Safety Matters

 

And even though they’re often simple injuries, workers are losing more time away from work than necessary for this type of injury – we’re off work, and more of us go on to long-term benefits, than anywhere else in Canada.

Sprain and strain injury at work? Here’s where to start.

Resource for Workers
Resource for Employers

At the WCB, we are dedicated to enhancing the well-being of workers across Nova Scotia. We recognize that mental health is a crucial part of overall health, and that addressing psychological injuries is just as important as physical injuries.  

Starting September 1, Gradual Onset Psychological Injury (GPI) is compensable in Nova Scotia. To better support workers and employers, we have introduced comprehensive new resources for GPI.  

What is Gradual Onset Psychological Injury? 

A gradual onset psychological injury is a work-related psychological injury that happens over time, and which is wholly or predominantly caused by significant workplace stressors, such as bullying and harassment. 

To learn more about GPI, watch this video. 

Here are new resources to help you to build and maintain a psychologically safer workplace in your organization: 

• Workplace Psychological Health and Safety

A closer look at the National Standard for Psychological Safety at Work, and the 13 psycho-social factors that support positive mental health. 

• Psychologically Safe Leadership

This section outlines the five domains that comprise psychologically safe leadership and provides valuable insights and action plans for leaders. 

• Tools and Resources

From new assessment tools to discounted educational resources and more, the Resource Center provides practical solutions to support ongoing mental health initiatives. 

Learn more on how to help prevent psychological injuries in your workplace and how to support your valued workers should one occur: 

Return-to-Work Toolkit

This toolkit is designed to help employers and workers navigate the return-to-work journey after experiencing psychological injury. It includes guidelines, best practices and practical tools for a healthy recovery from psychological workplace injury. 

The latest edition of Safe and Secure is now available. Be sure to subscribe to receive Safe and Secure direct to your email inbox, here.

Photo: Davis Day Ceremony Stellarton (New Glasgow News)

Today, June 11 marks the 99th anniversary of Davis Day, an annual remembrance of miners who lost their lives on the job in Nova Scotia. Davis Day is a powerful reminder of sacrifices and hardships endured by our province’s coal miners.

Originating in memory of William Davis, a coal miner who tragically lost his life during a protest by striking miners, the day formally known as William Davis Miners’ Day and also known as Miners Memorial Day, serves as a time to reflect on sacrifices and hardships underlying the province’s coal mining history.

Amid the 1925 miner's protest, William Davis joined hundreds of coal miners from New Waterford in a march to the New Waterford power plant. Residents marched on the pumping station at Waterford Lake, demanding that the utilities to the families’ coal company homes be restored. In a confrontation with armed company police, Davis was shot and killed. 

Today, we are reminded that workplace safety and advocacy remain a priority in ensuring the well-being of workers. Davis Day emphasizes the continuous efforts to improve conditions in the mining industry in Nova Scotia and protect the rights of those who work underground. 

To pay tribute to William Davis and all those who have died in Nova Scotia's mines, the United Mine Workers Union continues to organize commemorative ceremonies across the province on Davis Day.

Davis Day serves as a solemn reminder of the lives lost and symbolizes the progress made in the province's mining industry, worker rights and the importance of workplace safety.

Learn more about Davis Day:

Miners Memorial Day (Davis Day) - Nova Scotia Museum of Industry
Davis Day Through the Years: A Cape Breton Coalmining Tradition – Nova Scotia Archives

As the sun shines brighter and warmer, more outdoor work gets underway and Nova Scotians get out to enjoy the nicer weather.

The summer months give us a chance to partake in outside activities that source our health and wellness. As we know, sunshine is an excellent source of vitamin D and has been proven to reduce stress. However, it’s crucial to prioritize sun safety to protect your skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Take proactive steps to prevent sunburn, reduce the risk of skin cancer and many other sun-related conditions.

According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, exposure to ultraviolet radiation can lead to skin cancer, sunburn, eye damage and premature skin aging, especially when the UV levels are the highest between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, yet the most preventable. When working outside every day, exposure to the sun is inevitable. Outdoor workers are 2.5%-3.5% more likely to develop skin cancer than indoor workers.

Here are some of the largest industrial groups exposed to the sun:

• Construction
• Farming
• Building care and maintenance

If you employ outdoor workers or are one yourself, know that working outside in the summer can be enjoyable and rewarding when sticking to a few sun safety measures. Here are 5 ways to stay safe in the sun this summer:

1. Apply sunscreen

Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF (Sun Protection Factor). Apply it generously to all exposed skin, including your face, neck and ears and any uncovered areas. Reapply every two hours or more frequently if you’re swimming or sweating.

2. Implement a shade policy

Create shaded areas or rest stations where employees can take breaks and seek shelter from the sun during their shifts. Use umbrellas, tents, or natural shade sources to provide a cool and protected space. Encourage workers to utilize these areas and take regular breaks from the sun. Providing shade structure on equipment or machinery is essential. Whenever possible, schedule harder tasks during cooler parts of the day.

3. Wear protective clothing 

Cover your skin with lightweight, breathable clothing that provides adequate sun protection. Opt for long-sleeved shirts, long pants and wide brimmed hats that shade your face, neck, and ears. Don’t forget to wear sunglasses with UV protection to shield your eyes!

4. Stay hydrated

Hydration is vital for outdoor workers. Ensure there is a continuous supply of water and encourage workers to drink plenty of water throughout the day to maintain hydration and regulate body temperature, as sun exposure can lead to dehydration.

5. Stay informed 

Conduct regular check-ins with employees to assess any signs of heat-related issues. Stay up to date on the latest sun safety guidelines. Be aware of the UV index in your area and plan accordingly. Make necessary adjustments and communicate any updates with workers, ensuring that their safety remains a top priority.

Remember, protecting yourself from the sun’s harmful UV rays is essential for preventing skin damage, premature aging, and reducing the risk of skin cancer. By following these sun safety measures, you can enjoy the summer while mitigating the risks associated with sun exposure.

“I care about the psychological safety of my team, but I’m not sure what to do to protect them.” We’re hearing statements like that often. Especially as workplace leaders learn that gradual onset psychological injuries will soon become compensable.

In the first blog of our Safety and Health Week series, we shared a lot of resources to help employers get the lay of the land, in what for many, is brand-new territory. Like anything new, it can all seem a little overwhelming. But once you dig in a bit, you’ll find that much like preventing physical injuries, a lot of it comes down to common sense.

For instance, to address workplace psychological safety, you have to know what factors can impact your team, both positively and negatively. It doesn’t get much more common sense than that. And there is a developed a pretty handy tool to help.

The 13 factors

The 13 factors of psychosocial health and safety were developed by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). They’ve been adopted by the Mental Health Commission of Canada and Guarding Minds @ Work. Once you start exploring them, you’ll begin to recognize patterns, both good and bad, from your own workplace.

Which is why it’s so important to dig in. And, as per Guiding Minds, “When employees are psychologically protected, they demonstrate greater job satisfaction, enhanced team learning behaviour, and improved performance.” That’s all good news!

Rather watch a video than read about this stuff?  With you in mind, The Mental Health Commission of Canada created an explainer video series outlining each of the 13 Factors.

Can’t wait to start? Below, we’ve compiled a bit of a “Cole’s Notes” breakdown of the factors to get you going right away.

Be sure to check back often—we’re always adding new content to help keep Nova Scotia’s workers safe—both physically and psychologically.

This Safety and Health Week, our focus is on psychological safety

For so long, say the words “workplace safety,” and people think hardhat and work boots. That’s changing—and not too soon.

Of course, this week and always, you still need to keep your workers physically safe. Fall arrest, slips and falls, safe movement through safe work design—that all still matters. In fact, it’s critical. We’ve got lots of resources to help.

It’s just that, especially as September approaches and gradual onset psychological injuries become compensable, there’s a new focus on preventing these types of injuries.

And you know what? It turns out that many of the systems that work in physical injury prevention also work in psychological injury prevention. Of course, they’re different in many ways, but they share similar principles: Being aware of things that can hurt our workers and taking the proper steps to prevent them.

“Improving psychological safety in a work setting involves taking precautions to avert injury or danger to employee psychological health that is within the influence and responsibility of an employer,” reads the excellent resource Workplace Strategies for Mental Health, free from Canada Life. “Psychologically healthy and safe work environment is one that promotes employees’ psychological well-being and actively works to prevent harm to employee psychological health due to negligent, reckless, or intentional acts.”  

Many employers tell us they don’t know where to start. There’s so much information out there—what should they do first? 

That’s why we’re starting this Safety and Health Week by sharing five key resources to get you going:

• The National Standard
• Guarding Minds @ Work
• 13 Factors
• Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
• Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration (LSI)

The Standard itself is a great place to start. And, thanks to our colleagues at the CCOHS, many free courses are available—why not ask your leaders and employees to attend them this week?

There is also lots of other content to be found on the Healthy Workplaces section of our own website, well worth your time exploring.

We’ve got more content coming—watch this space this week and always as we continue our work together to protect Nova Scotians from the impact of workplace injury—both physical and psychological.

Path of totality in Atlantic Canada. Photo: Google Maps

As the solar eclipse approaches on Monday, April 8, 2024, it's crucial to prioritize safety in the workplace. While the it will be a partial eclipse for our region and still captivating to observe, solar eclipses present several hazards you need to be aware of to stay safe:

1. Eye damage: The most significant hazard of a solar eclipse is the risk of eye damage from looking directly at the sun without proper eye protection. Staring at the sun during an eclipse, even for a short time, can cause severe and permanent eye damage, including solar retinopathy or even blindness.
    
2. Ultraviolet radiation: During a solar eclipse, the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation is still present. Prolonged exposure to UV radiation can lead to sunburn, skin damage, and an increased risk of skin cancer.
    
3. Traffic accidents: Solar eclipses can cause distractions for drivers as people attempt to view the phenomenon while on the road. Sudden changes in lighting conditions during an eclipse can also catch drivers off guard, increasing the risk of accidents. 
    
4. Psychological effects: Some individuals may experience anxiety, fear, or other psychological effects during a solar eclipse, especially if they are not adequately informed about the event or have pre-existing phobias related to celestial phenomena.
    
5. Fire hazards: Viewing a solar eclipse through improvised methods, such as using binoculars, telescopes, or camera lenses without proper solar filters, can pose a fire hazard. The concentrated sunlight passing through these devices can cause them to overheat and ignite nearby materials.
    
6. Electrical hazards: Solar power systems may experience fluctuations in energy production during a solar eclipse, potentially leading to unexpected power surges or disruptions in electrical grids. 

To protect employees from the hazards of a solar eclipse, employers can implement the following controls:

1. Provide certified solar viewing glasses: Supply certified solar viewing glasses to all employees who may be working or outdoors during the eclipse. Ensure these glasses meet the appropriate safety standards for viewing solar events.
    
2. Schedule indoor work or breaks: Whenever possible, schedule indoor work activities or breaks during the peak of the eclipse to minimize employees' exposure to direct sunlight. Provide shaded areas outdoors for employees to take breaks safely if needed.
    
3. Educate employees: Conduct training sessions or safety briefings before the eclipse to educate employees about the risks associated with looking directly at the sun and the importance of using proper eye protection. Emphasize the potential for permanent eye damage and encourage compliance with safety protocols.
    
4. Enforce eye protection policies: Clearly communicate and enforce policies requiring the use of certified solar viewing glasses whenever employees are outdoors and may be exposed to the eclipse. Supervisors should monitor compliance to ensure all employees are adequately protected.
    
5. Offer remote work options: Consider allowing employees to work remotely during the eclipse to reduce the need for outdoor activities and minimize the risk of eye damage. Remote work can also help maintain productivity while ensuring employees' safety.
    
6. Provide safe viewing options: Set up designated viewing areas with proper solar viewing equipment, such as telescopes with solar filters or pinhole projectors, for employees who wish to observe the eclipse safely. Ensure these viewing options are set up and monitored by trained personnel to prevent misuse or accidents.
    
7. Implement traffic safety measures: If employees need to travel during the eclipse, remind them not to look at the sun while driving and to pull over to a safe location if they want to view the eclipse. Encourage employees to plan their travel routes in advance and be mindful of increased traffic and potential distractions.
    
8. Monitor weather conditions: Keep employees informed about weather conditions leading up to and during the eclipse, as cloud cover or inclement weather may affect visibility and viewing opportunities. Adjust safety plans accordingly based on weather updates.

By implementing these controls and measures, employers can help ensure the safety and well-being of their employees during a solar eclipse while still allowing them to experience this rare celestial event responsibly.

Remember, protecting your eyes during a solar eclipse is vital to prevent permanent damage. Let's prioritize safety and enjoy this natural phenomenon responsibly. Stay safe, everyone!
 

Thank you to WorkSafeNB for allowing us to share this information with Nova Scotians.

Many of us love to spend Saturday mornings wandering through local markets, purchasing local produce at the grocery store or visiting local farms. It’s great to think about all the fresh, healthy food available to us thanks to Canadian farmers and ranchers but we don’t often think about the occupational hazards that exist for them. Working with livestock, being outdoors in all weather, lifting, shovelling, etc. all carry occupational hazards. The largest hazard continues to be farm machinery.

A post by the Canada Safety Council notes: According to a 2023 report by Canadian Agricultural Injury Reporting (CAIR), national farm fatality rates have averaged 70 deaths annually since 2006, making it one of the most hazardous industries in the country. The most common causes of fatal injuries on the farm are machine-related (66 per cent), with nearly 30 per cent of these being due to machine rollovers, which is when heavy equipment tips onto its side or roof, and runovers, which occur when a machine under power or rolling on an incline runs over the victim.

This week is Canadian Agricultural Safety Week (CASW) and the 2024 call to action for farmers, farm families, farm workers and farming communities is to plan for #FarmSafetyEveryday,

The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA), the non-profit farm safety association that promotes and manages CASW says, “Written safety plans enable farmers to identify hazards on the farm, and control them via standard operating procedures, outlining emergency actions, and conducting training and investigating incidents, while also putting in place systems for communicating safety-related responsibilities and monitoring the farm for future hazards.”

Hazards present on a farm affect those who live, work and visit. Here are some resources to help you create a safety plan for your farm, and tips to keep safe:

The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) Find information, resources and tools to help you build a safety program for your farm.

Canadian Agricultural Safety Week (CASW) Find a list of tips to keep your farm safe for those living there, working there and visiting. 

Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture (NSFA)  Find local safety events during CASW as well as ongoing local events and resources throughout the year.

While many workplaces wind down during the holidays, it’s the busiest time of year for Nova Scotia’s retail industry. And as our province’s population continues to boom, more and more workers are joining the retail workforce.

In fact, the retail industry is the second largest sector in Nova Scotia – and many retailers take on seasonal workers as well this time of year.

A surge in holiday foot traffic and increased stock to unpack and display means staff could be exposed to hazards that can result in workplace injuries.

In 2022, 1,930 Nova Scotians employed in the retail industry suffered on-the-job injuries. Even though the injury rate was down in 2022 from the previous year, 456 people suffered injuries that were serious enough to require time off work. 

Injuries are preventable and the most common workplace injury in Nova Scotia – strains and sprains – is especially prevalent during the holiday season when store workers are at higher risk of overexertion from heavy lifting and improper bending. 

Visit Work Safe for Life to learn more on how to prevent back sprains and muscle injuries. It’s an important step to ensuring an enjoyable holiday season.

Shopping should never compromise personal safety. Employers, workers and shoppers alike all bear the responsibility for making sure the holiday season is merry, bright, and safe for everyone.

Check out more tips below to ensure this holiday shopping season is a safe one:

Protecting yourself (worksafeforlife.ca)

Health and Safety Guide for New Retail Workers in Nova Scotia

Workplace Risk Mapping Tool

During the winter months, injuries due to slips, trips, and falls increase in the workplace.

• Slips, trips, and falls are the second most common injury event. 
• The average cost of benefits for time-loss claims due to slips, trips, or falls is $7,807.87. 
• On average, each slip, trip, or fall injury results in 74 days lost from work. 

The good news is that there’s lots workplaces can do to reduce the risk of slip and fall injuries.

Inside the workplace be sure to:

• Clean up spills right away, and post a hazard sign
• Make sure cords and cables don’t cross walking paths
• Keep file drawers closed, and keep hallways and stairwells clear
• Only carry what you can safely handle

Outside the workplace make sure to:

• Maintain three points of contact when entering and exiting vehicles or equipment
• Make sure outdoor work areas have adequate lighting
• Wear shoes with a non-slip tread
• Have a plan to manage ice and snow removal

Join the many leaders making it their business to prevent slips, trips, and falls in their workplaces—and the impacts they can have on workers and their families.  Visit our Slips, Trips and Falls page to order safety decals, download digital graphics for your workplace TVs, a risk mapping tool, tip sheets and more.