Workplace Safety Hazards

Canada has a very long history of workers struggling for their rights and it is actually stupid not to use the results of their struggle. The employee is guarded by a number of employment laws and Acts that aim to prevent injuries and provide benefits to people who were injured. For example the Canadian Workplace Safety and Insurance Act S.O. 1997, c. 16, Sch. A., (also known as ‘Worker’s Compensation’) regulates the no-fault plan that provides benefits for the people injured in the workplace, when there is no side to cover the compensation. The Occupational Health and Safety Act covers the standards of workplace safety, investigations and punishment of the safety breach. And the Criminal Code has laws that can be used to sue person who is responsible for the injury or accident. So as you see a worker in Canada is very well protected.

Safety of workplaces itself is governed by the Occupational Health and Safety Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O-1. This act obligates Canadian employers to keep the workplaces safe. It ensures that all required equipment and protective devices are provided and properly maintained; that required safety and emergency procedures are in place and followed; that equipment and materials are properly used; and that workers receive sufficient information, instruction, training (additional training) and supervision to carry out their jobs safely. From the other side it also obliges the workers not to operate any equipment in a manner that is unsafe, not to operate the devices without prescribed safety wear for example. The act also states that ant worker in Canada can refuse to work with dangerous materials or do a dangerous work. The fact of refusal must be immediately reported and the cause of danger must be inspected.

The Canadian Workplace Safety and Insurance Act guarantees compensation to all workers injured during the working process, but it still has a number of conditions and limitations. First the status of the worker. The act covers only a worker who is under a contract of employment; independent contractors, self-employed workers, or workers whose employment is on a casual basis are generally not insured by the Act. The compensation is available for injuries suffered instantly or gained during the course of employment (chronic pain, environment-related diseases). It is important to remember that stress is not covered under this Act. The worker must submit the claim 6 months of an accident and it is also very important to be careful with the medical documents and bills, they will be required in case of a trial, that falls within the jurisdiction of the Board.

The Criminal Code secures the rights of the injured worker after the accident occurred, it guarantees the fact that the person who is responsible for the accident will be brought to justice. It also has an additional effect: it lays additional responsibility on the person who has the authority to direct how work is performed, so the person is interested in keeping the work process secure and avoid any accidents.

A small taste of the most unusual workplace safety training video ever produced… A Reaper’s Guide to OHS. This 4 minute scene can be shown as an icebreaker for any workplace safety training session. The complete 19 minute version, whilst entertaining and engaging, it provides a general overview of occupational health and safety. More information available at www.channel1.com.au

The Importance of Safety Signs in the Workplace

Safety signs are largely associated with legal requirements rather than providing any practical purpose. In fact, some signs become so well known that we often ignore the true message underneath, so why is there still such a pressure for employers to ensure they have adequate signage throughout the workplace? Actually, safety signs play a real practical role in preventing injury and ensuring staff are aware of the dangers and hazards awaiting them at given points in the workplace. Without them, many employees would lack essential direction in times of crisis, and employers might find themselves in significant legal difficulties if any accidents were to arise as a result.

Safety signs are often seen as part of the bureaucratic process rather than a practically important safety tool. But this isn’t necessarily the case. Safety signs can provide an initial warning to staff as to dangers. Imagine the scenario of a construction site. A new employee on his first day is unaware of the various dangers of a construction environment, yet finds no signage to guide him through his employment. This is simply a minefield of danger, and without safety signs in place, that employee would be very lucky to remain safe throughout the course of his first day. In environments where danger lurks around every corner, having adequate and clear safety signs can help advise staff of the pending dangers and ultimately instil caution when it is required most.

Safety signs are also of great importance in workplaces which come into close contact with the general public. Where workman are employed in a road excavation, or in a scaffolding project, it is crucial to ensure that no harm is caused to the general public during the efforts. One way to help best ensure this is by employing clear safety signs to warn the public to exercise caution as they go. This helps keep the employer out of trouble as well as acting as a safeguard for the public, allowing a smoother interaction between dangerous employment environments and the ordinary thoroughfare.

Safety signs might not seem the most interesting topic of conversation, but they really are essential in the fight against danger and risk in the workplace. By ensuring your workplace is sufficiently well signed, you can help protect the staff and visitors to the site, particularly members of the public, against the imminent dangers that could otherwise go unnoticed, leading to less industrial accidents and helping to reduce the risk to employees and ordinary people.

Not only through living up to legal requirements, the positioning of safety signs in the workplace can be of critical importance in ensuring a healthy and safe workforce for increased productivity without the misfortune and hassle of staff injury and legal proceedings. As an employee, safety signs are the first port of call in response to any injury, be it to staff or the general public, and they can also help create a safer environment for both groups where danger meets everyday life, such as city-centre construction sites and excavations.

Every employee has a responsibility to keep themselves and their colleagues safe from harm. Safety Signs around the workplace are used to warn your employees or provide information on hazards which they may face. This DVD will provide your employees with information on what safety signs are and what they can expect to see on them. The DVD looks in detail at different forms of signs including: * Prohibition Signs * Hazard Signs * Mandatory Signs * Fire Equipment Signs * Safe Condition Signs An ideal training tool to ensure that your employees are fully aware of their surroundings and the safety precautions they must take. The pack comes complete with 10 Understanding Safety Signs Booklets and 50 Workplace Risk Assessment Forms. “Overall this DVD would be a useful addition to any health and safety manager’s video library” Health and Safety at Work magazine
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