Category: Training & education

Photo of person wearing non-medical face mask and holding sign in Mandarin "I'm doing my part"

COVID-19 health and safety information is available in 120+ languages in B.C., where more than a million people use languages other than English.  At first, I wondered if there was much point in writing — in English — about resources available in other languages. But I’m writing this with the hope that readers will pass […]

Photo of cleaning staff reaching as they disinfect elevator to avoid contagion

The risk of musculoskeletal injury (MSI) may increase at workplaces where processes have changed because of COVID-19 safety protocols.  During the past few months we’ve seen many changes in how people carry out their jobs. Physical distancing, protective barriers, increased cleaning measures, and other safety solutions may lead to workers moving differently. Workers at fast […]

Photo of person wearing face mask to protect against COVID-19 and about to climb ladder to put up winter holiday lights

Along with COVID-19 health and safety measures, remember to keep safety in mind for the usual seasonal activities like climbing ladders and driving in winter conditions.  Follow ladder safety when putting up decorations Putting up holiday lights is one tradition we can still enjoy while staying close to home. This year, I notice many people […]

Photo of a person working a ditch in the middle of the road, surrounded by cones on the roadside.

Freshen up your knowledge on traffic safety to help keep roadside workers safe while they do their jobs in the cone zone.  Mitchell Martin is a dad, husband, and soccer coach. He’s also a tow truck driver who provides crucial help for stranded drivers. Mitchell is one of more than 10,000 people who work on […]

Photo of a coffee shop worker cleaning a table while wearing a surgical mask and protective gloves to prevent spread of COVID-19 transmission.

Kudos to B.C.’s businesses for working hard to plan and implement safety controls that protect workers and the public from COVID-19 transmission.  In May, the B.C. government implemented its phased approach for reopening B.C. businesses. WorkSafeBC supported this approach by developing industry-specific protocols to help businesses return to operations safely. Kelly Mean, an occupational safety […]

Photo of everygreen seedlings on a reforestation site

Hundreds of new tree planters will be at work in B.C. in 2020. One employer shares how preventive taping and early reporting can prevent RSI injuries.  Hundreds of new tree planters will be at work in B.C. in 2020, according to this CBC article. They’re needed to meet the increased demand to replenish forests destroyed […]

Photo of worker and supervisor in a marine setting

More employers are using handheld devices to do business. WorkSafeBC has updated its Supervising for Safety course to make it compatible with tablets.  Roger Hall is the safety manager at RIMEX, a company that makes, sells, and distributes wheels and rims for industrial vehicles. Recently, he told me how his company is shifting to using […]

Photo of forest nursery worker wrapping tree seedlings at a workstation with wrists in a neutral wrist posture (straight wrist)

Forest nursery workers who grow trees for planting need proper training, lighting, and posture to avoid musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs).  I came across this CBC news story that said planting a trillion trees could be the “most effective way to fight global warming.” It also included this interesting statistic: professional tree planters can plant up to […]

Photo of mobile coffee service and information booth for Actsafe

The Actsafe team gave out free coffee and talked about safety orientations with workers at studios and workplaces during its 2019 Injury Prevention Week.  As part of Actsafe’s Injury Prevention (AIP) Week, a team from Actsafe used a travelling “safety café” to hand out coffee and talk about safety with workers around Metro Vancouver. While […]

Photo of woman and man in safety vests and hard hats with loaded log transporter behind them

The Vancouver Island Safety Conference started in 2005 with a small group of forestry employers and safety officers. Since then, it’s grown a lot.  The 14th Annual Vancouver Island Safety Conference (VISC) is coming up on Saturday, October 5, 2019 in Nanaimo, B.C. Topics for this year’s conference include change management, mental health, and substance […]