Safework Magazine first volume Issue 2_Layout 1 9/29/2010 11:25 AM Page 1
Volume One, Issue Two - Fall 2010
safeworknews NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR
Traffic Control Persons keeping your journeys safe Gander International Airport and the benefits of PRIME Early intervention important for effective injury recovery
Positive attitude despite life -changing injuries
Dean Huxter of South Brook wants to work again,
page 10
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Be ready for... PRIME
PRIME rewards employers who implement good health and safety practices and help injured workers return to work early and safely. It’s not too late to take action and make a dierence in your next PRIME results.
Want to know more? Our PRIME Advisors can help. Jo-Ann Woodland at: 709-778-2925 or DeAnn Vincent at: 709-637-2767.
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safeworknews
NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR
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Smith Snacks
Positive Attitude
Caffeine
In the area of food safety, nothing is compromised
Injured South Brook man wants to work again
Smart business practices for employee productivity and success
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PRIME takes flight
Traffic Control
NewsFlash
Gander International Airport Authority reaping benefits from employer incentive program
Obeying road signs and Traffic Control Persons (TCP) critical for workplace safety
Kudos, industry health and safety highlights and need-to-know information for workers and employers
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Trinity Benefit Club
Early Intervention
Early forerunner of workers’ compensation programs
The value of returning safely to work while recovering
safeworknews NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR
safework news is published four times a year by the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission (WHSCC) of Newfoundland and Labrador to educate workers and employers about injury and disease prevention, promote a positive safety culture and provide links to WHSCC resources for safer workplaces. Editorial Submissions and Inquiries kpeyton@whscc.nl.ca Subscription Inquiries kconnors@whscc.nl.ca
Editorial Advisor Chris Flanagan Editor Kathy Dicks-Peyton Graphic Design Mark Wessels Marketing Sherry Greene Information Technology Florence Maloney Administration Kate Connors
Contributors Jessica George Kate Connors Lana Collins Vera Huxter Beth Davis Derek Murphy Chris White Mark Wessels Chris Flanagan Eric Bartlett
Canada Post Publications Mail Agreement #40063376, Customer #1324969 No portion of this publication may be reprinted in whole or in part without the written permission of the WHSCC. The WHSCC reserves the right of final approval on all material.
www.whscc.nl.ca Printed in Canada - Copyright 2010 Printer: Dicks and Company Limited
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It’s all about attitude As I was driving to work the other day, I arrived at a road construction project with a traffic light on a timer. You have probably seen these temporary traffic systems: underneath the red light is a timer that counts down the seconds until your light turns green. The driver in front of me apparently interpreted 40-odd seconds as an impossibly long time to wait and roared on through the red light.
Safety Share Lucky Escapes Close call incidents do not often result in injuries.
Obviously this can be extremely dangerous behaviour. In addition to the possibility of unseen vehicles or construction workers entering the roadway from the other direction or from an unseen side street, the behaviour sends a terrible message to other drivers. Even if the infraction results in no accident or injury, it may persuade others to believe it is okay to flout safety rules and regulations.
Ignoring a close call means you could be paving the way for a serious injury to happen. You must report all close calls so they can be investigated and the hazard eliminated before someone does get hurt. For every reported First-Aid or minor injury, there are on average hundreds of close call incidents that have gone unreported.
Most importantly, this behaviour communicates and spreads a negative attitude toward safety.
Close calls (also known as near misses) are situations in which a worker has a narrow escape from getting hurt. The worker probably feels lucky about getting away uninjured. If we pay attention, these incidents can be lucky in another way: they provide a preview of an injury that could happen, so measures can be taken now to prevent it.
Fortunately, in this issue of safework news we have examples of extremely positive attitudes when it comes to workplace safety and injury recovery. Dean Huxter is a worker who suffered a devastating injury as a result of an incident involving power lines. He suffered the shock of 14,400 volts of electricity running through his body and lost both arms at the elbow as a result. Dean Huxter was installing steel strand for fibre optic cable, when a supporting wire struck an adjacent power line.
Here’s an example: A carpenter’s assistant picks up a power drill and gets a slight electric shock. He quickly drops the tool, suffering no injury. At this point he has an important choice to make. If he just forgets the incident, the next person to pick up the tool may have damp hands or may be standing in a puddle of water. That person is bound to get a severe shock. However, if the incident is reported, the tool will be removed from service, checked over, and either repaired by qualified personnel or discarded. There will also be an opportunity to find out why this tool became defective. Was it poorly designed or manufactured? Has the insulation been allowed to get wet or is the cord frayed? How can problems be avoided in the future – perhaps by purchasing better tools, taking good care of them and inspecting them regularly?
Despite the terrible loss, Huxter is working hard to recover. He is thankful for what he can do and is hopeful he will be able to work again. Huxter commends the medical teams at the Miller Centre and the staff at the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission for helping him get to the point where he can enjoy a good quality of life. He has an extremely positive attitude and is an inspiration to other injured workers. (See page 10.) Jason Smith also possesses an extremely positive attitude that has served him well. Smith, the CEO of Smith Snacks and a Commission CEO Leadership Charter member, has taken a proactive, businessminded approach to safety. He works hard to prevent not only slips and falls in the workplace, but also repetitive strain injuries and health and food safety issues. One of the side effects of this strong safety attitude has been a prosperous business that has flourished. (See page 4.) So the next time you approach a road construction site, or a potential workplace safety matter, ask yourself if you have a positive attitude. If you do, you will certainly come out ahead.
If you have a near miss, consider yourself lucky on two counts: You didn’t get hurt, and have the chance to prevent a future accident for yourself or someone else.
Yours in safety,
(Courtesy of Safety Toolbox Talks)
Leslie Galway, CEO Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission
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Your feedbac k Congratulations on your first edition of safework news, I certainly enjoyed reading it. It is great to have this type of material available to share with our staff. I contribute articles for our own company newsletter ‘Connections’, and find it is a great way to communicate and promote safety to our staff across the province. I look forward to receiving your next edition. P.S. I really like your new safety commercials – they are very effective. Bonnie Whelan, Human Resources Officer Occupational Health and Safety, Coleman Management Services Ltd., Corner Brook We just received the inaugural copy of safework news. WOW! I wanted to send along my feedback and let you know that it looks great. We’ve read it from cover to cover and can’t wait for the next one! Jackie Manuel, P.Eng., Chief Executive Officer Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Safety Association Great magazine! In addition to providing occupational health and safety committee/representative training, and other training courses, I am an instructor in the Occupational Health and Safety Diploma Program at Keyin College in Grand Falls-Windsor. I will be using information from the magazine in my courses, especially the article about Calvin Green, in our disability management course.
Congratulations to you and your team on this publication. It is a direction we’d like to explore at some point. Well done. Steve MacDonald, Manager, Social Marketing Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia I thought your magazine was informative. I really liked the article on Workplace Wellness and how it can be an asset to the company. The article provides a bullet-style layout of proactive solutions. It is the first thing you look at, and if you are short on time you still get some really good information. Mike Mathieson, Safety Co-ordinator Rock Construction and Mining Inc. Kamloops, British Columbia Thank you for sending us safework news. We had a short presentation in our Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental (OHSE) class about the magazine and there was great interest expressed. Sharon Evans, OHSE Instructor Academy Canada College Corner Brook Just read through your inaugural issue…great job! We are always looking for topics for our tool box meetings, and there is lots to choose from here. Gary Hynes, P. Eng., President Hynes Ready Mix Limited Dunville
Frank McCarthy, Instructor Keyin College, Grand Falls-Windsor
Give us your insight on safework news content, or topics for discussion relating to employer assessments, workers’ compensation, and workplace health and safety. Send your comments to:
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safework news c/o Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission 146-148 Forest Road or send us an email: P.O. Box 9000 kpeyton@whscc.nl.ca St. John’s NL A1A 3B8
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Jason Smith is CEO of Smith Snacks in Norman’s Cove
Smith Snacks is health and safety vigilant - there is no compromise By Kathy Dicks-Peyton If you sometimes feel you will never realize your dreams because you don’t have money, the right connections or skills – “don’t give up”, says entrepreneur and workplace safety champion Jason Smith. In 1971, Jason’s father, Howard, had $50 in his pocket and a burning desire to start a catering business. Howard’s first investment was a toaster. Each night he would toast bread to assemble and package sandwiches. Every morning he would drive from Norman’s Cove to St. John’s and sell his wares from his truck. On average, Howard would burn out a toaster per week, and go back to the store he purchased it from to get it replaced under warranty.
Smith Snacks employees assembling sandwiches “We have staff to protect, but we also have to ensure the health and safety of the general public.”
By the mid-1980s, Howard’s sandwich business had expanded to 22 catering trucks and a wholesale division. Despite this growth, he stayed close to home in picturesque Norman’s Cove, where today Smith Snacks operates a state-of-the-art wholesale manufacturing facility and bakery, employing 49 people.
It has long been recognized that a company's safety performance is only as good as the CEO's willingness to recognize its importance and to invest accordingly. Jason is a hands-on CEO. “Unless you’re in touch with what’s happening on the shop floor, then you’re not going to be a leader,” Jason says. “I really believe my staff appreciate that I take a genuine interest in what they’re doing, and I have a lot of fun with it.”
From Bidgood’s Supermarket in the Goulds, to Jackie’s Convenience in Nain, Smith’s Snacks markets two million sandwiches per year, 300,000 pastries and 70,000 packages of deli meat to convenience stores, gas stations and supermarkets throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
As such, it is not unusual to see Jason donning his waterproof footwear, hair net, beard net and lab coat, to go and chat with staff, and try his hand at doing their jobs. “This is always fun, especially when I screw up and the whole shop goes into a fit of laughter.”
“With an operation of this size involving so many people, we are always vigilant when it comes to health and safety,” says Jason, the company’s CEO.
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“WHSCC got my attention big time and I needed the leadership.” All fun aside, the work carried out at Smith Snacks is serious business that involves skill, and health and safety preparedness and awareness. “We’ve had some close calls that could have resulted in serious injuries,” says Jason. “Then there have been the injuries that have been incurred as a result of repetitive strain.”
decision-making process. In order to improve operations, prevent waste and operate in a healthy and safe environment, employees are actively encouraged to make suggestions and take action. This level of employee involvement helps improve morale and overall performance.
One of Jason’s longest serving employees developed a shoulder injury because of repetitive motion. “By the time we realized what was going on, it was too late. We tried our best to help her, she was off for a long period of time and is now permanently disabled,” he explains. Forced out of the workforce early, this worker’s injury was a wake-up call for Jason. “I feel terrible knowing that she is at home too uncomfortable sometimes to face the day.”
These initiatives, along with the hiring of a full-time food safety quality assurance manager, have contributed greatly to the prosperity and success of Smith Snacks. There are fewer workers' compensation claims, lower assessment fees and a happier workforce – as a result of a well-thought out safety incentive program. In the area of food safety, nothing is compromised. From wearing the proper footwear and clothing to washing your hands, Smith Snacks follows strict regulations established by the provincial and federal governments, and the Guelph Food Technology Centre, which helps food processing facilities implement or improve food safety and quality management plans.
Repetitive strain injuries are common in the manufacturing industry, and Jason received another wake-up call when a Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission Health and Safety Advisor opened his eyes to the fact that he was paying $40,000 per year in assessments and injuries were costing him money and workers. “This really scared the socks off me,” Jason recalls. “We were not doing a good job in the area of occupational health and safety, the WHSCC got my attention big time and I needed the leadership.”
“The onus is on us to ensure the safety of those consuming our products because there is no compromise,” says Jason. In 2008, Jason was invited by the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission to sign the CEO Leadership Charter, demonstrating his commitment to the prevention of accidents and the promotion of healthier and safer workplaces throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. “I am so proud and honoured to be part of this group,” says Jason, “and being asked to sign the Charter tells me that we’re doing a great job, because we all need to make occupational health and safety our first thought every day.”
Over the years, Smith Snacks has made numerous occupational health and safety changes, two of which were rotating repetitious jobs and cross training employees to reduce and eliminate strain injuries. As Jason explains, “even something as simple as cheese versus ham – you handle these ingredients differently, and that slight change can significantly help reduce and eliminate injury.” One of the advantages for staff at Smith Snacks is that Jason makes them a major part of the company’s
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PRIME incentive program taking flight in Gander
By Lana Collins
The Airport Authority has relationships with many regulatory bodies, including Transport Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Depending on the time of year, the Airport Authority employs 30 to 40 people, and while they have a good safety training program for such things as personal protective equipment, PRIME has made the organization more aware of the importance of documentation.
In 2005, the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission, with help from employers and workers, created an employer incentive program called PRIME. PRIME stands for Prevention, Return to Work, Insurance Management program for Employers and Employees. This behavioural-based program also financially rewards employers who use good occupation health and safety and return-to-work practices. Since 2005, the province has reduced its injury rate and increased the number of injured workers’ benefitting from early and safe return-to-work programs. It has also seen more than $32 million in refunds given back to employers.
The finance and safety departments at the Airport Authority work together on PRIME. “Our finance department sees the merits of PRIME, but more importantly, no one wants anyone injured,” explains Hicks. As for advice for other employers, “it’s simply not that hard to be PRIME compliant. Don’t be afraid. It’s about being aware and heightening awareness in terms of how you operate,” says Hicks. “Even without getting a rebate, employers can go back and look at their procedures. Just going through the steps is a learning experience and a PRIME audit will tell you what you need to do.”
PRIME not only saves money for employers, it increases the awareness of accident and injury prevention, and safe return-to-work practices. One of the Commission’s many PRIME compliant employers is the Gander International Airport Authority, and according to Brian Hicks, Manager of Safety and Airside Operations, “we saw PRIME as a cost-saving opportunity for our organization. The money certainly piqued our interest but we realized it met our business plan to establish a safety culture”.
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Being PRIME compliant is a win-win situation for the Gander International Airport Authority
FACTOR
The Commission offers support to employers on how to become PRIME compliant. Our advisors can review your results and see where you need assistance. Here are some other tips: 1. Answer all questions for your size of business in the PRIME Refund Section of the Employer Payroll Statement. 2. Remember to submit your annual Employer Payroll Statement and Occupational Health and Safety Statement before February 28 of each year. 3. Ensure your Occupational Health and Safety Committee minutes are submitted on time, and your committee members are trained. 4. Review your monthly PRIME Status Reports and take action if your claim costs are beginning to increase. For additional support or more information, please call: 1-800-563-9000
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Photos courtesy of the Gander International Airport Authority
Want to find your PRIME factor?
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Newfoundland and Labrador’s 172-year-old workers’ benefit club Trinity Benefit Club may be oldest compensation group in Canada By Chris Flanagan While the world’s first workers’ compensation system began in Germany in 1884 and Canada’s first statutory compensation started in Ontario in 1915, Newfoundland and Labrador is home to a much older workers’ benefit group with a surprising number of parallels to the modern system. The Trinity Benefit Club was founded in 1838 “to assure ‘relief’ to members and their families in cases of sickness, accident and death.” The ‘relief’ was to be paid when the accident or illness prevented a member from “following his usual occupation.” If it is not the oldest workers’ benefits group, it is almost certainly the most enduring. The Trinity Benefit Club has remained in good standing for more than 172 years and continues to pay benefits to injured members – albeit a token amount. “It’s more of a social club now,” says President Gerald Spurrell, only the sixteenth president in 17 decades, “but if anyone gets sick, we do give them a token amount of $1 a day. If someone dies, their dependents get $150 from the club treasury, plus $150 from each member.” Described by founder Reverend William Bullock as the “very essence of brotherhood,” the Club was relatively inclusive and liberal for its day, offering memberships to those of all religious denominations. The Trinity Benefit Club (the Club) is an organization steeped in history and tradition. The Club’s original Charter of February 28, 1838, set out its 25 rules that are respected to this day. On February 2, 2010, it was a true honour for the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission’s Board of Directors and Executive to attend the Club’s 172nd Annual Meeting at the Trinity Parish Hall. The Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of Business, arranged for the two organizations to meet. The historic meeting provided an opportunity for the Minister, the Chair of the Commission’s Board and the CEO to bring greetings and congratulations to this group, as well as review the Club’s archival materials. What they saw was not as dissimilar from today’s workers’ compensation laws as one might expect. For example, Rule Four is not unlike a modern funding policy or sustainability strategy.
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On Candlemas Day, also known as Groundhog Day, 1838, some 76 citizens from the Trinity Bight area met at the Trinity Courthouse for what would be a milestone in Canadian history. They founded the Trinity Benefit Club, an association that would provide financial assistance to members who were sick or unable to work. Organized by the Reverend William Bullock, it was the only group of its kind in Canada at that time and a forerunner of workers’ compensation programs.
The rule prescribed a compensation rate of seven shillings per week when the treasury was low, but if the Club’s treasury exceeded 200 pounds, compensation rose to “12 shillings per week for the first six months, and half of these sums during the remainder of the time of affliction.”
The Trinity Benefit Club even had a modest employer incentive program that could be compared to the Commission’s present day PRIME program. In Reverend Bullock’s day, under the terms of Rule 5, all members had to pay an extra pound – on top of six pounds from the general fund – in the event a member was killed. Even in 1838, the club realized that a workers’ group, with benefits paid for by workers, was essentially an insurance program. As such, Rule 6 stated that all payments must be made in advance of eligibility.
Another foundation of modern workers’ compensation legislation is the tradeoff where workers relinquish their right to sue in exchange for compensation benefits. In Canada this concept is the first of five principles known as the Meredith Principles, which provide the rationale for the sustainable employer-worker agreement and for a reliable, fair and manageable system.
In addition to understanding the principles of compensation and fiscal sustainability, the founders of the Trinity Benefit Club knew how to ensure the longevity of their organization. The Club’s final rule states that as long as there are six members, “no division of funds or dissolution of the Club shall take place, and no meeting shall have power to abolish this rule”. With approximately 50 active members, including youth memberships, the Trinity Benefit Club looks like it is going to be active well into the future.
This broad tradeoff would have been impossible for the Trinity Benefit Club, as they had no legislative authority. However, they did have the foresight to write a rule minimizing litigation. Rule 20 states: “To avoid the expense and vexation of lawsuits, three persons shall be requested to accept the office of Arbitrators of the Club, to whom all disputes may be referred and whose awards shall be final.” This rule also mirrors the Meredith Principle of legislative authority, which states: “The Board is the decision-maker and final authority for all claims.”
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Former linesman Dean Huxter and his wife Vera at home in South Brook
With family support and rehabilitation Dean Huxter hopes he can work again By Kathy Dicks-Peyton On April 1, 2007, when 39-year-old Dean Huxter got ready for work, he was eager to take on the day. It was a Sunday morning and there was very little traffic on the causeway near Gander Bay North. With optimum weather conditions, and warning signs placed at both ends of the causeway, he set out with a crew to string steel strand that would later be fastened to fibre optic cable. Huxter, a resident of South Brook, across the bay from Springdale, was lead linesman on the project. “I told the boys that I would climb the poles and they could help each other out on the ground. I then climbed the first pole, drilled a hole and double dead-ended the strand. The strand was coming from a roll on our truck.” Once this task was completed, Huxter climbed down the pole and with the assistance of his crew laid the strand along the sidewalk across the causeway. The linesman driving the truck then pulled ahead to the next pole. “Just like the other, I climbed, drilled another hole, completed another double dead end, lowered the drill back down and laid the strand in a J hook at the height of where the hole was drilled.” On the ground, the crew was preparing to use a jack so the strand could be pulled up. Huxter moved himself away from the strand to avoid any potential injury while it was being pulled. He then secured himself in his safety harness, above an existing telephone line. That’s when something went terribly wrong. In a split second, 14,400 volts of electricity went through Huxter’s body. “I don’t remember it happening,” he says. Based on accident investigation reports, it is believed the strand that was being pulled by the truck, hooked into a guardrail and shot up, touching live utility wires.
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Throughout his journey of recovery Dean Huxter has remained positive “I’m told there was a man watching us through the window of his house, and that he saw a blue flash and my body go limp on the pole,” says Huxter. “He then called an ambulance or the fire department.” The electric shock Huxter received went through his left arm, across his chest and out his right arm. As his body dangled in his safety harness, approximately 20 feet above the ground, one of his co-workers ran to the pole and started climbing – putting his own life in danger. When he reached Huxter, the co-worker was able to secure a rope around him so he could be lowered to the ground. Huxter was transported to hospital at Gander, where incisions were cut into both of his arms to relieve pressure. Once stabilized, he was airlifted to the Health Sciences Centre in St. John’s, where he spent 69 days in the burn unit. On his twelfth day in hospital, Huxter’s left arm was amputated below the elbow. Medical personnel did everything they could to save his right arm; however with little time to accept losing the first limb, three weeks later Huxter underwent a second amputation. “They just couldn’t save it – my arm was lifeless and there was a danger of me dying from infection, so without any thought, I told them (doctors) to just take it off.” Huxter’s wife Vera recalls feeling so much emotion. “I remember sitting there and saying to myself, ‘how is he going to feel when he realizes what has happened?” Life was certainly going to change for this young couple who were also in the midst of planning their wedding. Vera accepted the outcome of the injury, emphasizing that saving Huxter’s life was the most important thing. Dean Huxter was released from hospital in June. Following three weeks at home, he returned to St. John’s for physiotherapy and prosthesis fittings at the Miller Centre. Simple tasks like holding a coffee cup, washing his face or putting on his shoes were things he could no longer do. “I felt so helpless, there were times I was depressed and very emotional. I know that if it wasn’t for Vera
being my angel of mercy, I don’t know what would have happened to me,” he says. Huxter is able to operate his prosthetic arms using a harness which is strapped to his back and shoulders. The harness is linked to cables and via shoulder movements he is able to open and close the hooks he now calls his hands. Most recently, Huxter was fitted for myoelectric prosthesis, which utilizes the human body’s residual neuro-muscular system and will enable him to have limited prosthetic hand and wrist movements. “Learning how to use the hooks was frustrating,” he explains. “I still pop forks in the air and I won’t pick up a glass.” Throughout his journey of recovery and therapy, Huxter remains positive. “My quality of life is not what it used to be, but I can do a lot of things and for that I’m so very thankful.” Last fall he went moose hunting and is quite handy with a fishing line. Huxter has made amazing progress and credits staff at the Miller Centre and the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission for their assistance and support. “I’m not the type to just sit around. With the help of people at the Miller Centre and Workers, I’m able to drive my own vehicle and there have been some modifications made to my home.” Huxter has also explored the possibility of being re-trained with the goal of going back to work. Huxter has gone back to the Gander Bay North causeway and has thought about the sequence of the events that led to his injury. “I know we did everything we were supposed to do, and we followed the proper safety procedures,” he states. “I would have no fear of facing the same kind of work again.” Following Huxter’s accident, an occupational health and safety investigation resulted in revisions to the procedure for stringing steel strand so as to prevent a similar incident from happening in the future.
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Better traffic control measures, critical for workplace safety By Mark Wessels According to the World Health Organization, some 1.2 million people are killed in automobile accidents every year, and nearly 50 million are seriously injured. Now that my youngest son is off to do driver training with Safety Services Newfoundland and Labrador, we are both taking notice of the frightening statistics about road safety. We’ve learned that the social cost of auto accidents in places like Ontario approaches $60 billion per year. That is equal to almost five per cent of all goods and services produced in that province in just 12 months. As a society, we have defaulted to the position of living dangerously as we operate our favourite vehicles. While we cannot blame the machine for inherent dangers, we should recognize that our vehicles represent an extension of our behaviour. How can there be such a wide variation between what something useful is supposed to do, and the things we do, that put its safe operation into doubt? In 2009, while driving in Alberta construction zones I noticed a significant legislative and social push-back relating to vehicle speeds. That province’s road signs made it very clear just how dangerous and undesirable they considered speeding in construction zones.
I later realized it was more of a critically-important workplace safety issue than a transportation safety issue. Speeding and dangerously operating a motor vehicle in or near construction zones, or near emergency vehicles is not just a safety issue, but also a major occupational health and safety issue. In order to change driving behaviour in places like construction zones, many jurisdictions have had to take a co-operative approach and move beyond enforcement as the sole agent of change. The (Manitoba) SAFE Roads campaign started with six industry partners, radio and transit ads. The primary goal of the campaign was to bring greater awareness to the issue of workplace safety for road construction workers. According to Mike Kruse, Safety Program Director with the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association, “The (Manitoba) SAFE Roads campaign is a great example of how effective partnerships can be. The campaign originally had just six partners and has now expanded to include 12 diverse partners.” The Manitoba SAFE Roads campaign kicked off with the slogan:
“What the heck were you thinking”? 12
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From a workplace safety education perspective, the Newfoundland and Labrador Departments of Government Services, Transportation and Works, as well as representatives from the construction industry, municipalities, utilities and traffic control training providers, have partnered with the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission (the Commission) to develop Traffic Control Persons (TCP) training standards. These standards help to: =ensure that hazards are recognized and evaluated, =put the necessary controls in place to prevent injuries and lessen property damage; =establish criteria for training providers; and =develop relevant program and curriculum materials.
For practical information and tips for traffic control persons and motor vehicle safety in construction zones visit: www.whscc.nl.ca/PREV_TCS.whscc
Newfoundland and Labrador’s Dancing Traffic Control Person (TCP) Gordon Douglas of Harbour Breton, is one of the friendliest and happiest people you could ever meet. When on the job, safety is always his top priority.
After January 1, 2011, workers will not be permitted to perform TCP duties until they have completed the prescribed training.
In Douglas’ words, “some people do not take this seriously enough, but in my experience drivers are pretty much 100 per cent compliant with my signals because they really do want to see me dance and I know they want to be safe too.”
So why all the fuss about what the traffic control person does when we might think crazy drivers are to blame? Traffic control is required to protect workers and the general public by regulating temporary traffic conditions as close as possible to normal driving conditions during construction activities. As recently as September 3, 2010, the driver of a sports utility vehicle went through a barricade at a construction site on Brookfield Road in St. John’s, smashing into an excavator at high speed. Fortunately no one was injured in the incident, but imagine if your workplace faced these kinds of daily hazards.
When asked why he dances on the job Douglas says, “I’ve always been one to be on the move because standing still is not an option for me. The one drawback is that I’m wearing down my boots right to the scuff.”
ouch!
In Newfoundland and Labrador, the maximum fine for violating construction zone laws is $1,500.
However, fines by themselves are not enough. Education alone is not enough. Accident prevention advertising is not enough. Drivers and operators of all motor vehicles must become more aware of safety issues and violations in order to avoid dangerous driving practices and their unwanted consequences. TCPs must learn to identify and report hazards and help recommend changes to make for safer work in road construction environments, and be given the opportunity to make themselves and those obeying their signals that much safer.
For the entertainment value he provides while serving as a TCP, Douglas says he’s received flowers from passing motorists, Subway gift cards and even tickets to Yuks Yuks for a night of comedy. When asked what his employer thinks of his dancing, Douglas is quick to say, “he’s either laughing with me or at me but the most important thing is that while I’m doing my job I’m making people smile and I’m keeping them safe.”
We might have assumed TCPs have the easiest job on the work crew, but they are tasked with one of the most important and valuable responsibilities: keeping everyone in a construction zone safe.
To see a video clip of Douglas visit: www.whscc.nl.ca
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Early Intervention Works By Derek Murphy and Chris White Most people who sustain workplace injuries or illnesses are able to return to some type of work even while they are still recovering. Going back to work may involve making changes to the duties and/or the hours of work. It may also involve changes to the workplaces such as acquiring equipment or other devices to help them with their return to work. Where this is not possible, it is important for injured workers to work with their employers to identify suitable and available employment that is within their physical capabilities. According to Tom Mahoney, Executive Director of Worker Services with the Workplace, Health, Safety and Compensation Commission, early intervention programs and co-operative planning between injured workers and employers are beneficial elements of returning to work. These elements allow injured workers to restore their income and help them to remain active and productive members of the workforce. Employers benefit by retaining knowledgeable, skilled employees, reducing recruitment and training costs, reducing claim costs and rewarding good safe work practices. Commission case managers and adjudicators also provide valuable help towards an injured worker’s successful recovery and return-to-work. During the claim adjudication process, adjudicators can intervene early with employers who need assistance fulfilling their responsibilities in a return-to-work program. Case managers work to ensure that early and safe return to work (ESTRW) is effectively managed and that injured workers receive quality health care.
Case managers are also there to answer questions about treatments, contact health care professionals on an injured worker’s behalf and help find resources that will assist in the recovery process. When identifying early and safe return-to-work opportunities, an injured worker’s first priority should be to maintain a connection to their pre-injury job at some level. Where this is not possible, it is important for them to work with their employer to identify suitable and available employment that is within their physical capabilities. Should any assistance be required in this process, the Commission has ESTRW facilitators who assist in developing and maintaining successful ESRTW programs. “For significant injuries, the Commission’s Extended Services Unit provides expertise to quickly identify medical management issues to address the complexities associated with such injuries,” explains Mr. Mahoney. “The Commission also ensures that Memorandums of Agreement are in place with health care provider groups which acknowledge the importance of ESTRW in injury recovery and educate injured workers about the value of returning safely to work while recovering.” Early intervention and a commitment to ESTRW are vitally important for effective injury recovery and good insurance management. and Communication among the Commission, employers and workers is essential to ensuring everyone knows what is going on and what to expect. “The main focus of early intervention after sustaining a workplace injury or illness, is to enable injured workers to remain at the workplace following an injury, or return in a timely manner,” adds Mahoney.
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This Spot the Hazard photo has been deliberately staged to display several dangerous work habits and safety hazards. Tell us how many you can spot and email your response to: kpeyton@whscc.nl.ca. In our next issue we will publish as many responses as we can, along with the correct answers. All emails submitted will be entered for a draw, and one lucky hazard spotter will win a SAFE Work Newfoundland and Labrador First-Aid kit. Congratulations to Mike Mathieson of Kamloops, British Columbia, whose name was drawn from entries received for the spot-the-safety-hazard photo in our Summer issue. Mike will receive a First-Aid kit and a Rod Stickman DVD collection. Here are the things Mike spotted: The ladder is not at a 4 to 1 ratio, lumber is being used for decking, leveling jacks are being used for the front and wheels on the back, scaffold is on top of stacked lumber, and there is no lifeline on the scaffold, the hoisting gear is placed on the outside. Thanks Mike! Remember that if you spot the hazard and assess the risk, you will always find a safer way every day!
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Careful where you get your energy boost! By Kate Connors Whether it’s the energy kick we need in the morning, a mid-afternoon boost, or something to go along with dessert after dinner, one thing is for sure – many of us need our daily fix of caffeine. Found in coffee, tea, soft drinks, energy drinks, chocolate, food and medicine, caffeine poses no real health hazard when taken in moderation. However, when consumed excessively, caffeine can have significant impacts on workplace health and safety. According to Ontario’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, caffeine speeds up the central nervous system and stimulates the brain. Health Canada agrees that caffeine elevates mood, enhances physical and intellectual performance, giving your body more energy while postponing fatigue. Taken in moderation, caffeine can have benefits around the workplace, such as raising alertness and enhancing productivity. However, taken in abundance, caffeine can cause irritability, insomnia and nervousness, restlessness and headaches. It can elevate fatty acid levels in the blood; increase blood pressure and cause irregular heartbeats and palpitations. The purpose of this article is not to suggest that we ban coffee from our daily lives. However, it doesn’t hurt for us to ask ‘when does too much of a good thing become a bad thing?’ Here is a thought. Workplace stress continues to be a big issue for employers and employees. There are plenty of courses available in Canada on how to manage and deal with workplace stress. Employers are also
encouraged to introduce respectful workplace policies and train employees in respectful workplace behaviour. With all the attention that is being given to showing employees how to relax and address workplace problems in a calm and respectful manner, it’s important to note that too much caffeine may be contributing to a stressful work environment. Irritability and nervousness seen in a co-worker may, be a sign of too much caffeine and it may be affecting relationships around the office. Can our busy work and family schedules, and trying to get the most out of a day, also be contributing to the rise in the consumption of caffeine? Statistics Canada reports that coffee consumption increased from 96 litres per person in 1990 to 106 litres per person in 2009. The increase in tea consumption was even greater from 42 litres per person in 1990 to just under 80 litres per person. Health Canada recommends that the average adult consume no more than 400 to 450 milligrams of caffeine per day, or the equivalent of three-to-four, eight-ounce cups of brewed coffee. Some of us have exceeded that amount before our morning coffee break. Another thing to consider is that we really do not know how much caffeine is in our coffee when we purchase it, because there is no regulatory provision for mandatory quantitative labeling of caffeine, (e.g., milligrams per stated serving size). Consider this: a large size coffee contains between 140 and 330 milligrams of caffeine, while a large tea contains
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Caffeine – when does too much of a good thing become a bad thing? up to 90 milligrams. Overall, most people do not need to be overly concerned about the amount of caffeine they are ingesting and will usually manage their intake better when they begin to feel the physiological effects. Since we know that too much caffeine likely causes irritability, nervousness, anxiety and other effects that can impact
working relationships, we may want to start looking at ways to recognize this in the workplace and develop strategies to deal with it on an interpersonal and organizational basis. As caffeine could be a contributing factor to workplace stress, we should at least think about ways to encourage moderation.
Sources: Tim Horton’s Research and Development, starbucks.com, pepsiproductfacts.com and coke.com
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NewsFlash Coming soon - online annual employer statement reporting
Under the PRIME program, an assessment rate represents only one portion of an employer’s assessment. When the annual employer statements are processed, assessments will be adjusted, if the employer has earned a practice refund and an experience refund or incurred an experience charge under PRIME. For more information, contact: 1-800-563-9000
In 2011, employers will be able to file Payroll Statements, Contractor Statements, and Occupational Health and Safety Statements online. Be watching for more details on how to file your statements online in your annual employer statement package that you will receive in January 2011.
Changes to contractor reporting Employers will no longer be required to report contractors on their annual contractor statement provided to the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission (the Commission), if they obtained the appropriate clearance letter or status on that contractor for the applicable contract period in 2010. The easiest way to request a clearance letter is to register for our online service, connect. While a clearance letter can still be obtained by mailing, faxing or calling the Commission, connect offers additional tools to help employers manage this process. For example, you can create a sub-contractor status list that allows you to create a list of contractors and automatically receive notification when your contractor’s status with the Commission changes. This not only saves time, but also reduces administrative effort. If you would like to use connect and save time for your organization, go to www.whscc.nl.ca and register.
Earl Ludlow receives Canadian Red Cross Humanitarian Award Congratulations to CEO Leadership Charter signatory Earl Ludlow, president and CEO of Newfoundland Power, who has been named the recipient of the 2010 Humanitarian Award of Newfoundland and Labrador for the Canadian Red Cross. Mr. Ludlow has been a champion of numerous community causes and organizations and has worked tirelessly as a volunteer, supporter, and board member. The award is presented annually by the Canadian Red Cross and recognizes humanitarian contributions in the recipient’s community or abroad, through volunteer work, advocacy or philanthropy, and by displaying leadership qualities that inspire others to pursue humanitarian goals.
Jackie Manuel appointed to national Threads of Life Board
2011 assessment rates available to employers in October
Jackie Manuel, CEO of the Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Safety Association and a signatory to the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission’s CEO Leadership Charter, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Threads of Life.
In October 2010, employers will receive notification of their 2011 assessment rates. This letter contains important information concerning your 2011 assessment and PRIME. It is important that employers review these rate letters and advise the WHSCC if its business and activities have changed, so classifications can be reviewed.
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This national, charitable organization supports families who have experienced a workplace tragedy, and is active in promoting safety in the workplace. Each year across Canada, fundraising events are held to support Threads of Life and raise awareness of the organization and its mandate. Most recently, Ms. Manuel served as Chair of the organizing committee for the Steps for Life fundraising walk in St. John’s.
Newfoundland and Labrador authors publish book on integrated management systems Terri Andrews, president of Quality Plus Inc. of St. John’s, and Wayne Pardy, Chair of the Minister’s Advisory Committee on Occupational Health and Safety, have published Integrated Management Systems: Leading Strategies and Solutions, a book to help the international safety and quality professionals design and manage safety and quality, based on real-world examples, experiences and scenarios. Andrews’ and Pardy’s book assists readers in the successful integration of their safety, quality, and environmental management systems. Using examples taken from a wide and diverse range of business situations, the authors weave together a management system road map that can be used by any health, safety, environment and quality practitioner, from beginner to seasoned industry professional.
Increase to maximum assessable earnings limit Pursuant to Section 21 of the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Regulations, effective January 1, 2011, the maximum assessable earnings used to calculate assessments paid by employers will be $51,595 per worker – up from $51,235. For more information, call: 1-800-563-9000
Cathy Bennett receives IABC communications award Congratulations to CEO Leadership Charter signatory Cathy Bennett, CEO of Bennett Restaurants (St. John’s McDonald’s), on receiving the Award of Excellence for Organizational Leader by the International Association of Business Communicators – Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter. The award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated leadership, vision and commitment to excellence in communications.
WHSCC Prevention Workshop Series Disability Management October 5 – Corner Brook October 7 – St. Anthony October 13 – Gander October 15 – Clarenville October 19 – Marystown
“This is the first book of its kind to be published by a pair of Newfoundland and Labrador writers, so Wayne and I are very proud to be able to contribute to the international safety and quality community through our publication,” says Andrews. “In recent years, safety and quality areas have gotten significant attention, and we are pleased to be able to contribute on an international, national and local level, to helping organizations and individuals meet their safety and quality challenges.”
Accident/Incident Investigations – Back to Basics November 2 – Gander November 3 – Clarenville November 4 – Marystown November 9 – Labrador City November 10 – Goose Bay
October 21 – Bay Roberts
November 16 – Bay Roberts
October 22 – St. John’s (FULL)
November 17 – St. John’s
October 26 – Labrador City
November 18 – St. John’s
October 28 – Goose Bay
November 23 – Corner Brook
November 3 – St. John’s
November 25 – St. Anthony
For information on how to register, venues and times call: 709-778-2926
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Invest in young worker safety for today and for always As an individual who devotes considerable time and effort motivating young people to be the best that they can be, I am constantly encouraging those I work with to also keep workplace health and safety top-of-mind for themselves and those around them. Young workers are not likely familiar with workplace hazards, their rights as workers, or the fact that common workplace injuries such as burns and back sprains can cause permanent disability. Although education is the key, there is no magic formula for workplace health and safety. The responsibility lies with each of us – employers, schools, job trainers, parents, youth organizations, health care providers and the media to be pro-active and protect the well-being of our youth. Health and safety is not just a workplace issue, it’s a community issue. This past summer, the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission employed several students, one of which was Jessica George of Badger. Jessica is an occupational health and safety (OHS) student studying at Keyin College in Grand Falls-Windsor. During her time at our Central Newfoundland office, Jessica was partnered with Gus Loder, one of our health and safety advisors, who taught her “safety 101.” Jessica was given the opportunity to prepare and send out OHS information to employers, as well as attend presentations, and participate in prevention workshops. She also participated in OHS audits, and attended a health and safety conference. Jessica was fortunate to have had this educational experience, because not all young workers in our province are afforded the privilege of delving into the intricacies of workplace health and safety.
Jessica George
Young workers face the greatest risk of being injured on the job, and understanding how they think, feel and operate, can make a big difference to working safely. Understanding young workers will also help employers to choose safety strategies and practices that work with young people’s strengths, while working around any limitations. Now’s the time to invest our energies in injury prevention education, awareness, job orientation and training, so that injuries, near-misses and costly mistakes don’t occur. Invest in a young worker and keep them safe for today and for always. Kathy Dicks-Peyton is the Manager of Communications and Event Planning with the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission.
We would like to hear from you...
Kathy Dicks-Peyton, Editor
Give us your insight on safework news content, or topics for discussion relating to employer assessments, workers’ compensation, and workplace health and safety. Send your comment to: safework news c/o Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission 146-148 Forest Road P.O. Box 9000 St. John’s NL A1A 3B8 or send us an email: kpeyton@whscc.nl.ca
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In the workplace we have THREE basic rights.
Do you know what they are?
with Rod Stickman
1. The Right to Know 2. The Right to Participate 3. The Right to Refuse
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