Category: Health & safety solutions

WorkSafeBC’s Research Secretariat is funding part of a project by Pro-Active Safety Systems Technology Inc. to develop a proximity detector to protect workers around mobile equipment. “You get no second chance with mobile equipment,” said co-inventor Richard Shervey, an industrial electrician. “There’s no crumple zones and they’re made out of solid steel. When they hit you, most of the time the worst happens. All it takes is one second of inattention.”

Voice strain can be a problem for teachers, fitness trainers, sales people, and others who use their voices a lot at work. Yelling over background noise and trying to talk in a deeper pitch can damage our vocal folds – also known commonly as “vocal cords.”

Preston Boomars, of Ventana Construction, created an innovative solution for dealing with electrical cords on the worksite. His “Electrical Cord Management System” won Ventana a Safety Innovation in Construction Award from the Canadian Society of Safety Engineers.

Elves are known for working hard – and often they work a bit too hard. Their work ethic is so strong, and they have so much energy, that they don’t really like taking breaks. As their supervisor, Santa has a role to play in helping keep them safe at work.

Safety is a big issue for hotel managers with properties in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside – a neighbourhood known for its struggle with poverty and addiction. Recently a trio of researchers won a Special Project award from the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering for their Downtown East Side SRO Project that addresses safety for workers and residents.

If you’re not on Twitter yet, you probably should be. I started a Twitter account for this blog (@speakinofsafety) about six months ago and I’ve had a personal account since 2008. I’ve encountered so many ideas, photos, comments, debates, links, and invitations to events in real life. Check out my links to great OHS resources you can “follow” on Twitter to keep in the loop.

Recently I heard about a new safety training package for workers who live with challenges like autism, Down’s Syndrome, and fetal alcohol exposure. It’s called “WorkSmart: A Warehouse Safety Video and Curriculum for Employees with Developmental Disabilities” and it was created by the Developmental Disabilities Association (DDA). I talked with Kirsti Inglis, who oversees the DDA’s employment programs, to find out more.

It’s free to sign up and create a profile that details your career experience, and you can join groups that are a great forum for conversation. These groups let you post and answer questions from others in your field. You can use them to recruit new staff, find new clients, or seek employment. Here are six LinkedIn groups that focus on the topic of safety.

These YouTube channels offer general and industry-specific videos for safety meetings, training sessions, and new worker orientations, available in a variety of languages.