Safety Scoops & Articles
March 2022 Safety Scoop: Hearing Loss Protection
MARCH 2022 | Hearing Loss Prevention
Hearing is a serious issue that affects many people in their day to day lives. Did you know that noise induced hearing loss is the number one occupational disease in the U.S.A and Canada? Hearing loss is a long-term, acute health condition that can result in reduced quality of life, productivity, and increased risk of incidents at the workplace. Learn how to protect the hearing of your employees!
Hearing Loss Protection
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Our focus in March is on Hearing Loss Prevention. This is a serious issue that affects many people in their day to day lives. Did you know that noise induced hearing loss is the number one occupational disease in the U.S.A and Canada? Hearing loss is a long-term, acute health condition that can result in reduced quality of life, productivity, and increased risk of incidents at the workplace.
Hearing health can be affected by more than just loud noises. Damage to hearing can happen to anyone and anywhere, especially if hazards have not been identified and controls have not been put in place to protect workers. Dig into this month's Safety Scoop to learn more!
Here's The Scoop
How does hearing work?
What is noise induced hearing loss?
What are ototoxic chemicals?
How can I prevent hearing loss at home and at work?
And much more…
Get the Training
This online, self-paced course introduces workers to the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act, Regulation, and Code. By reviewing this information, workers should have an awareness, understanding, and confidence needed to work safely.
Topics covered include:
How to increase worker knowledge regarding health and safety systems
The basics of health and safety legislation
The types of hazard assessments and controls
The importance of safety training and safety meetings
What safety measures are taken when other parties visit a worksite
How to prevent incidents through measures such as lockout/tagout (or LOTO)
The importance of worksite incident investigations, and
How to develop an emergency response plan
Visit our course calendar to explore other courses, see availability in your region, and register today!
February 2022 Safety Scoop: Rigging
FEBRUARY 2022 | Basic Rigging
It is essential that workers are properly trained and competent and to know how to use rigging properly while lifting, moving, turning and flipping materials across all industries. Proper rigging training, maintenance and knowledge reduces the likeliness of injury and makes the workplace safer for everyone.
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Basic Rigging
February’s Safety Scoop focus is Rigging. Did you know that most industries in Alberta use cranes, rigging and hardware to move, lift and transport equipment in and around their facilities and yards? In addition, cranes, hoists and lifting accounted for the most injuries and incidents with 21 Potentially Serious Incidents being reported to Alberta OHS since 2018. Rigging uses diverse parts and components including slings, rigging hardware and below-the-hook lifting devices, to make up an entire lifting system.
It is essential that workers are properly trained and competent and to know how to use rigging properly while lifting, moving, turning and flipping materials across all industries. Proper rigging training, maintenance and knowledge reduces the likeliness of injury and makes the workplace safer for everyone.
Here is the scoop:
What’s involved in rigging?
How do I ensure my rigging equipment is safe to use?
What is the Rigging Resource Center?
What legislation applies to rigging?
And much more…
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Basic Rigging
This 1-day interactive course gives participants a basic level of knowledge for attaching various loads to the crane hook.
Topics covered include:
Understanding applicable legislation
Determining load weight, centre of gravity and suitable lifting points
Rigging selection, inspection and proper use
Effect of sling angles
Danger zone and pinch points
Tag lines and hand signaling
Participant learning is reinforced by rigging up assorted loads.
Visit our course calendar to explore other courses, see availability in your region, and register today!
January 2022 Safety Scoop: Legislation Awareness
JANUARY 2022 | Legislation Awareness
Legislation is there to protect workers and employers from incidents and injuries, but it can only do so when everyone knows how it applies to them on the worksite. Refresh your understanding of legislation with this month’s safety scoop.
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For January, we’re focusing on Legislation Awareness. With the recent changes to legislation, now is a great time to review what you know about OHS legislation and to learn some new things. Legislation is there to protect workers and employers from incidents and injuries, but it can only do so when everyone knows how it applies to them on the worksite. This month’s safety scoop will help everyone get on the same page!
Here is the scoop:
How does OHS legislation apply to you?
What is the Act, the Regulation and the Code?
How does the OHS Act affect you?
What is an administrative penalty?
What are your rights?
What other legislation applies to you?
And much more!
Get the Training
Navigating Alberta OHS Legislation
This 1-day course gives the participants a basic understanding of the structure of Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety legislation. Participants will learn to successfully navigate the OHS Handbook by completing individual exercises and activities. Each participant will receive an OHS Handbook to participate in this course.
5 Types of Basic First Aid
In an emergency, first aid provides an injured person with the necessary care, perhaps before paramedics arrive to offer medical treatment. Anyone who has received first aid training can provide this basic care — it may even result in a saved life. Since different emergencies require quite different action, what are the types of first aid you should know?
1. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
Those trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can help a victim of cardiac arrest to start breathing again. CPR involves first checking the person’s airway is clear, then using rescue breathing and chest compressions to maintain blood circulation.
2. Bleeding
It’s important to stop a wound from bleeding to prevent the loss of too much blood. You’ll need to be able to identify the type of bleeding to determine its severity and know when the person needs medical attention.
3. Burns
To treat a burn, you need to remove its source (whether that’s heat, a chemical, or electricity) and then cool the affected area with running water for several minutes. Aloe vera and over-the-counter medication are useful for minor burns, whereas major burns require immediate medical attention.
4. Choking
An obstruction leading to choking can cut off a person’s air supply and lead to unconsciousness or even death. It’s important to recognize if someone is choking and needs help. Plus, you need to know what procedure is appropriate to use. For instance, when a person is unable to cough or talk but is still conscious, you should use the Heimlich maneuver; however, the appropriate first aid is different for someone who is unconscious.
5. Broken Bones
You should always treat any injury to a limb, hand, or foot as if it were a broken bone to prevent further damage. If it’s not an open fracture, the person is conscious, there is no heavy bleeding, and the skin appears normal, add a cold pack to the injury. You should also create a splint with padding for a limb injury, without trying to straighten the limb, before you head to the hospital. Broken bones related to the spine, head, pelvis, hip, and thigh are more severe and require emergency treatment. You’ll need to wait for an ambulance, as only a trained medical professional should move the injured person.
It’s crucial that your employees know at least the basic types of first aid to keep the workplace safe. Receive training for your team from MHSA. Check out our calendar to find dates that suit you for courses in emergency and standard first aid.
Happy Holidays from MHSA!
Thank you for allowing MHSA to support you as your certifying partner and for choosing to make your workplaces safe! It is members like you who make our jobs a pleasure and keep MHSA employees motivated and the association successful, in our efforts to reduce workplace injuries and illnesses.
Dear MHSA members,
I want to extend our season’s greetings and thank you for your continued trust in MHSA and your commitment to health and safety. Thank you for allowing MHSA to support you as your certifying partner and for choosing to make your workplaces safe. It is members like you who make our jobs a pleasure and keep MHSA employees motivated and the association successful, in our efforts to reduce workplace injuries and illnesses.
May your holiday season and the new year be filled with much joy, happiness, and success. We look forward to working with you in 2022!
Have a safe and happy holiday, and a happy New Year!
Best wishes,
Mike Bett
MHSA Vaccination Policy Update
*This policy is no longer in effect as of February 25, 2022. The MHSA is currently following all AHS guidelines and jurisdictional bylaws to ensure the safety of our staff and visitors. *
MHSA considers the protection and promotion of health, safety, and environment (HSE) a fundamental value and corporate responsibility governing all its activities. Our aim is to be a leader in the promotion of workplace safety demonstrated through a health and safety culture. MHSA’s leadership is sharing, advocating, and stewarding the COVID-19 Vaccination policy for the health and wellness of its employees, and the whole community.
Effective January 1st, 2022, MHSA class participants, contractors, and visitors are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or to provide proof of a negative test result within the last 72 hours. The 72 hours should cover the entire course dates scheduled or a secondary negative COVID test will be required in order to complete the course program.
To verify vaccination status class participants, contractors and visitors will be required to provide their unique QR code or a negative test result with government issued photo ID.
Virtual options are also still available to participants that cannot meet the COVID-19 vaccination requirements.
We will continue practicing our other safety measures to protect against the spread of COVID-19. These include:
Health screening
Social distancing
Masking in classes and hallways
Small class sizes
Hand sanitizing stations throughout our facilities
Plexiglass barriers at student check-in desks and reception
No watercoolers or coffee machines in classrooms
This policy will remain in place for an undefined period as long as the risks and impact of COVID-19 are present. The policy will be reviewed on a regular basis and amended as required.
December 2021 Safety Scoop: Health and Safety Policies and Responsibilities
DECEMBER 2021 | Health and Safety Policies and Responsibilities
Health and Safety policies are used by a company to inform employees how they are providing a safe workplace. While it is everyone's responsibility to keep each other safe on the worksite, policies can outline how it is to be done.
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The focus of December’s Safety Scoop is Health and Safety Policies and Responsibilities. Health and Safety policies by a company to inform employees how they are providing a safe workplace. While it is everyone's responsibility to keep each other safe on the worksite, policies can outline how it is to be done.
Here is the scoop:
What is incident investigation and what is its purpose?
What is a Health and Safety Policy?
Does my company need a health and safety policy?
What are my responsibilities for safety at work?
How does management show they are committed to safety?
And much more!
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Safety Basics
This 2-day course provides the information desired to create and implement a comprehensive safety management system and is aligned with the standards for a Certificate of Recognition (COR) with the MHSA. Participants will be provided with the principles, knowledge, skill and documentation necessary for the development and day-to-day administration of an effective health and safety management system.
Visit our course calendar to explore other courses, see availability in your region, and register today!
OHS Legislation Changes: Further Details
The MHSA is committed to keeping you up to date whenever there is a change in legislation or in the industry. With the new legislation changes coming into effect on December 1st, we have some resources that will help you better understand what these changes mean for you and your company. So, without further ado,
Links to new OHS legislation:
For publications that have been updated to reflect the upcoming new requirements:
Until Dec 1, 2021 these will be posted on the “Upcoming legislation changes” section of the OHS Online Resource Portal
If you have any questions regarding the changes, you can contact your local MHSA office
Safety Scoop November 2021: Do you know your emergency response plan?
NOVEMBER 2021 | Incident Investigations
This month focuses on the purposes of incident investigations. Help your employees become familiar with proper procedures, training, and what their roles are in incident investigation.
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November’s Safety Scoop focuses on the purposes of incident investigations. Help your employees become familiar with proper procedures, training, and what their roles are in incident investigation. Incidents can occur in the workplace at any time, so it is vitally important that your company can properly investigate, identify its true causes, and determine appropriate corrective actions.
Here is the scoop:
What is incident investigation and what is its purpose?
What does Alberta OH&S require of investigations?
When and what should you investigate?
A sample worksheet
And much more...
Get the Training
Principles of Workplace Investigation Course
This 1-day course, offered in person and virtually, will allow participants to gain an understanding of the purpose and benefits of conducting incident investigations, the steps to follow, and evidence they need to gather. Participants will have to successfully complete a practical investigation, and develop a report using methodology learned. This report will then be collected from each participant at the end of the course to be evaluated, ensuring they have acquired the knowledge and skills necessary.
Visit our course calendar to explore other courses, see availability in your region, and register today!
How to Protect Your Employees Against Winter Safety Hazards
In Canada over 42,000 workers get injured annually due to fall incidents. This number represents about 18% of the "time-loss injuries" that were accepted by workers' compensation boards or commissions across Canada (based on statistics from Association of Workers' Compensation Boards of Canada, 2016). Incidents caused by falling can occur at any time, but there is a particular high risk during the winter season for an employee to slip on an icy surface.
Due to factors like cold temperatures, snow, and ice, winter brings additional hazards that you don’t face during the rest of the year. This makes it extra crucial that employers take steps to create a safer workplace. Proactive employer preparedness is essential to prevent and or lower costs related to incidents, lost time from work and legal action.
Prevent Falls
To prevent slips and falls, employers should ensure to regularly clear ice from walkways, doorways, driveways. This should not just include places where employees are working, but also in outdoor break areas and parking lots to ensure workers are able to exit their vehicles safely. In addition, make sure to remove any spilled water before it can freeze and turn to ice. Finally, encourage employees to take extra precautions. This may include reviewing as part of safety talks and could include using footwear with deep treads and, whenever possible, reporting hazards such as ice immediately.
Be Aware of the Signs of Frostbite and Hypothermia
At very cold temperatures, one of the most serious concerns for employees working outdoors is the risk of hypothermia or dangerous overcooling of the body. Another serious effect of cold exposure is frostbite or freezing of the exposed extremities such as fingers, toes, nose and ear lobes. Hypothermia could be fatal in absence of immediate medical attention. If employees are exposed to extreme cold, they will need to be monitored for signs of frostbite or hypothermia. The signs of the first include hard, pale, numb skin, blisters, and stiffness in the joints or muscles. Indications of the second are shivering, fatigue, slurred speech, and poor coordination. Hypothermia is a medical emergency. At the first sign, find medical help immediately. The survival of the employee/victim depends on their co-workers ability to recognize the symptoms of hypothermia. The victim is generally not able to notice his or her own condition. If you suspect that an employee is suffering from either condition, move the person to somewhere warm and seek medical attention.
Increase Employee Involvement in Safety Programs
Health and safety programs are most effective when employees are engaged. By involving workers in the planning of these programs, they are given the opportunity to provide their own insights and feel that their voices are being heard. This will also assist to boost company morale and culture.
Together with employees, run through established or newly created a risk assessment where evaluate winter-related hazards can occur. Create a strategy to minimize risk through specific control measures such as cleatchs, inspections and job specific training. Encourage employees always and immediately to report all incidents that occur. This will aid to ensure the employer has an accurate record of risks. Ideally, a review of this information should take place at regular intervals and once the program has been implemented, it is recommended that the company hold a subsequent meeting with employees and or committees to discuss the need for any updates.
One final way to make sure everyone on your team is prepared for the winter is to offer workplace health and safety training. At MHSA, you can find a range of courses for everything from safety basics and hazard assessment to specialized safety programs. Visit our online portal to enroll your employees in courses they can study at a time that suits them.