Winter Hazards: Slips and Falls in the Workplace
Even though it may feel like we have had our share of winter already this year, the fact is that there is plenty of winter weather ahead and countless days where winter safety needs to be a priority. Whether at home, at play or at work, slips and falls on ice and snow are the cause of injuries like: Twisted ankles and knees Sprained wrists and shoulders Strained backs and necks Broken bones Concussions Contusions and scrapes While some of these injuries may result in significant time loss from work, there can be additional impact on organizations, such as: Decreased productivity Increased replacement employee costs Increased overtime for existing employees And if the accident happens at work: Increased workers’ compensation costs Construction sites and outdoor work environments seem the most obvious applications for winter hazard safety strategies however, every employer is vulnerable to winter related accidents in the workplace and […]
Alberta Fire Prevention: A Hot Topic
October 9th to 15th is National Fire Prevention Week, an issue particularly fresh in the minds of many Albertans in light of the Fort McMurray Wildfires this spring. While Fort McMurray and surrounding areas continue to rebuild and recover from this horrific natural disaster and the thought of fire sparks feelings of fear, apprehension and anxiety, there is no better time to review, revise and renew fire safety plans, emergency procedures and prevention protocols. Fire prevention starts at home and reviewing a checklist is always a great idea, but fire prevention and fire safety in the workplace is equally important. Taking time to review the fire safety guidelines, fire escape plans and fire extinguisher locations with staff can be lifesaving in the event of a real emergency. As much as fire drills may seem redundant and a waste of productive time, much like the safety demonstrations on airplanes, it ensures […]
Construction Worksite Safety: Compliance vs Complacence
A recent chat with a 24-year old construction worker brought a very interesting perspective to health and safety in the construction industry. Like a lot of construction workers, he started at the bottom with no more than some high school education, a need to earn a living, and little to offer other than his physical manpower and desire to learn. Since then he has been promoted to foreman and is now responsible for a team of workers under his direction. When workers that don’t understand the importance of compliance observe workers who have become complacent, the entire health and safety management system begins to break down. His observations of what the most significant hazards and safety issues were on his worksites, especially from youthful eyes, was particularly insightful. What challenges employers face while trying to keep their workers safe on the jobsite, how much of it is preventable, and how […]
How to Reduce the Cost of WCB Premiums
The calculation of WCB Premiums is complicated and can be daunting to understand. Some employers feel so confused by the complexity of the process that they believe that they are at the mercy of the WCB, and have no control over the rate they are assessed. While many of the components and formulas used to determine premiums rates are fixed, there are some simple things employers can do that will have a positive impact on their rate. Here are couple of strategies for lowering WCB Premiums: Reduce Claims Costs: The single most important thing an employer can do is try to reduce the number of work-related claims they have, and the costs associated with those claims. The impact of claims costs can be seen in the Experience Ratio (ER), or how an individual employer’s costs compare to their industry average. This comparison will also determine the amount of discount or […]
What is a Certificate of Recognition and How to Prepare for a COR Audit?
A Certificate of Recognition (COR) is a key component of the Partnership in Injury Reduction (PIR) program in Alberta and is essential to receiving WCB Alberta premium reduction incentives. The PIR is a voluntary program where employer and worker representatives collaborate with government to create and maintain effective health and safety management systems. A COR is awarded to employers to who develop and maintain health and safety programs that meet standards established by Occupational Health and Safety (OHS). The management system is evaluated by a Certifying Partner of PIR, also known as a COR Audit, and if the standards are met, a COR is then issued by Alberta Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour and co-signed by the Certifying Partner. Developing a health and safety management system may seem harder than it is. Most employers already have the basic foundation in place and only need to tweak or enhance established policies […]