M A G A Z I N E

O C C U P A T I O N A L

V O L U M E 2 5 • N U M B E R 2 • M A Y 2 0 0 2

PeerPowerpressure or influence?

Workplace Health & Safety Web site: www.whs.gov.ab.ca

O C C U P A T I O N A L H E A L T H & S A F E T Y M A G A Z I N E • M A Y 2 0 0 22

P e r s p e c t i v e

by Julia Hamilton

How do I put all of Tim into words? 19 yearsold – Big – Tall – Strong – Long strides –

Heavy walk – Loud doors – Louder voice –“When’s dinner?” – “Where’s Maggie?”

Music from his bedroom – Music from thebathroom – Music from his car – “What’s thereto eat?”

Tim not only devoured life, but also the contents of every refrigerator he passed.

Tim was our son.On July 9, 1999, Tim was working for a

company, erecting an extremely large partytent. His crew had been working for over 12hours. As Tim and another worker, John,manoeuvred the last pole into place, it came incontact with a hydro line that both companiesknew was in the way.

14,000 volts.John was badly burned. Tim was killed.Every moment of our lives has been assaulted by

Tim’s death.Tim belonged to a remarkable group of about 30 kids

from our community who had remained friends since elementary school. These kids and their families have alsobeen devastated by Tim’s death.

I love those kids. But now to see them is bittersweet.Now I watch them greet each other with a hug or a warm

pat on the back and I think, why not Tim, too? I hate theMay 24th weekend because I hear them make plans for theirgroup camping trip and I think, why not Tim? Canada Dayfireworks bring back all the memories of Tim and his bud-dies — their shirts off and a very large letter painted on eachchest to spell Canada.

Everything has changed. Everyday occurrences jump up,catch me by surprise and kick me in the stomach — a busstop full of kids, kids with hockey gear getting dropped offat the arena down the street, grocery shopping and realiz-ing that I don’t need the large size of anything anymore.

Get this straight.Tim Hamilton did not want to die. Tim was at work to

make money, because he had plans. Plans for the weekend,for college, for his future.

What an exceptional adult he was becoming.What a contribution he would have made.As parents we stressed to Tim that developing a positive

work ethic was a life skill, that a good pay cheque was fairtrade for an honest day’s labour.

I never — ever — even imagined that experienced adultswould, with conscious deliberation, place our son in such aglaringly deadly situation.

Every adult on every job site must monitor the safety ofyoung workers through the eyes of a parent — using thestandards they would use if it were their child on the job.

For my husband Bob, our daughter Maggie and me, thepain of losing Tim cannot be captured in words. A part oflife is empty. The magic is gone. I am so very tired of watching my family hurt. Just going out for dinner hurts.We phone and ask for a reservation for three and yet whenwe arrive the waiter takes us to a table set for four and aswe get settled he takes away the fourth place setting.

Now, in front of me, I sense a huge black hole — a voidthat has no bottom and no edge to reach for on the otherside. I know that hole is grief, that the agony in there willbe immeasurable, and I am terrified.

This year I’ve been giving talks to schools, executives andworkers about job safety. People ask me how I can stand upand talk about Tim. That’s easy — medication.

Why do I do it? To make you sad? No. To make you mad. Get mad at anyone who doesn’t pay attention to job

safety.Get mad at those who sit and watch . . . while lives are lost.Writing this has been excruciating but it has also provid-

ed me with the most wonderful opportunity to talk aboutTim. I feel like I am tucking him in — letting him hear metell the world how wonderful he was, how proud we were ofhim and the friends he chose, the decisions he made in life,the priorities he had, how his sister looked up to him andcherished his friendship, how his father and I loved himmore than life itself and have prayed to God to let us tradeplaces with him.

Julia Hamilton is Tim’s mom and an artist who lives in Calgary.

The Hamiltons (Julia, Tim, Maggie and Bob) at Maggie's high school graduation.

Missing Tim

Every adult on every job site must monitorthe safety of young workers through theeyes of a parent

O C C U P A T I O N A L H E A L T H & S A F E T Y M A G A Z I N E • M A Y 2 0 0 2 3

M A G A Z I N E

O C C U P A T I O N A L

A Workplace Health and SafetyAlberta Human Resources and Employment publication

Managing Editor – Wally BaerEditor – Juliet Kershaw

Occupational Health & Safety Magazine is published three times a year, in January, May andSeptember. Magazine policy is guided by the Occupational Health & Safety Magazine AdvisoryBoard consisting of industry and government representatives.

Membership on the Occupational Health & Safety Magazine Advisory Board is open to any resident of Alberta with knowledge and experience in the field of health and safety, and an interest in communicating health and safety information to the public. Any individual interested in joining the Board should submit a letter of application to the managing editor of the magazine (See below: How to contact us). The Board meets three times a year in Edmonton. Board members do not receive a remuneration or reimbursement of expenses related to meetings.

Occupational Health & Safety Magazine Advisory Board members:Wally Baer Alberta Human Resources and Employment

Workplace Health and SafetyChris Chodan Alberta Human Resources and Employment Communications

Bob Cunningham Canadian Petroleum Safety CouncilDianne Paulson Alberta Construction Safety Association

Lloyd Harman Alberta Forest Products AssociationJuliet Kershaw Paprika CommunicationsAlain Langlais Alberta Human Resources and Employment

Workplace Health and SafetyCorinne Pohlmann Canadian Federation of Independent Business

On occasion, this publication refers to the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations.In the event of a discrepancy between statements in this publication and the Act or regulations,the Act or regulations take precedence. Opinions expressed in this publication are those of thewriters and do not necessarily reflect the views or policy of Alberta Human Resources andEmployment or the Government of Alberta.

Subscriptions to Occupational Health & Safety Magazine are available without charge by calling(780) 415-0587. When notifying us of a change of address, send an address label or subscriptionnumber with the new address.Letters to the editor We welcome response to articles or information published in this magazine,as well as suggestions for future articles. We will print letters to the editor as space permits. Theeditor reserves the right to edit letters.Copyright is held by the Government of Alberta. Reproduction of articles in their entirety is per-mitted. A reproduced article must include: the author’s name; title of the article; full name of themagazine; the date, volume and issue number of the magazine. The magazine is available as aPDF file on the Internet at: www3.gov.ab.ca/hre/whs/publications/ohsmag.htm. For permission toreproduce excerpts of any article, please contact the magazine’s administration office at (780) 415-0587 or whs@gov.ab.ca.

How to contact usU Occupational Health & Safety Magazine

Workplace Health and SafetyAlberta Human Resources and Employment Communications9th Floor, 10808 – 99 AvenueEdmonton, Alberta T5K 0G5

S (780) 415-0587T (780) 427-5698

(For toll-free connection within Alberta dial 310-0000 before the number)whs@gov.ab.ca

How to get more occupational health and safety informationv Look up the Workplace Health and Safety Web site at www.whs.gov.ab.caContact the Workplace Health and Safety Call Centre at 1-866-415-8690

Design and layout by McRobbie Design Group Inc.Printing by Quebecor World EdmontonPublication Mail Agreement No. 1528572ISSN 0705-6052 © 2002

contents

2 Missing Timby Julia Hamilton

6 Don’t Stop That Thiefby Allan Sheppard

8 Peer Power: Pressure or Influenceby Marilyn Buchanan

9 Peer Pressure On the Jobby Norma Ramage

14 Hair and Nailsby Jeff Day and Juliet Kershaw

22 Don’t Let This Happen to Youby Colin Kerr

12 Lifting and Your Back: Some Fresh Ideasby Ray Cislo

4 News & Notes

5 Workplace Health & Safety (WHS)

11 Ten Questions to Ask Your Employer

18 Partnerships

19 Real World Solutions

20 Web Watcher

21 Can’t Take the Heat?

23 Workplace Fatalities

S t o r i e s

P e r s p e c t i v e

M u c h m o r e

E r g o t i p s

O C C U P A T I O N A L H E A L T H & S A F E T Y M A G A Z I N E • M A Y 2 0 0 24

N e w s & N o t e s

Residential constructionsafety guideAs builders and renovators become increasingly concernedwith improving safety at work sites and reducing liability,they are more actively applying safety programming totheir workplaces. The new Alberta Residential ConstructionSafety Guide has recently been published to support theseefforts on residential construction sites. The guide containsinformation to help contractors understand their obliga-tions as prime contractor, as well as sections to be passedon to tradespeople. Material is easy to read and understand,and easy to reproduce. The guide was produced as a resultof a joint effort by Alberta Home Builders’ Association,Alberta Human Resources and Employment and the AlbertaConstruction Safety Association. The guide is available on-line at www.ahba.ca or by contacting any of the organizations listed above.

Concerned about workplace violence?Employers and workers who want to learn more aboutworkplace violence can now refer to a new video, WorkplaceViolence: It’s Everybody’s Business. The 19-minute video, pro-duced by Alberta Human Resources and Employment, theWorkers’ Compensation Board - Alberta (WCB) and theEdmonton Police Service, promotes awareness and workertraining in dealing with workplace violence. The video pres-ents situations involving workplace violence and describesthe typical components of a workplace violence preventionprogram. It complements a recent Workplace Health andSafety (WHS) bulletin Preventing Violence and Harassment at the Workplace available at the WHS Web Site,www.whs.gov.ab.ca.

The video is available at the Alberta Government Library – Labour Building Site. To borrow the video, contact your local library and make your request throughthe inter-library loan process, or visit the library in person(See page 5, WHS column, for the address).

It is also available for purchase from the WCB for a nominal fee. If you would like a copy for your library, contact WCB’s Corporate Security at (780) 498-4822, or e-mail corporate.security@wcb.ab.ca.

Is your radiation equipment registration certificate current?If you own and use certain designated radiation equipmentin industrial, educational, commercial, research or enter-tainment facilities, the equipment may require registration.As well, your present registration certificate may be out ofdate. All certificates for designated radiation equipmentissued before 1997 have expired.

Designated radiation equipment includes class 3B and 4lasers, and the following x-ray equipment: diagnostic, diffraction and analysis, cabinet, industrial radiographic,irradiation, security and baggage inspection.

Registration procedures also have changed. The Albertagovernment has delegated the responsibility for issuing registration certificates to the University of Calgary. To register your radiation equipment, contact the University of Calgary, Safety Services at (403) 220-7653 orucsafety@ucalgary.ca.

Legislation requires that all designated radiation equipment be registered before it is installed or operated. Radiation equipment in transit or storage and not capable of being energized does not require a registration certificate.

How clean is your water cooler?According to the Canadian Bottled Water Association, it isvery important to clean your water cooler regularly. As soonas a bottle of water is opened for use, it is exposed to possible microbial contamination. Over time, there can bemicrobial build-up in a cooler, as there would be for anyother appliance used for dispensing food. To find out howclean your cooler is, see www.thecoolerdoctor.com.

Radiation Protection Regulation ReviewWorkplace Health and Safety invites employers and workersto participate in a full review of the Radiation ProtectionRegulation. A task force has been established to review andrecommend changes to the regulation. A draft proposal willbe available by early summer 2002. If you are interested incommenting on the draft proposal or issues related to theregulation, contact Diane Waters at (780) 422-4711 ordiane.waters@gov.ab.ca. Look for a copy of the draft proposal this summer on the Workplace Health and Safety Web site, www.whs.gov.ab.ca.

More on forklift maintenance . . .In the January 2002 issue of Occupational Health & SafetyMagazine we published “Forklifts: Deceptive andDangerous,” by Allan Sheppard. A sidebar noted that whencarrying out forklift maintenance, mechanics should “nottry to jack up the rear end of the vehicle without removingthe counterweight.” A concerned reader questioned thiswisdom, so we went back to the Workplace Health andSafety occupational health and safety officers for a final verdict. The consensus was that, generally speaking, removing the counterweight poses more of a risk than leaving it in place. The counterweights are heavy, and prop-er lifting gear and procedures are required to remove them.

O C C U P A T I O N A L H E A L T H & S A F E T Y M A G A Z I N E • M A Y 2 0 0 2 5

Wo r k p l a c e H e a l t h & S a f e t y ( W H S )

Contact WHS anytime...For occupational health and safety information and assistance,phone the Call Centre 1-866-415-8690 or go to the WHS Web sitewww.whs.gov.ab.ca.

Sign up for new WHS postingsFinding it difficult to keep up with all the new information postedto the Workplace Health and Safety Web site? Can’t afford to missany new safety-related information? You can now receive by email amonthly summary of all new Web site postings. Sign up for the free subscription service today. Go to the WHS home page and click onSUBSCRIBE in the “What’s New” column. It’s that easy.www.whs.gov.ab.ca.

How to reach the AlbertaGovernment Library - LabourBuilding SiteThe URL for the library recently changed to www.gov.ab.ca/hre/library. Use the URL draweb.library.ualberta.ca for accessingthe library catalogue.

The Alberta Government Library - Labour Building Site (formerlythe Alberta Human Resources and Employment Library) houses alarge selection of occupational health and safety information mate-rials. It is linked electronically to 25 university, college, health andgovernment libraries across Alberta. You can search the library cata-logue over the Web through gate.library.ualberta.ca. The AlbertaGovernment Library location code is AB HR & Employment.

To borrow materials, please contact your local library and makeyour requests through the inter-library loan process. Or you canvisit the library in person at:3rd Floor, 10808 – 99 AvenueEdmonton, Alberta T5K 0G5S (780) 427-8533 or toll-free, 310-0000T (780) 422-0084

How to order Workplace Health andSafety publicationsWorkplace Health and Safety produces publications on a variety ofoccupational health and safety subjects. Publications include manuals, brochures, booklets, bulletins and posters. They are regularly reviewed and updated.

Over 230 publications are available from Workplace Health andSafety. Find them on the WHS Web site, www.whs.gov.ab.ca, ororder them through the WHS Call Centre, 1-866-415-8690.

WHS is a division of Alberta Human Resources and Employment and fallsunder the jurisdiction of Minister Clint Dunford.

Manufacturers do not tell owners to remove the counter-weights prior to jacking up the rear end of a forklift.When doing so, all that is required is a jack and blockingmaterial with the proper capacity to ensure that the fork-lift is properly positioned and held safely. In ideal condi-tions, it’s best to remove the counterweight.

Where were you?North American Safety and Health Week 2002, May 5 to 11Early in May each year throughout North America, thework of large and small committees operating under theNAOSH (North American Occupational Safety and Health)Week banner comes to fruition. In 2002, focusing on thetheme Prevention is the Cure, events organized byemployees, workers and the general public shone thespotlight on the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace.

Various activities and events took place across Alberta.Their size and scope depended on the resources availableto the local NAOSH Week committees and the participat-ing support of businesses and associations in that area.

If you missed the action this year, you can find outwhat others did by looking up www.naosh.org. Startthinking prevention now, and start generating ideas foryour organization’s participation next year.

Disability management seminarMillard Health's three-day seminar, DisabilityManagement in the Workplace: An Integrated andCollaborative Approach, provides the opportunity tolearn practical approaches to setting up worksite disability management guidelines and strategies forreturn-to-work coordination.

Next course dates are: June 5-7 in Calgary, and June 17-19 in Edmonton. To register, please contact Kim Salvadorat (780) 498-3219, or for more information, visit www.millardhealth.com.

MOVED: WHS Northern Regional officeThe Workplace Health and Safety Northern Regionaloffice has moved. The new address is:

Workplace Health and SafetyAlberta Human Resources and Employment10th Floor, 7th Street Plaza10030 - 107 St.Edmonton AB T5J 3E4

We’re 25!Yes, Occupational Health & Safety Magazine is fitter than ever, even after a quarter century. At 25 years old, it may be the oldest continuing publication withinthe Alberta government. Watch for a special celebratoryissue in September.

O C C U P A T I O N A L H E A L T H & S A F E T Y M A G A Z I N E • M A Y 2 0 0 26

What should you do if you face arobbery at work? “Treat the

incident as another transaction,”according to the Edmonton PoliceService’s (EPS) Robbery AwarenessEducation Kit.

In part thanks to robbery awarenessand prevention strategies, robberyattempts are rare in Alberta. But theycan be extremely dangerous. Knowingwhat to do — and what not to do —could save your life or help you avoidserious injury to yourself and others.

“Forewarned is forearmed,” saysConstable Terry Jordan, a business liaison officer in EPS’s CrimePrevention Unit. Jordan helped developthe Robbery Awareness Education Kitin 2001. He uses the kit to makeemployers and employer groups, suchas the Kingsway Garden Mall BusinessAssociation, more aware of the dangers employees face in armed robberies and of strategies to reduce their risk.

A robbery occurs whenever someonetakes another person’s property byforce or with the threat of force.Robbery is a form of theft, but withthe added danger posed by a weapon.

The law does not distinguishbetween a real weapon and a fake, norshould you. There is little time oropportunity in a robbery situation totell the difference, and the resultscould be disastrous if you guess wrong.A concealed weapon, adds Jordan, isjust as dangerous as one that’s visible.

You might be surprised to learn that

the most dangerous weapon you facemay not be a gun. In fact, Jordan says,“more injuries occur in robberies inwhich a weapon other than a gun is used.”

It is probably safest to assume thatthe person attempting the robbery isthe most dangerous weapon you face.He or she may be under even greaterstress than you, perhaps under theinfluence of drugs or alcohol.

Your first duty is to protect yourself,not your property, or your employer’s.The education kit lists several “time-tested recommendations” to help you:

• Be polite and accommodating.Stay as calm as possible.

• Be co-operative. Don’t appear to be stalling.

• Follow instructions exactly. If therobber asks for tens and twenties,hand over those bills.

• Avoid surprises. Let the robberknow exactly what you are goingto do to comply with instructions.If you need to reach below thecounter to get a bag for themoney, say so calmly.

Your second duty, if and when it issafe, is to obtain evidence.

• If there is a note, try to retain it,and handle it as little as possible.

• Observe the robber in a normalway without staring. Make a men-tal note of physical characteristicsthat could help identify a suspect.

After the robber leaves, lock or blockall doors to protect yourself and anyevidence. If you can do it safely, note

What to do in an attempted robbery

by Allan Sheppard

Don’t

with fellow employees or witnesses.

• Let the police talk to the media. Ifyou discuss the amount of moneyinvolved with anyone except thepolice, “you could advertise yourbusiness to future robbers.”

Most of this advice is commonsense, if you think about it. The problem is that, in the heat of themoment, you probably won’t havetime to think, and neither will therobber. “Most robberies are over intwo or three minutes,” says ConstableJordan. Every second after thatincreases the robber’s risk of gettingcaught and your risk of getting hurt.The best insurance is to be prepared.

Ted Bryan says Liquor Depot clerksare well prepared and carefullycoached by their managers. “We knowfrom experience that our approachworks,” says Bryan. But he worriesthat some clerks, most of whom are18 or 19 years old, are not always assensitive as they should be to theirsurroundings. He finds they tend torelax when there are no customers inthe store. He often has to remindthem that the fact nothing seems tobe happening does not mean nothingis happening or about to happen. Hestresses staying constantly alert and“mindful” on the job. That can keepyou safe during a robbery attempt,and it can help prevent a robbery inthe first place.

O C C U P A T I O N A L H E A L T H & S A F E T Y M A G A Z I N E • M A Y 2 0 0 2 7

details of any get-away vehicle andaccomplices. Pay attention to thedirection of escape.

Only then should you call the policeor set off an alarm. If you act too soon,you could provoke a violent reactionor create a hostage situation if thepolice arrive before the robber leaves.

Liquor Depot’s loss prevention man-ager, Ted Bryan, says the companyrecently removed alarm buttons fromthe counters at all of its 24 stores inAlberta in order to eliminate anytemptation for employees to put themselves at extra risk by trying toactivate an alarm during a robbery.Employees are trained to activate analarm system, located in a wall panelin another part of the store, after therobbery is over.

The education kit offers clear, simple instructions on what to doafter the robber leaves:

• Call 911 immediately, even if youhave activated an alarm.

• Tell police what has happened.• Stay on the line until the police

tell you to hang up.• Ask witnesses to stay until the

police arrive and to make notes ofany details while they wait. Getnames and addresses of those whocan’t stay.

• Cover or otherwise protect possible fingerprints and other evidence.

• Go over the incident in your mindand make notes while the memoryis fresh, but don’t talk about it

The information in this article is basedon or quoted from the RobberyAwareness & Business Security Manualincluded in the Edmonton PoliceService’s Robbery Awareness EducationKit. The kit also includes an instruc-tional video, a Robbery ProceduresQuick Steps poster and other materialthat could be helpful in a robbery. Forinformation, call the Edmonton PoliceService at (780) 421-3333.

The Robbery Education Awareness Kitvideo includes a note saying that would-be robbers are unpredictable.While police and experts know a lotabout criminal behaviour in general,no one can be certain how an individ-ual will behave in a specific situation.Therefore, the Edmonton Police Servicedisclaims responsibility for injury toanyone following the education kitguidelines. The lesson there is simpleand clear: preventing a robbery isalways the most important goal.

R e s o u r c e s

WEB LINKS

www.retailcouncil.org/rpn/robbery.aspRetail Council of Canada recommendations.

www.ottawapolice.on.ca/en/help_us/robbery.cfmRobbery prevention from the Ottawa Police Service.

www.sk.rcmp.ca/robberykit.htmA PowerPoint presentation on procedures before, during and after a robbery (click on “download robbery.ppt”) from the RCMP.

IN THE ALBERTA GOVERNMENT LIBRARY – LABOUR BUILDING

BooksViolence in the Workplace: Prevention Guide, 2nd ed.Ontario: CCOHS, 2001 (HF 5549.5 E43 V56 2001)

Violence in the Workplace: Preventing, Assessingand Managing Threats at Work.Rockville, Md.: Government Institutes, 1998.(HF 5549.5 E43 W54 1998)

Human Resources Guide to Preventing WorkplaceViolenceby Keith A. NormanOntario: Aurora Professional Press, 1999(HF 5549.5 E43 K44 1999)

stop that thief!

Allan Sheppard is a freelance writer andresearcher. He lives in Edmonton.

O C C U P A T I O N A L H E A L T H & S A F E T Y M A G A Z I N E • M A Y 2 0 0 28

procedure, for exam-ple, not only the per-son ridiculed but alsoanyone watching maybe reluctant to use theprocedure again.

Healthy peer influenceThe positive side tolearning from yourpeers is called peerinfluence. Peer influ-ence is normal andnecessary, shaping ourpersonalities as does peer pressure.From earliest childhood, each instanceof positive feedback and considerationof our wants and needs nurtures ourpositive sense of self. Encouraged bythese experiences, we reach out againand again to those who support us,learning confidence. In time, the occa-sional negative reaction from othersdoesn't overly disturb us. The balanceof our experience is positive. We oftenrefer to this inner resilience as"healthy self-esteem." And even whenothers don't agree with us, if respect-ful, they teach us that a difference ofopinion won’t harm us. In an organiza-tion, peer influence thrives in a con-structive, goal-setting, positive-think-ing environment. People who sustainthis environment will successfully influence others to follow their lead.

People are most vulnerable to negative peer pressure when their self-esteem is low, goals are unclearand limits only vaguely defined and seldom enforced. In the workplace,people with these traits may takeunnecessary risks. Taking risks is oftenportrayed as the heroic thing to do — ademonstration of independence. Thisis particularly true among men. “Show

Peer pressure: the words summonup visions of victims and bullies.We associate the term withschoolyards, back alleys and adolescents. As adults we may

pretend to be less influenced by theopinions of others, yet our very cul-ture, particularly the mass media,relies heavily on our susceptibility totheir influence. We see the psychologi-cal influence of peer pressure in thedesire to own Beanie Babies as well asto start cigarette smoking or use alcohol and drugs.

Peer pressure is a social phenome-non that affects everyone. It has a powerful influence on an individual’schoices, including work behaviour.Implicit in the word “pressure” is theuse of force, yet peer pressure can alsohave positive effects. Then it is referredto as peer influence.

People adopt certain behaviour towin acceptance from and avoid rejec-tion by their peer group. Peers tell us,at school and work, how well we’re fit-ting in. When we pretend to agreewith another's point of view, laugh atethnic or sexist jokes even though wefind them offensive, take part in gossip, or fail to state our preferences,we are responding to peer pressure. "Ijust like to go along," we say.

RidiculeRidicule is a form of peer pressure thatis particularly injurious. More person-al and intimidating than other typesof peer pressure, ridicule humiliatesthrough the use of humour. Ridiculecan be extremely detrimental in theworkplace, with consequences thatrange from loss of workers’ self-respectto workplace violence. While ridiculeis most likely to influence those whoare insecure or lacking self-confidence,to a certain extent almost everyone is

vulnerable. Young people are particu-larly susceptible. In fact, studies indi-cate that their principal fear is ofbeing ridiculed. In the media, ridiculeis often aimed at young people, to per-suade them it’s “uncool” to wear cer-tain clothes, behave in a certain way orengage in certain activities.

Ridicule is frequently directed atpositive behaviour. Among young people, ridicule is often reserved forthose who behave in a responsiblemanner, perhaps for choosing not tosmoke, not to drink and drive, or towork safely.

Ridicule and teasing are most fre-quently used to deliberately embarrassothers with the intent of establishingor maintaining power and control overthe target. This is usually very effectivebecause most of us want to be liked byothers. We fear rejection, and there-fore don’t like to be laughed at ormade fun of.

It’s difficult to retaliate againstridicule. If we get angry, then we maybe perceived as unable to take a jokeand accused of being a poor sport.Ridicule is often considered sociallyacceptable, and those who ridiculeothers are seen as witty and clever.

The effects of ridicule go beyond theperson targeted. Research suggestsboth the observers of an episode andthe individual on the receiving endwill in future choose paths that con-form. At any work site this can lead toincreased risk for all workers, as thedesire to be “normal” and not standout as being different may lead work-ers to ignore or reject the conse-quences of health and safety hazards.Aware of their own vulnerability andseeking to protect themselves, sensi-tized workers will afterwards generallytry to avoid whatever sparked theattack. If the behaviour is a safe work

by Marilyn Buchanan

Peer Pressure

“There is no character, howsoever good and fine, but it can be destroyed by ridicule, howsoever poor and witless.” – Mark Twain (1893)

PeerPowerPressure or Influence?

O C C U P A T I O N A L H E A L T H & S A F E T Y M A G A Z I N E • M A Y 2 0 0 2 9

No Fear” the media shout. On a worksite, this often takes the form ofunsafe work behaviour, encouragedand celebrated by risk-taking peers.Perhaps they wear their hard hatsbackwards (to look like their ball caps),or neglect to use fall protection (“It’swimpy!”), safety glasses (“They lookdorky”) or appropriate clothing (“It’snot cool”).

How do we support positive peerexperiences? As individuals, we beginby paying attention to our own needs,wants and preferences, and expressingourselves clearly and openly withinour peer group. As an organization,when we treat all workers with therespect that we hope their peers willextend to them, we teach them to be

satisfied with no less. People whodevelop healthy, confident "solidselves" will seldom experience peerinfluence as peer pressure.

People want to belong! This univer-sal desire allows us to use peerinfluence to promote social responsi-bility. If your peers demand appropri-ate behaviour, it’s more likely you willbehave appropriately. Rather thanfocusing on enforcement using verbaldiscipline and work punishments,some organizations use positive rein-forcement to help turn troubled work-ers into mentors. They develop a solidreputation while building their organi-zational and decision-making skills.They become the peer influence.

Studies support the concept thatnegative peer pressure, and particular-ly ridicule, can increase at-risk behav-iour and decrease achievement andmotivation. It is important for yourworkers to be aware of the undermin-ing effects of negative peer pressureand that you arm your workers withthe knowledge and strength to developand maintain positive peer influence.

Marilyn Buchanan, CRSP, is a psychology studentat Red Deer College.

On job sites across Alberta, employ-ers are struggling with a conun-drum: employees who learn thesafe way to do a job in training pro-grams and who then change their

work habits once they are actually onthe job.

Like many of his colleagues, GrantHenneberg, supervisor of safety serviceswith Prudential Steel in Calgary,believes he has the answer: “I know it’speer pressure. I had a case recently witha guy who did very well in class. Oneday on the floor I noticed he hadn’tlocked out his machine (made it inoper-able) while he was cleaning it. He saidhe just forgot. I figure he looked aroundand decided no one else was doing it, sowhy should he? He didn’t want to looklike the company geek.”

Although the impact of peer pressureis hard to quantify, most safety expertslike Henneberg agree it’s a powerfulforce and one that isn’t likely to disap-pear. They also accept the truth of acomment by Steve Yorke, a third-yearpipefitting apprentice with the con-struction company Bantrel Inc., whosays, “You tend to respect the advice you get on the job more than the classroom stuff.”

That’s why employers and safetyexperts are focusing increasingly onreinforcing the positive aspects of peerpressure. One recent innovation is theintroduction of Green Hand programs,which use various means to identifynew workers so their more experiencedpeers can lend them a helping hand.

Last year, the Canadian PetroleumSafety Council (PSC) introduced its vol-untary Green Hand program to helpreduce the number of injuries amonginexperienced workers, particularlythose under 24. PSC statistics show thatthese workers have a 60 per cent chanceof being injured on the job during their

by Norma Ramage

The power of negative peerpressure is very strong, is universal, and when allowedto take root in the workplace,can and will undermine thebest safety program.

On the JobPeer Pressure

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first six months of employment.Occupational Health & Safety figurespaint a similar picture, indicating thatin 2000, 21 per cent of all injuredworkers were between 15 and 24 yearsof age. New workers are given GreenHand stickers for their hard hats. Todate, the PSC has distributed morethan 3,000 stickers.

Warren Welling, a health, safety andsustainable development consultantwith Shell Canada Limited, was one ofthe moving forces behind the PSC initiative. He first encountered theGreen Hand program on a visit to Shell Canada’s sister company, ShellOil, in the U.S. “I heard about a short-service employee program that identi-fied new people. When I took a look atit, it struck me that this was one rea-son that they had a very good safetyrecord.”

One of Welling’s concerns was thatthe stickers would single out newworkers and make them the victims ofharassment. “The people down theretold us that in the first two weeks itwas kind of rough with jokes and comments, but after that they neverhad the problem again.”

Carl Fergie wore a sticker on hishard hat when he joined PrudentialSteel four years ago as a materials han-dler, and he admits that “it was a littleintimidating” because it made himstand out when what he wanted mostwas to blend in. Today, however, he canappreciate the value of the Green Guyprogram. “When I see a new worker, Iremember what it was like when I wasa new hire. I’m more patient and help-ful with them and also more cautiousaround them.”

Prudential supervisor Wayne Tayloradmits that when the program wasintroduced, there was some initialteasing and joking. But that quicklyvanished and now, he says, “Most ofour experienced workers like the idea,because in a job like this everyone hasto look out for each other.”

At the Scotford Refinery expansionproject, the Athabasca ConstructionJoint Venture Group, which is buildingthe expansion, has introduced anapprentice mentoring program. ChrisMcEwen, apprentice co-ordinator, says

1,500 journeymen and apprenticeshave completed the program sinceJanuary 2001. Apprentices are given asafety orientation and journeymen areinstructed on how to coach newemployees and pass on their skills.

Although the original concept wasto assign journeymen and apprenticesone to one, on a job with 8,000 peopleon site at any given time, this wasn’tworkable, explains McEwen. “What wedo now is on any given crew, if we havethree apprentices, we try to have threejourneymen who have gone throughthe program.”

McEwen says early statistics arepromising. “We can say that appren-tices on this project are no more likelyto have an accident than a journey-man. Alberta wide, government statis-tics show that apprentices are twice aslikely to get injured on the job.” SteveYorke, who has completed the mentor-ing program, says, “The senior guys Ihave worked with have always givenme good advice and guidance. It hasdefinitely been a positive experience.”

Not all companies use a formal men-toring program. At Prudential Steel, aletter from the vice-president is sent toworkers who have completed their pro-bationary period, asking about fellowemployees who have made them feelwelcome or who have been especiallyhelpful. Says Henneberg, “We’re look-ing for mentors.”

Whether they are formally designat-ed as mentors or not, there is no doubtthat fellow workers have the mostimmediate and long-lasting impact onnew workers’ safety habits. ChrisLewin, who joined Bonus Drilling as afloor hand last July, says bluntly,“When you’re a green roughneck, youdo what the experienced guys tell youto do and how they tell you to do it.”Fortunately for Lewin, his experiencewith his rig crew was positive.

Not all workers are so fortunate.There are too many stories like the onetold by University of Alberta studentDavid Mitchell who had a summer jobwith a Calgary framing crew. “Oursupervisor was walking around on asix-inch frame 50 feet above theground, holding a pneumatic nail gunand wearing flip flops. I was the onlyone of the three guys on his crew whowore safety boots.”

Another complicating factor is thatmost experienced workers are unawarethat they are passing along bad safetyhabits. They are convinced that theway they have done the job for years isthe best way.

That’s why some employers areincreasing their efforts to ensure thatpositive safety experiences get widedissemination on the job. Lou Doiron,senior vice-president of Enserco EnergyServices Company, cites the example ofa new worker who recently completeda vehicle safety course that includedthe safety benefits of seat belt use.“The very next day his truck hit amoose and the seat belt saved himfrom serious injury. We didn’t just putthat guy back on the rig and let himbe obscure. We encouraged him to tellhis story.”

Doiron also believes that a strongand consistent safety message frommanagement can offset negative infor-mation from fellow workers. “Peoplelike myself have to get out in the fieldand reinforce the right message. Theseguys are going to be more comfortableabout working safely if I come along,put my hand on their shoulder and sayI want you to shut this down if youfeel uncomfortable and unsafe.”

Although younger workers continueto be the focus of many of these peerpressure initiatives, there is a growingconsensus among safety professionalsthat today’s young workers are moreknowledgeable and concerned aboutsafety than was the case 10 years ago.While peer pressure continues to be apart of any young person’s life, bothon and off the job, many agree withChris McEwen when he says: “I find alot more younger workers are lookingat older guys and saying, ‘I’m notdoing it your way. I’m protectingmyself and my body.’”

Norma Ramage is a freelance writer and communications consultant living in Calgary.

R e s o u r c e s

WEB LINKS

www.worksafebc.com/news/current_news/back-grounders/newbg_02_01_21.aspYouth risk-taking study from Workers’ CompensationBoard of British Columbia.

www.cdc.gov/niosh/99-141-5.htmlTeen peer education programs for promoting safety.

www.webworldinc.com/wes-con/chance.htm“Why Take a Chance?” An article about peer pressureand safety.

IN THE ALBERTA GOVERNMENT LIBRARY – LABOUR BUILDING

VideoGetting along with your co-workers 1998, 13 min.This program helps new and re-entry workers under-stand why it's important to behave responsibly on thejob. The program discusses diversity in the workplace,substance abuse and safety on the job. (HRV 205)

Fellow workers have the mostimmediate and long-lastingimpact on new workers’ safety habits.

Peer Pressure

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You’re ready to start work. You’ve gotthe job and an interview lined up.

You’re prepared to answer the employer’s questions. Now it’s time tothink about the important questionsyou should ask the employer.

Work isn’t just about benefits, holidays and getting paid. You want to stay healthy and safe at work.

You have a right and a responsibilityto find out whether this employertakes your safety seriously.

Here are ten questions you should askthe employer:

What are the dangers of my job?The law requires employers to tell youabout any hazards they know about atthe workplace.

Are there any other hazards (noise,radiation, chemicals) that I shouldknow about?The effects of exposure to some haz-ards take time to show up. High noiselevels can cause hearing loss. Dustsand chemicals may increase your riskof getting diseases such as cancer.

Your employer must share this infor-mation with you and tell you how towork safely with these materials. Thelaw may also require you to use safetyequipment.

Will I receive job safety training?When?Employers must make sure you havethe skills to do the work you’reassigned safely. This means you mayneed training before you begin work.

Do you have safety meetings?If so, it’s a good indication of theemployer’s commitment to safety.

If you are ever asked to dosomething that you thinkcould endanger you or yourco-workers, the law requiresyou to refuse to do that work.

R e s o u r c e s f o r Y o u n g W o r k e r s

Is there any safety equipment I’ll beexpected to wear? Will I receive training in how to use it? When?Your employer must make sure you use appropriate safety equipmentwhen necessary and must train you to use it.

Will I be told what to do in an emergency? When?Either your supervisor or your employer must explain the emergencyprocedures before you start work.

Where are fire extinguishers, first-aidkits, and other emergency equipmentlocated?The employer must provide emergencyequipment such as fire extinguishersand specialized equipment that could be needed in an emergency. All workplaces must have a first-aid kit.

What do I do if I get hurt? Who is thefirst-aid person?Your employer must provide first-aidequipment and services at your work-place. This means that the right typeof first-aid kit must be on site, andsome workers must be trained in firstaid and available at all times.

What are my health and safety responsibilities?You must take reasonable care to pro-tect yourself and the health and safetyof your co-workers. This includes co-operating with your employer by following the employer’s safety rulesand taking required safety training.

Who do I ask if I have a health or safety question?Ask your employer or supervisor first, or contact the Workplace Health and Safety Call Centre and talk with one of our staff (toll free 1-866-415-8690). You can also reach usat www.whs.gov.ab.ca. If you’re experi-encing a serious problem, one of ouroccupational health and safety officerscan drop by the workplace and checkthings out. All questions and com-plaints are kept confidential.

WEB LINKS

www.yworker.com/english/index.htm Young Worker Awareness Program from Ontario’sWorkplace Safety and Insurance Board

www.worksafebc.com/news/campaigns/young_workers/default.aspBritish Columbia’s Workers’ Compensation BoardYoung Worker Site

www.alis.gov.ab.ca/pdf/cshop/xtremesafety.pdf A booklet for young workers produced byWorkplace Health and Safety.

IN THE ALBERTA GOVERNMENT LIBRARY – LABOUR BUILDING

BooksJob Safety Skills for Young WorkersEdmonton, Alberta: Job Safety Skills Society, 1997(T55.2 J62 1997)

VideosSafety and the Young Worker, 10 min. A series of re-enactments shows unsafe work situations and ways to correct them. Directed atteenage audiences. (VC0181)

Dying for Work, 19 min.CTV's W5 investigative report into deaths andinjuries among young workers. (VC0345)

Safety Orientation, 22 min.Covers aspects of construction safety. Suggestedfor young workers. (VC0232)

This article is a condensed version of theWorkplace Health and Safety bulletin TenQuestions to Ask Your Employer. Find thecomplete publication under Publicationson the WHS Web site (www.whs.gov.ab.ca)or call the Workplace Health and SafetyCall Centre (1-866-415-8690) and ask fora copy to be mailed to you.

Ten Questionsto Ask Your Employer

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Are you still being told that the only way to lift an objectis to place it between your legs and then lift with your

legs, not your back? The person who gave that advice neverhad to lift a bundle of three-metre-long pipes. Or a washerand dryer. This advice doesn’t reflect the real world of over-sized pipes, appliances and boxes. And it assumes thatmany people have sufficient leg strength to perform the lift— many simply do not. With up to 80 per cent of all adultsexpected to experience back pain during their lifetime,learning to lift, lower and move objects safely is very important.

Revisiting the causes of back injuryOverexertion injuries result from overloading or over-

stretching muscles, tendons and ligaments. Overloadingexceeds their strength, and overstretching exceeds theirrange of motion. Overuse injuries result from using mus-cles, tendons or ligaments so much that they become damaged.

In moderation, for example, the task of manually loadingpallets may not be particularly hazardous. But if you repeatthe task endlessly for eight hours each day, in an awkwardbody position and without allowing the body enough timeto recover, you may end up with a back injury.

Activity is your best friendSome people still believe that to reduce the risk of low-

back injury, all activities involving lifting, lowering andmoving objects should be eliminated. This isn’t quite cor-rect. To remain healthy, muscles and other tissues must bechallenged. The key is making sure that the challenge is suf-ficient — not too little, not too much. The worker slinging40-kilogram bags of cement may need to reduce how muchshe works with her back. The process-control operator, whosits at a console all day without moving much, might bebetter off with a mix of work activities that includes usinghis back.

Work up your strengthTo avoid injuring the muscles, tendons and ligaments in

your back, you must give them a chance to adapt to loads ofincreasing weight. You want to expose them to loads thatchallenge but don’t damage them. Equally important, youwant to allow them time to recover between periods ofactivity. Gradually increasing the weight they must carryand the length of time they are used improves these bodytissues’ tolerance to injury.

Work up your enduranceMuscle endurance, which helps tissues work longer with-

out tiring and losing their ability to work effectively, hasmore protective value than muscular strength. Researchshows that exercise programs combining cardiovascularexercise with low-back exercises are more effective than pro-grams emphasizing low-back exercises alone. Cardiovascularexercise such as walking briskly, skating or cross-countryskiing helps build muscle endurance.

Lifting principlesWhile employers should eliminate as much manual lift-

ing and lowering as practical, there will still be times whenobjects must be handled manually.

Is there one perfect technique for lifting? Unfortunatelynot. But do follow the four principles below as much as pos-sible when lifting. Make sure your co-workers’ or employees’methods follow these principles.

1. Keep the natural curve in your lower back When standing straight, the lower back naturally curves tocreate a slight hollow. Always try to maintain this curvewhen lifting, lowering or moving objects. The spine and back are most stable in this position.

2. Contract your abdominal muscles Contract the abdominal muscles during lifting, loweringand moving activities. This improves spine stability.Sometimes described as “bracing,” contracting the abdomi-nal muscles even slightly (as little as four to five per cent)improves spine stability and reduces the likelihood ofinjury.

3. Avoid twistingTwisting the back can make it less stable, increasing thelikelihood of injury. Bracing helps reduce any tendency to twist.

E r g o t i p s

by Ray Cislo

The sedentary worker may actually be at greater risk of injury than the labourer.

and your

Some Fresh IdeasLifting Back

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4. Hold it closeKeep the load as close to the belly button and body aspossible. Doing so reduces the strain on muscles of theback and trunk. If necessary, use protective clothingsuch as leather aprons so that sharp, dirty, hot or coldobjects can be held as close to the body as possible.

R e s o u r c e s

WEB LINKS

www.gov.ab.ca/hre/whs/publications/pdf/ph003.pdfLet’s Back Up a Bit — Some Truths About Back Belts

www.gov.ab.ca/hre/whs/publications/pdf/bcl001.pdfLifting and Handling Loads — Part 1: Reviewing the Issues

www.gov.ab.ca/hre/whs/publications/pdf/bcl002.pdfLifting and Handling Loads — Part 2: Assessing Ergonomic Hazards

www.gov.ab.ca/hre/whs/publications/pdf/bcl003.pdfLifting and Handling Loads — Part 3: Reducing Ergonomic Hazards

Seven myths about back pain1. If you’ve slipped a disk (also known as a herniated orruptured disk), you must have surgery. Surgeons agreeabout exactly who should have surgery.

Causes of back pain can be complex and difficult to diagnose. Opinions and treatment approaches varyamong surgeons and health professionals. Only abouttwo percent of all persons with back pain actually needsurgery. Who you see is what you get.

2. X-ray images, CT and MRI scans can always identifythe cause of pain.

In research studies, abnormalities of the spine were ascommon in people without back pain as those sufferingwith back pain. Seeing abnormalities with these imagingmethods is no guarantee that the cause of pain has beenfound.

3. If your back hurts, you should take it easy until thepain goes away.

Persons with back pain who continue routine activi-ties as normally as possible do better than those who tryeither bed rest or immediate exercise. It is often helpfulto have persons with back pain return to some form oflight work until they have recovered more fully.

4. Most back pain is caused by injuries or heavy lifting.Some back pain is related to serious disease or physical

problems of the spine. Up to 85 per cent of persons withback pain, however, can’t recall a specific incident thatbrought on their pain. Heavy lifting or injuries, thoughrisk factors, do not account for most episodes.

5. Back pain is usually disabling.Most people with back pain simply get better, regard-

less of whether they receive treatment or the treatmentmethod used. Only a small percentage of workers withback pain miss work because of it. Most people who leavework return within six weeks, and only a small percent-age never return to their jobs.

6. Everyone with back pain should have a spine x-ray.X-rays often provide little more useful information

than the physical assessment performed by a health pro-fessional. Low-back x-rays may also involve unnecessaryexposure of the reproductive organs to radiation.

7. Bed rest is the mainstay of therapy.This is old thinking. Studies have shown that four days

of bed rest turns out to be no more effective than twodays, or even no bed rest at all. These same studies haveshown that people who remain active despite pain expe-rience less ongoing pain in the future. And they makeless use of health care services.

Source: Deyo, RA. “Low-Back Pain,” Scientific American, August 1998.

The September 2002 issue of Occupational Health & SafetyMagazine will provide a full discussion of these myths. Ifyou would like information sooner, consult the articlenoted above, “Low-Back Pain,” or a qualified health prac-titioner.

Sources

“Biomechanics of the Thoracolumbar Spine”by S.M. McGill, in Clinical Biomechanics, edited by ZeeviDvir. Churchill Livingstone, 2000.

“Low Back Injury: Improving Prevention Strategiesand Rehabilitation Approaches,” A lecture delivered by S.M. McGill, December 2001,Edmonton, Alberta.

natural curve

Ray Cislo, P.Eng., B.Sc., (H.K.) is a safety engineering specialist atWorkplace Health and Safety.

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Hai

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The neon signs are everywhere: HAIR AND NAILS.Everyone, it seems, wants beautifully styled hair

and perfectly polished nails. Clients at the hairsalon relax in cushy chairs while their hair is sham-pooed, cut and dried, and perhaps curled, extended,woven or permed. Fingernails and toenails may alsobe clipped, shaped, extended and/or painted.

The customer may leave the salon coiffed andbuffed, but how does the work on hair and nailsaffect the technicians? Both anecdotal evidence andwell-researched studies note significant occupation-al hazards. Hair stylists’ work is hard on backs, feet,hands, arms and skin. Long-term exposure to someof the chemicals they use can also lead to seriouslong-term health problems.

“Most people enter the profession at very youngages, 18 or 19,” says Amerigo Bruno. “They don’t payattention to their bodies.” Bruno, a hair stylist atAlta Moda in Edmonton, points out that few peoplestay in the industry into their late forties. He specu-lates that many can’t tolerate the damage to theirbodies. “It’s overtaxing the body, and down the road prevents them from being in the business. If der-matitis conditions don’t get them, then arms,backs, knees and shoulders do.”

Manicurists should be concerned about their regularly inhaling potentially harmful vapours andmists given off by cleansers, strengtheners, polishesand glues.

However, hazards can be minimized. The designof working areas, the ventilation system, and

equipment design and use, all affect exposure levels. Attention to posture and exercise, and tofootwear also plays a role.

How’s your back?Lower back pain and medical problems with feetand legs are common ailments. Many stylists worklong hours standing on hard floors, which cancause fallen arches, varicose veins and other circula-tion problems. Carol Pashak, a veteran stylist atPropaganda Hair, speaks from personal experience.“When our salon first opened, it had a cement floorand stylists suffered from sore feet, legs and backs.The second year, a sub-floor was put in and thathelped tremendously.”

Owners of salons and hair-cutting establishmentscan do their part to minimize these types ofinjuries by installing adjustable stools or highchairs that allow the stylist to sit while performingclient services. “When it comes to feet, stylists andhairdressers can be their own worst enemies,” saysCarol Pashak. “The industry is very fashion-oriented,so stylists often wear footwear that looks great butoffers no form of support. Cutting hair in heels canbe a real killer.” Where possible, workers should useappropriate seating such as sit/stand stools, and

“Repetitive strain injuries are a large part of the reason people leave the industry,

If dermatitis conditions don’t get them, then arms, backs, knees and shoulders do.”

r and Nailsby Jeff Day and Juliet Kershaw

Cutting hair in heels can be a real killer.

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less harmful than those of even a fewyears ago, as manufacturers respond to consumers demanding “natural”products. Bruno points out that theammonia level in some permanentcolours and perming solutions hasbeen reduced by two-thirds. Still, stylists and colourists need to knowthe safe exposure levels of the chemicals they are exposed to everyday. It’s important to know when exposure levels are too high and totake measures to prevent overexposure.

Preventing overexposure tochemicalsA number of products commonly usedin the beauty industry may containhazardous ingredients. As products donot routinely list ingredients or long-term exposure hazards on their labels,it’s best to contact the manufacturersto find out this information.“Reputable companies are open abouttheir products’ ingredients,” saysBruno. “Link up with and buy yourproducts from those.”

Some of the more harmful ingredients include:

•Ammonia: “It’s as harmful as bleach.It’s hard on the body and on theskin,” says Bruno, speaking fromexperience. Ammonia is used in mostcolour and perm solutions, thoughsome products have reduced theamount by up to two-thirds in thelast few years. For people sensitive toammonia, some colours availabletoday are “derived from 95 per centnatural ingredients,” says Bruno.

starting work, or on breaks, just asrunners stretch to prevent injury.

The skinny on skinHand dermatitis and eczema are com-mon ailments among hairdressers andaestheticians. The wet-dry cycle andthe constant use of skin irritants(soaps, shampoos and detergents) produce favourable conditions for avariety of skin problems. With beauty professionals, skin problems mostlyoccur on the hands, but any part ofthe body can be affected. Althoughmany chemicals can cause skin condi-tions, the responses may be different.One person can use bleach all the timeand never have a problem, whileanother can use it once and sufferfrom a reaction. Chemicals in hair-careproducts and cosmetics mainly causecontact dermatitis, which can vary inappearance from redness of the skin,to a rash, hives, dryness, scaling, blis-tering or oozing.

Treating skin conditions isn’t easy.Hand protection — such as gloves andemollients — are problematic becauseof the hands-on nature of the work.Rubber gloves are awkward and tendto tangle in wet hair, and many stylistscan’t use creams as they tend to wearoff (usually in the client’s hair). Latexgloves can also cause the very prob-lems they are meant to avoid. Allergiesto natural rubber latex products arewidespread. Latex and the powdersused in the gloves have been identifiedas the causative agents of various typesof skin problems and other allergicreactions, including more severe ana-phylactic reactions, similar to the reactions that somepeople experiencewhen they getstung by bees. Non-allergenic glovesare now widelyavailable.

Long-term expo-sure to productslike hair dyes, hairspray, perming andwave solutions, nailpolishes andremovers can causeboth skin and res-piratory problems.Many studies havefound an increasedincidence of canceramong salon staff.

Happily, moreproducts availableto salons today are

consider the importance of appropri-ate footwear such as low-heeled, com-fortable, covered shoes. Salon ownerscan also decrease workers’ leg and footpain by installing softer flooring (sub-flooring, anti-fatigue mats, etc.)around the stylists’ work areas.

Repetitive strain injuriesHair stylists, particularly, spend a lotof time doing the same tasks over andover again. Bruno cites repetitivestrain injuries such as carpal tunnelsyndrome (CTS) as being particularlyprevalant among hair stylists.“Repetitive strain injuries are a largepart of the reason people leave theindustry,” says Bruno.

Repetitive tasks and motions, suchas hair cutting and shampooing, canresult in carpal tunnel syndrome ortendinitis. The warning signs of CTSinclude intermittent pain and numb-ness in the fingers, primarily at night.The treatment for CTS varies with theindividual, the symptoms, and theoverall severity of the condition. It mayrequire changing technique, perform-ing a variety of different jobs at thesalon (job rotation), exercising tostrengthen the arms and hands, andperhaps seeking the help of a physio-therapist or other health professional.

Bruno says that he changed the wayhe works after attending a course thattaught stylists to take an ergonomicapproach to cutting hair. “I learnedhow to stand, how to minimize move-ments associated with cutting, stylingand drying hair.” When styling hairusing a round brush, he says to illus-trate his point, a person doesn’t haveto turn the hand and wrist but insteadcan allow the hair simply to curlaround the brush. Using the brushproperly eliminates hundreds ofunnecessary hand movements. Thesame applies to cutting hair. “Youdon’t need to snip,” he says.”Instead oftaking 20 snips, you open and closethe blade of the scissors as if you werecutting a piece of fabric.” Again, thisreduces the amount you’re using yourhands.

Hair stylists and others with jobsfocused on intensive manual work,should warm up their hands with afive-minute exercise routine before

With beauty professionals,skin problems mostly occuron the hands, but any partof the body can be affected.

To help fend off injury to forearms andhands, before you pick up the scissors eachday, do this:

1. Extend and stretch both wrists and fingers, as if they are in a handstandposition. Hold for a count of five.

2. Straighten both wrists and relax fingers. 3. Make a tight fist with both hands. Then

bend both wrists down while keepingthe fist. Hold for a count of five.

4. Straighten both wrists and relax fin-gers, for a count of five.

Repeat exercise 10 times, then hang armsloosely at side and shake them for a coupleof seconds.

O C C U P A T I O N A L H E A L T H & S A F E T Y M A G A Z I N E • M A Y 2 0 0 2 17

provide labels, MSDSs, and worker education programs for their employees and contractors. All controlled products must be properlylabelled. Products available to the public through retail sale may beexempt from the WHMIS requirements, however, many reputable suppliers will provide MSDSs on request.

In co-operative work situations,where individuals work independentlybut share space, they are responsiblefor their own and co-workers’ safety.That means they are obligated to worktogether to determine and minimizerisks caused by environmental factorssuch as lighting, ventilation, furnish-ings and products.

Health risks in the hairdressingindustry are manageable. Most of theoccupational hazards can be mini-mized or eliminated through a common sense approach to key riskfactors. Hair stylists who are aware ofand adopt healthy ways of workingearly increase their chances of stayingwell in the industry.

Jeff Day is co-owner of Hok Nik Creative in Edmonton.Juliet Kershaw is an Edmonton-based writer and editor.

R e s o u r c e s

WEB LINKS

www.cdc.gov/niosh/hc28.htmlControlling Chemical Hazards in the Application ofArtificial Fingernails

www.gov.mb.ca/labour/safety/publicat/bulletin/bltn144.htmlWHMIS and Cosmetics

IN THE ALBERTA GOVERNMENT LIBRARY – LABOUR BUILDING

BooksHealth Hazard Manual for Cosmetologists,Hairdressers, Beauticians and Barbersby Nellie BrownAlbany, New York: New York State Department ofHealth, Bureau of Occupational Health, 1990(TT 958 B7 1990)

Health and Safety for Hair Care and BeautyProfessionals: A Curriculum on Hazards at WorkCalifornia State Board of Barbering andCosmetology, Occupational Health Program, 1993(TT 968 C34 1993)

Occupational Exposures of Hairdressers andBarbers and Personal Use of Hair Colourants:Some Hair Dyes, Cosmetic Colourants, IndustrialDyestuffs and Aromatic AminesIARC Monographs on the Evaluation ofCarcinogenic Risks to Humans, Volume 57. France:International Agency for Research on Cancer.(R268.57 IN8 V57 1993)

•Methacrylic acid: a caustic substance used as a nail “primer” inartificial-nail kits. The primers areused to etch the surface of the origi-nal nail, preparing it for the acrylicand polymer solutions that combineto create the artificial nail.

•Formaldehyde: a toxic air contaminant that may be carcino-genic if inhaled. Fingernail polishand hardeners may release signifi-cantly higher amounts of formalde-hyde than previously thought,according to a study undertaken bythe California Air Resources Board.

•Glutaraldehyde (GTA): GTA is used asa preservative in cosmetics, in skinand hair care products, and for steril-izing barber shop equipment.Symptoms reported in associationwith exposure to GTA include nasalirritation, rhinitis, cough, shortnessof breath, tightness of the chest,wheezing, bronchitis and occupational asthma.

Whose responsibility is it anyway? To decrease the risk of exposure tohazardous chemicals, salon ownersmust follow the Chemical HazardsRegulation, which outlines the legalresponsibilities of owners regardingchemicals used in their workplaces.According to provincial legislation,chemicals that are considered con-trolled substances have occupationalexposure limits. It is the employers’responsibility to know whether theproducts being used within theirestablishment are harmful substances,and whether exposure limits are within acceptable limits prescribed bythe law.

Similarly, employers must abide bythe national Workplace HazardousMaterials Information System(WHMIS). WHMIS ensures suppliersprovide information about the hazardsof materials produced, sold, importedor used in the workplace to employersand workers. Federal legislationrequires suppliers to transmit informa-tion on labels and Material Safety DataSheets (MSDS). MSDSs are technicaldocuments that supplement the infor-mation provided on labels. Theyinform workers about the potentialhazards of controlled products, provide control measures to protect workers and describe emergency procedures. Federal, provincial and territorial occupational health andsafety legislation requires employers to

Beauty Tips• Minimize repetitive movements

involved in cutting, brushing anddrying hair. Develop an awarenessof how much you repeat certainmotions and find ways to reducethe frequency.

• Do stretching exercises to helpprevent repetitive stress and backinjuries.

• Ensure your work environment has adequate ventilation. Be concerned if customers complainof a chemical odour or if staffdevelop headaches.

• Use personal protective equipment when necessary. Thisincludes eyewear, gloves, coveralls(aprons), footwear with non-slipsoles, protective hand creams andrespiratory masks.

• Wear appropriate footwear, suchas low-heeled, comfortable, covered shoes.

• Read and follow all safety precautions on labels. KnowWHMIS.

• Use appropriate seating, such assit/stand stools.

• Use anti-fatigue matting whereyou stand.

• Take breaks. Stand up occasionallyif your work involves a lot of sitting. Sit down occasionally ifyour work involves a lot of standing.

• Work in good light to prevent eye strain.

• Call the Workplace Health andSafety Call Centre at 1-866-415-8690 to find out howto assess hazards and improvehealth and safety at your establishment.

This is the final article in thePartnerships series on the health and

safety management system. For future reference, you may want to clip the briefrecap at the end of this article. It summarizes the essential elements in acomprehensive health and safety program.

Emergency planningEmergency response planning is notjust a concern for government andemergency workers. Many Alberta companies have taken positive steps toplan for the unexpected. Even themost careful company can face a devas-tating emergency that could cost livesand money.

The best way to prepare for an emer-gency is to develop an emergencyresponse plan. Three basic steps gointo creating a plan. First, identify thepotential hazards to your business.These may include on-site risks, suchas fire and hazardous chemicals, andoff-site dangers, such as potential trainderailments or ruptured gas lines. Planappropriate responses on the basis ofthe identified hazards. These might

include evacuation plans for staff andpeople in the surrounding area. Train leaders to respond to an emer-gency. The leaders will work withagencies, such as police and firedepartments, as well as with compa-nies that specialize in dealing withthe potential hazards that you haveidentified in your emergency responseplan. The leaders should have thephone and cell numbers of contacts atthese agencies. Finally, all staff mustbe trained to respond appropriately toemergencies. Regular drills and brief-ings are essential if emergencyresponse plans are to have any value.

Incident reporting

Sometimes the worst-case scenariohappens. Your organization is con-fronted by a workplace incident oflarge or small proportions. Followthrough with your emergency plan.Then, when the dust has settled, inves-tigate the causes in order to prevent arecurrence. Identify any uncontrolledhazards that led to the incident, dis-cover if training is needed or if newprocedures or equipment are required.You may wish to develop a form totrack these concerns and changes.Sample forms can be obtained fromCertifying Partners or from WorkplaceHealth and Safety.

Program managementInvestigation forms are only one partof the record keeping needed to main-tain a safe workplace. Managers mustalso keep clear records describing anddocumenting their health and safety

plans and the steps they have taken tofulfill them. When preparing for ahealth and safety management systemaudit, be sure to have copies of yourhealth and safety policy, hazard assess-ment records, inspection records,training records, incident reports,maintenance records, and the minutesof safety meetings.

Debbie Culbertson is a writer and editor living inDevon, Alberta.

by Debbie Culbertson

On Guardfor Safety

The Health and SafetyManagement System: Part 4

Emergency Planning Incident Reporting Program Administration

R e s o u r c e s

IN THE ALBERTA GOVERNMENT LIBRARY – LABOUR BUILDING

ArticlesFor more information on emergency preparedness,read “Ready for any Emergency” by Bill Corbett inthe January 2002 issue of Occupational Health &Safety Magazine.

For information on incident reporting, read “Clueinto Investigation” by Juliet Kershaw in the January1997 issue of Occupational Health & Safety Magazine.

VideosWorkplace Health and Safety has a number of usefulvideos to assist employers in preparing for anemergency and investigating an incident. Theyinclude:

Health and Safety on the Job: So It Doesn'tHappen Again, 29 min.The four steps that an employer should take wheninvestigating an incident. (VC 0225)

Emergency Preparedness/IncidentPrevention/Crisis, 14 min.How to announce an emergency, conduct anevacuation and handle the media. (FVC 250)

Planned Workplace Inspection, 10 min.The basics of planning and implementing aneffective inspection program within a municipality.(VC 0245)

Partnerships in Health and Safety is aprovince-wide injury prevention program sponsored co-operatively bygovernment, labour and industry.

The Partnerships program offers:• Tools to implement a health and

safety management system

• Guidance in applying for a certificate of recognition (COR)

• The potential for premium refundsfrom the Workers’ CompensationBoard.

Management Commitment: Managersmust not only put safety practicesand procedures in place, they mustensure these are carried out. Hazard Assessment and Control:Identify, eliminate or control potential hazards. Train workers to respond to hazards. Training: Provide employees and managers with regular safety training specific to their industry.Supervisors are responsible forensuring that workers continue toapply the safety practices they havelearned.Inspections: Regular safety inspec-tions ensure that workers and man-agers are complying with the safetyprogram. Companies that want to

maintain certification status (a cer-tificate of recognition) must haveregular safety audits. Emergency Response Plan: Identifythe potential hazards to your business. On the basis of that information, plan an appropriateresponse. Train leaders and staff torespond to the emergency.Incident Investigation: After an incident, investigate its causes.Identify hazards, determine if training, new procedures or equipment are required. Use a form to track concerns and changes.Program Administration: Keep recordsdescribing and documenting healthand safety plans and the steps taken to fulfill them.

O C C U P A T I O N A L H E A L T H & S A F E T Y M A G A Z I N E • M A Y 2 0 0 218

Health and Safety Management System EssentialsRecap

For more information about the Partnerships program, call(780) 427-8842 or toll-free 310-0000.

O C C U P A T I O N A L H E A L T H & S A F E T Y M A G A Z I N E • M A Y 2 0 0 2 19

R e a l W o r l d S o l u t i o n s

Real World Solutions is a regular column thatsuggests simple, inexpensive ways to improve

employee safety and health through adjustmentsto the workplace. What improvements have youmade at your workplace?

If you’ve found a solution worth sharing, pleasesend it to ray.cislo@gov.ab.ca.

The severely bent wrist

The Problem

Flexing your wrist strongly (either up or down)while you engage in any activity for a period oftime can stretch and harm nerves and tendons inthe wrist. The combination of highly flexed orawkward wrist positions and forceful, repetitivemotions can also reduce grip strength and yourability to work effectively.

A Solution

If you can, use anadjustable holdingdevice (a jig) for yourwork. Position thework piece so yourhand stays in a straightline with the forearmwhile you work.

When you type, position your hands onthe keys so your wristsare not flexed

upwards. Keep your hands in line with your forarms while you type.

BenefitThis eliminates potentially harmful wrist posi-tions and improves strength and efficiency.

tilted away

BAD

tilted toward hand

OK

flat and too high

BAD

Last year, extensive stakeholder consultations were completed on the revised occupational health and

safety regulations that govern health and safety inAlberta workplaces. Since then, Workplace Health andSafety staff have included the revisions in the proposedconsolidated regulation, which is now being drafted as legislation.

Drafting delays have occurred because of the document’s size (over 400 pages). The department is looking at different strategies to speed adoption of the stakeholder recommendations. Preparation of a comprehensive guide that will accompany the regulationand explain its requirements is also advancing. Both the regulation and explanation guide are scheduled forrelease this fall.

OHS Regulation Delayed

WANTEDOH&S Magazine advisorsDo you care about health and safety in the work-place? Do you have ideas about how to makeOccupational Health & Safety Magazine an even moreeffective way to share health and safety informa-tion? If so, you may want to invest your time inguiding the development of this publication, nowcelebrating its 25th anniversary. You will be working with others to shape the future of themagazine to share the best occupational healthand safety information with fellow Albertans, inthe most effective way possible. To offer your services, you need relevant background, good ideasand team spirit. You must be prepared to meetthree times a year in Edmonton to assist the magazine editors plan and review magazine content and production. If you are interested incontinuing the excellence of Occupational Health &Safety Magazine, consider applying to become amember of the Occupational Health & SafetyMagazine Advisory Board. For more information or application procedures, please call Erika Albert-Johnson at (780) 415- 9948. Applications arereviewed and approved by the board. (Please notethat board members are not reimbursed forexpenses incurred by attending meetings.)

O C C U P A T I O N A L H E A L T H & S A F E T Y M A G A Z I N E • M A Y 2 0 0 220

Grant MacEwen College — LifeSupport Trainingwww.gmcc.ab.ca/CEP/LifeSupport.html

Miscellaneous commercialsites with a safety focusDaltec Occupational Health Serviceswww.daltec-health.com/

Occutechwww.telusplanet.net/~occutech/

Cowan Technical Services Ltd.www.cowantechnical.com/cts2.htm

WorkSmart Injury ManagementSystemswww.worksmart.ab.ca/home.html

Ward Industrial Safetywww.cadvision.com/ward1st/index.html

North Safetywww.northsafety.ca/index.html

Canadian College of EmergencyMedical Serviceswww.ccofems.org/programs/firstaid.htm

World Wide Learnwww.worldwidelearn.com/index.html

In the next issue, I’ll be suggestingsome interesting Canadian sitesoutside Alberta. Once again, thislist is NOT exhaustive. The sites list-ed in this issue were chosen fromamong 236,000 hits produced fromthe key words “safety” and“Alberta.” The list should get you onyour way to adding to your“favourites” many more sites thatmeet your particular needs.

Bob Christie is a partner at ChristieCommunications Ltd., a multimedia develop-ment company in Edmonton. Bob also sup-plies most of the Web link resources for thearticles in this magazine.

Your Electronic Bookshelf

Continuing on from the last issue,here are some more health and safetyWeb site addresses to enlarge your elec-tronic bookshelf. Not all the sites willbe of interest to you. Choose the onesthat are relevant and discard the rest.

One hint as you build your list offavourites. By now, the majority ofsuppliers (manufacturers, distributors,dealers and service providers) haveWeb sites. To come up with a range of suppliers, you can use a searchengine, or put the name of the company or product into the search. Ifyou can’t find your favourite supplieron-line, contact the company and askthem for their address. Pretty soonyou will have your own virtual shop-ping mall, allowing you to get infor-mation, specifications and even orderthe products and services you need —all through the Web. I have listed afew product and service providers asexamples, but I encourage you to per-sonalize your list.

Non-commercial sites withhealth and safety interestsFaculty of Extension, University ofAlberta Occupational Health andSafety www.extension.ualberta.ca/occhealth/

Workers’ Compensation Board –Alberta www.wcb.ab.ca/

NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute ofTechnology) Occupational Health andSafety www.nait.ab.ca/hr/who/ohs.htm

CSSE (Canadian Society of SafetyEngineering), Edmonton Chapter www.freenet.edmonton.ab.ca/csse/csse.htm

Safety First Occupational Health andSafety Links plaza.powersurfr.com/safetyfirst/

Concordia University College —Environmental Health www.concordia.ab.ca/admission/eh-ad.php

by Bob Christie

W e b W a t c h e r

Two and a half years after its intro-duction, the Mission Possible @

Work (MP @ Work) driver awarenessand education program is doing its job.Unlike traditional skills-based pro-grams, MP @ Work targets driver atti-tude and behaviour in the workplace.The initiative is now one of the mostwidely embraced workplace traffic safe-ty programs in North America, withmore than 180 participating organiza-tions.

The program is implemented in anorganization by employees trained asfacilitators. MP @ Work provides train-ing materials on a number of topics,each related to a specific driving haz-ard, such as winter driving, animals,inattention and speed. The facilitatorsguide their fellow workers through onetopic a session, following a step-by-stepmanual, complemented by video andoverheads.

MP @ Work has had particular suc-cess in the petroleum industry, wheremotor vehicle collisions cause more on-the-job fatalities than all other causescombined. Through a partnership withthe Petroleum Safety Council, almost60 member companies are now partici-pating.

Companies that have implementedthe program are seeing tangibleresults. At Enerplus, after the numberof company drivers doubled in twoyears, crashes, speed violations andinsurance premiums were on theincrease. The company adopted MP @Work and saw the incidence of speed-ing tickets issued to company driversdrop significantly. There have also been60 per cent fewer collisions with ani-mals. About half of the company’s 190staff has participated in the program.

Mary Jo Spence, the environmentand safety technologist at Enerplus,says employees find the program easyto implement and manage. Facilitatorswho approached the sessions with trep-idation have reported they are extreme-ly comfortable in their roles. “Theemployees are buying in. It’s not some-thing that management thinks willwork; it is being driven by employees,”confirms Spence.

For more information on the MP @Work program, contact Dawn Green at(780) 430-5793 or dgreen@ama.ab.ca.

part 2

Job-related driving improves thanks to

O C C U P A T I O N A L H E A L T H & S A F E T Y M A G A Z I N E • M A Y 2 0 0 2 21

No, but you can protect yourself

Can’t Take the

Problem Symptoms Treatment Prevention

Heat rash (prickly heat)

Sunburn

Heat Cramps

Heat Exhaustion

Heat Stroke • medical emergency • monitor your temperature

WEB LINKS

www.fda.gov/fdac/features/1997/597_heat.html Information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

www.ci.garland.tx.us/health/cogheat1.htm Heatstroke prevention, from the City of Garland, Texas.

www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/heatillness.html Heat-related health problems and prevention, from the U.S. NationalLibrary of Medicine.

www.gov.ab.ca/hre/whs/publications/pdf/mg022.pdf“Working in the Heat,” a Workplace Health and Safety bulletin.

Last summer in Alberta, ayoung roughneck workingin 28°C heat died fromheat stroke. Doing hardphysical work in any temperature over 21° C can bring on heat stroke.Heat stroke is serious. Itcan result in brain dam-age or death.

R e s o u r c e s

• small red raised blisters• skin feels itchy or prickly• inflammation around the

sweat glands• reduced sweat production

• rest and stay cool• keep the skin clean and dry• limit further exposure• seek medical aid or advice

from oh&s personnel

• change frequently into dry, moisture-absorbing clothing (cotton is good)

• apply mild, drying lotions• cool sleeping quarters to allow the

skin to dry between heat exposures • keep the skin as dry as possible

• can be mild or severe• sweat does not evaporate• skin reddens and may blister

• cover exposed areas• apply lotion to reduce

inflammation or swelling• DO NOT break any blisters

that have formed

• keep your shirt on• always use sunscreen

on exposed areas

• painful spasms of musclesused during work that startduring or after work

• drink lots of water• seek medical attention if

the cramps are severe

• acclimatize to your workingconditions

• fatigue • nausea• headache or giddiness• clammy and moist skin• extreme thirst• fainting

• obtain medical assistance• move to a cooler area• drink water

• drink plenty of water and juice• avoid overexertion • monitor your temperature

• hot dry skin, usually mottled,red or blue-tinged

• feelings of numbness• no sweating• reduced mental alertness• weakness• drowsiness• dilated pupils• decreased muscular activity

and coordination• erratic behaviour• core body temperature greater

than 40.5° C• loss of consciousness

Heat?Hot sunny days are great for lying around at the lake or on the patio. But workingunder the broiling sun is rarely comfortable — or healthy.

If you overheat your body and expose yourself to harmful UV rays or infrared radiation, you may end up suffering from heat rash, sunburn or heat stroke. Makesure you protect yourself from the heat and sun when working outside. Pocket thechart below to stay cool — and safe.

O C C U P A T I O N A L H E A L T H & S A F E T Y M A G A Z I N E • M A Y 2 0 0 222

by Colin Kerr

Don’t let this happen to you

The action I took on a Sunday morn-ing in the summer of 1992 changed mylife and the lives of my fellow workersforever. I’m sure that day is still freshin the minds of the foreman, who isalso my friend, and the worker whohad a front row seat as the eventsunfolded. I hope my lesson preventsthem from joining me as a statistic andencourages them to testify to othersabout the importance of safety.

I hold no hard feelings toward any-one. It was my responsibility to keepout of the danger zone on the con-struction site I was working on. Thatday, the moment I moved from myposition of safety, I put myself in thepath of a concrete manhole barrel.Then it fell.

Although the date of the incident isrecorded as August 30, 1992, in mymind the events leading up to that daybegan on April 18, 1988. I was 20 yearsold, and just hired as a truck-checkerby a general contractor who worked onearth-removal jobs. As I drove to myfirst day of work, I didn’t know what Ihad been hired to do or where I wouldbe working. I was given 30 minutes ofinstruction and my supervisor leftwith, “I hope you packed a big lunch,because we’re working 14 hours a day,seven days a week.” At 8:30 p.m., thesupervisor came and asked me how itwas going. I replied, “good.”“Tomorrow will be busier,” he said. Ijust assumed work was like this, sowent along with anything I was askedto do.

The contractor liked my work ethic.Four months later, I was moved to anunderground project where storm, san-itary and water lines were beinginstalled. My first day on site, I wasagain learning as I went and had tocope with the frustrations of the

foreman and pipelayer who wereyelling all the time. Again, my workethic helped me prevail. I worked hardand got results. I was responsible andhad a good relationship with my fellowworkers. But safety was a subject thatwasn’t stressed and it was something Ididn’t think about.

I left the contractor in the fall of1990 but was rehired in the spring of1992. At 25, I felt invincible. Safetymeetings weren’t regular, but I didn’tthink I needed them anyway. I’d hadsome close calls in my young career butnever thought the “big one” would hap-pen to me. As summer slid by, life atthe site was unchanged; short cutswere taken and morale was average,but I felt I could roll with anything. Itook a holiday; my life was sweet.

On the August Sunday of the inci-dent, we were working on a road-build-ing site. To raise the height of the exist-ing manhole connecting the under-ground pipe to road level, a track-hoewas about to lift a second concretemanhole barrel onto the existing bar-rel. A second worker and I had theexisting barrel ready and were standingwell back from the action. I suddenly realized someone had to be inside thebarrel to guide the new one into place.Without thinking, I went to climbinside the barrel. I heard a yell and felta big weight crash onto my right side.

When I came round, I was lyingbeside a retaining wall. My right sidefelt frozen. As I was loaded into theambulance I thought I had a brokenarm and would be back on the job in afew weeks. When I woke in the hospitalthe next morning with a heavily band-aged right arm, I discovered my righthand had been amputated at the wrist.

I made the decision then that I’dlearn to deal with my disability, and Ihave. Although the construction com-pany was very supportive afterwards,its employees suffered personally andthe company suffered financially as aresult of the incident. I know I wouldnot want anyone to go through whatI’ve been through, and I think I can saythe company wouldn’t want any otherbusiness to suffer the consequences it did.

I clearly understand now that safetyis everyone’s responsibility, that each ofus is accountable for our actions. Ilacked training and accepted orderswithout question, even when the workenvironment wasn’t safe. My employerliked me for my strong work ethic but Inever thought much about safety.

I’m telling my story so you won’t gethurt. It doesn’t matter how old you areor what position you hold, safety is upto you. If you protect yourself first, you will be able to help others stay safe as well.

Alberta to reduce workplaceinjuries by 40 per centWorkplace Safety 2.0 - A forumAlberta Human Resources and Employment Minister Clint Dunford hasintroduced a bold new target for workplace health and safety in theprovince.

The goal? To significantly reduce lost-time claim rates.

The target? A lost-time claim rate of 2.0 per 100 person years worked in2004, a reduction from 3.4 in 2000.

On May 8, 2002, industry, labour, safety associations and governmentmet in Edmonton to develop a strategy to make this happen.

Find out about the new joint industry and government strategy toreduce injuries in Alberta work sites. Find out how you can help.

Visit the Workplace Health and Safety Web site www.whs.gov.ab.caor call toll free 1-866-415-8690

Colin Kerr lost his right hand as a result of a 1992

construction-site incident. Hetells his story here, hoping itwill encourage young workersto take safety on the job seriously and prevent othersfrom suffering.

O C C U P A T I O N A L H E A L T H & S A F E T Y M A G A Z I N E • M A Y 2 0 0 2 23

Occupational Health & Safety Magazinepublishes Workplace Fatalities to remindreaders of the importance of workplacehealth and safety. The information is not afinal investigation report. In many casesinvestigations are continuing. Final investi-gation reports are filed at the AlbertaGovernment Library – Labour Building Siteand can be reviewed there or on theWorkplace Health and Safety Web site atwww.whs.gov.ab.ca under fatality reports. An occupational fatality refers to the deathof a worker caused by a work-related inci-dent or exposure. To protect personal priva-cy, the fatality descriptions do not includethe names of the deceased.

Work-related incident fatalitiesMost work-related incident fatalities thatfall under provincial jurisdiction are inves-tigated by Workplace Health and Safety. Ingeneral, highway traffic, farm, disease orheart attack fatalities are not investigated.

The following fatalities have been or arebeing investigated.

A 40-year-old foreman and two workers were installing insulation on thepartially finished roof of an industrialbuilding under construction. The foremanwas walking along the most recently sheet-ed part of the slightly sloped roof, with theuncompleted roof to his right, when he felland struck the concrete floor 12 metresbelow. He died from his injuries.

A 36-year-old junior wirelineoperator died while driving from campto a work site, when his wireline loggingtruck rolled off a bridge on an icy oilfieldlease road.

A 38-year-old maintenance man wasworking on a dump truck. The box was raisedbut not adequately blocked. The box droppedand trapped the man between the undersideof the box and the frame of the truck.

A 21-year-old swamper was workingas part of a three-person crew on a pipelineproject. The crew was placing pipe on wood-en skid piles using a pipelayer (sideboom).The sideboom had hooked a piece of pipeand was lowering it when the boom camedown and struck the swamper, fatally injuring him.

A 59-year-old truck driver wasunstrapping a load of fence posts on a pub-lic road outside a business, while workersin forklifts unloaded the posts. The truckdriver undid the final strap on one unstablesection of the load, and a bundle of fence

October 2001 — January 2002

W o r k p l a c e F a t a l i t i e s

posts weighing approximately 750 kilograms fell on him.

A 33-year-old coil tubing unitoperator was fatally injured at an oillease site when he was struck by pieces of apiping manifold that had exploded. Themanifold, which had previously containedoil, was being purged with air.

A 58-year-old journeymanelectrician was working in a warehouseinstalling a non-energized cable traybetween an electrical room and two termi-nal boxes in the warehouse. He fell onto theconcrete floor and suffered fatal injuries.

A 51-year-old motorman was work-ing with a crew on an oil rig, tripping in(putting pipe into the well bore) a 28.5-metre stand of drill pipe. The top of thepipe stand was latched into a hoistingmechanism (elevators), but the derrickmanwas unable to stop the stand and elevatorsfrom swinging to the back of the derrick.As the top of the pipe was hoisted upward,the motorman was on the derrick floorpreparing to stab the pipe into the wellbore. Then the swinging elevators got stuckon a crossbeam of the derrick, applyingtension to the pipe stand. The tensioncaused the stand to kick out and strike themotorman, crushing him to the rig floordoors. He died on the way to hospital.

A 23-year-old rig hand with sevenmonths’ experience was killed when a bri-dle line (large cable used to raise and lowerthe derrick) fell and struck him. A workerin the derrick had been preparing to laythe bridle line into the hook for loweringthe derrick. Three of the four sets of chainsholding the bridle line in the derrick wereundone. As the worker tried to undo theropes holding back the top of the bridleline, the ropes broke and the bridle line fellon the rig hand on the rig floor.

A 32-year-old derrickman was assist-ing another derrickman install an electricwinch on the stabbing board (a temporaryelevated work platform used to run casingwhen drilling). The worker had positionedhimself on a fluorescent light fixtureattached to a horizontal beam on the der-rick but failed to tie-off with fall protec-tion. The light brackets broke and the work-er fell 15 metres to the rig floor. He diedfrom his injuries.

A 54-year-old tree faller was falling a30-metre lodgepole pine when it struck asmaller tree, which caused the smaller tree to break and whip back towards theworker, hitting him in the head.

A 46-year-old tree faller, the directorof a logging operation, was on site when a logging crew was attempting to fall a lodgepole pine. When the tree fell, a snag log, about eight metres high, struck the man. None of the logging crew was aware the owner was on site until theincident occurred.

Occupational diseasefatalities acceptedDisease fatalities represent claims that have been accepted by the Workers’Compensation Board (WCB) – Alberta forcompensation. They are counted in the year they are accepted.

A 68-year-old auto mechanic, thenteacher, who suffered heart failure result-ing from complications related to perma-nent disabilities and surgery for a numberof injuries suffered between 1962 and 1980.

A 76-year-old labourer, who workedin the animal-hide tanning industry for 15and was exposed to high concentrations ofchemical fumes.

The following fatalities resulted fromexposure to asbestos.

A 54-year-old furnace-cleaningtechnician who was exposed to asbestosin the workplace for more than 20 years.

A 56-year-old instrumenttechnician, who was exposed to asbestosinsulation in 1966 while working atindustrial plants.

A 62-year-old constructionelectrician, who was exposed to asbestosfrom 1948 to the mid-1980s while workingas an electrician at a neon productionplant.

A 67-year-old insulator, who wasexposed to asbestos while applying spray-oninsulation to the inside of an aircrafthangar in 1954.

A 68-year-old plumber, who diedfrom repeated exposure to asbestos in 1957.

A 74-year-old truck driver andparts person, who was exposed toasbestos in the 1970s while handling brakesand other items that contained asbestos.

A 76-year-old carpenter, who wasexposed to asbestos from 1980 to 1990 whileemployed in the construction industry.

An 80-year-old constructionelectrician, who was exposed to asbestos from 1952 to 1983 while workingin boiler rooms.

Spot the new guy.

Half of all injured workers are hurt in their first year on the job.A brutal statistic. Whatever a worker’s age, if they’re new on the job,

they’re at risk. Make workplace safety your top priority.

Alberta Construction Safety Association • Alberta Hotel Safety Association • Alberta Human Resources and Employment • Manufacturers’ Health and Safety Association • Workers’ Compensation Board – Alberta

9th Floor, 10808-99 AvenueEdmonton, Alberta

T5K 0G5

ISSN 0705-6052 © 2002