The Essential 5: Health & Safety

Health and safety has never been a more important topic than it is right now. The novel coronavirus has changed the ways in which we operate in our personal and professional lives, practically overnight. Today’s fi ve resources cover the spectrum of health and safety, including information specifi c to COVID-19, first aid training, mental health and well-being awareness.

1. Resources to prevent COVID-19 in the workplace [website] https://www. ontario.ca/page/resources-preventcovid-19-workplace - This website contains relevant information surrounding

COVID-19 in the workplace. Information is changing rapidly, so it’s reassuring to find a government resource that contains current standards for companies, as well as links to daily updates surrounding the pandemic. Included within this website are ‘guidance notes’ and

‘tip sheets’ for various sectors, including manufacturing. There’s also free printable posters for employers and employees to help with daily reminders around cleaning and use of equipment. 2. The Government of Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development Health and Safety [website] https://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/ hs/ - I’ll admit that this is isn’t the most glamorous resource, but it’s the most important one of the five from a legal standpoint. Some of the most valuable information for printing companies include: what to expect when a health and safety inspector visits your workplace, information regarding the working at heights training program, and information regarding the Joint

Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) training. Not sure where to find a trainer? On this website you can access direct links to companies who are approved to deliver this training.

Additionally, this website details the exact steps that must be taken to report workplace incidents, including if someone is killed or critically injured on the job, if one of your workers has an occupational illness, or if there’s an accident, explosion or fire, or an incident of workplace violence. If you have no idea where to start or who to contact, this website gives you everything you need to know, step-by-step.

3. Canadian Red Cross’ First Aid App [application] - This app is a resource that I recommend to all of my first aid trainees. Whether you’re an experienced first aider or you’ve never taken a course, this is an important app to have on your phone. It lists the most common first aid emergencies and details how to treat them. Although this app doesn’t replace the need for first aid and CPR training and invaluable hands-on practice, I recommend looking at this app every couple of months to refresh your knowledge.

Learning first aid and CPR is like a language: if you’re not using it all the time (which I hope you’re not!) then you tend to forget it, no matter how clear or straightforward it seemed during the training. The app is free and available on the App Store and Google Play. I can’t recommend it enough. 4.CultureAmp’s Culture First [podcast] - CultureAmp is “The People & Culture

Platform.” This software company helps assess and improve employee engagement and I really admire the work that they do, as they would say, to put culture first. When I heard that

CultureAmp recently launched a podcast, I was intrigued… and it doesn’t disappoint! While the Culture First podcast is not specific to mental health awareness, many themes throughout the first 10 episodes touch upon well-being at work. For example, episodes six and seven focus on empathy and compassion in the workplace. Furthermore, episode nine deals with the hugely important conversation regarding activism at work and empowering employees to bring their whole selves to work. 5. Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor, 2020 [book] - I’ll admit that this seems like an odd choice, but it’s an interesting and excellent read. Through the lens of scientific research, mixed with cultural and spiritual references, the author argues that as natural as breathing may be, most of us could be doing it better. He provides specific examples and exercises to improve your breathing, to make anyone working to achieve a healthy, active lifestyle that much healthier.

There you have it: five helpful resources to navigate today’s challenging health and safety landscape. Although there are new norms, life looks a lot different today than it did just a few months ago, and we’re not out of the woods yet, I hope that these resources make it a little easier to face challenges head-on. From me to you, here’s an essential high five!

Diana Varma is an Instructor at the School of Graphic Communications Management at Ryerson University and the Owner of ON-SITE First Aid & CPR Training Group, a health & safety company that provides training to the Graphic Arts Industry.