Chronically gifted refers to the many positive things that come with age. In our youth-oriented culture, aging is usually depicted in a very negative way. But older workers bring improved workplace wisdom, skills, and knowledge. They may also need help in workplaces designed for younger people.
Category: Health & safety solutions
What are workers to do when nature calls but there’s no where to go? The Brief Relief Urinal Bag is a solution for truckers, utility workers, military personnel, and others without toilet access. “Holding it in” can cause health problems and many other ad hoc toilet solutions are too unsanitary.
When I first downloaded the OHS Regulation app to my iPhone, I thought about how far this workplace safety regulation has come since I first looked at it. Once upon a time the Reg was in a big set of binders; now it’s accessible (and update-able) by touch screen on my phone!
WorkSafeBC’s Research Secretariat is funding part of a project by Pro-Active Safety Systems Technology Inc. to develop a proximity detector to protect workers around mobile equipment. “You get no second chance with mobile equipment,” said co-inventor Richard Shervey, an industrial electrician. “There’s no crumple zones and they’re made out of solid steel. When they hit you, most of the time the worst happens. All it takes is one second of inattention.”
Voice strain can be a problem for teachers, fitness trainers, sales people, and others who use their voices a lot at work. Yelling over background noise and trying to talk in a deeper pitch can damage our vocal folds – also known commonly as “vocal cords.”
Preston Boomars, of Ventana Construction, created an innovative solution for dealing with electrical cords on the worksite. His “Electrical Cord Management System” won Ventana a Safety Innovation in Construction Award from the Canadian Society of Safety Engineers.
Elves are known for working hard – and often they work a bit too hard. Their work ethic is so strong, and they have so much energy, that they don’t really like taking breaks. As their supervisor, Santa has a role to play in helping keep them safe at work.
Safety is a big issue for hotel managers with properties in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside – a neighbourhood known for its struggle with poverty and addiction. Recently a trio of researchers won a Special Project award from the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering for their Downtown East Side SRO Project that addresses safety for workers and residents.
If you’re not on Twitter yet, you probably should be. I started a Twitter account for this blog (@speakinofsafety) about six months ago and I’ve had a personal account since 2008. I’ve encountered so many ideas, photos, comments, debates, links, and invitations to events in real life. Check out my links to great OHS resources you can “follow” on Twitter to keep in the loop.
Recently I heard about a new safety training package for workers who live with challenges like autism, Down’s Syndrome, and fetal alcohol exposure. It’s called “WorkSmart: A Warehouse Safety Video and Curriculum for Employees with Developmental Disabilities” and it was created by the Developmental Disabilities Association (DDA). I talked with Kirsti Inglis, who oversees the DDA’s employment programs, to find out more.
