Safety Scoops & Articles
20th Alberta Health & Safety Conference Announcement
The Health & Safety Conference Society of Alberta (HSCSA) is excited to announce the dates of our upcoming 2023 conference. The conference will take place on:
Dates: Wednesday April 26 & Thursday April 27, 2023
Location: The Westin Calgary Airport, Calgary, AB
Stay tuned, registration details will follow in the upcoming months.
October 1, 2022 Safety Scoop: Ergonomics
OCTOBER SAFETY SCOOP: Ergonomics
Ergonomics can be described in many ways. Ergonomics is the discipline that focuses on the design of equipment, tasks and work environments to minimize worker fatigue, discomfort, and injury while still maximizing performance.
Ergonomics
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This months Safety Scoop focus is on Ergonomics. Ergonomics is the discipline that focuses on the design of equipment, tasks and work environments to minimize worker fatigue, discomfort, and injury while still maximizing performance.
Ergonomics can be described in many ways. It can be described as the study of people’s efficiency in their working environment or even the science of designing or arranging things in use to interact with the body most efficiently. In simple words, ergonomics is the ‘fit’ between people and their tasks.
Here's The Scoop:
Why is ergonomics important?
What effect does ergonomics have on the Manufacturing Industry?
How can ergonomic injuries be prevented?
Who can conduct an ergonomic assessment?
And much more…
Injuries in the workplace due to improperly set up machine and equipment or unguarded or inadequately guarded machines are preventable. This 1-day course focuses on recognizing and controlling the general hazards that can be encountered when operating machinery and equipment in the workplace. This course focuses on teaching the importance of safety guards and devices on heavy machinery.
Topics include:
Recognizing and controlling common machinery hazards
Point of operation guarding
Power transmission devices
Machinery operating controls
Hazardous motions and actions
Alberta OH&S Safeguard requirements
Visit our course calendar to explore other courses, see availability in your region, and register today!
September 2022 Safety Scoop: Emergency Response Equipment
September 2022: Emergency Response Equipment
No company wants to experience an actual emergency in the workplace. The best thing you can do is to be prepared, plan ahead and have the proper emergency response equipment available.
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No company wants to experience an actual emergency in the workplace. The best thing you can do is to be prepared, plan ahead and have the proper emergency response equipment available.
When preparing for emergency response having the proper equipment available can save lives. In this month’s Safety Scoop, MHSA will provide resources on the importance of understanding the purpose of and application of Emergency Response Equipment.
Here's The Scoop
What are the OHS requirements for emergency preparedness?
Does your workplace have appropriate plans in place that include assessing the risk of workplace activities?
Do you know what equipment is needed for all types of potential and actual emergencies at your workplace?
And much more…
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This four-hour course will assist employers in identifying worksite-specific emergencies that may require rescue or evacuation and then developing safe and effective response plans, in accordance with Part 7 of the Alberta OH&S Code.
Topics include:
Emergency Response Overview, Team Planning and Risk Assessment
Emergency Mitigation, Preparedness, Assessing Response Capabilities, and Recovery & Disaster Management
Leadership, Teamwork, Communication and Inter-Agency Collaboration
Strategic Planning, Decision Making, Problem Solving and Continuous Improvement
This 4-hour "Hands-On" course is intended to give shop, field and office workers a basic understanding of the physical characteristics of fire and the safe use and limitations of portable fire-fighting equipment.
If a fire breaks out at your workplace, the ability to properly use a fire extinguisher could prevent a small fire from becoming large and causing significant damage. You’ll learn all the basics for fighting fires with our fire extinguisher training. Participants even have the chance to put their skills into practice with a live fire.
Topics include:
Combustion process and how fires burn
Fuel and heat types
Common types of fire extinguishers and extinguishing agents
Steps involved in extinguishing a fire: P.A.S.S. (Pull the pin, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep)
Basic fire safety guidelines, including the Occupational Health &
Safety Act, Regulation & Code
Visit our course calendar to explore other courses, see availability in your region, and register today!
Collaboration: ISO Training
The Auditing Association of Canada (AAC) is pleased to announce a collaboration with The Manufactures’ Health and Safety Association in Alberta (MHSA) to offer the Occupational Health & Safety Lead Auditor (OHS(LA) Training. This would be an instructor lead 5-day course of two complementary parts: ISO 45001 - Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems, and ISO 19011- Guidelines for Auditing Management Systems. Together these two elements meet the requirements for ISO 45001 lead auditor’s formal training with 3.5 credits towards Continuing Education Credits (CEU) and would complement any COR Safety program.
Course Fee
The course fee: $1,300.00 + tax
This fee includes:
Course Participant Manual (electronic)
Morning snacks, beverages, and Lunch
Excluded from the fee (participants to bring their own copy):
ISO 45001 Standard
ISO 19011 Standard
Dates for this upcoming course include:
Date: October 24- 28, 2022
Location: MHSA Training Centre, 225 Parsons Road, SW, Edmonton
Date: December 12-16, 2022
Location: #201, 292060 Wagon Wheel Link, Rocky View, Alberta (just north of Calgary)
Learning Objectives:
On successful completion of this course participants will understand:
The purpose and benefit of risk based management systems,
The requirements, definitions, concepts and guidance of the ISO 45001 standard,
The critical role of auditors in the process,
All aspects of managing audit programs, and conducting audits – i.e. the roles and responsibilities of the auditor in accordance with ISO 19011,
The concepts, definitions and guidance of ISO 19011 and be able to apply them in daily practice,
All phases of a risk-based audit,
The importance of personal attributes, including how to communicate effectively,
How to develop meaningful findings and clear value added reports,
How to identify, assess, and techniques for controlling hazards,
How to assess the conformity and adequacy of an organization’s management system.
Who Should Attend
While the course is a lead auditor course, its value for non-auditors cannot be overstated. Those charged with developing or managing occupational health and safety will benefit from the skills and knowledge gained by participating. In addition, to internal and external OH&S management system auditors, health and safety managers, and implementation team members will benefit.
Class size is limited to 14-participants so register your spot today. Further updates on more courses will be made available based on interest so keep connected to the AAC website for further announcements.
For those interested in registering for the EDMONTON location click, here
For those interested in registering for the ROCKY VIEW location, click here
August 2022 Safety Scoop: Load Securement
AUGUST 2022 - Load Securement
Many Alberta manufacturers not only design and build their own product, but also transport it to their customers or job sites.
Transporting of goods requires an understanding of the requirements surrounding load securement.
The National Safety Code (Standard 10) was developed to ensure the safety of workers, drivers and the general public on Alberta roadways.
Load Securement
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Many Alberta manufacturers not only design and build their own product, but also transport it to their customers or job sites.
Transporting of goods requires an understanding of the requirements surrounding load securement.
The National Safety Code (Standard 10) was developed to ensure the safety of workers, drivers and the general public on Alberta roadways.
Here's The Scoop
What is considered an appropriate load securement maker?
How to calculate Working Load Limit
What kind of hazards assessments should be carried out?
What is considered a suitable strap/tiedown?
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
Visit our course calendar to explore other courses, see availability in your region, and register today!
July 2022 Safety Scoop: Crane Safety and Competency
Crane Safety and Competency
Everyone working around overhead cranes needs to be aware of the unique hazards that a moving load can create. A worker can be crushed between the load and a stationary object, or be struck by a turning, swinging, tipping or falling load. This can cause serious injuries to fingers, hands, legs, feet, head and torso.
Crane Safety and Competency
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Everyone working around overhead cranes needs to be aware of the unique hazards that a moving load can create. A worker can be crushed between the load and a stationary object, or be struck by a turning, swinging, tipping or falling load. This can cause serious injuries to fingers, hands, legs, feet, head and torso.
Workers must be watchful at all times when cranes are active and keep themselves out of the load path.
Crane operators must be familiar with their crane’s operating characteristics and plan every lift to ensure hazards are controlled and load path is clear. They must also be competent for the types of lifts they are required to make. This requires suitable training in proper rigging and crane operating principles as well as competency evaluation.
Here's The Scoop
What are some common hazards?
Statistics of incidents
What are the legislative requirements for cranes?
What can I do to protect myself and others?
And much more…
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Overhead Crane Operator - Standard
This one-day, hands-on course is aimed at workers who have completed the MHSA basic rigging course within the previous 12 months and operate an overhead crane for lifting symmetrical loads. Our overhead crane training will teach you how to safely use overhead cranes to lift, move, and place loads through a combination of classroom and practical instruction.
The classroom instruction consists of presentations and discussions, whereas the hands-on training involves demonstrations followed by practical exercises. All activities are led by an experienced instructor.
Topics include:
Pre-operational inspection
Lift planning
Safe Operating Position
Load travel and control
Load positioning
Below the hook lifting devices
Visit our course calendar to explore other courses, see availability in your region, and register today!
June 2022 Safety Scoop: Compressed Gas
JUNE 2022 | Compressed Gas
The newest Safety Scoop is all about how to handle and work safely with compressed gases. Help ensure your workplace is working safely with compressed gases by using the safety scoop in your next safety meeting! Due to their highly pressurized nature, working with compressed gases has many associated hazards which include, but are not limited to, fire, explosion and frostbite. To help protect against these hazards, the Alberta OHS Code has standards on the proper use, storage and transportation of compressed gas
Compressed Gases
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The newest Safety Scoop is all about how to handle and work safely with compressed gases. Help ensure your workplace is working safely with compressed gases by using the safety scoop in your next safety meeting! Due to their highly pressurized nature, working with compressed gases has many associated hazards which include, but are not limited to, fire, explosion and frostbite. To help protect against these hazards, the Alberta OHS Code has standards on the proper use, storage and transportation of compressed gas.
Here's The Scoop
What is a compressed gas?
What are the legal requirements for compressed gas?
What hazards are associated with compressed gases?
What can I do to protect myself and others?
And much more…
Get the Training
This four-hour course will assist employers in identifying worksite-specific emergencies that may require rescue or evacuation. It also instructs participants on how to develop safe and effective response plans.
Topics include:
Emergency Response Overview, Team Planning and Risk Assessment
Emergency Mitigation, Preparedness, Assessing Response Capabilities, and Recovery & Disaster Management
Leadership, Teamwork, Communication and Inter-Agency Collaboration
Strategic Planning, Decision Making, Problem Solving and Continuous Improvement
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