It’s the time of year when slips and falls are a real concern
Whether we like it or not, wintertime is upon us, and that means a higher risk of slips, trips and falls, which can cause injuries ranging from sprains and strains to broken bones and concussions. These incidents lead to lost work time, reduced productivity, higher replacement and overtime costs, and increased workers’ compensation claims. Employers are legally responsible for providing safe workplaces, including safe entry and exit on employer-owned or maintained property such as parking lots, walkways, stairs and entrances. And winter hazards affect all workplaces — not just construction sites. Slips and falls can also happen inside the workplace for a number of reasons. Slips, trips and falls Slips occur when traction is low (due to ice, spills, loose mats, wet floors) Trips occur when the foot hits an object (due to clutter, poor lighting, uneven surfaces, cables) Falls can result from both slips and trips, and can cause […]
Seasonal Joy, Seasonal Risk
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! These days it seems to start immediately after Halloween and as we approach American Thanksgiving it swings into high gear. It’s the Holidays!! Lights and decorations go up inside and out, festive music is everywhere and you can feel the magic in the air. Whether you celebrate or not, there’s no denying it and no avoiding it. As much as we may look forward to the holiday season, it also brings with it a higher risk of workplace accidents and incidents. During periods of peak demand, like the holidays, there are a multitude of factors that converge resulting in an increase of work hazards, especially in the retail, warehouse and delivery sectors. Here are just some of the factors that impact workplace safety this time of year: 1. Increased Workload and Pressure High Order Volumes: Demand for faster order processing and shipping […]
Orange Shirt Day: September 30th
This year, September 30, 2021, marks an inaugural statutory holiday in Canada in observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, or Orange Shirt Day. It was originally created as a day of observance in 2013 and is designed to educate and promote awareness about the Indian residential school system, and the devastating impact it had on indigenous communities for over a century. In brief, shortly after Confederation, in a misguided attempt to secure Canada as a nation and forge a single Canadian identity, the government of Canada felt it should absorb the First Nations into the general population and essentially extinguish their culture. One of the methods used was to open residential schools, in conjunction with a number of Christian churches, that would separate indigenous children from their parents and culture. The children would effectively be immersed in the ‘new’ Canada, leaving behind their native roots. As a […]
National Injury Prevention Day
Monday, July 6th, 2020 marks the 4th annual Nation Injury Prevention Day in Canada. Initiated by Parachute, it is designed to raise awareness about the devastating effects of predictable and preventable injuries. Perhaps this year more than any other, we need to pay special attention. According to the Cost of Injury in Canada report published in 2021 using data from 2018, preventable injuries annually represent: $29.4 billion lost to economy 4.6 million emergency room visits More than 61,000 injuries result in permanent or partial disabilities And the human cost is staggering: 17,000 Canadians die each year 47 Canadians die each day Injury is the No. 1 killer of Canadians aged 1 to 44. The loss of life is equivalent to a jumbo jet crashing every 10 days. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world we all knew and trusted has been turned upside down and has impacted the […]
Holiday Workplace Safety Tips
As November draws to a close, and December rapidly approaches, the retail and hospitality industries are kicking into high gear. The Festive Season comes with its own unique set of risks and hazards, not just in the retail and hospitality sectors, virtually every business will be impacted in some way over the holidays. Now is as good a time as any to make sure you and your staff stay safe and healthy through the next few weeks. As your organization prepares for the holidays, here are some potential health and safety risks to keep in mind: Seasonal Hires – many businesses require temporary help to meet the increased demands of the holiday season. Seasonal workers are at high risk for workplace accidents and injuries just like any new hire, possibly more. Since their employment is temporary, things like safe practices, accident reporting procedures and performance issues can be glossed over, […]