SEL 023 Ergonomics & Musculoskeletal Injuries

9.0 TRAINING AND INSTRUCTIONS

All employees shall be provided with adequate training and instructions on the hearing protection provided to them. Training will include the use of the device, including its limitations, proper fitting, inspection and maintenance, and if applicable, the cleaning and disinfection of the device.

ERGONOMICS AND MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURIES

Document Identification SEL 023 Page Number 1 of 1

Document Creation Date January 1, 2013 Implementation Date January 1, 2013

The purpose of this element is to provide effective means to control musculoskeletal injury or disorder of the muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, joints, bones or supporting vasculature.

Definition

Musculoskeletal injury or disorder may be caused or aggravated by any of the following; repetitive motions, forceful exertions, vibration, mechanical compression, sustained or awkward postures, limitations on motion or action, or other ergonomic stressors.

Policy

inform each worker who may be at risk of developing musculoskeletal injury of that risk and of the signs and common symptoms of any musculoskeletal injury associated with that worker’s tasks. provide effective protection for each worker who may be at risk, which may include any of the following:

providing equipment that is designed, constructed, positioned and maintained to reduce the harmful effects of an activity. implement appropriate work practices and procedures to reduce the harmful effects of an activity. implement work schedules that incorporate rest and recovery periods, changes in workload or other arrangements for alternating work to reduce the harmful effects of an activity.

Management shall ensure that workers who may be at risk of developing musculoskeletal injury are instructed in the safe performance of the worker’s tasks, including the use of appropriate work practices and procedures, equipment and personal protective equipment.

Where a worker has symptoms of musculoskeletal injury, management shall:

advise the worker to consult a physician or a health care professional who is registered or licensed pursuant to an Act to practice any of the healing arts.

promptly review the activities of that worker and of other workers doing similar tasks to identify any cause of the symptoms and to take corrective measures to avoid further injuries.

Reference document – SWP 012 – Ergonomic Practices Including Lifting, Carrying & Equipment Use

THERMAL HAZARDS AND CONTROL

Document Identification SEL 024

Document Creation Date January 1, 2013 Page Number 1 of 5 Implementation Date January 1, 2013

The purpose of this element is to protect workers exposed to extreme temperatures.

Definitions

Hypothermia: An abnormally low body temperature, often caused by prolonged exposure to cold.

Frostbite: Injury or destruction of skin and underlying tissue, most often that of the nose, ears, fingers, or toes, resulting from prolonged exposure to freezing or subfreezing temperatures.

Wind-chill factor: The cooling rate is defined as heat loss resulting from the effects of air temperature and wind velocity upon exposed skin.

Threshold Limit Value (TLV): The limiting temperature to which it is believed that nearly all workers may be repeatedly exposed, day after day, without harmful effect.

Heat Stress (Hyperthermia): Unusually high body temperature that results when the body's regulating mechanisms are inadequate to dispose of internally generated, and externally supplied heat.

Humidex: The measure of perceived heat the body feels due to temperature and humidity.

Responsibilities

Management will ensure that whenever practicable, all efforts are made to limit exposure to extreme thermal hazards. Where environmental controls are not possible, management will monitor activities and maintain compliance with this element.

Before working in extreme weather conditions, management will ensure workers are instructed in thermal hazard procedures including:

Proper clothing and equipment; Guidelines for eating and drinking; Risk factors that increase the health effects of cold/heat exposure;

How to recognize signs and symptoms of hypothermia/hyperthermia.

Guidelines

It should be noted that the body will physiologically adapt due to changes in climate or environment. Acclimatization usually occurs after 7 to 10 consecutive days of exposure.

The TLV’s in this element are adapted from the Threshold Limit Values for Chemical and Physical Agents and Biological Exposure Indices, American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists(ACGIH). Document Identification SEL 024 Page Number 2 of 5 Document Creation Date January 1, 2013 Implementation Date January 1, 2013

When observing temperatures outdoors, wind-chill should be considered a factor for potential effect on

exposed skin(see chart).

Actual Temperature Reading (°C) Estimated 10 4 -1 -7 -12 -18 -23 -29 -34 -40 -46 -51 Wind Speed (KM/H) Equivalent Chill Temperature (°C) Calm 10 4 -1 -7 -12 -18 -23 -29 -34 -40 -46 -51 8 9 3 -3 -9 -14 -21 -26 -32 -38 -44 -49 -56 16 4 -2 -9 -16 -23 -31 -36 -43 -50 -57 -64 -71 24 2 -6 -13 -21 -28 -36 -43 -50 -58 -65 -73 -80 32 0 -8 -16 -23 -32 -39 -47 -55 -63 -71 -79 -85 40 -1 -9 -18 -26 -34 -42 -51 -59 -67 -76 -83 -92

48 56 64 Wind speed over 65 KPH have little additional effect -2 -11 -19 -28 -36 -44 -53 -62 -70 -78 -87 -96 -3 -12 -20 -29 -37 -46 -55 -63 -72 -81 -89 -98 -3 -12 -21 -29 -38 -47 -56 -63 -73 -82 -91 -100

Little Danger 1 hour to freeze flesh at lowest temperature Increased Danger 1 minute to freeze flesh Great Danger 30 seconds to freeze flesh

When weather information is not available, the following signs may help to estimate wind speeds in the field

(see chart).

Wind speed 8 KM/H 5 M/H 16 10 24 15 32 20 Effect

Light flag just moves Light flag is fully extended Raises newspaper sheet off the ground Wind capable of blowing snow

Working in cold environments:

Due to the risk of Frostbite and Hypothermia, workers should ensure that they are medically fit and adequately dressed to stay dry in cold, wet and windy conditions.

Any worker noticing uncontrollable or severe shivering in a co-worker must move the worker to a warm area and seek immediate medical attention.

At wind-chilled temperatures below zero Celsius, workers must work in pairs and maintain work rest cycles.

Document Identification SEL 024

Document Creation Date January 1, 2013 Page Number 3 of 5 Implementation Date January 1, 2013

Cold Environment Work/Rest Cycles will be based on a 4 hour timeframe with 10 to 15 minute rest breaks, spaced no more than 2 hours apart, and with a 30 minute meal breaks in between cycles. All breaks are to be in a warm and dry area (see chart).

Threshold Limit Values for Cold Environment Work / Rest Cycles (ACGIH) Ambient No 8 km/h 16 km/h 24 km/h Temperature Wind Wind Wind Wind

Min °C Max °C Max Work Period # of Breaks Max Work Period # of Breaks Max Work Period # of Breaks Max Work Period # of Breaks 32 km/h Wind Max Work Period # of Breaks

-26 -28 Normal Break Normal Break 75 min. 2 55 min. 3 40 min. 4 -29 -31 Normal Break 75 min. 2 55 min. 3 40 min. 4 30 min. 5

-32 -34 75 min. 2 55 min. 3 40 min. 4 30 min. 5 -35 -37 55 min. 3 40 min. 4 30 min. 5 -38 -39 40 min. 4 30 min. 5 -40 -42 30 min. 5

-43 & Below Non-emergency work should cease Non-emergency work should cease Non-emergency work should cease Non-emergency work should cease Non-emergency work should cease

Working in hot environments

When working in hot environments the effects of heat on the body are influenced by a number of environmental and personal factors, these may include:

Air temperature; Air movement; Humidity; Radiant temperature; Clothing worn; Water and salt balance; Level of activity; Acclimatization.

Where possible, workers must control these factors to prevent Heat Stress related illnesses.

Heat-related illnesses that may occur when working in hot environments include:

Document Identification SEL 024

Document Creation Date January 1, 2013 Page Number 4 of 5 Implementation Date January 1, 2013

Heat rash, or prickly heat that occurs when blocked sweat glands become inflamed. This painful rash reduces the body's ability to sweat and to tolerate heat.

Heat cramps are painful spasms of the muscles. The muscles used in doing the work are most susceptible. The spasms are caused by the failure of the body to replace its lost body salts and usually occur after heavy sweating.

Heat exhaustion results when the body loses large amounts of fluid by sweating during work in hot environments. The skin becomes cool and clammy. Symptoms include profuse sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, and headaches.

Heat stroke is the most serious condition and requires immediate medical attention. The body temperature becomes very high (even exceeding 41°C). Complete or partial loss of consciousness is possible. Sweating is not a good symptom of heat stress as there are two types of heat stroke:

"classical" where there is little or no sweating (usually occurs in children, persons who are chronically ill, and the elderly), and; "exertional" where body temperature rises because of strenuous exercise or work and sweating is usually present.

While symptoms can vary from person to person, the warning signs of heat stroke can include complaints of sudden and severe fatigue, nausea, dizziness, lightheadedness, and may or may not include sweating. If a coworker appears to be disorientated or confused (including euphoria), or has unaccountable irritability, malaise or flu-like symptoms, the worker should be moved to a cool location and seek medical advice.

When evaluating environmental conditions for Heat Stress, it is important to factor in relative humidity and temperature. The resulting value or “Humidex” (see chart) will be the basis for work/rest and response guidelines.

Document Identification SEL 024

Document Creation Date January 1, 2013 Page Number 5 of 5 Implementation Date January 1, 2013

Humidex from Temperature and Relative Humidity Readings

Relative Humidity % 100 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 48 50 53 55 58 95 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 47 49 51 54 56 59 90 28 30 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 48 50 52 55 57 60 85 27 29 31 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 49 51 53 56 58 80 26 28 30 32 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 50 52 54 57 59 75 26 27 29 31 33 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 53 55 57 70 25 27 28 30 32 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 49 51 53 56 58 65 24 26 27 29 31 32 34 36 38 40 42 43 45 47 50 52 54 56 60 24 25 27 28 30 32 33 35 37 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 57 55 23 24 26 27 29 31 32 34 36 37 39 41 43 45 46 48 50 52 55 57 50 22 24 25 27 28 30 31 33 34 36 38 40 41 43 45 47 49 51 53 55 57 45 22 23 24 26 27 28 30 32 33 35 37 38 40 42 43 45 47 49 51 53 55 57 40 24 25 26 28 29 31 32 34 35 37 39 40 42 44 45 47 49 51 53 54 56 35 24 26 27 28 30 31 33 34 36 37 39 40 42 43 45 47 49 50 52 54