February is Heart Month!
Given that February 14th is Valentine’s Day, a holiday that is usually associated with hearts, it’s probably not surprising that February is Heart Month. Here’s a quick reminder of why that’s important: — Cardiovascular disease is the 2nd leading cause of death in Canada — Men are more likely to die of a heart attack than women — One in 12 Canadians over the age of 20 live with diagnosed heart disease — High blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes are contributing risk factors Doctors advise that pursuing a healthier lifestyle can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and some heart-healthy lifestyle habits include: — Eating better (fish, fruits and vegetables) — Getting more exercise (low impact such as swimming or walking) — Quitting smoking — Limiting alcohol consumption — Maintaining a healthy weight — Reducing stress As depressing as this may seem, the reality is that every one of […]
What you need to know about EPRS statements
If you are an Alberta employer, you should have received your Employer Premium Rate Statement sometime in December or possibly late November (if you didn’t, you might want to check the Workers’ Compensation Board online portal and/or your email). If you’re new to the process, here’s a quick recap on how it works: Every year from the end of November to mid-December, WCB Alberta sends out its premium rate statements. This document tells all employers in Alberta who have a registered WCB account how much they will pay for WCB coverage the next year. Depending on your company’s track record with injuries and claims, combined with your industry’s overall injury rates, the increase to your premium rates could be significant, or you could be given a discount on your previous rate. In the WCB’s 2026 Premium Rates Highlight sheet, it says that the board is several years into a multi-year […]
The first 90 days on the job are critical for safety part four
Note: This is the last entry in a four-part series on the challenges related to an employee’s first 90 days on the job. You can read the first here, the second here, and the third here. A lack of experience and familiarity with new work environments and procedures significantly contributes to the heightened risk of safety incidents during the first 90 days of employment. New employees are often unfamiliar with the specific equipment they will be using and the established safe work procedures for their assigned tasks . This lack of familiarity can lead to errors in operation or judgment, consequently increasing the likelihood of accidents. It’s important to recognize that even individuals with prior work experience can be considered “new workers” when starting a new role or joining a new company due to the unique equipment, procedures, and potential hazards specific to that workplace. Inexperienced employees may also react […]
The first 90 days on the job are critical for safety part three
Note: This is the third in a four-part series on the challenges related to an employee’s first 90 days on the job. You can read the first here, and the second here Employers bear significant responsibilities in creating and maintaining a safe working environment for all employees, and these responsibilities are particularly critical during a new employee’s initial period of employment. The safety process should ideally commence even before the employee’s first day. Employers should integrate safety information into job descriptions, postings, and employment boards to provide potential candidates with a realistic preview of the job and its inherent risks . Asking safety-related questions during the interview process serves as an early introduction to the importance of safety within the organization and can help assess a candidate’s safety mindset . A comprehensive onboarding program with a strong emphasis on safety is paramount. This includes providing new hires with thorough training […]
The first 90 days on the job are critical for safety part two
Note: This is the second in a four-part series on the challenges related to an employee’s first 90 days on the job. You can read the first here. Analysis of workplace injury data reveals several common types of accidents that tend to occur more frequently among new employees during their initial 90 days on the job. Understanding these common pitfalls can help employers target their safety training and prevention efforts more effectively. Overexertion is a leading cause of injury for new employees, accounting for 29% of injuries according to data from Travelers. These injuries often result from improper lifting of heavy objects, repetitive motions that new employees may not be accustomed to, or awkward postures adopted without proper training or ergonomic awareness. The high prevalence of overexertion injuries suggests that training on correct lifting techniques and ergonomic principles might be insufficient or not effectively implemented during the initial onboarding period. […]