Kimber and Tucker Safety Coordinators

NEWSLETTER
Summer, 2022

Date: July 1, 2022

Attention: Current Safety Clients

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, Skills and Immigration: Safety Bulletin (Guardrails) *

Pursuant to subsection 21.5(3) of the Nova Scotia Workplace Health and Safety Regulations, guardrails are required where “there is a risk of falling at a doorway or the opening of a building floor, roof, walls or shaft.’

Bump/warning lines are not an accepted means of fall protection, and guardrails must be installed on each working level of a project, as work progresses, if there is a risk of falling at a doorway or the opening of a building floor, roof, walls or shaft.

As per CSA Z797, “Code of Practice for Access Scaffolds”, a temporary guardrail may be removed should it not be reasonable to have it in place for short term, or it interferes with necessary work such as installation of walls, windows, etc. It must be installed once that work is completed should there continue to be a risk of falling 3 meters or more to the next safe level or any level above an unsafe surface. While a temporary guardrail can be removed in those circumstances, another means of fall protection must be used.

What does this mean to employees and employers?

• Guardrails must be designed and installed in compliance with the latest version of CSA standard CSA Z797, “Code of Practice for Access Scaffolds”, as required in subsection 21.5(3) of the Workplace Health and Safety Regulations.
• Verification and enforcement of this requirement is increasing and employers and employees have a shared responsibility.

N.S Dept. of Labour, Skills and Immigration: Safety Bulletin (Roof Membrane) *

This safety Bulletin was issued as a result of an incident that occurred when a roofer’s torch came into contact with the cardboard in the center of a roll of roofing membrane. An employee took measures to ensure the cardboard that had caught fire was put out. However, even though it appeared to be extinguished, it was still smoldering, and then came in contact with flammable materials which caused an uncontrolled fire resulting in significant damage to the entire roof.

Be aware that:

• When torching the membrane, the cardboard center core may catch on fire. If not properly extinguished, the core may smolder.
• A chemical fire extinguisher may not be adequate to completely extinguish the core should it be on fire. A water fire extinguisher or large bucket of water must be available in the immediate area.
• Anytime the torch comes in close contact to the roll of membrane, and there is the potential that the center cardboard core may have been ignited, the roll must be fully submersed or covered in water.

Nova Scotia: Amendments to First Aid Regulations *

The province of Nova Scotia is updating first aid requirements, fulfilling a commitment to harmonize its rules with other jurisdictions in Canada.

Under the National Occupational Health and Safety reconciliation Agreement, Nova Scotia committed to harmonizing its training requirements and workplace first aid kits based on a new CSA standard, the amendments help to modernize first aid requirements and consolidate them in Nova Scotia under Workplace Health and Safety regulations.

The Department will be helping workplaces prepare and understand the changes and ensuring the contents and terminology used in first aid kits are consistent. It will also make first aid training certificates transferable throughout Canada and clarify minimum requirements for workplace first aid training.

Quick facts:

• Changes come into effect on June 13, 2022.
• First Aid training certificates issued before regulatory changes take effect will be valid until they expire. First aid kits that meet the current requirements are in compliance until June 13, 2023.
• These changes will reduce the overall cost for employees and businesses by about $1.5 million annually.

The Safety Branch has produced a plain language document called “Workplace First Aid- A guide for Employers and First Aiders”.

N.S. Dept. of Labour, Skills and Immigration: Free Health and Safety E-Courses *

The Occupational Health and Safety Division of the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration 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.
WorkSafeNB: E-Courses **

WorkSafeNB is committed to helping build healthy and safe workplaces in New Brunswick. Because education is key to that goal, they have developed e-courses, available free to any worker or employer in New Brunswick.

These online courses are effective as a stand-alone resource or can be combined with classroom learning as a blended option for the JHSC Educational Training Program, mandatory for JHSC members and Health and Safety representatives. This blended learning option is equivalent to the traditional three full days of learning.

WorkSafeNB is now approving external providers to deliver JHSC training workshops.

Currently offered e-courses:

• New Brunswick Health and Safety Legislation
• Hazard Identification, Assessment and Control
• Incident Reporting and Investigations
• Workplace Inspections
• Effective Joint Health and Safety Committees (JHSC’s)

WorkSafeNB: Administrative Penalties Now In Effect **

Administrative penalties are monetary penalties that can be issued by WorkSafeNB Health and Safety Officers. This represents a new and important measure to help Officers to enforce compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and associated regulations.

When workplaces operate unsafely, WorkSafeNB Health and Safety Officers have measures at their disposal including education, consultation, compliance orders and prosecutions. Administrative penalties are a new measure to motivate workplace parties to focus on Safety and Health. An administrative penalty is an alternative to prosecution that may be imposed on an employer, supervisor, employee or other workplace party for failing to comply with the OHS Act or Regulations.

Compliance with the OHS and having Health and Safety measures in place will not only avoid penalties, but most importantly will mitigate the risk of injury to employees.

To learn more about administrative penalties, and when they may be issued, visit the WorkSafeNB website.

WCB PEI: Working At Heights Safety Campaign ***

Every day on PEI, people work at heights as part of their regular job duties. No one expects to get hurt at work. In 2019, a worker suffered life altering injuries as a result of being struck by a suspended truss and falling 5.5 meters from unguarded scaffolding to the concrete surface below. As a result of fines levied on this case, a widespread education campaign is now underway to ensure proper precautions and legal obligations of employers regarding working from heights are taken, to prevent further accidents like this from happening again.

Falls from heights are a significant cause of serious workplace injuries on PEI. They can happen in a split-second and when efforts are not taken to follow the required safe work practices, serious injury or death can occur. Any person, working at a height of 3 meters or more, is required to have a fall protection system in place. This includes work on scaffolding, elevated work platforms, roofs or any other place that presents a fall hazard.

WCB Occupational Health and safety officers are visiting PEI workplaces to assist employers and workers in understanding very serious legal obligations associated with working at heights.

When working at a height of 3 meters or more:

• Ensure a fall protection system is in place.
• Ensure a fall arrest system is worn, and that it is the right equipment for the task, fits the worker properly, and is inspected and in good condition.
• Ensure workers are competent and have received training in the use of fall protection by a competent person.
• Ensure a written fall protection plan is developed in accordance with Section 3(11) of the Fall Protection Regulations.

Amendment to PEI’s Workplace First Aid Regulations ***

In 2021, the OHS General regulations were amended to update the first aid requirements for provincially-regulated workplaces in PEI.

The changes to the regulations include:

• First aid risk assessments are now required for all workplaces to determine first aid needs at the workplace.
• Classification and size of first aid kits have changed to reflect those found in CSA Standard Z1220-17-first Aid Kits for the Workplace.
• First aid room content requirements have been updated.

Employers have until March 6, 2022 to be in compliance with the new first aid regulations. It is recommended, however, if additional first aid kits are being added or old kits replaced before March 6, 2022, they should conform to the new CSA Standard.

Workplace first aid requirements in PEI fall under Section 9 of the OHS General Regulations, which can be found at wcb.pe.ca.

WCB PEI: Workplace Safety Information Sessions (2022 Winter/Spring) ***

The WCB of PEI offers a number of educational sessions to support healthy and safe workplaces across PEI. Sessions are provided free of charge, and will be hosted either virtually or through Zoom or in-person.

All virtual sessions are 1 hour in length. Courses include Health and Safety Committee Basics, Workplace Harassment Regulations, Workplace Safety for Supervisors, OHS Legislative Awareness, Workplace Inspections, Incident Investigations, and Health and Safety Orientations.

In-person sessions run from 8:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. Courses include Health and Safety Committee Basics & Workplace Inspections, and Workplace Safety for Supervisors & Health and Safety Orientation.

Contact the WCB PEI for course dates and times.

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.

Iron Maple Constructors Inc.: Safety Glasses Requirement ****

Each day in Canada over 700 eye injuries occur, according to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. These injuries result in lost time, loss of sight both temporarily and permanently.

The number one cause of eye injuries to construction workers is scraping or being struck in the eye. Most eye injuries result from small particles or objects striking or scraping the eye, such as dust, cement, metal slivers, and wood chips. These materials are often ejected by tools, windblown, or fall from a worker above.

We all would agree that safety glasses fog-up and may slip down your nose. It only takes a few seconds to clean and/or adjust the glass, this is a small price to pay for your vision.

Occupational Health and Safety Regulations require the employer and employee “when a hazard may irritate or injure the eyes, face, ears, or front of the neck, use protective equipment appropriate for the hazard that conforms to CSA-Z94.3-15.”

Moving forward, all Iron Maple Constructors employees, subcontractor employees and visitors to sites will wear safety glasses. Workers using equipment that may cause injury to the face or neck are required to use face shields.

Summer Heat is Coming- Are you Prepared? *****

When work is underway, it’s quite easy to ignore the warning signs of heat stress. Your workers are busy, they have deadlines they are trying to meet, and sometimes stopping to take care of themselves seems like something they can put off a little longer.

As the climate changes, heat waves are poised to get longer and more intense. In this weather, physical labour. Loss of fluids or fatigue can push your body to the point of severe distress.

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

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.

Protect your Employees from the Leading Cause of Workplace Injuries *****

Slip, trip and fall injuries are one of the most common causes of workplace injuries and death. The falls from slips and trips can lead to disabling injuries, traumatic brain injuries, surgeries, and countless hours in rehab. These types of injuries are painful and costly, and can put stress on your relationships, lead to depression, anxiety, and in some cases PTSD.

SiteDocs Safety Management Software Update

We are currently more than 4 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.

Rate Increase

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

The increase reflects the published Statistics Canada cost of living increase for 2021 (3.4%). This increase will be reflected in your July 2022 invoice.

New Safety Coordinator: Mike Adair

We wish to announce the addition of Mike Adair to our Team of Safety Coordinators. Mike has been employed in the Safety industry since 2017. Mike holds a Certificate with Honors in Occupational Health and Safety from the NSCC, as well as a Bachelor of Arts Degree from UNB. Mike’s past experience as an OHS Advisor at Construction Safety Nova Scotia has given him valuable experience in both COR Audits, Site Inspections, and Program Development. Mike is also a Certified Trainer for several Safety courses. Based in Oromocto, Mike is currently supporting and advancing Safety programs for clients based in New Brunswick.

Kimber and Tucker Ltd.: Provision of Training

In response to industry request, and as a value added service to our clients, we have been offering Compliance Training on a demand basis for many years in Nova Scotia. As of earlier this year, we now offer Training in New Brunswick as well.

The NEW Training offered to New Brunswick clients is as follows:

• Rescue 7 Standard/ Emergency First Aid
• Basic Fall Protection
• Incident Investigation
• Trenching/Excavation Awareness
• WHMIS 2015
• Leadership for Safety Excellence
• JOHSC

Please contact your Coordinator, or this office directly, for more information.

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 Iron Maple Constructors Inc.
• *****  Information provided by OHS Insider articles.