridge? This video shares stories from some workers who survived its collapse in 1958. The worst industrial disaster in Vancouver’s history happened on June 17, 1958, when one of the spans being constructed for the new Second Narrows Bridge collapsed. Seventy-nine workers plunged into […]
“Could this have been you?” Learn about recent fatalities, injuries, and close calls in B.C. workplaces so you can prevent similar incidents from happening. I’m one of more than 12,000 people who subscribe to an enews with summaries of recent workplace incidents reported to WorkSafeBC. Ten years ago, I signed up for this information. At […]
Some restaurant workers are choosing sneakers instead of heels. One server welcomes B.C. regulation changes that stop employers from requiring high heels. I asked a friend of mine – let’s call her Charlotte – what she thought about amendments to the B.C. regulation on occupational footwear that essentially bans employers from requiring heels. She’s 39 and […]
Read one manager’s tips for getting buy-in during safety talks. He honed his skills at BC Construction Safety Alliance’s Train the Safety Trainer course. Russell Thompson is an environmental technologist and OHS manager for McCue Engineering Contractors. It’s a company that designs, builds, and operates water treatment systems throughout western Canada. Sometimes he gives safety talks […]
The BC Smoke Alarm Movement wants to see a smoke alarm in every home. They’ve distributed and installed more than 41,000 alarms during the past three years. One Christmas, my friend got a smoke alarm from his grandma. I wrote about it in my post Give the gift of safety this holiday season. Thankfully, there […]
Did you make any New Year’s resolutions? How about getting more sleep? See why it’s a good idea; read the NSC’s 2017 Employee Survey on Workplace Fatigue. My New Year’s resolution for 2018 is to get more sleep. Being tired is something I avoid as much as possible, but occasionally I stay up too late […]
This is my last post of the year. Here’s 2017 in review, with my top moments from the year. Thanks to everyone for reading and commenting. See you in 2018. I’d like to thank everyone for speaking of safety with me in 2017. Thanks to all my readers and to all the experts who shared […]
It’s the holiday season. What could go wrong? Let’s think about safety issues at work, at home, in the community – while shopping, driving, and walking. Each year, I list hazards to look out for during the winter holiday season, and here I am doing it again. Please keep these tips in mind, share them […]
WorkSafeBC inspectors see too many manufacturing shop workers spraying paint in makeshift booths or other areas not designed to control the hazards. Reading this new bulletin from WorkSafeBC, Reducing the risk of fires or explosions when spraying flammable products, made me think about a friend of mine who uses a lot of flammable substances at […]
