by wtfcanada2015@gmail.com | Jul 8, 2016 | BLOG
Summer is here and the weather will soon be reaching scorching levels, it seems as though it would be a good time to talk about how to stay safe in the heat and humidity. Depending on where you live and your tolerance for the heat, it may already be reaching uncomfortably warm temperatures.
So, let’s start off by describing what heat stress is. Human bodies naturally maintain temperatures between 36° and 38°C. When the body temperature rises above this range, the body will react to get rid of the excess heat. However, if the body continues to gain heat faster than it can get rid of it, the body temperature rises to critical levels and a person will experience heat stress. Health problems that result from heat stress are known as heat disorders. Heat disorders occur most often when heavy physical work is done in hot, humid environments and when the body consequently loses too much fluid and salt.
Some examples of possible heat disorders include:
Heat Stroke
Heat Exhaustion
Heat Cramps
Heat Rash
Heat Syncope
The body can gain heat in two ways: it can generate heat itself through work activity, and it can absorb heat from the environment. Both work activity and the environment are important sources of heat.
Take a look at some of the tips below to help prevent heat stress:
Wear Light Clothing – Light coloured loose fitting clothes made from fabrics such as cotton allow air to pass through. Air passing over the skin will help cool the body by evaporating the sweat.
Drink Water – Sweating can use up a significant amount of fluid, which must be replaced continuously throughout the workday. If fluid is not regularly replaced, dehydration will result, increasing the risk of heat stress. Drink at least two glasses of water before starting work in a hot environment and one glass every 20 minutes throughout the day. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to replace fluids.
Eating – Eat smaller but more frequent meals or snacks when working in hot environments.
Take It Inside – If the work you are doing can reasonably be done inside where it is cooler, then speak to your supervisor about moving it indoors.
Recognize the Signs – Know the signs of heat stress and if you are feeling ill, report it to your supervisor.
Shiloh Schmidt
Corporate Health and Safety
by wtfcanada2015@gmail.com | Jul 7, 2016 | BLOG
Background
A number of serious incidents have occurred whereby truck drivers were fatally injured or suffered amputations when unstable freight fell from a flatbed trailer and struck the driver. These accidents occurred during loading or unloading operations at sites not under the control of the driver’s employer, and when motorized material handling equipment was being operated by employees of the sites receiving the material. Drivers have a vital role in the proper loading of their trucks, because they are responsible for the road-worthiness and stability of the load. Unstable loads may consist of pipe, timber, or other materials.
Hazards
Factors that can lead to accidents or injury on or around flatbed trailers while loading or unloading loads include:
being unfamiliar with the flow of work in an active environment at the customers site; failing to maintain good communications with the operator of the materials handling equipment; using an unknown or untrustworthy means of securing freight during the loading process; working or standing in an area where the load could fall if it shifts during the loading process; assisting in a loading or unloading process with which the driver is not familiar; becoming distracted during the process by performing other tasks, like preparing straps or chains; and having little or no direction from a supervisor, or not having a procedure to follow.
Eliminating and Controlling the Hazard
Drivers must be aware of the following measures that can help prevent accidents and injuries during the loading or unloading of materials onto or off of flatbed trucks:
be aware of all hazards; know the employer’s hazard prevention program and how it applies at a customer’s site; use all the safety materials available at the site such chocks wedges cradles, shoring bars, tiedown strapping or dunnage; work cooperatively with others involved in the process; work within the controls or procedures set out by their employer and those of the shipper or receiver; keep a safe distance from the load in case of a sudden shift; develop a method for tying down the load to avoid working at heights without fall protection; ensure the stability of the trailer’s air suspension when heavy loads are applied or removed; and be aware of the right to refuse to work if a process appears dangerous.
Legislative Requirements
Employers shall ensure that the health and safety of employees working during the process of loading or unloading of a truck is protected at all sites. The Canada Labour Code Part II extends beyond the conventional work place and requires that employers ensure that the health and safety of employees is protected while conducting all work activities. Regulations require that hazards be known, quantified and controlled.
The Hazard Prevention Program found in Part XIX of the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (COHSR) requires employers to identify hazards in the workplace. The Labour Program’s Hazard Prevention Program Guide provides assistance in implementing a hazard prevention program that meets Part XIX of the COHSR.
To ensure the health and safety of employees on site while loading or unloading a truck, employers must consult the Policy Health and Safety Committee (where they exist) or the Work Place Health and Safety Committee or Representative to:
identify and assess hazards associated with working in unfamiliar work places; identify and assess hazards associated with working with each and every type of load the driver may carry; implement adequate control measures to address the assessed hazards, which could include using “no-go” zones during the loading process or simply not being involved; train drivers on safe working procedures for loading and unloading the trailer; and train employees on how to safely operate the necessary equipment.
Additional Resources
For further information, please contact the ESDC Labour Program office at 1-800-641-4049. The Labour Program website provides information on occupational health and safety topics such as: Right to Know, Right to refuse dangerous work, and Health and Safety Committees. For further information on hazards associated with loading and unloading see the following publications “Aches and Pains – Loading and Unloading a Truck” and “Tarping and Untarping on a Flatbed Trailer”.
Labour Board Of Canada
Date modified:
2016-04-01
by wtfcanada2015@gmail.com | Jul 6, 2016 | BLOG
The worst mistake a safety professional can make and the number one reason drivers loathe the Safety Director is you always assume your drivers at fault.
Wielding influence is much more powerful than authority. Trying to intimidate your drivers with your authority will take you on the fast road to failure. Instead, build your relationship with the drivers through goodwill, influence via mentoring and fostering good working relationships. Get them to understand your not the enemy, but have a job to do. If you treat your drivers with respect, they’ll treat you with respect.
Your team is not comprised of just “you”. It’s a team of “us” that work together for the common goal. You are just a part of a team. Your team needs to know that you have their back and they can count on you for support.
As a Safety Director your position lays out the plans, establishes goals, directs and motivates your team to success. Your drivers and safety teams input is crucial to the success of your program. Listen intently to their ideas. Do not exhibit the “I know it all” approach but enlist your drivers and safety team to become one unit.
Don’t be the invisible Safety Director who always has a task to complete in the office. Have a healthy balance of being in the field and being in the office. Spend time where necessary in order to reach your goals and complete your tasks. Get to know your drivers.
~ Safety First Always ~
by wtfcanada2015@gmail.com | Jul 4, 2016 | BLOG
HIGH VISIBILITY
BY : Shiloh Schmidt Corporate Health and Safety
Often when I speak to workers I’m asked “why do I have to wear a safety vest?” the obvious answer is that wearing a high-vis vest improves safety. It allows you to be seen at night and from further distances away. It also reduces the risk of you being seriously injured by a passing vehicle. Not only is this most company’s policy, but IT’S ALSO THE LAW!!
The Canadian Occupational Health and Safety Regulation section 12.13 includes a provision to protect those working around moving vehicles. The regulation states “Where an employee is regularly exposed to contact with moving vehicles during their work, they must wear a high-visibility vest or other similar clothing, or be protected by a barricade that is readily visible under all conditions of use”. This includes contact with moving vehicles outside and inside of buildings.
Be sure to have your high visibility vest on when working around moving vehicles in warehouses, customer facilities, truck stops and roadways. Let’s all follow the law and practice safe behaviors.
by wtfcanada2015@gmail.com | Jun 26, 2016 | BLOG
All vehicles traveling on the road have blind spots where other vehicles disappear from view. In tractor trailers and other large vehicles these blind spots can be surprisingly big. There are blind spots on all sides of a large truck where other vehicles can disappear from the view of the driver. If a professional truck driver has to make a sudden maneuver on the road, such as a quick lane change to avoid debris etc , crashes can occur if they don’t know you’re there.
Here’s what to do to avoid a truck’s blind spots:
Don’t linger along side a truck. If you find yourself along side a truck either move on past or back off so that the driver can see you.
If possible pass on the left where the blind spot is smaller. On the right the blind spot runs the length of the truck and extends out 3 lanes.
When traveling behind a truck stay back so that the driver knows you’re there.
” If you can’t see a trucks Mirrors, they can’t see You ! ”
