Opinions
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At work, being awake is not good enough
Employers play critical role in mitigating fatigue
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Farm safety rule reversal will hurt Alberta farmers
New legislation may remove headaches, but will also usher in more trouble
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Violence against nurses is unacceptable
Canada’s next federal government must prioritize the safety of frontline nurses
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A Delicate Balance
Quebec’s religious-symbol issue isn’t as black-and-white as it seems
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The Next Lap
2019 marks my 12th year covering occupational health and safety news for OHS Canada. During the past decade or so, I have learned much not just about the art of writing and editing. I have also gained an understanding of…
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The Battle Over Vaccines
Workplace safety in the Digital Era never fails to yield surprising twists and turns. The measles outbreak in Canada presents not only a public-health risk, but also threatens those who work in healthcare. Teachers and staff who are employed in…
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A Pain in the Hand
As the editor of a magazine who covers workplace accidents, I have always been grateful to the fact that my job involves so little hazards. Compared to a long-haul trucker who battles fatigue, an engineer working at a construction site…
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The Age of Disruption
The massive flight disruption in London’s Gatwick airport due to drone sightings during the busy Christmas season underscored the new reality of how safety — both public and occupational — can be held hostage by random acts perpetuated by irresponsible…
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Legally High
It is official: recreational marijuana is legal in Canada with effect from October 17. With that comes a patchwork of jurisdictional laws establishing where and how marijuana products will be sold and used by consumers. The road to legalizing recreational…
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Little George
Alberta farm workers will have similar rights and protections as other workers in Canada when final industry-specific technical rules governing farms take effect on December 1. Bill 6: Enhanced Protection for Farm and Ranch Workers Act is, in many respects,…
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The Art of Happiness
The suicides of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain have dominated headlines weeks after the news broke. Their suicides are confounding on two levels: firstly, these were two successful, wealthy and famous people. Secondly, it reminds us of how little we…
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On the Road
The horrific crash between a tractor trailer and a bus carrying a Saskatchewan junior hockey team on April 6 that claimed 16 lives shook Canada to the core. The accident was mind-boggling on many levels: the insanely high death toll…
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The Tipping Point?
The waves of workplace sexual misconduct show no signs of abating as a quick scan of today’s news headlines yielded yet more reports of such behaviour both in Canada’s civil service and private sector. Following the footsteps of Ontario Progressive…
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High Time
Everyone is talking about marijuana, as the recreational use of cannabis becomes legal in July. Even OHS Canada magazine is organizing a symposium on marijuana in the workplace on February 21 at the International Centre in Mississauga, Ontario to share…
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The New Paradigm
Ontario Labour Minister Kevin Flynn addressed the importance of mental well-being at his second summit on post-traumatic stress disorder on October 18. More than 100 first responders attended the event. While people from certain occupations might be more predisposed to…
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Virtual Accountability
The world was shocked by the tragic events that took place on August 12 in Charlottesville, Virginia. It was not just the violence, which led to the senseless deaths of three innocent people and many more injured; it was also…
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Safety without Borders
I was researching industrial safety news when a recent workplace fatality in Singapore caught my eye. A viaduct that was under construction near an expressway collapsed on July 14, leaving one dead and 10 injured. This incident calls to mind…
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Freedom 65?
If you are thinking of spending your twilight years tending the garden upon reaching the age of 65, think again. The retirement age in Canada is a moving goalpost, as increasing longevity means that more people are staying in the…
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Minding Mindfulness
It was one of those frantic mornings when I was trying to do a dozen things, prepping the kids for school and getting myself ready for work. As I was coring an apple for my kids’ lunchboxes, I accidentally sliced…
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The Dark Side
War kills, and fatalities continue after soldiers leave the battlefields and return to what should have been the comfort and sanctuary of their homes. Peace was shattered in rural Nova Scotia on January 3 when war veteran Lionel Desmond shot…
