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The effects of unusual work schedules and concurrent exposures on Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs)

Description

This Safety Bulletin deals with the adjustment of airborne exposure limits but employers must be aware that unusual work schedules may have an impact on many other aspects of health and safety on... More ≫

Description

This Safety Bulletin deals with the adjustment of airborne exposure limits but employers must be aware that unusual work schedules may have an impact on many other aspects of health and safety on the job. A change in the length of the workday will also affect allowable exposure levels for physical hazards such as noise. This Safety Bulletin explores the impact of several key factors and how these factors should be considered in the evaluation of workplace exposure.

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The lost-time claim rate, Alberta 1991 to 2010

Description

Presents the annual lost-time claim rate for Alberta from 1991 to 2010. A lost-time claim is a claim for an occupational injury or disease, which disables the worker beyond the day of injury. The... More ≫

Description

Presents the annual lost-time claim rate for Alberta from 1991 to 2010. A lost-time claim is a claim for an occupational injury or disease, which disables the worker beyond the day of injury. The lost-time claim rate is calculated by dividing the number of lost-time claims by the person-year estimate (i.e., full-time worker equivalents), and multiplying the result by 100. The rate represents the probability or risk of lost-time injury or disease to a worker during one-year work period.

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Use of flammable hydrocarbon mixtures as CFC and HFC substitutes in vehicle air-conditioning systems

Description

This Safety Bulletin presents the health and safety risks associated with using substitutes that consist of flammable hydrocarbon mixtures.

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Selecting hand tools

Description

Poorly designed hand tools — too heavy, poorly balanced, with a grip that is too large, the wrong shape, or slippery — can lead to injuries of the hand, wrist, forearm, shoulder, and neck. Hammers... More ≫

Description

Poorly designed hand tools — too heavy, poorly balanced, with a grip that is too large, the wrong shape, or slippery — can lead to injuries of the hand, wrist, forearm, shoulder, and neck. Hammers or pliers with bent handles keep the wrist and forearm straight to reduce injury and increase power. Pliers and cutting tools with spring-assisted jaws require less finger and hand effort to repeatedly open the jaws. Power tools with foam or rubberized grips help reduce the transfer of vibration to the hands and arms.

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Proper height of work surfaces

Description

Too high? Too low? Just right? Workers come in a variety of shapes and sizes. And the tasks they perform can vary from light precision work to assembling heavy and awkward equipment. Is one... More ≫

Description

Too high? Too low? Just right? Workers come in a variety of shapes and sizes. And the tasks they perform can vary from light precision work to assembling heavy and awkward equipment. Is one workstation appropriate for every worker and every task? Ask the tall worker with neck pain, crouched over a low bench for hours. Or the short worker, who has to raise her arms and shoulders too high, making it both uncomfortable and difficult to apply much force when necessary. Ideally, work surface heights should be adjusted to accommodate different workers and different tasks.

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Using pesticides safely

Description

Workers in many different jobs can be exposed to pesticides (insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, rodenticides, etc.). They include horticulturists, exterminators, greenhouse workers, forestry... More ≫

Description

Workers in many different jobs can be exposed to pesticides (insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, rodenticides, etc.). They include horticulturists, exterminators, greenhouse workers, forestry workers, roadside powerline workers, petroleum sector workers (pipeline right-of-way, wellsites), agricultural workers and aerial pesticide applicators among others. This bulletin explains how pesticides can enter your body, what the health effects are, and what you can do to protect your health.

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Guidelines for workers applying insecticides

Description

This bulletin presents safety guidelines for workers when applying insecticides.

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Anti-fatigue matting

Description

Workers who stand or sit for long periods of time should change their working position as often as possible. Floors made of concrete or other hard materials are the least comfortable to stand on... More ≫

Description

Workers who stand or sit for long periods of time should change their working position as often as possible. Floors made of concrete or other hard materials are the least comfortable to stand on for long periods of time. Anti-fatigue mats, as their name suggests, reduce the fatigue of standing by providing just the right amount of cushioning. Too much and it may be difficult to maintain balance. Too little and there is no benefit.

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Anchoring emergency escape lines

Description

Inspections of drilling and service rigs by Alberta Employment and Immigration, occupational health and safety officers have revealed that emergency escape line anchoring is often inadequate.... More ≫

Description

Inspections of drilling and service rigs by Alberta Employment and Immigration, occupational health and safety officers have revealed that emergency escape line anchoring is often inadequate. Emergency escape lines provide workers with a means of making a quick, controlled descent from a rig’s elevated platform in the event of a blowout, wellhead fire, or other emergency. Improperly installed anchors can fail when need most, resulting in serious worker injury or death.

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Sitting and preventing back pain

Description

This Safety Bulletin is based on an article that originally appeared in the January 1999 edition of the Occupational Health and Safety Magazine.

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