Kimber and Tucker Safety Coordinators

NEWSLETTER
Summer, 2021

Date: July 1, 2021

Attention: Current Safety Clients

Again this season, Kimber and Tucker have a few announcements relating to your Safety program. Please take a few minutes to review the following, initiated as part of our continued commitment to effectively coordinate your current Safety requirements.

N.S. Dept. of Labour and Advanced Education: Free Health and Safety e-Courses *

The Occupational Health and Safety Division of the Department of Labour and Advanced Education is pleased to announce the availability of free Safety Training to the people of Nova Scotia. These courses are delivered, in partnership with the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), and provide up-to-date and relevant topics in both Health and Safety.

All CCOHS courses are available in both English and French. 24 online courses to choose from, limit 3 courses per person per calendar year. You must be a resident of Nova Scotia to qualify. Contact CCOHS Client Services for more information.

Safety Bulletin: N.S. Dept. of Labour and Advanced Education (Heat Stress) *

Heat Stress is the buildup of heat in the body to the point where the body’s thermostat has difficulty maintaining normal internal body temperature. It happens when high temperature combines with other factors such as high humidity, hard physical workload, clothing, dehydration and physical condition.

Heat Stress is a condition that can take several forms, depending on the severity of external and internal factors and, of course, the condition of the individual. The heating and cooling balance in the body depends on air temperature, humidity, radiant heat, physical activity, and cooling.

Heat Stress is an issue in many workplaces all year round. Heat Stress not only affects employees working outdoors, but also those who are exposed to radiant heat or who come in direct physical contact with hot equipment as part of their job.

Symptoms of Heat Stress include Heat Rash (Itchy red skin), Heat Cramps (painful muscle cramps), Heat Exhaustion (faint, headache, confusion, nausea or vomiting), or Heat Stroke (hot dry skin, no sweating, high body temperature, confusion or convulsions). If you believe you or another person may be subject to Heat Stress, seek a first-aid attendant immediately.

Employers have a duty under the OHS ACT to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of the worker. This includes developing policies and procedures to protect workers who have direct physical contact with hot equipment, are exposed to radiant heat sources, or are working in hot weather. The employer must develop a Heat Stress strategy. The main components are employee training and education, Heat Stress Assessment and Heat Stress Controls.

Safety Bulletin: N.S. Dept. of Labour and Advanced Education (Dust Explosion Hazard) *

Dust explosions can be devastating. In the U.S., 281 combustible dust incidents between 1980 and 2005 killed 119 workers and injured 718. Recently, British Columbia experienced two tragic sawmill explosions and fire that killed 4 workers and injured 20 more, some seriously.

Accident Investigations identified key causation factors including:

• A failure for managers, workers and inspectors to recognize the serious nature of dust explosions
• Workplaces not conforming to standards to prevent or reduce the effects of dust explosions.
• Inadequate housekeeping.
• Lack of training to eliminate or control dust explosion hazards.
• Ignoring warning signs
• Dust collection systems inadequately designed.
• Process changes without adequate hazard mitigation for new hazards introduced.

 

For a dust explosion to occur, 5 key elements are required, Fuel, Oxygen, Ignition Source, Confinement, and Dispersion. Many times a dust explosion occurs as a secondary explosion. These explosions cause devastating property damage and potential for death (i.e. Westray Mine Explosion).

Preventative measures include the completion of a Dust Risk Assessment by a competent person, verifying compliance standards, and the implementation of a Dust Control Program.

WorkSafeNB: PPE Legislation Changes **

The following changes in PPE Legislation were recently released. The changes are the result of a switch from ANSI to CSA Standards:

• The use of chin-straps when hard hats can be dislodged from the user’s head (i.e. working from ladders, scaffolding, lifts, etc.).
• No ball caps under hard hats, and cannot be worn with the rim backwards.
• Scheduling hearing Protection (every 2 years).
• Safety Manuals PPE Polices should be updated to reflect the above changes.

 

 

WorkSafeNB: Employers urged to check Covid-19 Operational Plans **

A new campaign reminds employers of the importance of their Covid-19 Operational Plan. Business owners are reminded of their responsibilities, and keeping their plan up to date.

Public Health and WorkSafeNB sites must be checked regularly for changes that could affect their Operational Plan. Your Safety Coordinator will also keep you abreast of any changes. Your plan must be updated as needed, and your staff informed of any changes. Your plan must be readily available to Public Health, Public Safety or WorkSafeNB on request. Your Safety Coordinator, WorkSafeNB and the Province of New Brunswick have guides available for developing and managing your plan.

WCB PEI: Health and Safety Posting Requirements ***

To protect the health and safety of workers, Island workplaces are required by law to post certain documentation and signage. The specific posting requirements depend on the nature of the workplace and are set out in the OHS Act, OHS Regulations, and Scaffolding Regulations. A guide document can be viewed online at www.wcb.pe.ca.

All workplaces must have the following items posted:

• OHS Act
• OHS Regulations
• WCB reporting telephone number.
• Compliance Orders issued by an Officer.
• Names and contact of First-Aid providers.
• Signs indicating where First-Aid kits are located.
• Signs indicating where smoking is permitted and not permitted.

 

There are additional OHS documentation and signage posting requirements, depending on the size of the workplace and the nature of the work. Please visit the above noted website for more information.

Amendments to PEI’s OH&S General Regulations ***

On March 6, 2021, sections of the OHS General Regulations and Fall Protection Regulations were amended to ensure they meet the requirements established in the National Occupational Health and Safety Reconciliation Agreement, and to ensure that standards referenced in Regulations are correct. A brief summary is as follows:

• CSA and ANSI standards referenced (now updated to reflect the newest version).
• OHS Regulations, Part 2, Toilet and Washing Facilities (clarification established as to when employer must provide).
• OHS regulations, Part 45, PPE (updated standards include Eye and Face Protection, Head Protection, Foot Protection, Hearing Protection, and Fall Protection).
• OHS Regulations, Part 33, Powered Mobile Equipment (responsibilities of employers and operators have been updated).
• OHS Regulations, Part 9, First-Aid (classification and size of First-Aid kits have been changed to reflect CSA standards, list of equipment in First-Aid room updated).

 

Performing Pre-Operational Equipment Checks ****

Performing the Pre-Operational check is important for the safety of the operator and everyone in its working environment. Unfortunately, this safety check is often forgotten or ignored. Not every operator is aware about the items that need to be checked before they can start their machine and begin to perform their daily tasks.

The equipment operator can prevent downtime, extend service life and ensure more efficient operation with just a few minutes of preventative inspection. The key is consistency, these inspections must be engrained into the consciousness of all parties and performed every day. You cannot accomplish much or have optimum productivity if your equipment/machinery is not up to par, or your employees are not working in a safe manner. There are inherent risks, dangers and hazards to both equipment and labour.

Regular inspections lower the chances of one of your workers getting injured. Unfortunately, injuries do happen on the job, and most of the time, they are preventable. Inspections are a preventative safety measure for you and your employees. If a worker gets injured as a result of damaged equipment, chances are, they are going to miss some time. Common injuries relating to heavy equipment are often serious, such as amputations, spinal injuries, sprains, fractures and cuts.

A Pre-Operational check of equipment prior to every use will reduce the chance of equipment being operated in an unsafe condition. This makes it easier to spot and deal with maintenance issues early before they turn into a problem causing downtime, equipment damage or expensive repairs.

A Pre-Operational check must be documented, please contact your Safety Coordinator if you require specific forms developed.

Fall Protection ****

Many workers receive little or no Fall Protection Training, use the wrong fall protection, use the equipment improperly, or sometimes do not use fall protection at all. Working at heights is any work where a person could fall a distance and be injured. Working at a height of 4 feet or more is a risk.

Falls are the most common cause of serious work related injuries and deaths. Fall are the leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry. Construction workers are most at risk for fatal falls from height, more than 7 times the rate of other injuries.

Employers must set up the work place to prevent employees from falling off overhead platforms, elevated work stations, or into holes in floors. Fall protection should be provided when working over dangerous equipment and machinery, regardless of the fall distance. Fall elimination is often the preferred way of providing fall protection. This entails finding ways of completing tasks without working at heights.

SiteDocs Safety Management Software Update

We are currently 3 years into our new SiteDocs Safety Management Software system. Both our clients and coordinators are indicting this new tool is having a great effect on managing safety requirements from the construction industry, and fulfilling the desired outcomes.

SiteDocs is an intuitive and easy to use mobile solution utilizing tablets and smartphones, giving us the ability to provide real time delivery of completed paperwork. This mobile app allows our coordinators to assist with the completion of digital safety forms at your jobsite. All safety forms are stored and organized online for easy access and real time tracking.

SiteDocs has allowed us to move elements of your safety program from paper, clipboards and filing cabinets to mobile devices and the web. From the jobsite, our coordinators can login to the SiteDocs app from their mobile device and view all safety documentation. The forms they assist with are then instantly uploaded and automatically organized for easy viewing.

Whether on the jobsite or in the office, we have the ability to monitor your safety program. Our goal is to help you maintain the highest standard of safety possible, making your safety program more efficient, effective, and significantly enhanced.

New Safety Coordinator: Doug Wilson

We wish to announce the addition of Doug Wilson to our Team of Safety Coordinators. Doug has a safety career spanning over 20 years, and has held various HSE positions beginning in Alberta, and currently coordinating construction companies in Colchester and Antigonish counties. Doug is also a qualified Safety Trainer, specializing in on-demand training including WHMIS, Zoom Boom/Man Lifts, Fall Protection, Forklift, Confined Space, Trenching, and Accident/Incident Investigations. Currently residing in Lyons Brook, Doug will be advancing and supporting Safety programs for both construction industry shop-based firms and site contractors.

New Safety Coordinator: Alan McCormick

We wish to announce the addition of Alan McCormick to our Team of Safety Coordinators. Alan has a Safety career spanning over 15 years, most recently retiring as Corporate Director of Health, Safety & Environment for all Cavendish Farms in North America. Alan holds a certificate in Occupational Safety Health & Environmental Practices (CHSE) from the University of Fredericton. Alan is currently Chairperson of the PEI Chapter of the CSSE, and is serving on the PEI Occupational Health and Safety Advisory Council. Alan will be advancing and supporting safety programs for clients on PEI.

New Safety Coordinator: Neal McCarthy

Neal has been employed in the Safety industry for over 10 years, and currently holds a certificate in Health, Safety and Environmental Processes from the University of Fredericton. Neal’s strengths include building and maintaining a respectful relationship with both owners and employees, and supporting/addressing daily Safety concerns on construction sites. Neal has experience in process audits, safety auditing, work site inspections, and has a thorough knowledge of OHS regulations. Neal is currently supporting and advancing safety programs in Halifax/Dartmouth.

Rate Increase

Our rates are increased in July each year. In 2020, as a group, we decided to forgo increases due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.

This year will mark our first increase in two years. The published Statistics Canada cost of living increases per province are 1.2% (Nova Scotia), 0.9% (New Brunswick), and 1.1% (PEI). These increases will be reflected in your July 2021 invoices.

Covid-19

The impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic has changed how we work. The challenges extend to how individuals commute, enter worksites, interact with co-workers, and manage tasks.

We at Kimber and Tucker are providing information to workers and employers through worksite inspections, focusing on the controls that the employer can use to limit exposure, including maintaining distance between workers and ensuring adequate hygiene facilities. We will continue to engage in inspection, consultation and education to ensure everyone in the workplace remains safe.

We strive to promote healthy and safe worksites for all workers and employers. We will support the direction provided by provincial and public health agencies, and provide guidance to worksites on implementing appropriate preventative measures. We will continue to provide support and share information as it becomes available to assist you in managing the situation.

Regards,

Nevin

References

• *          Excerpts taken from an article located on N.S. DOL website.
• **        Excerpts taken from an article located on WorkSafeNB website
• ***      Excerpts taken from an article in WCB of PEI website
• ****    Information provided by OHS Insider articles.