Hantavirus is a virus carried by rodents that can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) in humans. Spring and summer are the time of year when building supply stores and nurseries bring out all the fresh flowers, plants, and grass seeds. And while those with green thumbs can’t wait to dig in and get gardening, there’s […]
WorkSafeBC inspections are an important part of ensuring health and safety in B.C. workplaces. Our prevention officers focus on risk management basics to ensure the most significant risks are effectively addressed. A risk management approach involves workers and employers identifying hazards, evaluating risks, and implementing controls that are specific to the on-site activities. Prevention officers […]
BC Construction Safety Alliance can lighten the load of managing a construction business and make safety simpler. As a business grows, reviewing workplace health and safety obligations is one of the many tasks employers need to address. Thankfully, the BC Construction Safety Alliance (BCCSA) is here to help. “When [employers are] trying to run their […]
BC 1 Call reminds homeowners, and commercial contractors to “click or call before you dig” into the ground for any outdoor project, big or small. In 2020, a worker was seriously injured while operating an ATV at a vineyard. The worker was driving down an 11% slope when the ATV lurched ahead unexpectedly. The ATV […]
A new resource makes it easier to prevent interactions between people and vehicles before they happen. When it comes to preventing struck-by incidents at work, simply telling workers to “pay attention” is not enough says Heather Kahle, a human factors specialist at WorkSafeBC. “We need to recognize that people can’t ‘pay attention’ to all things […]
Demand for cannabis remains steady, and on-going training is essential for workers using new technology and tools to process, store, receive, and ship products. Ever since cannabis was legalized in 2018, Canadians have seen many new products become available. The industry uses new types of machinery and processes for extracting active ingredients from cannabis […]
New protections to help keep everyone safe from the danger of asbestos come into effect on January 1, 2024 in British Columbia. By Marnie Douglas, Guest contributor to Speaking of Safety Starting January 1, 2024, all asbestos abatement contractors must be licensed to operate in British Columbia. Additionally, anyone performing asbestos abatement work must complete […]
Regulation changes in B.C. outline employer responsibility when unsafe work refusal is unresolved, and work is reassigned. The refusal of unsafe work is a fundamental right for workers. It’s also a responsibility. The new amendments to B.C.’s Occupational Health and Safety Regulation support this right by specifying how employers must respond. An employer must investigate […]
Get ready for fall conditions and review your company driving policy, clear storm drains, and prepare for rain on the roads. September tends to be a month of transitions. “It’s the perfect time to review your company’s driving policy in your health and safety program,” says safety advisor Lorne Davies of the Manufacturing Safety Alliance […]
New eTick photo ID app helps identify ticks that carry disease. The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) is asking people to send in photos of ticks, using the eTick app. Your submitted photos are reviewed by a regional expert. Information is then sent back to you about whether a bite could lead to […]
