Manitoba NAOSH Week

2014

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C M Y K WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, MAY 1, 2014 winnipegfreepress.com 4 L anding a first job is exciting for a new worker. But it can be risky business too. According to SAFE Workers of Tomorrow (SWOT), young workers are affected by more than 15% of all workplace injuries in Manitoba. And youth are particularly susceptible during their first month on the job. SWOT executive director Allan Beach says anyone who's new to a workplace or a particular type of work is vulnerable, but some factors that are unique to young people increase their risk. "They tend to work harder and faster than people who've been around for a while. And I think they also tend to be a little more afraid of losing their jobs — they're afraid of the consequences of speaking up." A non-profit organization, SWOT has delivered more than 10,500 free presentations dealing with workers' rights and safety since its inception in 1997. It reaches new Canadians and other adults, but most of its 1,200 presentations each year are directed at high school students. "We're providing the information for free. We do it because there's a tremendous need for it," Beach says "We were started by people who cared very passionately about health and safety — and in particular about the lack of any organized programming for young people — and we continue to run like that to this day." Beach says SWOT surveys show that a shockingly large number of people entering new workplaces don't know they have the right to know what hazards are present. And many are not receiving that information or safety training from employers. "One of the things that we're hoping to do is just to raise awareness of what their expectations ought to be and what a safe workplace should look like, and to get them to ask those important questions." SWOT presentations can be general or tailored to specific vocations. They touch on topics such as the dangers associated with chemicals, workers' and employers' responsibilities, protective gear and actions workers should take if they spot a hazard or are injured on the job. Most first jobs for young people are in the service industry, but Beach says they're employed in a wide range of potentially dangerous workplaces. "I think most people would probably be surprised and maybe even a little shocked at the type of work that a lot of young workers are doing, and some of the fatalities that have occurred in the province," he says. "It really runs the gamut, and particularly in rural Manitoba you really see quite a range of activities that most people would think would be the type of things that only experienced adults would be doing." Beach says he's impressed with the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering's success at raising awareness as the leading organization behind North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week. "I think they've been doing a really good job of making NAOSH Week interesting and we're happy to be part of it," he says. The SAFE Workers of Tomorrow will host a Bingo Bowl at Polo Park Bowling Centre on Thursday, May 8 at 6:30 p.m. Beach says the annual event provides an opportunity for employers and safety professionals to raise funds for SWOT and have fun at the same time. For more information about SWOT or to arrange a presentation at your school or community club, see www.workersoftomorrow.com. By Holli Moncrieff For the Free Press I t was one of those freak accidents that should never have happened. In the summer of 2010, electrician Bob Murray died when the hydro pole he was on collapsed, taking him down with it. No one realized the hydro pole was rotted from the inside out. The only thing keeping it upright was the tension from three power lines — lines Murray had to cut. "My dad only fell 15 feet but his aorta burst," says Graham Murray, who also works as an electrician. "My dad was always one for safety, but the problem with the pole couldn't be seen. No one could have known." Murray is this year's family spokesperson for Manitoba's Steps for Life walk. Steps for Life is the annual fundraiser for Threads of Life, a national charity that provides support services to Canadians affected by a workplace tragedy, life-altering injury, or occupational disease. "Dad's death was totally unexpected. Who expects to have an accident like that? It's been rough, but you've got to try to move forward in life and remain happy," Murray says. He heard about Threads of Life when his mother's grief counsellor referred her to the organization. "Threads of Life helped me realize the pain I was covering up. If it weren't for them, who knows where I'd be? I'm very thankful that Threads of Life came into my life," he says. "I wanted to give back to the organization." Each year thousands of people in 37 communities across Canada walk five kilometres to honour and support families affected by workplace tragedy. Every Steps for Life walk has a Memory Lane that commemorates victims of workplace tragedy with stories and photos. "There are still too many deaths occurring right across Canada. Three Canadians die on the job every workday," says Veronica Suszynski, chair of Manitoba's Steps for Life committee. "Anything we can do to spread awareness and prevent some of these deaths will make Canada a safer place to work. Everybody's mother and father should come home at the end of the day." Last year, 300 participants joined Manitoba's Steps for Life Walk. This year, organizers hope to see 350 walkers. "This is a family-friendly event. You can bring your kids and your dogs. It's casual. This is not a race," Suszynski says. "I hope our walkers will take a moment to pause and reflect, to remember those we've lost in Manitoba. Everybody is affected by a workplace tragedy — the person's family, their friends, the community." Although Steps for Life is a fundraiser, there is no minimum sponsorship requirement, and Murray says anyone can register to join the walk. "This event gives other people the chance to show their support. It's nice to know that others are able to show they care," he says. "People are more than welcome to participate in the walk to show their support for the families." Threads of Life was the first organization in the world to offer a peer support program to family members living with the aftermath of a workplace tragedy. Peer support is provided by trained volunteers who have also lost family members. "This happens to way too many people," Murray says. "If someone isn't thinking about safety, they don't care about others." Threads for Life builds partnerships, providing families with answers to procedural questions. It can link them to individuals working within government and other organizations who can help with case-specific questions and issues. Threads of Life also provides resources to help families understand the administrative processes that follow a fatality or life-altering injury or illness. "It has affected my mother a lot more than any of us kids," Murray says of his father's death. "She was married to my dad for almost 35 years. Because of Threads of Life, she's smiling again. It gives her strength and confidence to know she isn't alone." The Steps for Life Walk will take place in Kildonan Park on Sunday, May 4, starting at 10 a.m. at the North Picnic Shelter. The registration fee is $15. Participants can raise more money for Threads of Life by collecting pledges. Sign up to participate in a corporate challenge with a team, or join forces with family and friends. Anyone can sponsor walkers online through the Steps for Life website. To get involved or find more information, visit the website at www.stepsforlife.ca. taking Steps for life Some of the 300 participants in the 2013 Steps for Life walk in Winnipeg. This year's walk is set for May 4 at Kildonan Park. Photos courtesy of Threads of Life young and at risk SAFe Workers of tomorrow targets next generation Walkers support families affected by workplace tragedy By Pat St. Germain For the Free Press Manitoba'sFirst COR Certified Safety Consultant YourbestguidetoCORCertification! CORAudit•SafetyManuals•Training•Inspections Investigations•Toolboxtalks 204-330-8323 kent@serenitysafety.ca Preventingloss,protectingpeoplesince1964 www.safetyservicesmanitoba.ca 204.949.1085 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY TRAINING & CONSULTING Phone:(204)955-0321 Fax:(204)896-7103 e-mail:macdor@mymts.net Rob MacDonald, President of S.O.S. Safety, and safety Rob MacDonald, President of S.O.S. Safety, and safety technicians Boris Danyliuk and Chris Power are proud technicians Boris Danyliuk and Chris Power are proud to support N.A.O.S.H. week in Canada,and commend all to support N.A.O.S.H. week in Canada,and commend all thoseworkerswhopracticesafetyeveryday. thoseworkerswhopracticesafetyeveryday. •C.O.R.audits,companyandprojectsafety •C.O.R.audits,companyandprojectsafety coordination coordination •Onsitesafetytrainingandinspections •Completesafetymanualsandprocedures S • O • SSAFETYSERVICESINC. SSAFETYSERVICESINC. ��� ��������� � �� ������ 2014 Week NAOSH supports proudly Aerospace Magellan Manitoba'smachineguarding specialists.Callustodayfor yoursafeguardingassessment 204.805.0960|info@workengsolutions.ca

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