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most specifically, loading dock safety. “I had done the work myself in the past, and I talked a lot to the workers to get their input and made sure their ideas were heard,” Kolberg says. “The company was already on side about making changes. And since the workers had a good chance to be heard, they tended to buy into the health and safety program,” she says. These changes included providing clear, written loading dock procedures, educating and training the workers in all the procedures, maintaining consistency in procedures, and designating lead hands on the floor who wore differently coloured vests. “People knew the lead hands were the go-to individuals for any questions or problems,” she says. “They were very key people with extra training and experience, and without them, safety would just go down the tubes.” The improvements, she says, significantly reduced worker injuries. Now a disability case manager for WorkSafeBC, Kolberg says the main advice she gave new loading dock workers is as follows: “Find an experienced buddy on the floor and learn from them. Ask them questions and express any doubts you have. Don’t use any equipment you haven’t been trained on, as you’ll put yourself and others at risk.” And for the more experienced workers, she would remind them they’re being watched by new and young workers, so they need to work as safely as possible to model good behaviour and help protect their co-workers from getting hurt. 24 Get on board with the Trucking Safety Council of BC Conference & AGM March / April 2013 WorkSafe Magazine “Workers need to remember that an injury on the job doesn’t just affect your job,” she says. “It can affect your whole life in many painful ways.” Stay grounded on the dock Health and Wellness: In it for the long haul JOIN US • Make sure the floor and ground are kept clear of all obstructions, including refuse, snow and ice, boxes and cartons. Keep traffic in the area to the minimum required to do the job. • Never operate equipment, such as forklifts or other material handling equipment, unless you’ve been trained in its safe and proper use. • Ensure that trailers and other vehicles have been immobilized, brakes are set, and tires are chocked to prevent vehicle movement. Also, make sure trailers are stabilized against tipping. • Reduce uneven surfaces between the loading area, dock plate, and trailer to prevent worker slips, trips, and falls, or musculoskeletal injuries among forklift operators who drive over such surfaces. • Speak out. If you have any concerns about falls or other hazards, tell your supervisor about them right away to keep everyone safe on the dock. —adapted from the following Health and Safety Ontario publications: www.healthandsafetyontario.ca/HSO/media/ PSHSA/pdfS/Loading_Dock_Safety.pdf and www.labour.gov. on.ca/english/hs/pdf/poster_loading.pdf. Friday, April 5th, 2013 at Northview Golf & Country Club, Surrey BC for a day of thought-provoking speakers, �rst-rate food, and networking. Hear from the world renowned expert in fatigue risk management, Pat Byrne “the Canucks’ sleep doctor.” Meet the SafetyDriven team and learn more about what we can do for your business. COR (Certificate of Recognition) Free, confidential advice Online and in-class training Posters, forms, templates and more TSCBC - Driving to improve safety - led by industry Register online at www.safetydriven.ca 604-888-2242 | 1-877-414-8001 | info@safetydriven.ca
Continued from page 11 <strong>Fair</strong> <strong>warning</strong> Spring campaigns promote stronger reporting culture If you’re a seasoned worker, you might neglect to report near-misses and minor incidents at work, chalking them up to “dodging bullets.” So imagine how difficult it is to complain about potentially lethal workplace safety hazards when you’re young and inexperienced. It’s a concern that’s often uppermost in the mind of WorkSafeBC new and young worker specialist Robin Schooley, especially during campaigns designed to change that kind of overly relaxed thinking on the job. “In certain working environments, particularly when someone new to the job experiences a near-miss, it can be really tough to find the rationale for reporting or for speaking up,” she says. In May of this year, during the 2013 North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week (May 5–11) and BC Youth Week (May 1–7), efforts to enlighten that culture of “see but don’t say” will shift into high gear. Throughout each of the overlapping weeks, both experienced and young workers around the province will be reminded of the importance of speaking up, and the rationale for reporting, along with a host of other issues related to health and safety. “For young people on the job,” Schooley says, “the whole idea of rights and responsibilities is crucial. They need to understand they have a right to know about the hazards of their jobs and a responsibility to report concerns, as well as the right to refuse unsafe work. The concept of rights and responsibilities — of empowerment — is also a big part of Youth Week, which is organized by youth, for youth.” The result is a full week of interactive and fun safety-related activities, especially designed for a young audience. Since the inaugural event in 1995, Youth Week has grown to include more than 30 B.C. municipalities, and is now a worldwide event. By contrast, NAOSH Week is a national event targeting a broader range of workers of all ages. And, workers are bound to feel an even greater sense of connection, since B.C. is hosting the event this year. The national kick-off, which takes place May 6 at Shipbuilder’s Square in North Vancouver, will include such keynote speakers as Walter Gretzky — father of The Great One and former injured worker — and a lifeboat rescue demonstration, care of Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue. At the same time, this year’s NAOSH Week theme reinforces the concept of sharing hazard information at work. Similar to BC Youth Week, NAOSH uses a community-based approach to raise awareness about workplace health and safety. And its theme, “Are you as safe as you think?” ties in nicely with the concept of increased worker vigilance around the need to report near-misses and minor incidents — along with the importance of hazard assessment. WorkSafeBC industry specialist and B.C. NAOSH Week committee member Kathy Tull says the theme encourages employers and workers to think about their work and the hazards they see around them. “The idea is not to wait for an injury to happen.” Tull says employers can take advantage of both events to promote a stronger health and safety culture. This means workplaces can consider “lunch and learn” safety sessions, a safety celebration barbecue, site inspections to look for hidden hazards, annual inspections of personal protective equipment (PPE), a personalized “What’s wrong with this photo?” contest, and larger-scale attendance at the national NOASH Week launch. For more information on NAOSH Week and BC Youth Week, go to WorkSafeBC.com. WorkSafe Magazine March / April 2013 25
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
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Page 17 and 18: WorkSafeBC UPDATE Fresh thinking ea
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Page 21 and 22: Faller Bill Boardman (kneeling) lea
Page 23: Sarwan Singh Bhango, a forklift ope
Page 27 and 28: Penalties Administrative penalties
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Page 31 and 32: 499692 B.C. Limited / Subway Sandwi
Page 33 and 34: The safety solution that saves live

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