Web-Exclusive News
As part of our efforts to provide loyal visitors to www.ohcanada.com with news and views they can use, OHS CANADA offers web-exclusive news. These articles are posted eight times a year to coincide with the release of each print edition of the magazine. As is the case with OHS CANADA, web-exclusive items reflect recent oh&s happenings throughout the country. The articles below, from October through early December of 2009, are current as of the time of writing and many are based on stories that first appeared in our sister publication, CANADIAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY NEWS.
Man found guilty in Mountie's death
FEDERAL — The Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories has found Emrah Bulatci guilty of first-degree murder in the death of RCMP Constable Christopher Worden.
Effective oversight vital to safety
FEDERAL — Federal investigators say ineffective oversight by the Canadian Business Aviation Association (CBAA) was a contributory factor in a crash that injured 10 people two years ago.
Standard on warning signs needed
FEDERAL — Federal investigators are recommending a national standard on high-visibility warning signs at railway crossings to help prevent train/vehicle collisions.
Average rate to remain low
RICHMOND — British Columbia's average premium will remain as is for 2010, continuing at its lowest rate in more than 30 years.
WorkSafeBC targets safe driving
RICHMOND — As drivers prepare for winter conditions, WorkSafeBC in Richmond, British Columbia has released safe driving tip sheets.
Jail overcrowding ratchets up concern
BURNABY — Provincial correctional officers say overcrowding in British Columbia jails has hamstrung their ability to safely do their jobs.
Officer suffers shoulder injuries
EDMONTON — An Edmonton police officer was recovering in early December from shoulder injuries sustained while attempting to apprehend a driver believed to have earlier been involved in a hit-and-run incident.
Fare attacks taxi driver
EDMONTON — A taxi driver in Edmonton suffered injuries after he was attacked by a passenger in the early morning hours of December 1.
Workers fine following foundation mishap
CALGARY — Four construction workers escaped injury when part of the foundation for a home being built in Calgary gave way.
Average premium to decrease
REGINA — The 2010 average assessment rate for Saskatchewan’s Workers Compensation Board (WCB) has been reduced, marking its second lowest level since 2001.
Officer assaulted at football game
WINNIPEG — A 24-year-old man was charged with assaulting a peace officer after a Winnipeg police officer working a Blue Bombers football game was attacked on November 8.
No safe work procedure in place
LONDON — Toronto-based Toromont Industries Ltd., a heavy equipment dealer, was fined $75,000 in November following the critical injury of a worker two years ago.
Faulty cord causes electrical shock
STRATFORD — An Ontario company that makes springs used in heavy trucks pleaded guilty to failing to ensure an electrical cord was maintained in good condition, a shortcoming that contributed to a worker being injured.
Two companies, supervisor fined
KITCHENER — Two companies and a supervisor received fines totalling $114,000 in late November following the serious injury of a worker in 2006.
Cover not clearly secured, marked
BURLINGTON — The death of an Ontario worker has ended with the company being fined $105,000 for a single violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Venues for safe-needle use expanded
TORONTO — As of this July, the use of safety-engineered needles will be mandatory in workplaces such as doctor and dentist offices, community and family health centres and independent health facilities.
Repairs demand qualified workers
MONTREAL — Labour representatives in Quebec last fall called on the province to take steps to ensure repair work on Montreal’s Mercier Bridge is carried out by qualified individuals.
Accident claims sea farm worker
SAINT JOHN — A 62-year-old worker in New Brunswick suffered fatal injuries in early October when he was struck by a portion of a load after a hoist cable snapped.
CSA standards available for viewing
SAINT JOHN — WorkSafeNB is encouraging workplaces to use standards from the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), which are available to view online before purchase.
Board releases safety calculator
SAINT JOHN — WorkSafeNB has launched a Workplace Safety Calculator to help employers calculate non-insured costs of a workplace injury, including finding and training replacement workers, purchasing new equipment and loss of productivity.
