First Response

Evolution of health and safety in the last 50 years

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Diagram of the disaster. The Telegram, March 24, 1960.

Diagram of the disaster. The Telegram, March 24, 1960.

Health & Safety Over The Last 50 Years.

As Canadian Occupational Safety celebrates 50 years, here’s a look at major events in occupational health and safety over the last five decades.

Fifty-two years ago, a workplace tragedy that killed five immigrant workers became the catalyst for reforms in occupational health and safety.

The Hogg’s Hollow disaster of March 1960 sparked public outcry that caused the Ontario government to modernize safety regulations, leading to the enactment of the Industrial Safety Act in 1964. In the same decade, the federal government passed the Canada Labour (Safety) Code, setting out laws and regulations for safety of workers in the federal jurisdiction.

Around the same time as these major developments, Canadian Occupational Safety magazine was born. The very first issue of COS magazine hit the streets in March 1963, and was published by Cash Crop Farming, a small publishing firm in Delhi, Ont.

A lot has happened since then, and in honour of the 50th anniversary of the magazine the Canadian OHS community has come to rely on for their regular dose of health and safety information, we’re looking back at some of the most unforgettable events in safety history in the last half-century.

1964: Safety defined
The Industrial Safest Act is enacted replacing the Factory, Shop and Office Building Act. Safety is defined as “freedom from injury to the body or freedom from damage to health.” Employers were required to take such precautions as are reasonable to ensure worker safety.

1968: Canada Labour (Safety) Code takes effect
The code prescribes laws and regulations pertaining to occupational health and safety of workers in the federal jurisdiction.

1972: Saskatchewan leads
In passing its own Occupational Health and Safety Act, Saskatchewan institutes the concept of internal responsibility system by making health and safety a joint responsibility of employer and employees and requiring the establishment of joint health and safety committees. It enshrines three fundamental rights of workers: the right to know about the hazards in the workplace; the right to participate in health and safety discussions at work; and the right to refuse unsafe work.

1974: Striking miners
Uranium miners in Eliot Lake, Ont. stage protests unsafe working conditions and high incidence of lung caner and silicosis. In response, the Ontario labour ministry establishes a Royal Commission led by Dr. James Ham, to study and make recommendations to improve health and safety of mine workers.

1976: Beyond the mines
The Royal Commission publishes the Ham Report with over 100 recommendations. The occupational health and safety division is formed with four branches: mines safety, construction safety, industrial safety and occupational health. The Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals is formed as a certification body for safety practitioners.

1978: Ontario responds
The Ontario Health and Safety Act passes, incorporating the internal responsibility system and recommendations from the Ham Report.

1978: CCOHS is born
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) is established, providing health and safety information, training and education.

1985: Remembering the fallen
Canada Labour Congress declares April 28 as Day of Mourning, an annual day of remembering workers who are killed on the job.

1986: JHSC goes national
Canada Labour Code requires joint health and safety committees for every organization.

1988: WHMIS established
Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is established and requires educating workers about chemicals in the workplace and how to protect themselves from the hazardous materials.

1992: Westray tragedy
Explosion at Westray coal mine in Pictou County, Nova Scotia, kills 26 miners. An inquiry follows the tragic incident and finds negligence and abuse on the part of mine owners and government inspectors. Criminal charges are filed against Westray owner Curragh, Inc. and four of its managers. Ministry of Labour officials, including the minister, are dismissed and replaced.

1997: NAOSH Week is born
The first North American Occupational Safety and Health Week is celebrated.

1998: WSIB is born
New Conservative government disbands Ontario’s Workplace Health and Safety Agency, revamps the workers’ compensation system and creates the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).

1999: Young workers
A series of workplace fatalities involving young workers result in the establishment of the Young Worker Awareness Program, spearheaded by the Industrial Accident Prevention Association and Workers’ Health and Safety Centre.

2001: 9/11
Terrorists hijack two passenger planes and crash them into the north and south towers of the World Trade Centre in New York City. Minutes later, another hijacked plane crashes into the Pentagon, and another on the ground in Pennsylvania. More than 3,000 people are killed in these terrorist attacks, including firefighters, police officers and other emergency responders. The event changes the world’s view on safety and security.

2004: Criminal liability
Bill C-45, a provision amending the Criminal Code, passes into law. The bill imposes criminal liability for occupational health and safety violations resulting in injury or death. It allows for criminal prosecution of organizations, including corporations, their representatives and those who have authority to direct the work of others. Bill C-45 is also known as the Westray Bill, after the Westray mine explosion of 1992.

2008: Four years later…
Quebec firm Transpave Inc. becomes first company to be convicted of criminal negligence under Bill C-45 following the death of a young worker. Transpave ends up with a $100,000-fine. It would be three years until Canada sees another Bill C-45 conviction.

2009: Workplace violence
Ontario passes Bill 168, a legislation amending the Occupational Health and Safety Act to include provisions for the prevention of workplace violence and harassment. Ontario joins other provinces, including British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, in addressing workplace violence and/or harassment through regulations.

2010: Confined space
Canadian Standards Association releases the first national standard on the management of work in confined space. CSA Z1006 is a voluntary standard that defines best practices for confined space work, and was developed with input from industry sectors such as energy and mining.

2010: Tony Dean reports
The Ontario health and safety review panel, headed by University of Toronto professor Tony Dean, releases its recommendations to improve the province’s health and safety prevention and enforcement system. Included in the recommendations are: the appointment of the first-ever Ontario chief prevention officer; the creation of a multisector Prevention Council; and the transfer of prevention functions from the WSIB to the Ministry of Labour.

2011: Canada’s Safest Employers
Canada’s Safest Employers Award honours outstanding companies that are making a difference in promoting the health and safety of their workers. Five companies emerged as the inaugural winners, earning the honour of being Canada’s Safest Employers.

2012: Canadian Occupational Safety turns 50!
Celebrating 50 years as Canada’s premier source of information for the health and safety community, COS magazine continues to find better ways to engage health and safety professionals, providing relevant information in print, online and in person.

Written by Mari-Len De Guzman is the editor of Canadian Occupational Safety magazine and www.cos-mag.com.

First Response’s Comments:

I find it fascinating to read about the evolution of Health & Safety over the last 50 years and how it has gone from virtually nothing, to sometimes being completely ‘hobbling’ for employers in some instances.  In my experience, many employers are very pro active when it comes to H & S, however there are still many for whom Health & Safety is very challenging.  Of course, no one wants an employee to get injured on the job, but the line between hand holding and due diligence is sometimes very gray and not as clearly defined as it needs to be.  Many times, I have listened to workers relate their experience of trying to work safely whilst dealing with job deadlines.  For some companies, abiding by the Health & Safety laws is so cost prohibitive that it takes them out of the playing field when bidding on a job.  It is all well having laws that tell us how to work safely, but actually implementing those laws can often be very difficult and sometimes very impractical.  I would love to hear your comments on Health & Safety in the workplace and how it effects you….

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System Moving To The Globally Harmonized System

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WHMIS Poster with SymbolsWHMIS Poster with Symbols

 How will Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System Moving To The Globally Harmonized System affect you?

Roles and Responsibilities

Overall, the current roles and responsibilities for suppliers, employers and workers likely will not change in WHMIS after GHS.

Suppliers, Importers and Producers duties will continue to include:

  • classifying hazardous products
  • preparing labels and SDSs (safety data sheets)
  • providing these elements to customers

Employers must continue to:

  • Educate and train workers on the hazards and safe use of products.
  • Ensure that hazardous materials are properly labelled.
  • Prepare workplace labels and SDSs as necessary.
  • Provide access for workers to up-to-date SDSs.
  • Ensure appropriate control measures are in place to protect the health and safety of workers.

Workers will still:

  • Participate in WHMIS and chemical safety training programs.
  • Take necessary steps to protect themselves and their coworkers.
  • Participate in identifying and controlling hazards.

Classification

How chemicals are classified will be affected. It is likely (but not confirmed) that WHMIS legislation will:

  • Adopt all of the major GHS health and physical hazard classes including aspiration hazard and specific target organ toxicity-single exposure. Some sub-categories in GHS may not be adopted. It is unlikely that the environmental hazard classes will be adopted under WHMIS (but this does not exclude that it may be adopted by another government department).
  • Continue to include some hazards that are currently not in the GHS system, but are present in the current WHMIS system – such as biohazardous materials.
  • Have more specific names for its hazard classes.
  • Combine two WHMIS classes (teratogenicity/embryotoxicity and reproductive toxicity) into one new GHS hazard class called reproductive toxicity

Supplier labels

Labels requirements will also change, and will probably have a few new requirements. Labels will use new pictograms, as well as a signal word – Warning or Danger.

Supplier Label

Under the GHS system, once a chemical is classified, specific signal words, hazard statements and symbols/pictograms are required (prescribed) for each hazard class and category. These elements must appear on the label.

All of the required elements for labels are not yet determined. It is still not clear, for example, if the names of hazardous ingredients will be included on the label, or if the WHMIS hatched border will still be required.

Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)

SDSs will use a 16-section format. There will be standardized information requirements for each section. The 9-section WHMIS format for MSDSs will no longer be acceptable. Another important change to note is that the product classification and some of the label information will probably be required on the SDS. The SDS updating requirements (every 3 years) will likely be required.

How can suppliers prepare now?

Under WHMIS after GHS, suppliers will continue to classify products, create labels and create SDSs (formerly MSDSs) but they will follow the “WHMIS after GHS” requirements.

To prepare to classify a product, suppliers could:

  1. Obtain a copy of the GHS criteria.
  2. Identify the relevant hazard data for their ingredients and products.
  3. Review the data in light of the classification criteria to determine the appropriate hazard classes and categories. Note that there is specific guidance for classifying the health and environmental hazards of mixtures.
  4. Document the rationale and information for future reference.

Once changes to WHMIS legislation have been published, confirm product classifications.

Suppliers must use a “weight of evidence” approach to classify products. The validity of research reports and other information must be evaluated as a whole. In some cases a single, well-conducted study will be sufficient.

If they are not already doing so, suppliers could also switch to a 16-section SDS format.

How can employers prepare now?

After GHS implementation, SDSs and labels for products originating within and outside of Canada will share common elements. This standardization should simplify education and training after the initial transition period is over. However employees will need training on both systems until the transition is complete.

During the transition period, employers will be faced with more than their normal number of SDSs — in addition to the WHMIS-compliant MSDSs for existing stock, new SDSs compliant with WHMIS after GHS requirements may be provided for new shipments of the same products. Keeping up-to-date inventories of all controlled products and the status of the MSDS/SDS will be essential.

Where can I get more information?

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), in partnership with Health Canada’s National Office of WHMIS (NOW) developed and released two free on-line training courses to help workplaces prepare for “WHMIS After GHS”.

These free courses provide an introduction to the expected changes to WHMIS after GHS. Participants will learn about the expected impacts of these changes for workers, employers, and chemical suppliers.

WHMIS After GHS: An Introduction (30 minutes)

WHMIS After GHS: How Suppliers Can Prepare (60 minutes)

Both courses are offered in English and French, and are free of charge but registration is required in order to keep users aware of changes to the courses.

Health Canada also offers an email news service to announce information about WHMIS.

What is the Globally Harmonized System (GHS)?

GHS stands for the “Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals”. GHS is a system that defines and classifies the hazards of chemical products, and communicates heath and safety information on labels and material safety data sheets (called Safety Data Sheets, or SDSs, in GHS). The goal is that the same set of rules for classifying hazards, and the same format and content for labels and safety data sheets (SDS) will be adopted and used around the world. An international team of hazard communication experts developed GHS.

Why is global harmonization necessary?

Currently many different countries have different systems for classification and labelling of chemical products. In addition, several different systems can exist even within the same country. This situation has been expensive for governments to regulate and enforce, costly for companies who have to comply with many different systems, and confusing for workers who need to understand the hazards of a chemical in order to work safely.

GHS promises to deliver several distinct benefits. Among them are:

  • promoting regulatory efficiency
  • facilitating trade
  • easing compliance
  • reducing costs
  • providing improved, consistent hazard information
  • encouraging the safe transport, handling and use of chemicals
  • promoting better emergency response to chemical incidents, and
  • reducing the need for animal testing

What is the scope of GHS?

The GHS system covers all hazardous chemicals and may be adopted to cover chemicals in the workplace, transport, consumer products, pesticides and pharmaceuticals. The target audiences for GHS include workers, transport workers, emergency responders and consumers.

What are the two major elements in GHS?

The two major elements of GHS are:

1. Classification of the hazards of chemicals according to the GHS rules:

GHS provides guidance on classifying pure chemicals and mixtures according to its criteria or rules.

2. Communication of the hazards and precautionary information using Safety Data Sheets and labels:

Labels – With the GHS system, certain information will appear on the label. For example, the chemical identity may be required. Standardized hazard statements, signal words and symbols will appear on the label according to the classification of that chemical or mixture. Precautionary statements may also be required, if adopted by your regulatory authority.

Safety Data Sheets (SDS) – The GHS SDS has 16 sections in a set order, and information requirements are prescribed.

What are some key terms in the GHS Vocabulary?

  • SDS – Safety Data Sheet. SDS is the term used by GHS for Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
  • Hazard group – While not given a formal definition, GHS divides hazards into three major groups – health, physical and environmental.
  • Class – Class is the term used to describe the different hazards. For example, “Gases under Pressure” is an example of a class in the physical hazards group.
  • Category – Category is the name used to describe the sub-sections of classes. For example, Self-Reactive Chemicals have 7 categories. Each category has rules or criteria to determine what chemicals are assigned to that category.
  • Hazard Statement – For each category of a class, a standardized statement is used to describe the hazard. For example, the hazard statement for chemicals which meet the criteria for the class Self-heating substances and mixtures, Category 1 is “Self-heating; may catch fire”. This hazard statement would appear both on the label and on the SDS.
  • Signal word – There are two signal words in the GHS system – Danger and Warning. These signal words are used to communicate the level of hazard on both the label and the SDS. The appropriate signal word to use is set out by the classification system. For example, the signal word for Self-heating substances and mixtures, Category 1 is “Danger” while “Warning” is used for the less serious Category 2. There are categories where no signal word is used.
  • Pictogram – Pictogram refers to the GHS symbol on the label and SDS. Not all categories have a symbol associated with them.

What is meant by the GHS hazard groupings and “building block” concept?

Within the GHS classification system, there are three major hazard groups:

  • Physical hazards
  • Health hazards
  • Environmental hazards

Within each of these hazard groups there are “classes” and “categories”. Each of these parts is called a “building block”. Each country can determine which building blocks of the GHS system it will use in their different sectors (workplace, transportation, consumers). Once the building blocks are chosen, the corresponding GHS rules for classification and labels must be used.

What are the classes within the Health hazard group?

Criteria for classifying chemicals have been developed for the following health hazard classes:

  • acute toxicity
  • skin corrosion/irritation
  • serious eye damage/eye irritation
  • respiratory or skin sensitization
  • germ cell mutagenicity
  • carcinogenicity
  • reproductive toxicity
  • specific target organ toxicity – single exposure
  • specific target organ toxicity – repeated exposure
  • aspiration hazard

In addition, there are specific classification rules for chemical mixtures for each health hazard class.

What are the classes within the Physical hazard group?

Criteria for classifying chemicals have been developed for the following physical hazard classes:

  • explosives
  • flammable gases
  • flammable aerosols
  • oxidizing gases
  • gases under pressure
  • flammable liquids
  • flammable solids
  • self-reactive substances and mixtures
  • pyrophoric liquids
  • pyrophoric solids
  • self-heating substances and mixtures
  • substances and mixtures which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases
  • oxidizing liquids
  • oxidizing solids
  • organic peroxides
  • corrosive to metals

What are the classes within the Environmental hazard group?

Criteria for classifying chemicals have been developed for the following environmental hazard class:

  • hazardous to the aquatic environment (acute and chronic)
  • hazardous to the ozone layer

In addition, there are specific classification rules for chemical mixtures for each environmental hazard class.

Where can I get information on the GHS criteria for the different hazard classes?

The most current information on GHS classification, labels and SDS as well as other criteria is available in the 4th revised edition of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)from the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

GHS is a dynamic system. The international GHS committee meets twice a year to work on developing potential new hazard classes as well as resolving specific issues, and updating the latest GHS publication. Check the above link for more information.

What is the target date for implementation of GHS?

Countries and sectors (consumer, environmental, workplace, transportation) within a country will implement GHS at varying times depending on their local circumstances.

Canada

While WHMIS regulators continue to meet to consult about changes to WHMIS, a clear deadline has not been identified for full implementation. Proposed changes to the legislation are expected in 2011.

Next steps include:

  • Consultations with stakeholders are being finalized.
  • Economic analysis is underway.
  • Legislation will be revised.
    • Proposed legislative changes (e.g., to the Hazardous Products Act and Controlled Products Regulation) will be published in Canada Gazette I – expected in 2011.
    • Final legislation will be published in the Canada Gazette II.

Note that the legislative process usually takes two years.

An implementation date will be known when the Canada Gazette II is published. This will be followed by a transition period (the US has proposed 2 years).

Europe

GHS has been adopted into the new EU Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) regulations (in force as of January 20, 2009). These regulations must be used for new products which are:

  • Pure substances by December 1, 2010
  • Mixtures by June 1, 2015

There is a two-year transition period for existing products labelled and packaged according to EU Directives (67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC, both as amended).

United States

Proposed amendments to the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard regulations were published on September 30, 2009. US OSHA is accepting comments and may have another proposed regulation posted before finalizing and publishing a “Final Rule”. A two-year transition period is proposed for training and a three-year period for full implementation.

Other Countries

To find out more about the status of GHS implementation in other countries and their sectors please see the article produced by the UNECE.

Will GHS affect other laws in Canada?

It is very likely. GHS is expected to be implemented by other regulatory agencies, including by Transport Canada for the Transport of Dangerous Goods, and by Health Canada for Consumer Chemical Products and Pest Control Products. Discussions are occurring but the consultations are not complete.

For the latest report (June 2006) on Canadian activities regarding implementation see the page Implementation of GHS – Canadian Activity on the Health Canada web site.

For more information see the page Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) on the Health Canada web site.

First Response’s Comments:

Many of my clients require Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System training;  many of them have been asking me for the last 3 – 5 years about the ‘changes’ to the Globally Harmonized System.  As of this post, nothing has come into force just yet, so ‘training as usual’ is the general theme.  If you interpret the rules of the Occupational Health & Safety Act correctly, ‘any employee who is likely to come in contact with hazardous materials MUST have WHMIS training’   .  So, could an office environment be required to train all its employees?  Well, that depends;  if they have any WHMIS controlled products in the office (i.e. in the kitchen, mail room, storage area, janitors closet etc) then potentially, YES.  This makes it very challenging for many companies as the logistics of training all their employees is very disruptive to the day to day flow of doing business, not to mention the cost factor.  One of the ways First Resopnse is helping companies deal with this dilemma is with our virtual university and extensive on line training library, of which there is an excellent WHMIS course that can be completed at the comfort of your own work station.  Your Employees just enter in a credit card number (or an access code set up with us) and proceed to do the training in their own time.  Upon completion, they print off their certificate and give it to their department manger for their employee file.  How simple  is that?  Stay tuned for more posts and updated to the move to the GHS system.  In the meantime, I would love to hear your take on the whole issue…  put them in the comment box below…

Barbecue Season Is Upon Us – Do You Cook Your Meat Correctly?

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Food safety during barbecue season

Barbecue season is upon us! The following food safety tips were adapted from a Health Canada Information Update.

Also, remember to stay abreast of food recalls. Pathogens like E. coli can survive freezing…so even frozen meat can harbour dangerous bacteria. Canada experienced a major ground beef product E.coli O157:H7 related recall earlier this year. PLEASE check your frozen burgers!  JA

Related foodborne pathogens
Eating undercooked meat and other foods that have come into contact with raw meat can result in foodborne illnesses. Symptoms vary by organism, but can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fever, headache, dizziness and neck stiffness.  Young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems may be more at risk. Common barbecue related foodborne pathogens include E. coli, Salmonella and Campylobacter.

You can help lower your risk of foodborne illness by handling and cooking raw meat carefully.

Storing
•Raw meat should always be stored in the refrigerator or cooler at 4ºC (40ºF) or below.
•If you are storing raw meat in a cooler, make sure that it is packed with ice and the cooler stays out of direct sunlight. Avoid opening it too often.
•Ensure meat products are well sealed and that ice water doesn’t come in contact with stored meat products. This can lead to cross-contamination.
•Make sure to keep raw meat and other foods separate to avoid cross-contamination.

Clean
•Remember to wash your hands and other utensils, like cutting boards, counters and knives, carefully with soap and warm water before and after handling raw meats. This helps avoid potential cross-contamination and prevent the spread of foodborne illness.

When you grill
•Colour alone is not a reliable indicator that meat is safe to eat. Meat can turn brown before all bacteria are killed, so use a digital food thermometer to be sure.
•To check the temperature of meat that you are cooking on the barbecue, take the meat off the grill and insert the digital food thermometer through the thickest part of the meat.
•If you are cooking a beef hamburger, take the patty from the grill and insert the digital food thermometer through the side, all the way to the middle of the patty.
•If you’re cooking more than one patty or pieces of meat, be sure to check the temperature of each of the pieces.
•Use clean utensils and plates when removing cooked meats from the grill.
•Remember to wash the thermometer in hot, soapy water between temperature readings.
•Always remember to keep hot food hot until you are ready to serve.

Always follow these safe internal temperatures to make sure that the food that you are cooking is safe to eat

Food

Temperature

Beef, veal and lamb (pieces and whole cuts)Medium-rare

Medium

Well done

63°C (145°F)

71°C (160°F)

77°C (170°F)

 
Pork (pieces and whole cuts) 71°C (160°F) 

Poultry (e.g. chicken, turkey, duck)Pieces

Whole

74°C (165°F)

85°C (185°F)

 
Ground meat and meat mixtures
(e.g. burgers, sausages, meatballs, meatloaf, casseroles)Beef, veal, lamb and pork

Poultry

 

71°C (160°F)

74°C (165°F)

 
Egg dishes 74°C (165°F) 
Others
(e.g. hot dogs, stuffing, leftovers)		 74°C (165°F)

It is estimated that there are approximately 11 million cases of food-related illnesses in Canada every year. Many of these illnesses could be prevented by following proper food handling and preparation techniques.

First Respones’s Comments:

Well, Barbecue season is here – you only have to drive with the windows down in a residential area around supper time to know that!  That mouth watering smell just wafts into your own back yard or into your car as you drive by.  But are you paying attention when cooking on your grill?  It is so easy to get sick from undercooked meat or improperly stored meat.  With the heat wave we have just had, it doesn’t take much for that nasty bacteria to start growing and voila, you end up ‘talking to the great white telephone’ or even worse, in Emerg.  Not a pleasant experience, I can tell you (from my own experience!).  Do your bit – make sure your food is cooked properly now that Barbecue season is upon us and that your guest and family have a memorable meal at your home.  Tell me what you are doing to make sure your meat is cooked properly in the comment box below…

May Is Hepatitis Awareness Month

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Illustration of liver's location in human body.Did you know that May Is Hepatitis Awareness Month?

Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C can become chronic, life-long infections which can lead to liver cancer. Millions of Americans are living with chronic viral hepatitis, and many do not know they are infected.

 

CDC’s Division of Viral Hepatitis is leading a national education initiative called Know More Hepatitis.  The initiative aims to decrease the burden of chronic viral hepatitis by increasing awareness about this hidden epidemic and encouraging people who may be chronically infected to get tested.

Online Hepatitis Risk Assessment

Know More Hepatitis is being featured in May as part of Hepatitis Awareness Month.  This year, May 19th will serve as the first ever Hepatitis Testing Day in the United States. Since chronic hepatitis often does not cause any symptoms until serious liver damage has been done, testing for hepatitis is crucial. Find out if you should be tested by taking a 5 minute online Hepatitis Risk Assessment.

The online assessment is designed to determine an individual’s risk for viral hepatitis and asks questions based upon CDC’s guidelines for testing and vaccination.  The Hepatitis Risk Assessment allows individuals to answer questions privately, either in their home or in a health care setting, and print their recommendations to discuss with their doctor.

 

Hepatitis Overview

The word “hepatitis” means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis is most often caused by one of several viruses, which is why it is often called viral hepatitis. In the United States, the most common types of viral hepatitis are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C.

Chronic Hepatitis can lead to Liver Cancer

Unlike Hepatitis A, which does not cause a long-term infection, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C can become chronic, life-long infections. Chronic viral hepatitis can lead to serious liver problems including liver cancer. More than 4 million Americans are living with chronic Hepatitis B or chronic Hepatitis C in the United States, but most do not know they are infected.  Every year, approximately 15,000 Americans die from liver cancer or chronic liver disease associated with viral hepatitis.

Both Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C can cause liver cancer and have contributed to the increase in rates of liver cancer in recent decades. At least half of new cases of liver cancer are from chronic Hepatitis C.

Priority Populations and Liver Cancer

Some population groups are disproportionately affected by viral hepatitis-related liver cancer. The number of new cases of liver cancer is highest in Asian and Pacific Islanders and is increasing among African Americans, baby boomers, and men.

With early detection, many people can get lifesaving care and treatment that can limit disease progression, and prevent cancer deaths.

Vaccine-preventable: Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B

Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B can both be prevented with vaccines.  Cases of Hepatitis A have dramatically declined in the U.S. over the last 20 years largely due to vaccination efforts.  The Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for all children at one year of age and for adults who may be at increased risk.

Unfortunately, many people became infected with Hepatitis B before the Hepatitis B vaccine was widely available.  The hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants at birth and for adults who may be at increased risk.

First Response’s Comments:

Knowing that May is Hepatitis awareness month is one thing; actually doing something about it is another.  Many of my students in the first aid courses have little to no idea about hepatitis.  They are very surprised when I inform them of the different kinds and mode of transmission.  It is very much an eye opener.  I have had first hand experience with a student who went to the aid of someone in a medical emergency and forgot the golden rule – ‘take care of yourself first’ and ended up getting exposed to Hep C/HIV infected body fluids.  Please do your due diligence for yourself and your family, when it comes to getting involved in a medical emergency, certainly from a first aid point of view. Protect your self with gloves and a face shield if you are going to do breathing when a patient needs CPR.  Don’t forget to check out our online store for a full range of First aid items for your first aid kit – you cannot buy face shields in a drug store or pharmacy – you have to purchase them from a safety supplier. Let me know your thoughts on this topic in the comment box below…

 

For more information go to http://www.cdc.gov/Hepatitis/HepAwarenessMonth.htm

 

Westray Mine Explosion Twenty Years On

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Westray Mine Memorial

A family member touches the names on the monument during a memorial service at the Westray Memorial Park in New Glasgow, N.S. on Wednesday, May 9, 2012. The event marks the 20th anniversary of the tragic coal mine disaster that claimed the lives of 26 miners. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

 The Westray Mine Explosion Twenty Years On is still very fresh in our minds…

NEW GLASGOW, N.S. – High school students placed white roses on the Westray mine disaster memorial Wednesday during a ceremony that urged future generations to never forget the importance of worker safety.

Twenty-six flowers were laid on the dark granite stone, one for each of the miners whose names are etched into the memorial of the May 9, 1992 disaster.

Under leaden skies that delivered a steady downpour, Rev. Glen Matheson gave an account of the history of mining disasters, saying the explosion in Plymouth, N.S., at the Westray mine had been among the worst in Canadian history.

He read from the public inquiry into the disaster, which found that it was the result of “incompetence, mismanagement, bureaucratic bungling, deceit, ruthlessness, coverups, apathy, expediency and cynical indifference.”

The Presbyterian minister — who said prayers for the dead in the days following the methane and coal dust explosion — prayed Wednesday that political leaders will remember and learn.

“May there be lessons learned from this place. I pray this in the name of all things holy,” he said.

As names of the dead miners were read, their relatives came forward and put down bouquets. A few reached out and touched the names on the stone.

The Men of the Deeps, a miners choral group, sang songs about coal mining accompanied by the young people who had placed the roses.

At a vigil earlier in the day, some family members recalled what the loss of the men had meant to their lives in the years since the disaster.

Allen Martin became emotional as he thought of the treasured moments from his own life that his brother Glenn missed.

“My daughter growing up, the fishing trip, our grandchild,” he said.

“We didn’t just lose him. We lost memories, we lost events and those things can never be replaced.”

Both the evening ceremony and the morning vigil were held above the section of the mine where it’s believed the bodies of 11 men remain buried. Searchers had to leave them entombed in the mine because the rock had become too unstable.

The mine blew up at 5:18 a.m. as a gush of methane gas escaped from the Foord coal seam and erupted into flames.

As a fireball raced through the tunnels, it stirred up coal dust that exploded in a massive blast, shaking homes a kilometre away.

In April 1993, the RCMP charged the mine’s owner, Toronto-based Curragh Resources Inc., and two of its former managers with manslaughter and criminal negligence causing death. But the case eventually fell apart when the Crown concluded convictions were unlikely.

A public inquiry led by Nova Scotia Supreme Court Judge Peter Richard singled out Westray management as ultimately responsible for conditions at the colliery. The judge also blamed complacent administrators who tolerated poor safety practices and outdated mining laws.

Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter said at the evening ceremony that his province will never forget the mining disaster, and he noted that mining regulations have improved by successive governments.

“Nova Scotians remember that day and together we have made a commitment. We will ensure Westray is never forgotten and we will stay vigilant to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again,” he said.

Of the 74 recommendations made by Richard, the majority were addressed with the implementation of the province’s Underground Mining Regulations in 2003, the premier said.

Union leaders who spoke at the vigil and the commemoration service on Wednesday said governments and companies still are not tough enough on companies that violate health and safety rules.

Stephen Hunt, a United Steelworkers director who testified at the Westray inquiry, said there hasn’t been enough prosecutions under the so-called Westray Act.

The federal law enacted in 2004 provided new rules for attributing criminal liability to corporations and their representatives when workers are injured or killed on the job.

The law has been used in criminal prosecutions several times, but the courts have registered just two convictions.

“We pledged 20 years ago, ‘No more Westrays.’ Unfortunately in this country we have a Westray every day, sometimes two or three times a day. A thousand people a year die because of their work. It’s one of the worst records in the industrialized world,” said Hunt.

“Since that law has been passed, about 9,000 workers have died because of their work and not one CEO is in jail because of it.”

Despite the passage of 20 years, family members and the rescue workers say they still are finding the gatherings helpful in healing their grief.

Reg Falconer, one of the New Brunswick rescuers who went into Westray looking for survivors after the explosion, said in an interview that he met with the brother of Robert Doyle, a 22-year-old miner whose body he discovered.

“(Robert) was the youngest boy in that family. I can’t help but think it must have been terribly hard for that mother and father,” he said.

“I felt I made a connection for him. I helped connect him a lot closer to his brother.”

 

First Response’s Comments:

The Westray Mine Explosion Twenty Years On is still very fresh in many minds.  The subsequent fallout with regard to new laws and regulations being created in an attempt that this should never happen again seem to have fallen short, when we read the article above.  I know for sure that it has certainly put a lot of pressure on companies with the revamping of the Confined Space Regulations and the creation of Bill C45.

Bill C-45 came into law on March 31, 2004, sparked by the 1992 Westray mining disaster in Nova Scotia in which 26 miners died in a coal mine explosion.  The owner and two senior mine officials were charged with criminal negligence causing death and manslaughter under the Criminal Code in the Westray case. Widespread safety violations and a corporate culture of failing to take safety issues seriously were found to be direct causes of the disaster. Despite that, the prosecution of the company officials broke down and the charges were withdrawn.

In retrospect, certainly it has created a greater awareness in business and industry and hopefully with that comes better management and implementation of  good Health & Safety practices.  I would be interested to hear our comments below….

Steadman Graham and Words of Wisdom for First Response

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Steadman advises Kandi Wood on First Response

Kandi Wood with Steadman Graham

Recently, at a fabulous iMarketing course in Toronto, I had the pleasure of meeting Steadman Graham.  (For those who may not know, Steadman is Oprah Winfrey’s significant other.)  Steadman had many words of wisdom that seem very appropriate for me to mention here.

As we embark on a new direction with First Response, our whole approach and thinking is changing. Seasons change and so must we if we want to keep riding the wave of life and success.

Health & Safety is ever evolving and the method by which people learn is evolving too.  This is what has brought about the complete revamping of the First Response web site and a fundamental directional change.  We will continue to offer all our courses in house, however we are extending our reach in several ways, firstly, with the new online university. 

There are dozens of courses for both Canadian and US Health & Safety compliance available at your fingertips, that can be completed in the comfort of your own home or at your desk.  Participants simply enter a credit card number and proceed, at their own pace to complete the course. At the end and upon successful completion, the student prints off their own certificate of completion. This will relieve the ever challenging issue that organizers have, of trying to get a group together at one location at the same time, to complete a particular course.

Obviously, there are some courses that just cannot be completed online, like the practical elements of First Aid & CPR and AED.  All our clients can continue to expect to receive the interactive, personalized, hands on training with the most current course curriculum offered as they always have been, on site at your location and at off site locations as well

In addition, we now offer a full store for purchasing first aid supplies directly on line. This will enable clients across Canada to order 24/7 and to be able to pay via credit card or through pay pal.

In the coming months there will be more additions so stay tuned as I am extremely excited about 2012 for First Response!

Back to my meeting with Steadman Graham:

Steadman was speaking at the iMarketing event I attended and some of his words really resonated with me and I thought I would share some of his words of wisdom as they are very appropriate as First Response moves forward:

  • Success is about the way that we think;
  • What we focus on expands;
  • Our vision must be bigger than our solution;
  • Follow the seasons of change;
  • Commit to your vision;
  • Everything you do, do it the best you can do.

Steadman Graham and his words of wisdom will stay with me as I strive to position First Response as a leader in Health & Safety Training throughout 2012.  After 17 amazing years of  Health & Safety training, we look forward to continuing to provide you with state of the art Health & Safety Courses that are memorable and have participants leaving with a sense of feeling empowered and confident. 

In Steadman’s words of wisdom, ‘Everything you do, do it the best you can do!‘