CANADIAN MINING COMPANY UNDERESTIMATES SCALE OF CATASTROPHE
A Canadian company, Trevali Mining Corporation owns the Perkoa Mine in Burkina Faso that has been in the spotlight since April 16 when a flood trapped 8 workers underground. It […]
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Are Companies Liable for Environmental Offences of a Rogue Employee?
Should a company be liable for an environmental offence committed by an individual or group of employees acting on their own, either deliberately or carelessly, and without the company’s authorization […]
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Whom To Call To Report a Spill or Discharge
Every jurisdiction has an “emergency spill hotline” that you can call to report a spill or release of a hazardous substance. Here’s where to report such incidents in each part […]
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Ask The Expert: Which Hazardous Spills Must You Report to the Government?
QUESTION Which kinds of chemical spills do we have to report to the Ministry of Environment? ANSWER It depends on the kind of spill and jurisdiction you’re in. EXPLANATION Companies that discharge or spill products […]
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How to Create a Hazardous Spills Response Plan
After accidentally dropping a pallet containing a toxic cleaning agent and causing a spill, workers dilute the spilled solution with water and flush the contaminated water down a storm drain. […]
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Hazardous Spill Reporting Form
As with any health and safety incident, prompt reporting of spills is crucial to effective response. Here’s a template you can adapt to capture the essential details about the spill […]
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Hazardous Spills Reporting Compliance Game Plan
You’ve just discovered an oil slick under one of your trucks. It looks like an oil leak. The truck has been sitting in a gravel lot for at least 3 […]
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Know The Laws Of Your Province on Spills Reporting
Environmental laws require companies involved in discharging or spilling substances that have the potential to harm the environment to report the incident to the government. But the laws vary significantly […]
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Don’t Teach my Mother WHMIS
My mom works in a highly hazardous occupation. She belongs to a class of workers who are the most injured in British Columbia. According to WorkSafeBC’s 2020 annual report, people […]
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Emergency Planning & Preparedness
Emergencies may be rare but when they occur, they can be catastrophic. Just look at the recent sawmill explosions and fires in BC and the shopping centre parking garage collapse […]
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Which Company Is Liable, as an Employer, for Excavation Gas Pipe Explosion? – Quiz
An employer’s OHS duty to protect may extend to the workers it doesn’t actually employ. Canadian OHS laws require “employers” to take measures to protect the health and safety of their […]
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Compliance Alert: New TDGR Training Rules Take Effect in February
The system you use to provide workers Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (TDGR) training may become obsolete on February 9, 2022, when Transport Canada’s new Competency-Based Training requirements take effect. Under […]
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Why It Matters: The Human Story Behind a Worker’s Combustible Dust Death
A reminder of why workplace fatalities are so much more than statistics. WHAT’S AT STAKE 281 combustible dust incidents between 1980 and 2005 led to the deaths of 119 workers, injured 718, […]
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What’s the Difference between Liquefied Petroleum Gases and Flammable Liquids? – Ask The Expert
The differences between LPGs and flammable liquids are of critical importance for storage safety. QUESTION Is there any difference between a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and a flammable liquid? ANSWER Yes, and the differences […]
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How to Ensure Safe Road Transport of Compressed Gases
Shipments of compressed gases must meet OHS and Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations Chance are that you use some form(s) of compressed gases at your workplace, especially if you perform welding, […]
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Mining Company, Supervisors Charged for Blasting Operations Violations
A Northwest Territories diamond mine operator has been charged with multiple Mine Health & Safety Act violations, including failure to provide adequate training and safe work procedures for blasting work. […]
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Wildfire Safety Guide
"If you’re a homeowner, it can be highly stressful if a wildfire begins and spreads to your general location or residence. Learn everything you need to know about wildfires and […]
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Wildfires And Coronavirus Shine Spotlight On Iaq Compliance
Wildfires don’t just burn things down; they pollute the air. That includes the air inside buildings. So, if your facility is in BC, chances are that your workers are feeling […]
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Court More than Doubles OHS Fine against Garage Owner for Explosion Death
The acetylene torch a garage mechanic was using to remove the gas tank from a 1999 Dodge Caravan sparked an explosion that cost him his life. While beating the C-45 […]
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Ask The Expert: Monthly Portable Fire Extinguisher Inspections
QUESTION Our facility is an office building in Ontario. We recognize that fire extinguishers must be inspected monthly, but we don’t know what the inspection should cover. Can you help? ANSWER The Ontario […]
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Welding Company Fined $300,000 for Deadly Acetylene Gas Explosion
Fines of $300,000 and up are becoming increasingly common in Alberta. The most recent example stems from a welding explosion ignited by acetylene gas being used to fabricate a metal […]
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Combustible Dust Quiz
QUESTION How do combustible dust explosions happen? ANSWER Any fire needs three elements. These elements are known as the "fire triangle": 1. Fuel to burn 2. Oxygen 3. Ignition source (heat, spark, etc. ) A dust explosion […]
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Fire Prevention Quiz
QUESTION Why are fire alarm systems critical? ANSWER Fire alarms give an early signal to something that could be tragic. A fire alarm is able to alert you, even when you’re busy, working, […]
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Fire Extinguishers Quiz
QUESTION Name the three ways effective fire extinguisher use has impacted our society both domestically and commercially? ANSWER Effective fire extinguisher use has: Extinguished fires Saved lives Protected property WHY IS IT RIGHT PREVENTION When you […]
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Auto Plant Fined $225,000 for PPE Violation
An automotive plant worker not wearing PPE suffered serious burns in an explosion that occurred after he opened the door to a furnace. The employer, which had a track record […]
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Combustible Dust Quiz
QUESTION How do combustible dust explosions happen? ANSWER Any fire needs three elements. These elements are known as the "fire triangle": Fuel to burn Oxygen Ignition source (heat, spark, etc. ) A dust explosion […]
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Compressed Gas/Air Quiz
QUESTION What is the relationship or connection with compressed GAS/AIR and Cylinders?? ANSWER Compressed gases are stored in heavy-walled metal cylinders designed, produced and tested for use with compressed gases. Cylinders are made […]
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Hydrogen Sulfide Explosion Burns Prime Contractor to the Tune of $88,149
A subcontractor using a vacuum truck to clean hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from a pressure separator at a natural gas well site committed 3 big mistakes, including failing to: i. bond […]
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Combustible Dusts Housekeeping & Inspection Checklist
Dust explosions can occur when hazardous accumulations of combustible dusts are set off by heat, electricity, friction, or other ignition source. The key to preventing explosions is keeping combustible dusts […]
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