The National Day of Mourning is April 28. People will keep memories alive together online, reminding us why workplace health and safety matters. More than 100 countries around the world recognize April 28 as Workers’ Memorial Day. In Canada, the federal government enacted the Workers Mourning Day Act in 1991, declaring April 28 an official […]
The International Media Festival for Prevention has announced their shortlist of 50 safety films and media projects. I recently enjoyed watching a variety of fascinating workplace health and safety messages from across Canada and around the world. They were part of the International Media Festival for Prevention (IMFP), which showcases multimedia productions about safety and […]
One restaurant owner explains how barriers and a clear anti-harassment strategy are two ways to support workers — and they make good business sense too. The B.C. Provincial Health Officer recently issued an order requiring all employers to review their COVID-19 safety plans, and ensure that appropriate protocols are in place to protect workers from […]
Good communication is an important part of safety for fishing crews, especially when people of different generations are working together on boats. Effective communication is key to working safely in any industry. But communicating effectively can be a challenge when different generations of people work together. (Read more in my post Talking safety with different […]
A new psychological support toolkit is available for workers and employers coping with increased anxiety and stress due to COVID-19. Approximately 46,000 Canadians responded to an online questionnaire from Statistics Canada, and just over 52 percent of them reported a decline in their mental health due to COVID-19. They reported increased anxiety and stress. Beyond […]
B.C.’s wood product manufacturers are working together to share their experiences and find industry-wide solutions for preventing combustible dust fires. At 3 a.m. on May 11, 2020, a fire broke out in the dryer system at a pellet mill in Lavington, B.C. Thankfully, the mill’s fire suppression system activated, no one was injured, and damage […]
Scott Construction won a Builders Code Champion Award for its efforts to support workers’ mental health, which include forming a mental health committee. On average, each year, around one in five people in Canada will experience a mental health challenge or illness, according to the Canadian Mental Health Association. Motivated by the desire to support […]
The practice of mindfulness can help us navigate times of uncertainty. A Vancouver counsellor describes how it benefits us at work and in the rest of life. In the midst of this COVID-19 pandemic, it’s easy for people to feel overwhelmed and anxious. Practising mindfulness during times of uncertainty like this can be a helpful […]
The “Cool or Tool?” app raises construction workers’ awareness of what is and isn’t acceptable workplace conduct. It’s fun and takes only two minutes a day. B.C.’s construction industry employs about 250,000 workers, including labourers and skilled tradespeople. In March 2019, several industry partners collaborated to launch the Builders Code, an initiative that provides B.C.’s […]
Today’s labour shortage means workers have lots of employers to choose from. Employers with good health and safety programs are more likely to attract them. Attracting qualified workers is a challenge for many industries today. Recently I spoke with Lisa McGuire, CEO of the Manufacturing Safety Alliance (the Alliance), about what this challenge looks like […]
