Free, confidential mental health supports are available for B.C. farmers, ranchers, and growers affected by extreme weather, wildfires, and the pandemic. B.C. farmers have been hard hit by the extreme heat dome, COVID-19, and historic rainfall and floods — all occurring within the same year. Many lost all their crops, or were forced to evacuate, […]
A registered massage therapist and ergonomist share their tips to work comfortably and reduce the risk of injury while working at a desk. Working at a desk may seem like a low-risk activity, compared with other kinds of work, but even sitting for long periods can lead to muscle pain. Recently, I read that regular […]
Fatigue at work may not be just from lack of sleep. Workplace elements like tasks, environment, and facility design can also contribute to fatigue. When workers are tired, the risk of incidents and injuries to themselves, other workers, and members of the public increases. Improving sleep (easier for some than others) can help, but that’s […]
Employers must ensure that non-qualified workers and their materials, equipment, and machinery remain at least 3 metres (10 feet) away from high-voltage sources. Power lines overhead and underground pose a risk of electric shock to workers in many different industries. For example, this summer in B.C., a landscaping worker sustained an electric shock during tree-falling […]
Workers on curbside patios face hazards of working near traffic, and employers must assess the risk, to keep workers and customers safe. B.C.’s annual summer Cone Zone campaign reminds drivers to slow down and move over when they see people working on the roadside. You might picture road-maintenance crews, first responders, municipal workers, and construction […]
Conducting a walk-through can identify potential COVID-19 transmission spots and determine if changes are needed to create a safer workspace. Every workplace has its own COVID-19 challenges that call for carefully thought-out solutions. Listening to workers and observing work premises are the first steps to assess risks in your workplace. An assessment helps identify potential […]
Health and safety organizations are developing new resources for employers in the cannabis industry to help keep workers safe. Tadhg O’Leary is a safety advisor with AgSafeBC, the health and safety association for B.C.’s agricultural producers. He has been working with a number of cannabis growers to answer their questions and offer support as they […]
A local manufacturing company shares its approach to well-organized workspaces that reduce the risk of slips, trips, and falls in the workplace. Recently I spoke about maintaining safe workspaces with Roger Hall, health and safety manager at RIMEX’s 200,000-square-foot production plant in Agassiz, B.C. The company manufactures wheels and rims for large industrial vehicles, and […]
WorkSafeBC is increasing workplace inspections to review COVID-19 safety plans. During a recent COVID-19 update on CBC radio, I heard B.C.’s Health Minister Adrian Dix thank WorkSafeBC for supporting public health orders. WorkSafeBC has visited thousands of workplaces since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to support employers with their health and safety planning, and […]
A local streetscape planner shares best practices for businesses managing physically distanced lineups, with advice on signage, exits, and customer traffic. Public health guidelines in B.C. advise people to keep at least 2 metres apart to prevent transmission of COVID-19. For businesses whose doors open onto streets with pedestrian traffic, this posed new challenges in […]
