Occupational Health and Safety

The song says it's the most wonderful time of the year, but the holiday season also brings new risk factors that make workplace injuries more likely to occur.
Stay safe this holiday season by following the safety tips in the document linked here.

As the temperature drops and snow flies, the number of injuries due to slips, trips and falls increases. Slips and falls on ice and snow in Alberta result in almost 15,000 emergency department visits every year, according to the Injury Prevention Centre. They say, 'by making just a few changes to the way we move and walk in winter conditions, we can save ourselves a lot of suffering and trips to the emergency room.'

Here are some top tips to help you stay on your feet this winter:

1. Choose your winter footwear like you choose winter tires.

Investing in a good pair of boots that will perform well is the first step to prevent slips and falls.
Look for soft, flexible soles that will grip icy, uneven surfaces. Check out Rate My Treads before shopping for footwear. This website offers performance ratings for a wide variety of boots that are tested on wet and cold ice conditions.

2. Walk like a penguin

Walking like a penguin is one of the most effective ways to avoid slips and falls on ice. This is because, when we walk our legs support our weight is split mid stride. When you take smaller steps, lean slightly forward and go slowly your body weight and center of gravity is over your front leg.
Watch Alberta Health Services video on how to walk like a penguin here.

3. Free your hands

Your arms are one of the greatest aids in maintaining your balance. Keep your hands out of your pocket and by your side. Avoid using your phone whilst walking and use a backpack or cross body bag when carrying something to free up your hands.

ASSUME THAT ALL WET, DARK AREAS ON PAVEMENTS ARE SLIPPERY AND ICY.
AND PLEASE WEAR PROPER WINTER FOOTWEAR

Click on the button below for information from the Government of Alberta on Slips Trips and Falls.

What is an Internal Responsibility System:

An internal responsibility system is a way of sharing responsibility for health and safety between all participants in the workplace. Responsibility is shared according to each person’s legal obligations, which are often based upon that person’s authority and control at the work site. Because control and authority may not be shared equally at workplaces, responsibilities for health and safety may not be shared equally. In an internal responsibility system, employers are usually seen as having the most responsibilities, but all work site parties, including workers, have responsibilities.

The OHS Act defines roles and responsibilities of work site parties (including employers, supervisors, workers, suppliers, service providers, contracting employers, owners, prime contractors and temporary staffing agencies).

An internal responsibility system is working if everyone participates in work site health and safety, health and safety is integrated into all work site activities, and these efforts are effective in identifying ways to prevent injury and illness and promote worker health. Click on "Red Button" to find out more.

Enter here for your chance to win this month's Newsletter Draw Prize of a basket of Christmas treats!

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT ALL INCIDENTS (NO MATTER HOW SMALL) AND POTENTIALLY SERIOUS INCIDENTS MUST BE REPORTED TO YOUR ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM AND THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY COORDINATOR WITHIN 24 HOURS.

Reported Incidents/Potential Serious Incidents Year to Date Reporting:

· 5 Contact with an object

· 1 Human, animal or insect bite

· 7 Muscle Strain or Back Injury

· 1 Other

· 3 Physical contact with a human - accidental

· 3 Physical contact with a human - intentional

· 5 Slip, trip or fall

· 1 Vehicle accident

All reported incidents have been investigated to ensure we are doing everything we can to keep you safe at work. We encourage the reporting of “near misses,” as they have a potential to cause a serious incident. Please ensure you advise your Health and Safety Coordinator/Administration Team or site reps of all incidents. Click here for investigation outcomes.

It is our goal to educate staff, through newsletters, on the Occupational Health and Safety Program.

All incidents are entered into Public School Works and reviewed at the divisional Joint Health and Safety Worksite Committee meetings.
Remember, most work-related injuries and illnesses are predictable and preventable.

Email: kgeorge@redeemer.ab.ca
Website: www.redeemer.ab.ca
Location: St. Thomas Centre #10. 220 N. Railway Street, Okotoks
Phone: 403-899-8509
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