Safety Scoops & Articles
May 2022 Safety Scoop: Hand Safety
MAY 2022 | Hand Safety
This month we’ve collaborated with Superior Glove and Honeywell to bring you a Safety Scoop focused around hand safety.
Hand Safety
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This month we’ve collaborated with Superior Glove and Honeywell to bring you a Safety Scoop focused around hand safety.
In the manufacturing industry, hands play a vital part in our everyday work. Statistics from Alberta WCB and nationwide show us that hands are at high risk for injury and incidents, if we don’t use caution. Determining and utilizing the proper PPE is an essential part of the hazard control and assessment process. This level of protection can assist you in protecting workers from incidents, injuries or exposure to hazards. Learn more about how you can protect your hands in this month’s safety scoop.
Here's The Scoop
What are the most common injuries in manufacturing?
How to know when hand protection is required
How to select the proper hand protection
What kind of hazards can hand protection protect against?
And much more…
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This one-day course teaches participants the basic principles of machine guarding and the importance of locking out machinery and equipment. Employee injuries due to exposure to unguarded or inadequately guarded machines are preventable and this course focuses on recognizing the advantages and limitations of safeguarding devices and controlling general hazards associated with the operation of machinery. We review the importance and functions of safety guards and devices on heavy machinery to prevent machine related injuries.
Topics include:
Point of operation guarding
Power transmission devices
Machinery operating controls
Hazardous motions and actions
Alberta OH&S safeguard requirements
April 2022 Safety Scoop: Occupational Illness & Disease
APRIL 2022 | Occupational Illness & Disease
Occupational illnesses, diseases, and disorders can manifest themselves in a variety of ways, from mental illnesses to tennis elbow to musculoskeletal disorders. In fact, there are over 150 conditions that are considered musculoskeletal disorders alone! With so many conditions to be aware of and to watch for, knowing signs, symptoms and prevention methods of occupational illnesses and diseases is of top importance when considering workplace health and safety!
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Spring has sprung, and so has the April Safety Scoop! This month we’re looking at Occupational Illness and Disease. Occupational illnesses, diseases, and disorders can manifest themselves in a variety of ways, from mental illnesses to tennis elbow to musculoskeletal disorders. In fact, there are over 150 conditions that are considered musculoskeletal disorders alone! With so many conditions to be aware of and to watch for, knowing signs, symptoms and prevention methods of occupational illnesses and diseases is of top importance when considering workplace health and safety! And this safety scoop will help you do just that!
Here's The Scoop
What are occupational illnesses and diseases?
What are the most common occupational illnesses and diseases?
How can I recognize them?
How can I prevent them?
How and when do I report them to WCB?
And much more…
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This 1-day course teaches participants how to properly identify, assess and control workplace hazards in accordance with Alberta Occupational Health and Safety legislation. Participants will learn the MHSA basic method of recognizing, evaluating and documenting workplace hazards.
Hazard assessment is the keystone of a successful health and safety management system and, therefore, must be performed correctly and reviewed regularly to ensure the workplace remains free of unnecessary hazards.
Topics include:
Alberta OH&S Code Part 2 Hazard Assessment, Elimination and Control
Benefits of performing hazard assessments
Methods of hazard identification, assessment and control
Hazard assessment techniques
Hierarchy of hazard controls
March 2022 Safety Scoop: Hearing Loss Protection
MARCH 2022 | Hearing Loss Prevention
Hearing is a serious issue that affects many people in their day to day lives. Did you know that noise induced hearing loss is the number one occupational disease in the U.S.A and Canada? Hearing loss is a long-term, acute health condition that can result in reduced quality of life, productivity, and increased risk of incidents at the workplace. Learn how to protect the hearing of your employees!
Hearing Loss Protection
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Our focus in March is on Hearing Loss Prevention. This is a serious issue that affects many people in their day to day lives. Did you know that noise induced hearing loss is the number one occupational disease in the U.S.A and Canada? Hearing loss is a long-term, acute health condition that can result in reduced quality of life, productivity, and increased risk of incidents at the workplace.
Hearing health can be affected by more than just loud noises. Damage to hearing can happen to anyone and anywhere, especially if hazards have not been identified and controls have not been put in place to protect workers. Dig into this month's Safety Scoop to learn more!
Here's The Scoop
How does hearing work?
What is noise induced hearing loss?
What are ototoxic chemicals?
How can I prevent hearing loss at home and at work?
And much more…
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This online, self-paced course introduces workers to the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act, Regulation, and Code. By reviewing this information, workers should have an awareness, understanding, and confidence needed to work safely.
Topics covered include:
How to increase worker knowledge regarding health and safety systems
The basics of health and safety legislation
The types of hazard assessments and controls
The importance of safety training and safety meetings
What safety measures are taken when other parties visit a worksite
How to prevent incidents through measures such as lockout/tagout (or LOTO)
The importance of worksite incident investigations, and
How to develop an emergency response plan
Visit our course calendar to explore other courses, see availability in your region, and register today!
February 2022 Safety Scoop: Rigging
FEBRUARY 2022 | Basic Rigging
It is essential that workers are properly trained and competent and to know how to use rigging properly while lifting, moving, turning and flipping materials across all industries. Proper rigging training, maintenance and knowledge reduces the likeliness of injury and makes the workplace safer for everyone.
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Basic Rigging
February’s Safety Scoop focus is Rigging. Did you know that most industries in Alberta use cranes, rigging and hardware to move, lift and transport equipment in and around their facilities and yards? In addition, cranes, hoists and lifting accounted for the most injuries and incidents with 21 Potentially Serious Incidents being reported to Alberta OHS since 2018. Rigging uses diverse parts and components including slings, rigging hardware and below-the-hook lifting devices, to make up an entire lifting system.
It is essential that workers are properly trained and competent and to know how to use rigging properly while lifting, moving, turning and flipping materials across all industries. Proper rigging training, maintenance and knowledge reduces the likeliness of injury and makes the workplace safer for everyone.
Here is the scoop:
What’s involved in rigging?
How do I ensure my rigging equipment is safe to use?
What is the Rigging Resource Center?
What legislation applies to rigging?
And much more…
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Basic Rigging
This 1-day interactive course gives participants a basic level of knowledge for attaching various loads to the crane hook.
Topics covered include:
Understanding applicable legislation
Determining load weight, centre of gravity and suitable lifting points
Rigging selection, inspection and proper use
Effect of sling angles
Danger zone and pinch points
Tag lines and hand signaling
Participant learning is reinforced by rigging up assorted loads.
Visit our course calendar to explore other courses, see availability in your region, and register today!
January 2022 Safety Scoop: Legislation Awareness
JANUARY 2022 | Legislation Awareness
Legislation is there to protect workers and employers from incidents and injuries, but it can only do so when everyone knows how it applies to them on the worksite. Refresh your understanding of legislation with this month’s safety scoop.
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For January, we’re focusing on Legislation Awareness. With the recent changes to legislation, now is a great time to review what you know about OHS legislation and to learn some new things. Legislation is there to protect workers and employers from incidents and injuries, but it can only do so when everyone knows how it applies to them on the worksite. This month’s safety scoop will help everyone get on the same page!
Here is the scoop:
How does OHS legislation apply to you?
What is the Act, the Regulation and the Code?
How does the OHS Act affect you?
What is an administrative penalty?
What are your rights?
What other legislation applies to you?
And much more!
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Navigating Alberta OHS Legislation
This 1-day course gives the participants a basic understanding of the structure of Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety legislation. Participants will learn to successfully navigate the OHS Handbook by completing individual exercises and activities. Each participant will receive an OHS Handbook to participate in this course.
December 2021 Safety Scoop: Health and Safety Policies and Responsibilities
DECEMBER 2021 | Health and Safety Policies and Responsibilities
Health and Safety policies are used by a company to inform employees how they are providing a safe workplace. While it is everyone's responsibility to keep each other safe on the worksite, policies can outline how it is to be done.
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The focus of December’s Safety Scoop is Health and Safety Policies and Responsibilities. Health and Safety policies by a company to inform employees how they are providing a safe workplace. While it is everyone's responsibility to keep each other safe on the worksite, policies can outline how it is to be done.
Here is the scoop:
What is incident investigation and what is its purpose?
What is a Health and Safety Policy?
Does my company need a health and safety policy?
What are my responsibilities for safety at work?
How does management show they are committed to safety?
And much more!
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Safety Basics
This 2-day course provides the information desired to create and implement a comprehensive safety management system and is aligned with the standards for a Certificate of Recognition (COR) with the MHSA. Participants will be provided with the principles, knowledge, skill and documentation necessary for the development and day-to-day administration of an effective health and safety management system.
Visit our course calendar to explore other courses, see availability in your region, and register today!
Safety Scoop November 2021: Do you know your emergency response plan?
NOVEMBER 2021 | Incident Investigations
This month focuses on the purposes of incident investigations. Help your employees become familiar with proper procedures, training, and what their roles are in incident investigation.
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November’s Safety Scoop focuses on the purposes of incident investigations. Help your employees become familiar with proper procedures, training, and what their roles are in incident investigation. Incidents can occur in the workplace at any time, so it is vitally important that your company can properly investigate, identify its true causes, and determine appropriate corrective actions.
Here is the scoop:
What is incident investigation and what is its purpose?
What does Alberta OH&S require of investigations?
When and what should you investigate?
A sample worksheet
And much more...
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Principles of Workplace Investigation Course
This 1-day course, offered in person and virtually, will allow participants to gain an understanding of the purpose and benefits of conducting incident investigations, the steps to follow, and evidence they need to gather. Participants will have to successfully complete a practical investigation, and develop a report using methodology learned. This report will then be collected from each participant at the end of the course to be evaluated, ensuring they have acquired the knowledge and skills necessary.
Visit our course calendar to explore other courses, see availability in your region, and register today!
Safety Scoop October 2021: Do you know your emergency response plan?
OCTOBER 2021 | Do You Know Your Emergency Response Plan?
Developing a plan to safely and effectively respond to an emergency will ensure employers comply with Part 7 of the Alberta OHS Code and will help protect workers and facilities.
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In this month’s Safety Scoop readers will understand the importance of identifying worksite-specific emergencies that may require rescue or evacuation. Developing a plan to safely and effectively respond to an emergency will ensure employers comply with Part 7 of the Alberta OHS Code and will help protect workers and facilities. An Emergency Response Plan (ERP) can identify areas of exposure where a company can expect negative impacts due to an emergency and the processes that the company must use to control these impacts should they occur.
Here is the scoop:
What is an ERP?
What is the purpose and benefits of an ERP?
Knowing the legislated requirements for emergency preparedness
A sample ERP exercise worksheet
And much more…
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Emergency Response Planning Course
This four-hour course, offered both in-person as well as virtually, will assist participants in identifying worksite-specific emergencies and then guide them through developing safe and effective response plans, all in accordance with Part 7 of the Alberta OH&S Code. Participants will be able to:
Assess the risks and types of emergencies specific to their worksite and the types of response plans required;
Be able to develop and implement these plans to protect workers and facilities; and
Recognize the need for continuous improvement and follow-up after an incident.
Visit our course calendar to explore other courses, see availability in your region, and register today!
Safety Scoop September 2021: Are your workers first aid prepared?
SEPTEMBER 2021 | Are Your Workers First Aid Prepared?
It is important that each worker understands their role in the first aid plan, so that they are prepared and know what to do to help an injured or suddenly ill co-worker.
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The MHSA is committed to assisting our members with ongoing information on topics within the industry and implemented as per legislation. This month we will focus on First Aid Preparedness and having workers prepared and trained in their role when a worker becomes injured or suddenly ill in the workplace. It is important that each worker understands their role in the first aid plan, so that they are prepared and know what to do to help an injured or suddenly ill co-worker.
Here is the scoop:
What is first aid?
What is your role?
Being prepared for potentially injured or suddenly ill workers.
First aid assessment worksheets.
And much more...
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Standard First Aid Course
This 2-day course provides comprehensive training and information on first aid and CPR for the workplace. It covers Level A CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) training and certification. Participants will learn how to recognize and treat for shock or unconsciousness, administer CPR, cope with non-breathing casualties and choking emergencies, and manage eye injuries, burns, and environmental illnesses. This course also includes additional first-aid training for other injuries and illnesses, such as head and spinal trauma and upper and lower limb fractures — all in just a two-day period.
Get prepared, and register for this OH&S approved course today.
Visit our course calendar to explore other courses, see availability in your region, and register today!
Safety Scoop August 2021: Is your workforce competent?
AUGUST 2021 | Is Your Workforce Competent?
Being competent in the workplace is more than just being able to perform a specific task. Determining competency is the employer’s responsibility. Download the Workforce Competency Safety Scoop today!
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Being competent in the workplace is more than just being able to perform a specific task. According to the OHS Code, competency is the combination of formal qualifications, continuous training, and sufficient experience that enables a worker to safely perform work with minimal supervision. It is the employer’s responsibility to determine competency within its workforce in order to maintain workplace safety.
Here is the scoop:
Defining competency in five steps
Using realistic examples to determine competency
Available tools that can help you determine competency
And much more...
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Leading Safety
The MHSA Leading Safety course is the new and improved version of the Leadership for Safety Excellence course. Leading Safety will develop safety-conscious leaders by supplying supervisors and managers the necessary tools to effectively influence workers and ensure compliance with the company health and safety management system. Supervisors and managers will learn how to measure their success as workplace ladders through tracking and trending, performance observation, enforcement, training and education, and developing a productive and inclusive culture.
Visit our course calendar to explore other courses, see availability in your region, and register today!