A new research study looks at the connection between being on your feet for long periods and painful foot conditions — something I know all too well. Plantar fasciitis (PF) is an inflammation of the “plantar fascia,” a thick band of tissue that connects the heel to the toes — and I have first-hand knowledge […]
Shawn Michaels has seen many chainsaw injuries during his work life. Now, he’s designing a safety jacket that protects arborists against chainsaw blades. “I think this is likely the safest jacket on the planet,” says Shawn Michaels, an arborist and technical apparel student at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU). He’s referring to the Kevlar safety jacket […]
Bike to Work Week celebrates cycling and encourages people to start new commuting habits. A cycling instructor shares advice for keeping safe on the roads. People around B.C. are gearing up for Bike to Work Week (May 27 to June 2). Riders sign up, form teams with coworkers, and visit “Celebration Stations” for free snacks, […]
I visit many places online when I’m looking for ideas about what to write for this blog. One great source is WorkSafeBC’s monthly Health and Safety Enews. Since this blog began in 2010, I’ve talked about health and safety with hundreds of people in different industries. Many of their stories will stay with me forever. […]
New videos explore what motivates agriculture workers to make safe choices. One reason, beyond rules and regulations, is having family who rely on you. Reg Steward has had many opportunities to learn about what motivates people to work safely. For the past 18 years, he’s worked with AgSafe, the health and safety association for B.C.’s […]
“If I could save another person from drowning … I’ll be so happy.” Survivors speak out with hope in new WorkSafeBC video to keep others safe on the water. Wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) could have made all the difference. That’s the message in Turning the Tide: PFDs in the Fishing Industry, a new […]
My friend developed a bad case of Lyme disease after getting a tick bite. The risk is low in B.C. but we still need to know how to prevent and handle bites. In 2004, my friend Alessandro was bitten by a tick while picking grapes in his East Vancouver yard. At one point, he noticed […]
Please use caution when carrying ladders through passageways, doorways, or any place where your view is obstructed – I was nearly hit by one last spring. It’s time for spring cleaning! But before you haul out your ladder at work or at home, I have something to say about ladder safety. Usually we talk about […]
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 […]
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 […]
