FARM SAFETY and POWER LINES

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 "In short, due diligence is often the only method of avoiding a conviction in a strict liability offence and it is therefore a vital component to answering a charge under occupational health and safety law. "

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Ontario Worker's Death results in fines to Employer - information provided by WSSI - details

Bill C-45 - Canadian Corporate Criminal Liability

Worker death sparks criminal negligence charges  - information provided by WSSI - details

 SAFETY INFLUENCE - how can you influence others to work safe?

Look for Safety John's new book: Safety Selections - Tips for Your Toolbox

 
February 19, 2011
Province launches series of workplace targeted inspections
Inspections to ensure worker safety on forklifts and other powered mobile equipment
Sherwood Park... The Alberta government is increasing Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) inspections at worksites where forklifts and other powered mobile equipment are used.

“I have instructed my officers to inspect sites throughout Alberta where forklifts and similar equipment are typically used,” said Thomas Lukaszuk, Minister of Employment and Immigration, responsible for Occupational Health and Safety. “If necessary, they will issue stop-use orders on the machinery or even stop-work orders for the site. There is no excuse for worker health and safety to be at risk.”

These targeted inspections, beginning February 22, are in response to the number of injuries and fatalities involving forklifts and other similar equipment over the past few years and will continue for several weeks. The inspections are over and above Occupational Health and Safety regular inspection activity. Officers will focus on hazards related to such things as worker training, competency and supervision, safe operation of equipment as well as maintenance and modification of equipment. All aspects of OHS law will be enforced.

Employers and workers can access an informative document Forklift Health and Safety Best Practices Guideline, by visiting employment.alberta.ca/safeandfair.

Once the focused inspections and re-inspections are complete, and the results are tabulated, Lukaszuk will share the findings with Albertans. These will include the total number of inspections and the number of orders issued.

This is the first of three targeted inspection campaigns planned for 2011. Inspections focusing on young workers and residential construction will follow.-30-

Media inquiries may be directed to:
Barrie Harrison, Communications
Alberta Employment and Immigration
780-953-0127 or 780-427-5585
Barrie.Harrison@gov.ab.ca

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.

Alberta Government Safe & Fair Workplaces

APRIL - SAFE DIGGING MONTH RATIONALE                                                                                                                                                         

Alberta has a very comprehensive and complex underground infrastructure that provides essential goods and services to all Albertans.  Each year there are numerous instances where the integrity of this infrastructure is jeopardized by improperly conducted ground disturbances.  Failure to Call Before You Dig to have buried facilities identified and their locations marked prior to disturbing the ground is the most frequent cause of buried facility damages.

The consequences of damage to buried facilities can include service disruptions, environmental contamination, property damage, personal injury and death.

All ground disturbers, including contractors, homeowners and land owners, can save time and money and keep themselves and our province safe and connected by following ground disturbance and buried facility damage prevention Best Practices.  These include making that simple call to Alberta One-Call in advance of any ground disturbance project, waiting for the buried facility locates to be done, respecting the locate marks, exposing any conflicting buried facilities before using mechanical excavation equipment and digging with care.

The stakeholders in the buried facility damage prevention process – the digging community, buried facility owners and operators, buried facility locators, regulatory agencies, training providers and the one-call centre – all agree that the prevention of damage to buried facilities is a shared responsibility.

The organizations endorsing this initiative strongly advocate:

·         the need to Call Before You Dig;

·         membership in Alberta One-Call by all buried facility owners and operators;

·         formal ground disturbance training for commercial ground disturbers; and

·         use of Alberta One-Call to request buried facility locates.

As April is the traditional start up of the annual digging season, the Alberta Damage Prevention Council proclaims April as SAFE DIGGING MONTH and encourages all ground disturbers to always Call Before You Dig.

Documents available:

• Alberta Damage Prevention Council Brochure
• Alberta Damage Prevention Council Power Point presentation 
• Please use these documents to create and promote awareness about "dial before you dig 
• For more information to keep your work crews safe!  Visit www.albertadamageprevention.com 

CANADA'S OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY MAGAZINE <click to be directed to web site