Safety Scoops & Articles
MHSA Vaccination Policy Update
*This policy is no longer in effect as of February 25, 2022. The MHSA is currently following all AHS guidelines and jurisdictional bylaws to ensure the safety of our staff and visitors. *
MHSA considers the protection and promotion of health, safety, and environment (HSE) a fundamental value and corporate responsibility governing all its activities. Our aim is to be a leader in the promotion of workplace safety demonstrated through a health and safety culture. MHSA’s leadership is sharing, advocating, and stewarding the COVID-19 Vaccination policy for the health and wellness of its employees, and the whole community.
Effective January 1st, 2022, MHSA class participants, contractors, and visitors are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or to provide proof of a negative test result within the last 72 hours. The 72 hours should cover the entire course dates scheduled or a secondary negative COVID test will be required in order to complete the course program.
To verify vaccination status class participants, contractors and visitors will be required to provide their unique QR code or a negative test result with government issued photo ID.
Virtual options are also still available to participants that cannot meet the COVID-19 vaccination requirements.
We will continue practicing our other safety measures to protect against the spread of COVID-19. These include:
Health screening
Social distancing
Masking in classes and hallways
Small class sizes
Hand sanitizing stations throughout our facilities
Plexiglass barriers at student check-in desks and reception
No watercoolers or coffee machines in classrooms
This policy will remain in place for an undefined period as long as the risks and impact of COVID-19 are present. The policy will be reviewed on a regular basis and amended as required.
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!
OHS Legislation Changes: Further Details
The MHSA is committed to keeping you up to date whenever there is a change in legislation or in the industry. With the new legislation changes coming into effect on December 1st, we have some resources that will help you better understand what these changes mean for you and your company. So, without further ado,
Links to new OHS legislation:
For publications that have been updated to reflect the upcoming new requirements:
Until Dec 1, 2021 these will be posted on the “Upcoming legislation changes” section of the OHS Online Resource Portal
If you have any questions regarding the changes, you can contact your local MHSA office
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!
How to Protect Your Employees Against Winter Safety Hazards
In Canada over 42,000 workers get injured annually due to fall incidents. This number represents about 18% of the "time-loss injuries" that were accepted by workers' compensation boards or commissions across Canada (based on statistics from Association of Workers' Compensation Boards of Canada, 2016). Incidents caused by falling can occur at any time, but there is a particular high risk during the winter season for an employee to slip on an icy surface.
Due to factors like cold temperatures, snow, and ice, winter brings additional hazards that you don’t face during the rest of the year. This makes it extra crucial that employers take steps to create a safer workplace. Proactive employer preparedness is essential to prevent and or lower costs related to incidents, lost time from work and legal action.
Prevent Falls
To prevent slips and falls, employers should ensure to regularly clear ice from walkways, doorways, driveways. This should not just include places where employees are working, but also in outdoor break areas and parking lots to ensure workers are able to exit their vehicles safely. In addition, make sure to remove any spilled water before it can freeze and turn to ice. Finally, encourage employees to take extra precautions. This may include reviewing as part of safety talks and could include using footwear with deep treads and, whenever possible, reporting hazards such as ice immediately.
Be Aware of the Signs of Frostbite and Hypothermia
At very cold temperatures, one of the most serious concerns for employees working outdoors is the risk of hypothermia or dangerous overcooling of the body. Another serious effect of cold exposure is frostbite or freezing of the exposed extremities such as fingers, toes, nose and ear lobes. Hypothermia could be fatal in absence of immediate medical attention. If employees are exposed to extreme cold, they will need to be monitored for signs of frostbite or hypothermia. The signs of the first include hard, pale, numb skin, blisters, and stiffness in the joints or muscles. Indications of the second are shivering, fatigue, slurred speech, and poor coordination. Hypothermia is a medical emergency. At the first sign, find medical help immediately. The survival of the employee/victim depends on their co-workers ability to recognize the symptoms of hypothermia. The victim is generally not able to notice his or her own condition. If you suspect that an employee is suffering from either condition, move the person to somewhere warm and seek medical attention.
Increase Employee Involvement in Safety Programs
Health and safety programs are most effective when employees are engaged. By involving workers in the planning of these programs, they are given the opportunity to provide their own insights and feel that their voices are being heard. This will also assist to boost company morale and culture.
Together with employees, run through established or newly created a risk assessment where evaluate winter-related hazards can occur. Create a strategy to minimize risk through specific control measures such as cleatchs, inspections and job specific training. Encourage employees always and immediately to report all incidents that occur. This will aid to ensure the employer has an accurate record of risks. Ideally, a review of this information should take place at regular intervals and once the program has been implemented, it is recommended that the company hold a subsequent meeting with employees and or committees to discuss the need for any updates.
One final way to make sure everyone on your team is prepared for the winter is to offer workplace health and safety training. At MHSA, you can find a range of courses for everything from safety basics and hazard assessment to specialized safety programs. Visit our online portal to enroll your employees in courses they can study at a time that suits them.
BREAKING: Changes to OHS Legislation Announced
The changes to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Laws are here! The new changes will come into effect on December 1, 2021. Please follow the below links to find out more information:
Stay tuned for more information! We will be sure to fill you in on how this will affect your workplace!
How to Plan for an Emergency in Your Workplace
Emergency planning is about much more than running a risk assessment. Preparing for disasters of all kinds should ensure that everyone knows how to react in the moment of an emergency and during the aftermath. The best plans can even reduce the event’s impact on both workers and businesses. Although every workplace will have different considerations when creating an emergency plan, here are some basic considerations to bear in mind.
Define Your Goals
Start by determining what you want to achieve with your emergency preparedness program and specify who will be responsible for each aspect of the program. Before continuing further, consider having a legal professional review the outline to ensure it covers everything and will minimize risks.
Assess Potential Emergency Situations
Create a list of every potential emergency by considering what hazards your workplace faces. Assess the likelihood of each and include the most probable in your plan.
Develop Your Plan
Once you have the above information, start working on a detailed emergency preparedness plan. This should cover:
How you’ll respond to ensure the safety of your employees, including evacuation and decision-making in critical situations.
How you’ll communicate with workers, clients, and other stakeholders during the emergency.
Policies for affected employees, including what kind of support workers will require. It’s best to divide employees into three categories: severely affected, experienced some issues, and not directly affected.
Contingencies for both operational and closed worksites.
Alternatives to your regular operation sites and options for backup staffing.
The training you’ll need to provide to workers.
How you’ll comply with government reporting requirements.
Evaluate the Program
After creating your program, you’ll need to test it to ensure there’s nothing you’ve overlooked. This will also ensure that workers know how to respond in an emergency. Make sure you run a variety of exercises to test all the probable disasters you defined earlier.
Hold Periodic Reviews
Circumstances often change — and this can mean a plan that was previously perfect is now outdated. Set a schedule for reviewing your emergency preparedness plans to check they remain appropriate. Remember to assess against changes such as expansions, new locations, and changes to management. Also confirm employees’ emergency contact information and ensure you’re working with up-to-date government protocol.
You can receive a variety of workplace safety and prevention services from MHSA. We offer courses for businesses in the manufacturing sector to handle and prevent emergencies, reduce injuries, and keep employees safe. Check out our calendar to book one of our upcoming courses.
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…
Get the Training
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!
Certificate of Recognition (COR) On-Site Data Gathering Suspended
*This is no longer in effect as of March 1, 2022*
In response to Alberta’s Public Health Emergency, the COR program is implementing an immediate suspension of on-site data gathering activities by auditors. This means:
The use of on-site observations is suspended.
The use of remote documentation reviews and remote interviews (e.g. video-calls, phone, etc.) are required.
Audits based on review of documentation and interviews are eligible for three-year COR certification.
Audits based on review of documentation-only are eligible for one-year COR certification or for COR maintenance.
On-site data gathering must cease for audits in-progress. If you have questions, or require assistance, please contact your Certifying Partner.
Employers must provide documents to auditors by electronic means when possible. Auditors must use a safe collection method for paper documents (e.g. curbside pick-up).
These rules are in-effect until December 31, 2021, and will be re-assessed for 2022.
NEW COVID-19 Update: How MHSA is Responding
At MHSA, we are committed to the health and safety of our staff, members and all classroom participants. With the recent tightening of the COVID-19 health and safety measures, announced by the Alberta Government on September 15, 2021, we are taking action to follow them and help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Starting immediately MHSA will follow the below practices to ensure everyone’s health and safety.
At MHSA, we are committed to the health and safety of our staff, members and all classroom participants. With the recent tightening of the COVID-19 health and safety measures, announced by the Alberta Government on September 15, 2021, we are taking action to follow them and help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Starting immediately MHSA will follow the below practices to ensure everyone’s health and safety.
Contacting the MHSA :
Employer and member contact will be made by phone, email or via virtual meetings, unless approved by management
In-person Classes :
In-person courses will still happen with the following restrictions:
Classes in small classrooms will have a cap of 9 students per class
Classes in large classrooms will have a cap of 18 students per class
Social distancing of 2 m between student desks will be enforced for all classes
Students will be checked for temperature and answer a COVID questionnaire before going into a class
If there are multiple classes occurring at the same time, breaks times will be staggered.
No water coolers or coffee machines in classes
Masks are required to enter the facility and throughout the facility (i.e. hallways, washrooms etc.).
Masks may be removed by students during a course when seated at their desk
We ask that any company wishing to do onsite training with us follow these same measures. These procedures will be verified prior to MHSA staff arrival on site.
These measures will remain in place until at least October 1st, when they will be reviewed again.