Not Discrimination to Make Worker Shave Beard before Using Respirator
A scaffolding worker claimed he was the victim of discrimination citing, among other things, his employer’s demand that he shave his beard before using the tight-fitting respirator he had to […]
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Company Had the Right Safety Policy but Didn’t Make Workers Aware of It
An elevator company had a safety policy banning workers from wearing gloves when working on moving machinery. The problem is that the worker who got his gloved hand ensnared while […]
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Ask The Expert: Keeping Face Masks Mandatory After COVID-19 Health Order Expires
QUESTION As of July 1, masks are recommended but no longer required in indoor public settings in BC. To err on the side of caution, my employer would like to extend […]
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Do Workers Who Wear Religious Headwear Have to Use Hardhats?
Under OHS laws, employers must ensure that workers use PPE necessary to protect them from workplace hazards. Under human rights laws, employers must accommodate workers’ religious beliefs to the point […]
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Religious Accommodations Request Form
Under human rights laws, workers with sincerely held religious beliefs are entitled to accommodations from company safety and other policies provided that they don’t impose undue hardship. So, you need […]
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Religious Accomodations Policy
Under OHS laws, employers must ensure that workers use necessary PPE. Under human rights laws, employers must accommodate workers’ religious beliefs to the point of undue hardship. These obligations may […]
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Respiratory Protection Equipment Compliance Game Plan
The 8 steps you must take to protect workers who are required to use a respirator. You must take measures to prevent workers from breathing in harmful mists, vapours, fumes, gases, […]
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Respirator Maintenance Checklist
Ensure that workers properly care and inspect their respirators. Here’s a Checklist you can adapt to ensure proper care and maintenance of respirators at your workplace.
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Respirator Fit Test Form
Ensure workers required to use respirators perform proper fit tests. Here’s a Respirator Fit Test form from WorkSafeBC that you can adapt for your own use.
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Procedure for Performing Respirator Seal Checks
Preventing hazardous air leaks in tight fitting respirators. Workers required to wear respirators relying on tight fit with the face must check to ensure that there’s an effective seal before each […]
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Know the Laws of Your Province Regarding Respiratory Protection Equipment
Requirements governing respirator selection, use, maintenance and inspection across Canada. You must take measures to prevent workers from breathing in harmful mists, vapours, fumes, gases, dusts and other airborne contaminants. The […]
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Contractor Faces OHS Charges for Paving Worker’s Death
Newfoundland laid half a dozen OHS charges against a paving contractor for a work fatality to a 54-year-old worker as he was preparing to pave a driveway at a home […]
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Quiz: Which Employees Are Exempt from Mandatory Face Mask Rules?
The 3 types of exemptions you must make to your mandatory mask policy. Companies that don’t follow current COVID-19 public health guidelines and government emergency orders (which we’ll refer to collectively […]
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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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Legislative Amendments To Standardize Workplace PPE
On February 3, 2021, the Saskatchewan Government announced that it has made amendments to The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 1996 ("Regulation") to standardize workplace requirements for first aid kits based on the Canadian […]
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Periodic Medical Certification of Workers Using Respirators Is Overkill
Under OHS regulations, employers must ensure that workers who have to use respirators are examined by a physician to verify their medical fitness to do so at least once a […]
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Implementing a Mandatory Workplace Face Mask Policy
Although social distancing is vital to prevent the spread of COVID-19, sometimes it’s simply not possible to maintain the necessary 2 meters/6 feet of separation. Close encounters are especially difficult […]
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Mandatory Workplace Mask & Face Covering Policy
A template you can adapt to ensure people wear required face coverings at your facility. POLICY Until further notice, no person may enter ABC Company facilities unless they wear a mask or […]
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10 Things Every Mandatory Mask Policy Should Include
What began as a public health guideline is evolving into a legal duty, with municipalities across the country adopting bylaws requiring individuals to wear masks or face coverings in enclosed […]
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COVID-19 Face Mask Do’s & Don’ts Safety Training
Ensure proper face mask use at your facility. *** Wearing face masks and face coverings is vital to prevent COVID-19 infection where people can’t maintain the required social distancing separation of 2 […]
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Face Mask Do’s and Don’ts for Healthcare Personnel
Face masks have become essential accessories in the effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19. But it’s critical to wear them and handle them correctly to protect yourself and others. […]
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What are Potential Eye Hazards in the Workplace That Necessitate Eye Protection?
QUESTION What are potential eye hazards in the workplace that necessitate eye protection? Poor housekeeping practices, objects dropped from above, no prevention programs, chemicals. Radiation, slips and falls, no proper training […]
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What are the Objectives of Implementing a Safe Patient Handling Program?
QUESTION What are the objectives of implementing a safe patient handling program? Train/Evaluate, conduct needs analysis, institute a non-lift policy. Plan patient maneuvers, avoid patient lifting where possible, train/evaluate. Standardize patient […]
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What are the Three Major Overhead Hazards?
QUESTION What are the three major overhead hazards? Overloading, fall protection, dropped from above. Mechanical failure, electrical hazards, conduct risk assessment. Electrical hazards, overloading, dropped from above. Objects dropped from above, […]
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What are the Steps to Eliminate the Negative Effects of Hearing Loss in the Workplace?
QUESTION What are the steps to eliminate the negative effects of hearing loss in the workplace? Hearing protective devices, tinnitus syndrome, and workplace accommodations. Disclosure of hearing loss, managing […]
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Quiz: PPE – Hands, Wrists and Fingers
QUESTION What are the three kinds of Hazards that have the potential risk of hand and finger injury? Power tools, hand tools, extreme hot or cold temperatures. Chemical applications, contact […]
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Quiz: PPE – General
QUESTION What must be done in conducting a workplace survey to find risks and hazards to set controls and choose appropriate PPE? Eliminate the hazard, engineering models, introduce experts in PPE […]
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Quiz: What are the Hazardous Conditions that warrant head protection?
QUESTION What are the Hazardous Conditions that warrant head protection? Objects falling from above striking employees on the head, accidental head contact with electrical hazards, slipping and tripping on greasy floors. […]
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COVID-19 Cleaning Protocol for Common Areas Template
To limit the transmission of viral diseases, such as COVID-19, cleaning protocols should be used to clean and disinfect common contact surfaces within the workplace. Cleaning is defined as the physical […]
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