December2015

Worksite NEWS

VOLUME 23 NUMBER 12

Canada’s premier Industrial Safety, Training & Innovation E-Publication

December 2015

KEEP IT SAFE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

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SAFETY IN THE OILSANDS

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NEWS & VIEWS

Child safety centre stage across boarders for the holiday season MEXICO CITY-- Shoppers across North America are gearing up for the holiday toy shopping season, and federal regulators in the United States, Mexico and Canada are joining forces to help consumers shop with confidence.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Health Canada and Mexico's Consumer Protection Federal Agency (PROFECO) are holding their Third North America Consumer Product Safety Summit in Mexico City this week, and protecting young children from dangerous and illegal toys is a shared goal among the safety agencies.

Collaboration among the regulators has taken place through joint industry trainings, consumer outreach and education, and three trilateral recall announcements of harmful toys and children's products. Additional efforts have included joint oversight of product supply chains and timely responses to emerging product hazards. The vision for creating a safer marketplace for consumers across the continent includes: (1) strong safety standards that are enforced, (2) inspections at import, and (3) an emphasis on quality safety manufacturing overseas.

"As we approach the holiday season, our three jurisdictions are working as one to protect children in all three nations from harmful toys," said CPSC Chairman Elliot F. Kaye. "Despite our real advances in toy safety, we are still finding too many violative toys at our borders.

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All consumers, regardless of which of our three nations they come from, deserve us working together to protect them. This is why working toward seamless surveillance across North American borders is a critical part of our collaboration with Health Canada and PROFECO." "In today's global marketplace, close collaboration between countries is important for keeping Canadians safe," said Dr. Jane Philpott, Minister of Health, Health Canada. "I look forward to continuing Health Canada's partnership with the CPSC and PROFECO on our shared goals for consumer product safety, including promoting toy safety this holiday season. As a mom and as Canada's new Minister of Health, I'm committed to helping keep families safe."

"Coordinated work among the consumer protection agencies in our region is the starting point to successfully face, in the near future, the challenges presented by the global economy; and, at the same time, assure every consumer that not only are their rights safeguarded, but also that the law exists to assist and protect them," said Lorena MartĂ­nez, Mexico's Federal Attorney for Consumer Protection (PROFECO). "Only by strengthening strategic alliances and sharing efforts and experience, we will reach our mutual goals."

In addition to working with Health Canada and PROFECO, CPSC works closely with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to keep violative products off of store shelves and out of consumers' homes. In the past six years, the U.S. government has stopped more than 17 million units of about 6,200 different toys that violated applicable standards from coming into the United States.

Click here to view the North American joint statement.

Here are some safety tips for all consumers to keep in mind

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: publisher@worksitenews.com FRONT LINES

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Published by Morrow Communications Inc. HEAD OFFICE Edmonton, Alberta Canada 1-587-412-0173 Publisher/Editor Jeff Morrow publisher@worksitenews.com Administrative Assistant Carrie Oliver Associate Editor J.D. Greene Contributing Writers Lakeland Simms, Barbara Semeniuk Erik David, Kristian Jay Martin Drew Harris Artwork: Nikki Ltd www.worksitenews.com

this holiday season: * Magnets – Children's magnetic toys are covered by a strong safety standard that aims to prevent magnets from being swallowed. High-powered magnet sets that have small magnets are dangerous and should be kept away from children. Whether marketed for children or adults, building and play sets with small magnets should also be kept away from small children. * Balloons - Children can choke or suffocate on deflated or broken balloons. Children can also be strangled by a balloon string. Keep deflated balloons away from children younger than 8 years old. Discard torn balloons immediately. * Small balls and other toys with small parts - For children younger than age 3, avoid toys with small parts, which can cause choking. * Scooters and other riding toys - Riding toys, skateboards and in-line skates go fast, and falls could be deadly.

Helmets and other safety gear should be worn properly at all times, and they should be sized to fit. Avoid riding scooters on streets or roadways.

Once gifts are open: * Keep toys appropriate for older children away from younger siblings. * Battery charging should be supervised by adults.

Chargers and adapters can pose thermal burn hazards to young children. Pay attention to instructions and warnings on battery chargers. Some chargers lack any mechanism to prevent overcharging.

Media Contact Please use the phone numbers below for all media requests.

Phone: 301-504-7908301-504-7908 Spanish: 301-504-7800301-504-7800

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MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS

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WORKSAFE ALBERTA

Breathing easy not easy Worksite News Service Albertans could be breathing easier under new regulations targeting reductions in toxic emissions from coal-fired electrical plants Doctors say the respiratory and cardiovascular health of Albertans will improve as soon as the first coal-powered plants shut down under the province's new climate change plan.

But the president of the Coal Association of Canada said the plan to close all 18 of Alberta's coal-fired electricity plants by 2030 is short-sighted and will hurt coal-miners, rural towns and companies.

“We're talking about people losing their livelihoods,” said Robin Campbell, who recently became the president of the Calgary-based coal association after serving as Alberta's finance minister before his defeat in the spring provincial election. Campbell estimated 3,000 coal miners work directly in Alberta's coal plants. Many more work in businesses that supply the mines and plants. “What's important for people to realize is there are real faces involved in the decision made by government on the shutting down of coal-fired generation. … We're looking at causing some real harm to real families in Alberta by being short-sighted.”

The province released its climate change plan that includes an end to coal pollution by 2030.

Twelve of the province's 18 coal-fired electricity plants are already scheduled to shut down in the next 15 years, but the province will hire a negotiator in the coming weeks to work with the

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coal industry on timelines and compensation.

“What we are doing here is undertaking an orderly evolution and transformation of the electricity system,” Environment Minister Shannon Phillips said. “We have pledged that we will ensure that this orderly transition is fair for workers, fair for communities, fair for consumers, fair for the companies.”

Dr. Joe Vipond, a Calgary emergency physician, said Alberta's coal plants produce 33 per cent of the sulphur dioxide in the province, 10 per cent of the nitric oxide in the province and about six per cent of industrial emissions and a specific type of particulate matter. That pollution contributes to asthma and breathing problems, heart attacks, strokes and irregular heart beats.

When TransAlta's Sundance 1 and 2 plants west of Edmonton shut down temporarily between 2010 and 2013 because of engineering issues, Vipond said the air became cleaner.

“By focusing on these plants we can really make a huge impact,” Vipond said. “(Health improvements) should be pretty immediate right after those are shut down.”

A 2008 report by the Canadian Medical Association estimated that air pollution from coal cost Alberta $300 million in health-care costs, and caused 700 emergency room visits.

“By reaching zero coal emissions by 2030, we will reduce ER visits, protect Albertans and save hundreds of millions of dollars in costs that impact the health care system,” Health Minister Sarah Hoffman said. WSN

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COMMUNICATION & INNOVATION

Alberta creating agency to develop energy conservation incentives, strategy Reports suggest an energy efficiency program would generate up to $200 million in provincial revenue for Alberta per year.

EDMONTON — Alberta continues to be the only jurisdiction in Canada or the US without an energy efficiency program, despite years of advice that even a basic policy would create jobs, reduce utility bills and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Alberta Environment Minister Shannon Phillips said that will change in the new year as part of the NDP government's climate change plan, which includes a broadbased carbon tax that kicks in in 2017.

Phillips said in the coming weeks the province will announce details of a new agency that is to come up with energy efficiency incentives.

“You need an agency that can really examine those matters and carefully design those policies so that we are not just simply writing cheques to people to do things that they might otherwise do,” Phillips said.“By the time that budget

2016-2017 rolls around we will have a sense of the costs, and second, of all the delivery mechanisms and the policy design.”

Phillips said the program will aim to reduce energy consumption by homeowners, businesses, municipalities, hospitals and schools.

For years a group called the Alberta Energy Efficiency Alliance has been recommending that the province use financial incentives and regulations to spur energy conservation.

Reports released by the group as recently as September have said an energy efficiency program would help Alberta's economy and generate up to $200 million in provincial revenue per year.

Earlier reports have said such a program could also reduce emissions equivalent to taking 800,000 cars off the road.

“Energy efficiency is a real low-hanging fruit for any government interested in GDP, jobs and revenue,” reads a consultant's report posted on the alliance's website.

Members of the alliance include the cities of Calgary and Edmonton, Suncor Energy, Atco Gas, Shell Canada, the Pembina Institute, the Canada Green Building Council and other businesses and groups.

The alliance has told the government it should consider what has worked well in other provinces, including financial incentives for upgrading buildings and for buying energy efficient appliances.

Brian Halina, Director Labour Relations

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION OF ALBERTA 17725 - 103 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5S 1N8 Ph: (780) 451-2412 Fax: (780) 455-9815 Toll Free: 1-800-252-9375 ecaa@ecaa.ab.ca Website: www.ecaa.ab.ca

“Voice of the electrical industry in the Province of Alberta”

It also recommends incentives for upgraded heating equipment and energy efficient lighting.

The former Progressive Conservative government had planned to roll out a program in October 2014 that was to include rebates to encourage homeowners to purchase energy-efficient appliances.

At the time former environment minister Robin Campbell said the program would cost up to $30 million in the first year and the province would pay part of the cost based on receipts submitted by homeowners.

But the PC government never launched the program.

The money was to come from Alberta's Climate Change and Emissions Management Fund, which large industrial companies pay into when they can't meet their greenhouse gas reduction targets.

Phillips would not say how much money the NDP government is prepared to spend on its program. She said some of the money would come from that fund.

Jesse Row, executive director of the alliance, said the group has been urging the province to take action since 2007.

He said Premier Rachel Notley and Phillips have shown a keen interest in energy efficiency.

“We're optimistic we'll see Alberta join leading provinces in harnessing a resource that not only reduces emissions; it also saves people money, and creates good jobs and economic growth,” Row said in an email. WSN

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Safety Centre Stage HERE OR THERE in Ontario A

majority of Canadian employees have been inattentive while at work, findings from a recent Morneau Shepell report indicate.

By Alexandra Jamieson ntario Labour Relations Board has jurisdiction to hear claim arising from safety issues in B.C.

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In a recent decision (Escudero v Diversified Transportation Ltd./Pacific Western Group of Companies) the Ontario Labour Relations Board confirmed an Ontario-based employer must take reasonable precautions to protect its workers even when those workers are temporarily assigned to work outside the province.

Daniel Escudero, an employee of Diversified Transportation/Pacific Western Group of Companies, filed an application under section 50 of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), which prohibits an employer from reprising against a worker because the worker has acted in compliance with or sought enforcement of the act.

Though he lived in Ontario, throughout the course of his first year of employment with Diversified, Escudero worked in both Ontario and British Columbia. He was then permanently transferred to Ontario before being temporarily assigned to work in British Columbia as a warehouse supervisor.

While working in British Columbia, Escudero allegedly observed several serious health and safety violations including forklifts operated by untrained volunteers at high speeds, no mirrors or marked pedestrian walkways, no first-aid kits, and obstructed exits. He reported this to his mentor in B.C., allegedly to no avail. Shortly thereafter, Escudero was contacted by his operations manager in Ontario and asked to return to his home province. Roughly two weeks later his employment was terminated.

Escudero claimed Diversified violated section 50 of the Ontario OHSA by terminating his employment as a reprisal for having raised health and safety concerns relating to the warehouse in B.C. In a preliminary motion, Diversified argued that because the alleged safety matters occurred in British Columbia, the board had no jurisdiction to inquire into them; the matters could only be dealt with under the British Columbia Workers Compensation Act. Escudero disagreed. He argued that because he was employed by Diversified in Ontario and reported to Diversified's Ontario operations manager, Escudero's temporary assignment to B.C. did not relieve Diversified from its duty to protect its workers under the Ontario OHSA. The board agreed with Escudero, holding it had the authority to adjudicate the reprisal complaint even though the workplace was in B.C. The basis for the board's decision was as follows: Section 25(2)(h) of the Ontario act provides that an employer shall take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker. The application of the Ontario act is not restricted Ontario workplaces, but rather to employers governed by the Ontario OHSA. An Ontario-based employee has a right to require his or her employer to take reasonable precautions to protect him or her regardless where he or she works. By contrast, a safety standard applicable to a non-Ontario workplace (for example, whether a first-aid kit is required on-site) is not within the board's jurisdiction.

Finally, section 28(1)(d) of the Ontario act requires a worker to report to his or her employer or supervisor any contravention of the Ontario act or the existence of any hazard. Escudero was therefore required to report the alleged hazards under the Ontario act He was therefore entitled to do so without reprisal: “The Ontario legislature does not have the authority to establish through the act or its regulations the substance of workplace health and safety standards applicable to work performed in British Columbia… Those standards and their enforcement — forklift training requirements and the speed at which forklifts may travel in a warehouse… are the responsibility of the legislature of the province of British Columbia,” the board said. “However, Mr. Escudero, as an employee of (Diversified) permanently based in Ontario, had the right, when he was temporarily assigned by (Diversified) to a workplace in (British Columbia), to require (Diversified) to ensure that every precaution reasonable in the circumstances had been taken to protect him. That right existed independently of the substance of any applicable health and safety standard establish by the legislature of British Columbia.”

Lessons learned for employers: Although the substance of the reprisal complaint has not yet been determined, the board's decision on this preliminary issue confirms an Ontario-based employer must take reasonable precautions to protect its workers even when those workers are temporarily assigned to work outside the province. Practically speaking, this includes taking reasonable precautions to ensure the temporary workplace complies with relevant safety requirements, and any report of a hazard is taken as seriously as if it were made about an Ontario workplace.

Alexandra Jamieson is a lawyer with Sherrard Kuzz, one of Canada's leading employment and labour law firms, representing management. She can be reached at (416) 603-0700 (main), (416) 420-0738 (24 hour) or by visiting www.sherrardkuzz.com.

The report, The True Picture of Workplace Absenteeism, found that 80 per cent of respondents self-reported experience with presenteeism – time spent at the workplace while not productively engaged in work. Meanwhile, 81 per cent indicated that they had gone into work while they could not perform as well as they would have liked.

The reasons for doing so included physical sickness (47 per cent), stress or anxiety (40 per cent) and workplace issues and/or problems with co-workers or managers (22 per cent). Alarmingly, depression was specified as the cause by 15 per cent of respondents.

The conclusions of the study – which interviewed more than 1,300 Canadians, including 1,005 employees, 100 employers and 104 physicians – were released on June 10. The margin of error for the survey was 3.09 per cent for employees, according to a statement from Morneau Shepell.

“We're hoping that it will be a bit of a wakeup call to employers,” said Paula Allen, vice president of resource and integrative solutions at Morneau Shepell. “It might not be easy for an employer to assess, but employees felt pretty clear that they could see when it was happening.” When measuring presenteeism, Allen said, accidents, errors, missed deadlines and having to redo things were all indicators of inattentive employees.

Both presenteeism and absenteeism can contribute to increased risk of accidents, noted Allen. With absenteeism, co-workers might be expected to do extra work to compensate for the missing employee, which can lead to fatigue, overtime hours or skipped breaks. Contract workers, who are generally less trained, may also be hired to replace absent workers. “All of those things, I think you can see, increase the possibility of accidents.”

Allen suggested that employers should not deal with absenteeism in a punitive manner.. “In most situations, it really is an indication that there is something going on and that it makes sense for employers and employees to collaborate to improve the health of the workplace and, ultimately, absence.”

When it comes to workers going on prolonged absence or disability leave, the biggest barrier to employees returning to work could be that workplaces cannot accommodate employees; 76 per cent of the physicians surveyed indicated that a major barrier was workplaces not being able to accommodate their conditions, followed by their fear about returning at 62 per cent. Meanwhile, 49 per cent of physicians reported that they were not comfortable providing information on work-performance limitations due a medical condition, and 21 per cent said they were not comfortable providing medical notes for workplace duty restrictions.

Other key findings from the report included that 56 per cent of employees were not aware of their organization offering employee-assistance programs and 43 per cent indicated that their organizations did not create an environment that supported mental wellness on the job.

“Safety isn't only about policy, it's really about building a health and safety culture,” said Allen.

The True Picture of Workplace Absenteeism is available to read online at http://www.morneaushepell.com/sites/default/files/documents/3679-true-pictureworkplace-absenteeism/9929/absencemanagementreport06-08-15.pdf.

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CRANE SAFETY Toronto gearing up to receive Syrian refugees, Mayor John Tory says

How to Get the Best From Your Cranes

Safety concerns over crane holding up completion of L Tower The crane operators union compares the derrick crane at the top of the Daniel Libeskind-designed skyscraper to “an incomplete Lego set.”

A little rust-coloured derrick crane is being blamed for delaying completion of the distinctive L Tower condo building downtown.

Citing its poor design, the union of crane operators in Ontario calls the lifting machine at the top of the Daniel Libeskinddesigned skyscraper a “monstrosity” akin to “an incomplete Lego set put together by an 8-year-old.”

The derrick in question is not the much larger tower crane that runs along the eastern wall of the building, but one intended to be used to install the building maintenance unit, a permanent platform that will eventually rest on the tower's roof.

The Ministry of Labour has been investigating the work site at the corner of Esplanade and Yonge St. since June, when it received a complaint about crane components that were being hoisted to the roof. The building is currently in its sixth year of construction.

The licensed crane operator tasked with the derrick's assembly, Robert MacFarlane, said he resigned after he felt his safety concerns were brushed off by the project's construction manager, Dominus Construction Group.

“The worst-case scenario is (it) could collapse during assembly and fall down beside the building,” he said. “We are talking worldwide news catastrophe, and I couldn't be a part of it.”

When reached by the Star late last week, Dominus vice-president Anthony Pignetti declined to respond personally to the allegations. Communications consulting firm Vicbar Marketing Ltd. later forwarded a statement on behalf of the project team.

“Throughout construction, we have worked closely with the Ministry of Labour at our L Tower site and have complied with all orders in an expeditious and proactive manner,” the statement reads. “We will continue to cooperate with the Ministry and comply with all safety requirements.

“The temporary derrick currently at the L Tower site has never been mobilized and is not, and never has been, in operation.”

One of the three developers overseeing the $235-million condominium tower's construction says that as soon as the partner-developers found out about the derrick's installation issues, they pledged to take it down.

“It testifies to our credibility that once the partnership got involved we took it upon ourselves to take it down, once we learned all the facts,” said Castlepoint Numa managing partner John O'Keefe.

Castlepoint president Alfredo Romano told the Star his firm speaks on behalf of the joint venture comprising Cityzen Development Group, Fernbrook Homes and Castlepoint Numa.

The Star was unable to reach the other partners.

According to Romano, the current derrick, weather permitting, is to be dismantled by the end of November.

Michael Gallagher, the business manager of International Union of Operating Engineers Local 793, said the crane should have never been put up in the first place.

“We don't believe we should be rolling the dice on a custommade lifting device over the heads of the good people of Toronto,” he said.

MacFarlane, the crane operator, said the delay began when he asked primary contractor Dominus Construction for inspection

reports that would prove the derrick's design had been declared safe by an engineer.

“I told them that it's not getting any taller until I can review the shop drawings,” the 57-year-old said. He alleges this request was repeatedly brushed aside by Dominus' project managers.

A Ministry of Labour inspector visited the site in June and issued a stop-work order — used when there is an immediate danger or hazard to the health or safety of a worker — until engineering reports confirming the crane was structurally sound were provided. The partially assembled machine, while not operational, has sat atop the tower ever since.

A ministry spokesperson confirmed it is not a hazard in its current form and the order does not affect other areas of the project.

Interior work, such as drywall and finishing, has continued.

The deadline for the engineering reports was the end of July. They were never provided. Instead, the ministry said it was informed that alternative methods and equipment were going to be explored. Until those options have been established and the initial requirements fulfilled, the stop-work order will remain in place.

Inside the complex, which has 58 residential floors, some newly moved in occupants argue they are stuck paying a premium price for a product still half-clad in plastic sheets and scaffolding.

Renters such as Spencer Moare, who moved in last February, said his patience is waning in light of the building's latest hiccup.

Other aspects of construction have taken longer than planned — for example, installation of the north façade's curved section, which the developers say was especially complex.

Several of the skyscraper's added comforts, such as the swimming pool, sauna and gym, remain off-limits. “There is no way this is your average set of issues,” he said. “Nothing is open, unless you consider the mailroom an amenity.”

Romano said that while he understands the wait has been long, more than 500 owners have fully paid off their suites and moved in.“Building inspections have passed and all necessary health and safety requirements have been met for occupancy,” he said, adding that the partnership has “diligently pursued the realization of this iconic vision for Toronto.”WSN

By Rosario Berry A typical crane consists of hundreds of different parts working together to do some powerful lifting tasks. Thus, for ensuring that a crane functions well and is not disrupted, it's essential that it's regularly serviced and maintained. Any construction project manager has to be very careful in warehousing a definite stock of necessary crane spare parts. The need to rapidly finish construction projects in modern times mean that contractors just can't afford to stop the cranes for too long.

Maintain a reliable stock of crane spare parts While a crane is built to withstand some really heavy tasks and difficult conditions, wear and tear with constant use simply isn't unimaginable. While controlled and supervised use can ensure a longer life for cranes, a contractor just shouldn't be risking the functionality of the crane on safe use or instincts. Ranging from specific bolt to wheel, joystick, cylinder and brakes, a contractor has to firstly look into items and crane spare parts that need to be replaced more than others. For most contractors, procuring crane spare parts may not even be easy as there are relatively lesser number of vendors in the market.

Take regular servicing seriously Cranes need to be serviced regularly so as to ensure that your construction projects go on smoothly. Depending upon the nature and workload of the crane, specific servicing regimes need to be followed. For standby or light service cranes, an annual servicing should be sufficient. However, for severe or continuous service cranes, servicing is a must on a quarterly basis. Best industry standards dictate that cranes should be serviced by skilled workers with a minimum of 10,000 hours of experienced inspection, maintenance, repairs, and modification of equipments.

Choose the right crane for the right work For ensuring longer lives and better functioning it's essential to procure the right cranes. Before making the final decision, it's essential to analyze the nature of the project and the intensity of work. A large crane certainly can't be beneficial for a small construction, while smaller cranes also can't build giant structures.

For dynamic projects, certain crane spare parts can also be used as a substitute for another crane, eliminating the requirement of unnecessarily procuring more cranes.

Retrofitting your cranes as a modern solution Traditionally, cranes have been built to run on diesel or fossil fuels. Then again the expensive costs of procuring a crane make it difficult to replace it. Thus, construction projects often had no choice but to spend a tremendous amount of money on fuel. However, contractors now have the option of using their old cranes with electricity by retrofitting. The company also produces spare parts for the new system, ensuring that contractors can benefit from the new technology without the fear of disruption.

Rosario Berry is a professional freelance writer, like to introduce Corinne P&I Co. Construction project manager has to be careful in warehousing a definite stock of necessary Crane Spare Part.

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Have a Safe, Happy Holiday

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December 2015 Page 11

CONSTRUCTION SAFETY

Reno Risks

Follow the steps before hiring a contractor Need a contractor to complete that much-needed renovation? Finding someone you trust can be a daunting task.

Reviews are a great way to hear from others about their experiences, but are they enough? eieihome.com spoke to Paul Napolitano of Royal Home Improvements, a residential renovation general contractor, about what to consider when hiring a contractor for your next home renovation project.

The following tips will help you to choose a contractor to perform your renovation.

Ask for credentials. Established contractors will have a package of information intended for this purpose. Ask to see confirmation that the contractor is licensed and carries the proper insurance. There is a cost to being a licensed/insured contractor but the benefits are there for both the client and the renovator.

Industry associations provide their members with education and information in exchange for fees and guarantees regarding behaviour. Credential checks should include confirming membership in associations with positive reputations. Visit the Better Business Bureau online to see contractor ratings and determine which industry associations a contractor is affiliated with. Royal Home Improvements is in good standing with the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) and the national RenoMark program. The Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) has vetted and recommended suppliers who align with the needs and values of older Canadians.

Royal Home Improvements is the only CARP Recommended residential renovation general contractor in Canada.

Get it in writing. Be clear and detailed about the scope of work, quality of materials and schedule expectations. If your contractor has the right information they can provide an accurate estimate and work plan. Ask for a proposal and contract in writing even for simple jobs. If the documents contain a clear and complete description of the scope of work, payment schedule and warranty then there is a good foundation for success. If not, look elsewhere. With regards to the warranty, always get a look at a warranty certificate ahead of time.

Cheaper isn't always better. A significantly lower price could be a sign that the contractor is inexperienced or is using lower quality materials. When the spread between prices is very large take the time to ask more questions to ensure you are receiving everything you require for the number quoted.

References. Given that trust is generally earned over time through consistency and good performance, look for a contractor with a track record. Reading online reviews can be useful when choosing a contractor, however, reviews don't always provide the details you need. That's why Royal Home Improvements recommends a contractor provide you with at least three references from jobs similar to yours. Then call or visit and be sure to ask about quality of work, how the contractor handled the schedule and problems if they arose. Ask how well they communicated and if the owner would hire the contractor again.

Most established contractors will take you to an active renovation project where you can get a sense of job site cleanliness and work safety.

You're ready to hire. You've followed the suggestions and found contractors experienced with your project and prices that match your budget. Now get agreement on how and when you will meet to discuss the project status and decisions.

Communications are critical. And the contractor you select will be working in your home so make sure there is agreement on how they will take care of your space. If you've done all this now select the contractor you feel comfortable with and can trust.

Visit www.eieihome.com for more advice, to read contractor reviews and find local service professionals.

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Construction Consultancies Offer Construction Safety Training and Other Services

By Kenneth Eldredge Contractors and builders will benefit greatly from thirdparty input. A construction consulting agency helps you detect any shortcomings or improvements you may have missed during the planning stages of your development.

They will assist you throughout the entire duration of your project, from safety planning to final inspections.

Consultants from a construction consulting firm work to streamline operations in a construction site. You can hire them as an onsite consultant or schedule their services when you reach specific milestones. This will depend on the type of consultancy you are looking for.

There are management consultants who will help you with seemingly menial tasks such as scheduling deliveries, handling skilled laborers, and taking charge of your materials inventory at the end of each day. These tasks may seem menial, but most project delays come from failure to execute these promptly. Hiring management consultants lets you focus on the more important aspects of your development while still getting these assignments done.

Building consultants assist you in construction site safety implementation and basic construction tasks. They can help you with housekeeping and concrete patching, carpentry protection, and fire stopping and safety. These consultants are also in charge of installing fall safety systems to protect your laborers in case they slip and fall.

Engineering consultants handle the more technical aspects of your development project. They are more skilled than the previously mentioned types because they must evaluate your project and find ways to make it better. They will help you with design drawings, inspections, testing, code compliance, as well as environmental engineering. They can also help you with acquiring the necessary permits for your project.

A construction consulting company also conducts construction safety training and planning with builders. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires all contractors and builders to undergo construction safety training. This will help you avoid any undesired accidents. It will also educate you on what to do when disaster strikes.

Choose a construction consulting firm with extensive experience in the industry. They should have a team of licensed engineers and safety inspectors who can work effectively with skilled builders. Agencies offering construction safety training should have OSHA-certified trainers. It would also help if they are licensed site safety managers. Request for specific qualifications, such as fire department safety certifications and suspended scaffold user certifications.

There are many companies offering complete consultation services. These firms provide comprehensive consulting services for a competitive price. You could select a combination of consultants to handle different aspects of your project if you prefer. Hiring separate advisers may be more costly, but it allows you to select the best consultants in the industry.

Make your building process more streamlined and efficient with the help of a construction consulting company. Check your local listings or search online for consultancies offering a wide range of services. You can also ask referrals from your colleagues. You can be a better contractor and build more lasting establishments with the help of their expertise.WSN Kenneth Eldredge works with different construction consulting companies and orients them on construction safety training .

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SAFETY IN THEAMONG OILPATCH PSYCHOPATHS US

Pipeline safety reports more detailed findings CALGARY- The National Energy Board is making more information about the safety of pipelines it regulates available to the public. The National Energy Board's pipeline inspection reports will include detailed findings, outcomes and any enforcement action. Officials say the reports will not be too technical or dense for the general public to understand.

Starting immediately, inspection reports will be posted on the regulator's website.

Chris Loewen, vice-president of operations at the board, says the watchdog performs about 150 of those inspections a year.

At one time, the NEB was a lowprofile agency, but it has been registering much higher on the public's radar in recent years amid controversy over new energy developments.

Loewen says a big consideration has been making sure the reports aren't too dense and technical for the general public, so it's been training inspectors in the field to write them in an accessible manner.

He says the companies regulated by the NEB have been brought up to speed with the plans, but it's hard to say how enthusiastic they are about it.

The reports will be posted online within six weeks of an inspection taking place.

They will include detailed findings, outcomes and any enforcement action.

The chair of the NEB, Peter Watson, toured across Canada earlier this year with the aim of understanding Canadians' concerns and demystifying the work of the regulator.

Loewen said based on those discussions, he suspects there's a big public appetite for the inspection information.

“It's all about doing the right thing,” he said in an interview. “Frankly, it's in the public interest and it's the kind of information that Canadians are really interested in and that they deserve,” he added.

Loewen said the move is part of a wider effort to “modernize” the NEB and make it more transparent.

The NEB oversees 2,117 energy facilities and 73,000 kilometres of pipelines in Canada.

Those facilities and pipelines transported 1.27 billion barrels of petroleum products last year.

WSN

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December 2015 Page 13

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

TIMING; PLANNING CRUCIAL Tips to respond effectively when your employees need urgent help

W

hen it comes time to respond during an emergency, knowing what steps to take can be crucial. If the emergency happens in the workplace, it may become your responsibility to make sure others receive help. In this article, we'll look at some of the ways you can effectively help your employees during an emergency.

Be prepared One of the best ways to make sure an emergency is handled appropriately is to prepare for emergencies ahead of time. You should know where emergency medical supplies are located, and there should already be a plan in place for each type of workplace emergency as part of your safety policy.

You and your employees should receive first aid training, and if employees are working alone you should take additional precautions that including preparing a working alone safety policy. Safety drills may interrupt the work day, but they'll also help people to respond quicker and with more confidence when the time comes.

No detail should be overlooked, including having a list of emergency contacts available for your employees, and emergency phone numbers stored on your devices. Besides 9-1-1, you'll want to have other emergency service numbers saved to your phone and available within the workplace. If your company utilizes a safety monitoring service or other system of communication, be sure to have their contact save so that you'll be ready to respond if you're called.

It's impossible to prepare for all emergency situations, but with practice and planning, employees will be able to stay calm and tend to the emergency at hand.

Stay calm Although it's easier said than done, keeping calm during an emergency is the best way to make sure that you make the right choices. The person in emergency will be better served by someone who has their head in the right place.

Some of the calming techniques recommended by experts include breathing exercises, visualization techniques, and muscle relaxation exercises. Taking the time to slow down and perform one of these techniques during an emergency could ultimately lead to a quicker response if it means that the responder makes better choices.

During an emergency, stress can lead to human error. One way to eliminate mistakes during emergency response is to automate your safety systems. An automated safety monitoring system will call for help in the event that an employee is unable to, and will persistently escalate an emergency if a contact is unable to respond. By removing the human element, you can ensure that as tensions rise, mistakes won't.

Just like anything in the workplace, an emergency response often becomes a team effort, meaning that you'll need to be ready to coordinate your response with others.

Follow the plans and record your response As part of planning a coordinated emergency response, you'll want to have a set of instructions available and a means to record a response. When it comes time to respond to an emergency, the response process should be as simple as possible.

Workplace emergencies create a hectic and stressful environment, so recording the response can help to make sure a coordinated effort is best utilized. If an employee is missing, the recorded response can be relayed to police or emergency services so that it's clear to all involved what steps have been taken.

Safety monitoring services often include the ability to create customized instructions for emergency response, and provide a means to record and relay these responses to others. Recorded responses are not only useful during an emergency, they can also be used to create a full emergency report, helping to prevent the same emergency from happening again in the future.

Planning for emergencies is only useful if the plans can be easily followed by everyone involved, and improvements can be implemented preventing future emergency scenarios. Make sure the emergency is followed through to resolution. Just like an emergency begins in the planning

stage, it doesn't really end until a follow-up has been completed. Depending on the type of emergency that has taken place, the resolution can take many forms.

In the event that the emergency was a false alarm, your resolution may begin by confirming that all employees involved are safe and accounted for. Following real emergencies, you'll want to see that any injured employees have received medical attention and make decisions around work stoppage.

You'll want to record any steps that are taken during the emergency resolution, and make sure to note any details from the emergency that may be relevant upon further investigation.

If you're utilizing an automated safety system, you should generate a report showing how events transpired.

Fully resolving an emergency means that you'll have data to work off of when it comes time to making sure that the same emergency won't happen again.

Putting it all together Effective emergency responses require a lot of preparation and coordination, but they don't need to be a full-time job.

By planning emergency responses beforehand and training your staff on protocol, you can make sure that the proper steps are taken every time. WSN

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December 2015 Page 14

TRANSPORT SAFETY

HOLIDAY SAFETY TRAVEL TIPS The holidays can be both a joyful and stressful time of year. Families are on the go, running errands, going shopping and taking road trips to visit relatives and friends. Safe Kids Worldwide and General Motors, partners in keeping families safe for nearly two decades, offer seven simple tips for holiday travel: 1. Remember to buckle up every ride, every time, whether it's the long trip to visit family or around the block to the mall.

2. Shopping center parking lots are busier during the holidays. Watch out for distracted pedestrians and drivers who may not be paying attention to you, especially when backing out of parking spaces.

3. For parents of teens, remind them to be extra alert during this holiday season, when conditions are more challenging even for experienced drivers.

4. Commit to keeping your electronics out of your hand. No text message or playlist is worth the risk.

5.

If you are headed to a party and plan to drink alcohol, designate a driver or use a car service to make sure you get home safely.

6. Expect the unexpected. You never know when you have to stop abruptly, so keep hot foods, large gifts and anything that can become a projectile in the trunk.

7. Remember when traveling in large groups, all vehicle occupants need their own seat belt or car seat, even for short rides. "We want to remind parents that car seats and seat belts save lives,"said Kate Carr, president and CEO of Safe Kids Worldwide. "As we travel in larger groups of family and friends, make sure every passenger has a seat belt or a properly-fitted car seat. It's easy to forget simple steps in our holiday planning, but it only takes a few moments to make sure everyone is safe."

"Customer safety is our main concern, and that's especially true during the holiday travel season," said Jeff Boyer, member of the Safe Kids Worldwide board of directors and vice president of global vehicle safety at General Motors. "We encourage drivers to leave ample time to get to their destinations, always ensure all children and adults in the vehicle are buckled up and never drink and drive."

Safe Kids Buckle Up program is a national initiative established 18 years ago by Safe Kids Worldwide and General Motors to keep children and families safe in and around cars. GM's long term commitment to educating families has helped the child passenger safety program evolve into one of the most comprehensive in the nation, with more than 1.8 million car seats inspected at 93,000 community events. To ensure your car seat is properly installed, review the car seat safety tips or find a car seat inspection station in your area.

For more tips on how to stay safe during the holiday season and throughout the year, visit www.safekids.org/holiday-safety-tips.

About Safe Kids Worldwide Safe Kids Worldwide is a global organization dedicated to preventing injuries in children, the number one killer of kids in the United States. Around the world, a child dies from an unintentional injury every 30 seconds. And millions of children are injured in ways that can affect them for a lifetime

AFE

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HEALTH & WELL-BEING

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December 2015 Page 15

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December 2015 Page 16

FARM SAFETY HEALTH & WELL-BEING

Alberta farming now part of OHS regulations People working on Alberta's farms and ranches will be covered under provincial labour legislation in the new year.

The move will affect 60,000 farm and ranch workers who will be subject to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) legislation and Workers Compensation Board (WCB) coverage as of Jan. 1.

Additional changes to employment standards and labour relations legislation will come into effect in the spring of 2016, while detailed OHS rules for farms and ranches come into effect in 2017.

Lori Sigurdson, minister of jobs, skills, training and labour, said workers in other industries are covered under labour legislation and it's time for the same rules to apply to farm workers.

Alberta is the only province where farm workers do not have any form of labour coverage.

“This is really about safety and it's been far too long that workers in this industry have not had protections and fairness and it's time for us to move on it,” she said.

The move affects anyone involved in commercial operations of a farm or ranch and OHS rules will cover anyone who works on a farm, including unpaid family members, children or neighbours who volunteer to help.

The rules only cover commercial operations, not personal or recreational activities around the house and they don't cover operations involving processing food products.

The provincial government will work with industry over the next year to develop detailed regulations. Specific issues, such as hours, safety standards, children working on farms, overtime and holiday pay will be determined during the discussions.

Sigurdson said the government will work with farmers and ranchers to design specific OHS and labour rules that will recognize the unique nuances of the agricultural sector.

“We want to work with them, farmers and the industry in general to make sure we're getting it right,” he said.

Info online at www.work.alberta.ca/farmandranch Once new occupational rules are in place, OHS officers will have the authority to inspect farms to ensure compliance with regulations and to deal with injuries involving paid and unpaid workers.

They will also have the ability to issue stop-work orders when necessary.

However, Sigurdson said the Province will work with producers to ensure such orders don't effect animal or crop health.

She said OHS investigators are highly trained and the government wants to work with industry and family farms to ensure workers' safety is protected, while allowing the job to get done.

“This is the first time we've been able to go on family farms and in the industry, so we are certainly working with the investigators to make sure we're using an educational approach,” she said.

Foothills rancher Ralph Nelson said the government is moving too quickly and should take more time to consult farmers and ranchers.

He said the Province should specifically target problem areas in the agricultural sector, rather than blanket the industry with rules that will be difficult to police or administer.

“I'm just afraid that it's an urban workforce application being applied to the farm,” he said.

“Maybe some folks just don't understand how diverse agriculture is and how many different types of operations there are and how specialized some are.”

Nelson said safety is top of mind for everyone working on farms and ranches, but he said

Newly named AltaLink Hall home to annual Farm Safety Day on Stampede Park CALGARY, Alberta – AltaLink and the Calgary Stampede are proud to announce a partnership that will support rural youth and farm families through a new farm safety and prevention program. AltaLink's generous $1.5 million gift will create AltaLink Hall within the existing Agrium Western Event Centre to support agriculture programming benefitting rural communities. In addition to this gift, AltaLink will also support a new annual one-day farm safety program on Stampede Park to educate youth on safety best practices.

“We're honoured to step up during these tough economic times to partner with the Calgary Stampede and support agricultural communities across Alberta,” says Scott Thon, President and CEO, AltaLink. “Our employees work across rural Alberta every day to keep the lights on in our province, so supporting farm families is important to us.

We're proud the AltaLink Hall will be home to Farm Safety Day – a program that develops tangible prevention skills and enables a culture of safety among our youth and families involved in Alberta's key agricultural sector.”

Farm Safety Day will provide safety lessons tailored to various audiences and will

there is a wide range of potential hazards that can be unpredictable and difficult to mitigate.

“There can be some significant risks in what we do out on the farm, but I'm not so sure how you eliminate that risk,” he said. “You can do your best to manage it; it's risky. I ride my horse and he can fall in a hole and chuck me off.”

Nelson said large agricultural operations already have formalized procedures and protocols in place and may have an easier time adjusting to the new rules.

However, he said it will be more difficult for smaller operations and family farms to figure out how it will affect them and what changes will be needed.

Nelson said OHS inspectors should have an agricultural background and understanding of the industry.

Highwood MLA Wayne Anderson said the government is moving too quickly and needs to meet with farmers before bringing in any changes.

“We believe educate before you legislate, when have they actually gone out to the stakeholders and had a conversation for them,” he said.

He is concerned about the potential impact it could have on smaller operations and said family farms should be exempt from the changes.

He said safety is a priority and he hopes logic and common sense will prevail to minimize the potential impact.

“To have the OHS have the ability to walk in and shut down your family farm business just because there's a potential for an accident of some sort of potential of a safety violation, people's livelihoods would be put in jeopardy if OHS has the ability to walk in and shut down the family farm,” he said.WSN include topics such as infrastructure, vehicles, farm equipment, and animals.

“AltaLink's generous donation to create Farm Safety Day and AltaLink Hall is a milestone in the Calgary Stampede's effort to continue to showcase agriculture and western experiences,” says Warren Connell, CEO, Calgary Stampede. “We are aligned with AltaLink's vision to support Alberta's agriculture communities and are committed to educate youth on best practices around farm safety.”

The first Farm Safety Day will be held at Stampede Park in AltaLink Hall on Thursday, March 24, 2016. The interactive program will be aimed at rural youth in grades six through nine. The Calgary Stampede will actively work with school districts to bring awareness about Farm Safety Day. The focus on farm safety aligns closely with AltaLink's long-standing partnership with Alberta 4-H, which was just extended into 2019. AltaLink is proud to have the opportunity to continue to support rural Alberta communities with Alberta 4-H for five more years. AltaLink Hall is a 20,000 square foot multi-purpose space within the Agrium Western Event Centre. It is a premier destination for youth-oriented agriculture learning year-round and during Stampede. Programs that run in AltaLink Hall – Agtivity in the City, Seed Survivor and more – attract hundreds of thousands of visitors per year.WSN

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December 2015 Page 17

ELECTRICAL SAFETY

Top 9 Tips to Avoid Christmas Fire Hazards

By Catherine Watson Christmas is around the corner. You must be busy preparing celebration plans, doing shopping, baking ginger bread cookies and decorating your home with dazzling lights.

After all, it is the season of celebrations, decorations and enjoyment. However, it is also a high time of fires related accidents.

According to U.S Fire Administration (USFA), the number of residential fires is doubled on Christmas Day than on an average day. The fires occurred during the holiday season are more deadly and costly than at any other time of the year. So, fire safety measures should be taken into consideration to keep you and your beloved ones safe.

Here are the few tips to protect your home and loved ones from fire hazards during this holiday season.

Take care of your Christmas tree Buy a fresh tree and maintain its freshness by making a cut on the base of the tree before putting it into a sturdy stand.

Keep it hydrated by watering it regularly. Don't keep it close to the source of heat. Avoid using candles to lighten up.

No matter how well you water it, it will dry out after few days. So, take it out immediately after holidays. Artificial tree is much safer than real tree but make sure it is flame retardant.

Inspect your lights Your home looks beautiful when you decorate it with lights during holiday season. While doing that, make sure you inspect the lights. If the wires and sockets are damaged, fix them quickly. Don't plug more than three strands to prevent overheating and always check the safety label such as UL

(Underwriter's labs) or FM (Factory mutual). Take them down after holidays as they get damaged by weather.

Have a fire escape plan Plan in advance on what you would do in the event of fire.

Arrange smoke detectors in each sleeping room of your home.

Don't burn the Christmas tree and wrapping paper Don't burn the Christmas tree and wrapping paper to dispose them because it can clog the chimney and spread the fire as an ash.

Inspect extension cords Check your extension cords to ensure they are laboratoryapproved. Never tape and run them under rugs. Don't overload your electrical outlets. If a fuse or a circuit trip blows, that means it is overloaded.

Decorate Your Christmas tree safely Avoid taping, stapling and tacking decoration ornaments into wiring, when you decorate your Christmas tree.

Cook Carefully Cooking is one of the top causes of holiday fires. You tend to cook more dishes using more stoves at once. Keep an eye on hot surfaces and overflowing pots. Avoid using a turkey deep fryer indoors.

It is quite easy to get distracted from cooking. You leave the kitchen heating oil in the pan, when your husband calls you and completely forget you have something on your stove.

Don't leave cooking food unattended.

Be careful with Candles Maintain a foot of space between candle and combustible things. Always set candles on sturdy base and cover them with hurricane globes. Don't forget to blow out candles before going to bed. LED candles are the best option for worry free atmosphere.

Keep an Eye on Your Kids A lighter or a candle is more deadly than a revolver in the

hands of kid. So, don't let your children play with flammable things.

We hope you will follow above safety tips to have safe holidays.

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MINE SAFETY & TRAINING

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December 2015 Page 18

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December 2015 Page 19

POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER- PTSD

Alberta paramedic fights for his rights as victim of PTSD Mental health issues on the rise in EMS Mike Lacourciere now faces a trial where he will fight to regain his paramedic registration, denied after he admitted he suffered from posttraumatic stress disorder.

Lacourciere talked recently with the Health Disciplines Board, the government body that oversees self-regulating professions in Alberta, about how he lost his paramedic licence after he revealed that he took time off for treatment of work-related PTSD. The outcome of his hearing will be watched closely by paramedics in Alberta and across the country, and by Bridget Turner, who lost her paramedic husband earlier this year when he killed himself of the job.

They'll be watching because what happens here could affect them too.

Similar stories Lacourciere's legal representative is not certain whether his client will be allowed to give evidence at this hearing.

But if he is, he will tell the board that the self-governing Alberta College of Paramedics asked for further details and medical records on his condition, even after his family doctor cleared him to go back to work.

Lacourciere refused, sending instead an excerpt from a letter from the Workers' Compensation Board, which had also Ok'd him to do the job again. That wasn't enough for the college, and because Lacourciere couldn't work as a paramedic anymore he lost his job.

Another paramedic who went through similar hearings during the past year eventually did get his licence back.

Like Lacourciere, David McAllister appealed to the Health Disciplines Board.

The pair have since filed a human rights complaint, claiming they were discriminated against because of their mental health conditions.

And since they went public, the committee that handles registrations was suspended to make way for a review. A college spokesperson confirmed Tuesday that that review is underway, is being conducted by a "government-appointed delegate" and that it's expected to take 60 days.

Alberta paramedics are watching it all closely because the outcome could affect how they are regulated.

And could change how many feel about sharing their mental health struggles.

The self-regulators Alberta, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick are the only provinces where paramedics are a self-regulating profession.

And it appears the college here does things differently, when it comes to mental health and renewing registration.

"We have not restricted, terminated, suspended anybody's licence to practice based on mental health or resiliency issues," said Chris Hood, executive director of the college in New Brunswick, who is also the president of the Paramedic Association of Canada.

He said if the claims made by Lacourciere and McAllister are true, that they were cleared by doctors to go back to work and had no complaints on their records, further restricting their licences would be "unusual."

New Brunswick paramedics, like those in Alberta, are asked to check "yes" or "no" to a specific competency question on their annual application forms to renew their licences.

In Alberta, the question reads: "Have you ever suffered from, or do you currently suffer from a physical, mental or emotional condition or disorder, or an addiction to alcohol, drugs or other chemicals, that may impair your ability or suitability to safely, competently and independently provide professional service?"

Hood said in his province, answering "yes" to similar question does not trigger an automatic response to limit a person's licence until the college gets further proof of competency.

But if the New Brunswick college receives a complaint that questions someone's competency, he said, requests for records would be routine and expected. ' We don't ask' In Saskatchewan, paramedics are not asked such a question on their annual licence renewal forms.

"We don't ask about PTSD or mental health issues," said Jacque Messer-Lepage, the executive director of the Saskatchewan College of Paramedics.

"We have many members that are doing their jobs and functioning well with PTSD," she said.

She said paramedics in Saskatchewan are also not obligated to tell the regulating college if they have received treatment for or taken time off work because of a mental health issue.

Paramedics there do have to declare they are following provincial bylaws, which include making sure they are healthy and able to do their work.

If someone raises a complaint or a concern, she explained each is looked at case by case.

Messer-Lepage said the college may ask for specific health details, but they are judicious.

"In Saskatchewan, we have very stringent health privacy rules."

Always with me Alberta has stringent rules too.

Lacourciere hopes his hearing will help protect and enhance them.

Whatever happens, Bridget Turner will be following it closely.

Turner is now packing up her life, and hopes to leave behind the pain that began when her husband Greg committed suicide during his shift as a paramedic.

He was afraid of all the things that ended up happening to Lacourciere.

She believes that fear is why Greg killed himself, just days away from his first psychologist appointment.

"Circumstances change," she said. "Everyone has the potential to deal with mental health issues.

"But if the perception is 'tick that box and you're going to lose your job' ‌ then the flu becomes pneumonia."

And while she's closing a chapter, she'll never forget.

She made sure of that, on a recent trip to Las Vegas, where the couple got married.

There, she held back tears as more pain seared her.

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December 2015 Page 20

SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN THE WORKPLACE

Abusing Drugs?

Find out the impact on your kids

By Susan Navarez

N

oted American novelist and poet Herman Melville once said: "Better to sleep with a sober cannibal than a drunken Christian." It is certainly a sound advice steeped in profound wisdom and valid even more than a century later.

When you abuse drugs or alcohol it is not only you who is bound to suffer. Your kids, who watch you closely, also silently put up with your habit of abusing drugs, or alcoholism. Imagine what could have been running inside their minds when your kids watch you snorting on cocaine, toking marijuana or gulping a glass of whisky.

If you do not go sober and procrastinate quitting drugs, it could leave an indelible impact on the psyche of your kids. So, before it is too late, check into a renowned detox center in the country and go sober.

Here, we take a look at some of the possible ill effects on the kids owing to your habit of abusing drugs or drinking: It will affect their psyche: When kids witness a parent abusing drugs at home, they begin to feel insecure. It impacts their psyche in a distorted way. It may lead to their irate behavior and the exasperation will become visible. Their day-today activities get hampered and basic needs go for a toss. Kids need immense care as they grow up and nurturing them is a delicate subject. With a drug addict parent at home, the whole process goes haywire. By draining your finances, your habit of abusing drugs will limit the resources meant for your kids and it may hit them badly. Instead of growing up to become healthy adults, they will begin to show signs of mental instabilities. When kids of their age enjoy games and remain blissful, your kids will have difficulty even in communicating with others. Your action will further alienate them from their peers and they will gradually become more uncomfortable mingling with friends.

Impact on their academics: Your kid requires unbridled attention to gain mileage in studies. To fare well in a competitive education system, your kid needs constant monitoring. However, when you are constantly in a state of insobriety, these are the last things on your list of priorities. So, if you do not go sober at the right time, your kid will find it really hard to make up for the lost time when it comes to studies.

Impact on physical health: When you abuse drugs it is most likely that your child's needs would be relegated.

Improper hygiene, irregular food timings and poor nutrition will become the order of the day at home. Disdaining these important aspects of your kid's growing up period will seriously hamper the health and could have long-term implications. They will tend to remain sick most of the time. So, going sober is the only way out from this vicious cycle.

Your kid might emulate you in the future: The most serious impact of your drug addiction could be that your son or daughter also starts abusing it when he or she grows up. This could be the most devastating reprisal to you and your habit of addiction.

Visit any detox center in the country, be it the drug detox centers, you will find cases wherein an addict's parents were also addicts in the past. Subconsciously, the guilt of drug abuse will be lesser in them because they have seen you doing the same thing all these years. It could be a dangerous lullaby for them when they see a parent abusing drugs.

As they say, "a stitch in time saves nine." Make the move today and embark on a path to sobriety before it is too late and the situation goes beyond your control.

Susan Navarez is associated with Sovereign Detox Services for many years. Sovereign Detox Services provides Drug detox centers. For more information call (855) 682-0103(855) 682-0103 FREE.

One in 4 Americans touched by addiction Doctors wrote 259 million opioid prescriptions for Americans in 2012, enough to medicate every adult in the country. Drug overdoses are eclipsing car crashes as a leading cause of accidental death for American adults.

A full 27 per cent of Americans report that they have either been addicted to prescription painkillers or have a family member or close friend who has been, making the opioid crisis personal.

A new poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation adds a troubling new number to the accounting: 27 per cent of Americans report that they either have been addicted to prescription painkillers or have a family member or close friend who has.

That's roughly 66 million U.S. adults for whom the opioid crisis has become intensely personal.

The Kaiser Foundation interviewed 1,352 respondents from a national sample by phone. The poll has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus three percentage points.

More than half reported some connection to the epidemic — knowing anyone who ever misused painkillers, was addicted, or died from an overdose. If you don't have personal connection to painkiller abuse, you're in the minority.

The demographics of those touched by the crisis skew white, higher-income, college-educated, younger, and male.

Sixteen per cent say they know someone who died, more than half of them a family member or close friend.

Prescription drug addiction and a related heroin epidemic have proven a stubborn public health crisis since painkiller abuse began rising more than a decade ago. From the White House to local precinct houses, government officials have been struggling to figure out how to reverse the trend. Kaiser's poll found strong majorities in support of policy solutions, including drug treatment, tighter scrutiny of prescribers, and “good Samaritan� laws that protect drug users from being charged if they call for help when addicts overdose.

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December 2015 Page 21

SAFETY IN FOCUS

Steve Horvath New President of Radiation Safety Institute of Canada TORONTO, ONT. — Tim Armstrong, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Radiation Safety Institute of Canada, is pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Horvath as the new President and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute.

Horvath, who will assume the office in December 2015, is succeeding the Hon. Steve Mahoney, who is stepping down after more than three years in the role to pursue new business opportunities and community work.

“Steve Horvath is an accomplished leader with a track record of success in creating value for stakeholders and promoting integration of prevention and workplace health into the culture of an organization,” says Mr. Armstrong.

“His extensive public and private sector experience will contribute greatly to our continued success preventing cancer, occupational illness and injury from unacceptable exposure to radiation.”

For the past five years, Horvath has been the President and CEO of the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, a national organization that is dedicated to promoting the total health and well being of working Canadians. In addition to his leadership at the CCOHS, Mr. Horvath has held senior executive positions with companies in the technology, manufacturing and service sectors including responsibilities as President and CEO of multi-national companies.

“I am inspired by the opportunity to build on the sterling reputation of the Institute for providing trusted solutions and to work with people who have common values and a shared vision of a safer and healthier world,” says Mr. Horvath. “I look forward to continuing my passion for effecting positive change and creating a healthy environment for all.”

Under the energetic leadership of Mr. Mahoney, appointed President and CEO of RSIC in September 2012, the Institute's activities in training, professional services and government and private sector partnerships have grown significantly. Prior to joining the Institute, Mr. Mahoney was an accomplished politician — serving as a Mississauga City Councillor and as an MPP and small business advocate at Queen's Park and as a cabinet minister in the Federal Parliament — and was the Chair of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board for six years.

“I can't thank enough the women and men of the Radiation Safety Institute and their dedication to the Institute's mission to prevent cancer in the workplace, in people's homes and in the public institutions of Canada,” says Mahoney. “My years with the Institute have been extremely rewarding, and I am confident that this dynamic notfor-profit organization is in good hands under Mr. Horvath's leadership. I look forward to the new opportunities on my horizon and spending more time with my wife Katie and our sons and their families.”

Mr. Horvath will also be carrying on the legacy of Dr. Fergal Nolan, a founding member of the Institute's Board of Directors and its first President and CEO — a role he held for nearly 30 years and during which he helped grow the Institute from its origins in Elliot Lake into a national organization renowned for its independence, strict impartiality and “good science in plain language.”

For more information, please visit www.radiationsafety.ca. Follow the Radiation Safety Institute of Canada on Twitter @RSICanada and Like it on Facebook.

About the Radiation Safety Institute of Canada: The Radiation Safety Institute of Canada is a non-partisan, non-governmental body promoting safety in relation to radiation exposure in the workplace and in homes, schools and the environment. It was founded in 1980 as a direct, independent response to the human disaster in Elliot Lake, Ont., where more than 220 otherwise healthy miners died from excessive exposure to radiation in the uranium mines.

- See more at: http://www.netnewsledger.com/2015/11/23/steve-horvath-new-president-of-radiation-safetyinstitute-of-canada/#sthash.Eps5FPHN.dpuf

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December 2015 Page 23

WORKSITE DIRECTORY Acorn Safety P.O. Box 3527 City of Industry, CA 91744 Contact Robert Bowles Ph: (775) 284-7212 Fax (626) 961-2200 bbowles@acorneng.com Alberta Construction Safety Association (ACSA) Head office: #101, 225 Parsons Road SW Edmonton, AB T6X 0W6 Tel: 780-453-3311 or 1-800-661-2272 Fax: 780-455-1120 or 1-877-441-0440 Executive Director: Dan MacLenna edmonton@acsa-safety.org Calgary: #101, 292060 Wagon Wheel Link Rocky View, AB T4A 0E2 Tel: 403-291-3710 or 1-800-661-6090 Fax: 403-250-2852 or 1-877-258-5881 calgary@acsa-safety.org Fort McMurray: Nomad Inn Hotel 10006 MacDonald Avenue Fort McMurray, AB T9H 1S8 Tel: 780-715-2157 Fax: 780-715-1684 fortmcmurray@acsa-safety.org Alberta Employment, Immigration and Industry 9th Flr, 10808-99 Avenue Edmonton, Alberta T5K 0J5 Ph: (780) 427-5585 Fax: (780) 427-5988 Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA) 3660-Blackfoot Trail S.E. Calgary Alberta T2G-4E6 Ph: (403) 214-3428 Alberta Specialty Services Ltd. Rear Bay 4, 2705 5 Ave NE Calgary, AB T2A 2L6 Ph: (403) 225-2759 Toll Free: (877) 347-5588 Fax: (403) 253-4560 info@albertaspecialtyservices.com

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Canadian Industrial Training

River City Centre Mall 620B 8600 Franklin Avenue Fort McMurray, Alberta T9H 4G6 Contact: Lori Burke Ph: (780) 791-1230 cict@telus.net www.cict.ca Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC) 14920-118 Ave Edmonton, Alberta T5V 1B8 Ph: (780) 454-6181 Fax: (780) 451-3976 www.clac.ca BC Construction Safety Alliance #400, 625 Agnes Street New Westminster, BC V3M 5Y4 Ph: (877) 860-3675 Fax: (604) 636-3676 Contact: Alicia Brady abrady@bcsa.ca www.bccsa.ca Creative Wellness Solutions PO Box 3061 Tantallon, NS B3Z 4G9 Ph: (902) 820-3096 Toll Free: (877) 480-9355 Fax: (902) 820-3097 Contact: Dr. Lydia Makrides info@wellnesssolutions.ca CTK Safety Consulting 79 Eastbrook Way E Brooks, Alberta T1R 0H9 Ph: (403) 501-5686 Cellular: (403) 363-9304 Fax: (403) 793-8030 ctksafety@telus.net Electrical Contractors Association of Alberta 11235 120 Street Edmonton, AB T5G 2X9 Ph: (780) 450-1777 Contact: Pat Barnes bpbarnes@telus.net Electrolab Training Systems PO Box 320 335 University Ave Belleville, ON K8N 5A5 Canada Ph: (800)267-7482 Fax: (613) 962-0284

Contact: Claire Stewart cstewart@electrolab.ca Enform Safety and Training 1538 - 25 Avenue NE Calgary, Alberta T2E 8Y3 Ph: (800) 667-5557 Fax: (403) 250-1289 Contact: Tanya Plimmer tplimmer@enform.ca Grant MacEwan University PO Box 1796 Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2P2 Ph: (780) 497-5796 Fax: (780) 497-4593 GRB College of Welding 9712—54 Avenue Edmonton, Alberta Ph: (780) 436-7342 Fax: (780) 436-7344 grb@grbwelding.com www.grbwelding.com Institute for Work & Health 481 University Avenue Suite 800 Toronto, ON M5G 2E9 Canada Phone: (416) 927-2027 x 2131 Fax: (416) 927-4167 gpalloo@iwh.on.ca www.iwh.on.ca ITF Association 40 Scenic Drive NW Calgary, Alberta T3L 1C2 Ph: (403) 241-8443 Contact: Tes Bewick KnowledgeWare Communications #204, 20475 Lougheed Hwy Maple Ridge, B.C. V2X 9B6 Contact: Ron McNutt Ph: (800) 893-9333 info@kccsoft.com Manufactures Health & Safety Association (MHSA) #201 292060 Wagon Wheel Link Rocky View, Alberta T4A 0E2 Fax: (403) 279-1993 Toll Free: (888) 249-2002 Contact: Lorne Kleppe lorne@mhsa.ab.ca Moldex-Metric Inc. 10111 West Jefferson Boulevard Culver City, CA 90232

Contact: John Ambrosio Ph: 800-421-0668 Fax: (310) 837-9563 Team -1 Academy 780 Pacific Road, Unit 19 Oakville, ON L6L 6M5 Ph: (905) 827-0007 X 26 Fax: (905) 827-0049 www.team1academy.com The Checker

by Dectra Inc. CA - PO Box 265, 146 Lakeshore Rd W, Oakville, ON L6K 0A4 US - 2316 Delaware Ave, # 611, Buffalo NY 14216-2687 Ph: 800.291.4719 Fax: 905.469.8831 shawn@thechecker.net www.thechecker.net Turning Technologies Canada 35 Cedar Pointe Drive, Suite 39 Barrie, ON, L4N 5R7 Toll Free in Canada: 1.888.522.8689 x 212 Ph: 705.726.8876 x 212 Fax: 1.866.552.8935 Contact: Peter Ferreira National Sales Manager pferreira@TurningTechnologies.ca Unique Products (E-Zee`Lock Outs) 16865 - 110 Avenue Edmonton, Alberta T5P 1G8 Contact: Pat Hanlon Ph: (780) 974-7039 Fax: (780) 444-0807 pat.hanlon@shaw.ca Work Authority 415 Thompson Drive Cambridge, ON N1T 2K7 Canada Ph: (416) 896-3525 Fax: (519) 740-6096 mike.thomas@workauthority.ca Worksafe B.C. Toll Free: 1-800-663-9509 www.worksafe.bc.com YOW Canada Inc. 1306 Algoma Road Ottawa, Ontario K1B 3W8 Contact: Marie-Chantale Perron Ph: 1-888-288-0489 Fax: 1-613-248-0711

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Worksite NEWS December 2015 Page 24

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