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Cryoports out of 80-centimetre-high shipping containers. Workers would then pour the liquid nitrogen into the Cryoport, place it on a scale, and then deposit it back into the shipping container. The centre’s biospecimens group brought the problem to Coope, whose team has several engineers at the BC Cancer Agency’s prototyping facility in Vancouver. They developed a custom solution via a simple crane and cart-lifting mechanism. The crane lifts the Cryoports high enough to get them into and out of the shipping containers, loads and unloads the cart, and drops the containers on the scale for weighing. Workers strap the Cryoports into the cart and can then tip them in a controlled way while the cart’s brakes are on. “The key to getting a design that really works is to build prototypes that the users can actually test, then modify those 18 “The best testament is silence; we’ve had no complaints.” —Robin Coope, group leader for instrumentation at Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre March / April 2013 WorkSafe Magazine components, and test again — until the users are truly satisfied,” Coope says. Their clever, yet simple device earned the BC Cancer Agency the top prize, but Coope says, “The best testament is silence; we’ve had no complaints. The system simplifies the procedure and makes it safe — that’s what’s important.” The University of British Columbia’s (UBC) risk management services department was named runner-up in this year’s contest. This group improved a lifting task by making creative use of an existing piece of equipment. “The task was to move a 205-litre oil drum into a cargo container for storage,” says Bang Dang, technician for environmental services. “But without an access ramp, the driver had to unload the drum manually.” So, Dang placed a call to UBC ergonomist Abigail Overduin. Turns out, the best solution was right before their eyes: an eagle beak drum-lifter that had been purchased by the department years ago, but was no longer in use. “Now, the lifter and the forklift pick up the full drum and move it to the desired location,” Dang says. “There’s no manual lifting involved.” the Construction industry’s safety association Working With and for industry, the BC Construction Safety Alliance develops health and safety programs, tools, and resources for over 40,000 construction companies employing over 180,000 workers. We are dedicated to raising health and safety awareness and preventing or minimizing the rate and duration of accidents and injuries through: COR (Certificate of Recognition). Companies who earn COR get an effective safety management program and become eligible for incentive payments from WorkSafeBC; UNCOATED STOCKS (CMYK): Safety training, education, and personalized, on-site consultation; Injury management services; Tool-box kits, manuals, and other safety resources. Call, write, or visit our website for more information. COATED STOCKS (CMYK): Raising awareness, reducing injuries 604.636.3675 1.877.860.3675 info@bccsa.ca www.bccsa.ca
Another runner-up, the mechanical engineering services group in UBC’s chemistry department, conquered the risks associated with a variety of repetitive lifting tasks. The department had initially looked into commercial products to help ease the required manual labour, but found them too limited and expensive. So, they designed their own: a lifting cart featuring 360-degree swivel, retractable outriggers, and a large storage area. Overduin says it’s important to take a step back before coming up with solutions to ergonomic problems. “Look at tasks step-by-step, and involve the workers in solving the problem,” she says. “Sometimes these problems are complex. But often we can find simple solutions — such as changes in work layout or flow — to eliminate risks.” Overduin says teamwork was a critical component in each of the UBC contest submissions. “An integral part of UBC’s ergonomic By Gail Johnson If you’ve had a chance to play our “What’s wrong with this photo?” contest online, then you know how quick and easy it is to submit your entry via the web. Well, now you can get your hands on an even easier alternative: workers and employers on the go can now take part in the contest using their mobile devices — from tablets to smart phones, be they Apple or Android. The increased accessibility of this popular workplace health and safety game comes care of WorkSafeBC’s Product and Program Development team. WorkSafeBC technical editor Carolyn Stewart says the new technology reflects the increasing popularity of mobile devices. “More and more often, people are using tablets and smart phones to access WorkSafeBC resources, so we’re always looking for ways to make them mobile-friendly,” she says. “One way is by converting the online “What’s wrong with this photo?” feature to HTML5, so it can be used on any platform or device.” Currently, “What’s wrong with this photo?” appears in every print issue of WorkSafe Magazine, and is available as an interactive game health promotions program involves training employees, supervisors, and managers, not only in proper lifting techniques, but also in risk assessment and the development of solutions. “The WorkSafeBC ergonomics contest helped us raise awareness of musculoskeletal injury risks and how to address them. And it gave us a chance to celebrate the successes of those striving for safer workplaces. We look forward to participating again next year.” Interested in learning more ergonomically friendly tricks for your workplace? WorkSafeBC is currently gauging interest in a possible ErgoNews e-newsletter. If you’d like to receive such a publication via email, contact AskAnErgo@worksafebc.com. In the meantime, check out the video, Lifting in the Workplace, on WorkSafeBC.com, which comes with a discussion guide on how workers and employers can reduce the risk of lifting-related injuries in the workplace. Popular photo challenge goes mobile at www2.worksafebc.com/Publications/Multimedia/Photos.asp. Each contest features a staged image illustrating dangerous work habits. Readers are invited to find and describe the hazards, then send in their answers to win a prize or have them published in the magazine. The injury-and-disease-prevention images have resonated strongly with readers ever since they started appearing in the September/October 2009 issue of the magaine. Every issue garners hundreds of responses, from workers, employers, and safety professionals across Canada and the United States, not to mention Africa, Australia, Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East. “The online ‘What’s wrong with this photo?’ challenge is an engaging, interactive feature that’s great for safety meetings, toolbox talks, and even new worker orientations,” Stewart says. “Taking the photo challenge raises awareness of workplace hazards, helps develop hazard-recognition skills, and reinforces a positive safety culture in the workplace. “If you can do all that and have fun doing it, why wouldn’t you?” WorkSafe Magazine March / April 2013 19
Page 1 and 2: Fair warning A true commitment to s
Page 3 and 4: 20 Features March / April Volume 13
Page 5 and 6: What’s wrong: you tell us Merv ha
Page 7 and 8: The act of lighting a cigarette is
Page 9 and 10: The following article is part one o
Page 11 and 12: show I care by discussing how they
Page 13 and 14: First and foremost, develop and coo
Page 15 and 16: At left, BME biomedical engineer De
Page 17: WorkSafeBC UPDATE Fresh thinking ea
Page 21 and 22: Faller Bill Boardman (kneeling) lea
Page 23 and 24: Sarwan Singh Bhango, a forklift ope
Page 25 and 26: Continued from page 11 Fair warning
Page 27 and 28: Penalties Administrative penalties
Page 29 and 30: insulation by cutting it and captur
Page 31 and 32: 499692 B.C. Limited / Subway Sandwi
Page 33 and 34: The safety solution that saves live

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