Safety Scoops & Articles
Searching For A-Frame Rack Systems Subject Matter Expert
In collaboration with the Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA), we are looking for a subject matter expert to help with a creative sentencing project.
The subject matter expert needs to be familiar with A-frame rack systems in a yard environment
In collaboration with the Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA), we are looking for a subject matter expert to help with a creative sentencing project.
The subject matter expert needs to be familiar with A-frame rack systems in a yard environment. They would also need be able to provide the following information:
Description of how to set up a frame/A-frame per manufacturer's specifications.
Description of how to secure a concrete slab to a frame.
Description of how to secure a frame to a vehicle
Safety considerations for each of the above.
Description of how to confirm the frame is rated for the cargo being loaded.
Identify two or three scenarios that can be turned into a simulation. Start with type of load, walkthrough to determine type of equipment, preparing surface, and all other decision points. Need correct/incorrect for each decision.
The creative sentencing project is also addressing the use of clamps for moving slabs and other objects.
If this sounds like you, reach out to Jessie Ashworth (jessie@mhsa.ab.ca) for further details as soon as possible!
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
MHSA AND THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK PARTNER TO OFFER FREE TUITION TO ONE MEMBER OF THE MHSA COMMUNITY
The MHSA and the University of New Brunswick (UNB) are pleased to announce they have partnered to offer free tuition to one lucky member of the MHSA community a chance to win complimentary enrolment in UNB’s Online Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety program (a retail value of $6545).
Entries are now being accepted for the Safety Program Tuition Giveaway. To enter, visit go.unb.ca/MHSA and complete the entry form.
Entries will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. AST, April 29, 2022 and the winner will be announced during the Alberta Health and Safety Conference, May 5-6, 2022.
For more information or to enter, visit the MHSA/UNB Safety Program Tuition Giveaway website.
2022 Alberta Health & Safety Conference
Join the MHSA at the Alberta Health and Safety Conference in Edmonton from May 5-6, 2022. We’re excited to be back after two years of not being able to attend! We’ll be in the Safety Hall at Booth #34.
We are also a proud sponsor of this event! This year we will be sponsoring the Social Event, so be sure to drop by and try one of our MIST drinks.
If you haven’t registered yet, be sure to register today at https://hsconference.ca/
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…
Get the Training
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…
Get the Training
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…
Get the Training
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!
Get the Training
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.
5 Types of Basic First Aid
In an emergency, first aid provides an injured person with the necessary care, perhaps before paramedics arrive to offer medical treatment. Anyone who has received first aid training can provide this basic care — it may even result in a saved life. Since different emergencies require quite different action, what are the types of first aid you should know?
1. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
Those trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can help a victim of cardiac arrest to start breathing again. CPR involves first checking the person’s airway is clear, then using rescue breathing and chest compressions to maintain blood circulation.
2. Bleeding
It’s important to stop a wound from bleeding to prevent the loss of too much blood. You’ll need to be able to identify the type of bleeding to determine its severity and know when the person needs medical attention.
3. Burns
To treat a burn, you need to remove its source (whether that’s heat, a chemical, or electricity) and then cool the affected area with running water for several minutes. Aloe vera and over-the-counter medication are useful for minor burns, whereas major burns require immediate medical attention.
4. Choking
An obstruction leading to choking can cut off a person’s air supply and lead to unconsciousness or even death. It’s important to recognize if someone is choking and needs help. Plus, you need to know what procedure is appropriate to use. For instance, when a person is unable to cough or talk but is still conscious, you should use the Heimlich maneuver; however, the appropriate first aid is different for someone who is unconscious.
5. Broken Bones
You should always treat any injury to a limb, hand, or foot as if it were a broken bone to prevent further damage. If it’s not an open fracture, the person is conscious, there is no heavy bleeding, and the skin appears normal, add a cold pack to the injury. You should also create a splint with padding for a limb injury, without trying to straighten the limb, before you head to the hospital. Broken bones related to the spine, head, pelvis, hip, and thigh are more severe and require emergency treatment. You’ll need to wait for an ambulance, as only a trained medical professional should move the injured person.
It’s crucial that your employees know at least the basic types of first aid to keep the workplace safe. Receive training for your team from MHSA. Check out our calendar to find dates that suit you for courses in emergency and standard first aid.
Happy Holidays from MHSA!
Thank you for allowing MHSA to support you as your certifying partner and for choosing to make your workplaces safe! It is members like you who make our jobs a pleasure and keep MHSA employees motivated and the association successful, in our efforts to reduce workplace injuries and illnesses.
Dear MHSA members,
I want to extend our season’s greetings and thank you for your continued trust in MHSA and your commitment to health and safety. Thank you for allowing MHSA to support you as your certifying partner and for choosing to make your workplaces safe. It is members like you who make our jobs a pleasure and keep MHSA employees motivated and the association successful, in our efforts to reduce workplace injuries and illnesses.
May your holiday season and the new year be filled with much joy, happiness, and success. We look forward to working with you in 2022!
Have a safe and happy holiday, and a happy New Year!
Best wishes,
Mike Bett
