Worksafe Update

Read it online at http://www2.worksafebc.com/enews/061212/061212.htm

Try our new lifting calculator
Ever wondered whether a weight was safe to lift? Our new lifting calculator helps estimate whether a lift has a low, moderate, or high risk of injury. (1 min 13 s)

			New Traffic Control Requirements effective January 1, 2007 Amendments to Part 8: Personal Protective Equipment and Part 18: Traffic Control The new requirements will affect a number of sectors that typically implement traffic control, including municipalities, the construction industry, utility companies, emergency response agencies, and the road building and road maintenance sectors. (PDF 605KB)

			WorkSafe Bulletin 06-05 Panic bars on driven-feed wood chippers In July 2005, a groundsman in British Columbia was pulled into a wood chipper. He suffered fatal injuries. Properly designed guard chutes, feed tables, and panic bars help prevent such accidents.

			WorkSafeBC responds to coroner’s jury recommendations after inquest into forestry worker’s death While some of the recommendations are already underway or currently addressed in the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, WorkSafeBC will take the recommendations under consideration and to the Board of Directors for discussion and direction.

			WorkSafe Bulletin 06-06 Spilled mercury contaminates a medical office Four workers were exposed to elevated concentrations of mercury vapour.

			WorkSafe Bulletin 06-01 Hazards of carbon monoxide in sports arenas In two separate incidents, arenas were evacuated after children were exposed to carbon monoxide while skating.

			Teleclaim to improve service for workers, employers, and physicians Now available on Vancouver Island By mid-2007, through Teleclaim, all workers in B.C. will be able to call to report injuries and receive personal assistance to help them with their recovery and return to work.

			Safeguarding Equipment and Machinery: General Requirements New WorkSafeBC publication This manual is for everyone who owns, operates, maintains, or sells powered machinery and equipment. (PDF 4.6MB)

			Attention B.C. Fishermen: Have we got you covered? A new brochure has been produced specifically for fishermen, vessel owners, and commercial buyers. The document, jointly produced by FishSafe and WorkSafeBC, explains the requirements for vessel owners to register and pay assessments; it also details the circumstances in which a fishermen is covered in the event of injury, and the occasions when an injury will not be covered.

			A Clean Sweep New WorkSafeBC publication Written for the school custodian, this waterproof, three-fold brochure can easily be applied to any situation where custodians and janitors work. (PDF 3.5MB)

Home and Community Health Worker Handbook

This handbook was written to help you:
	• • • • •	Identify the types of activities that put you at risk Prevent injuries and illnesses Know what to do if you are hurt or ill Know your rights and responsibilities Know where to find more information

			What you need to know about protecting construction workers from falls from elevation From WorkSafe Magazine – November/December 2006 issue Some surprising results from a study of serious falls in construction.

Available at the WorkSafeBC Library
Suggested readings from the librarian

The WorkSafeBC Library is a resource for WorkSafeBC employees and the general public. Materials can be searched using the online catalogue.
	• Work design: occupational ergonomics • Useful equations: practical applications of OH&S math • Essential MAK value documentations from the MAK-collection for occupational health and safety

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