a safe work comic book presentation

A safe student resource handbook

www.workersoftomorrow.com

got what? bad breath?

That five Bucks you owe me?

Ha - ha. you guys are hil-ar-ious! no, I just got...

A Safe Workers of Tomorrow Comic Workbook Starring:

jerry!

sherry!

larry! 1

dad!

Hey, congrats, man!

yeah! way to go, little brother!

(But i still want my five bucks!)

so tell us about the interview! what did they ask? and what did you ask?

I’m going to be a stockboy at gustav’s grocery!

so what’s the job?

me? i was the one being interviewed! why would i ask anything?

well, for one thing, it’s a good way to Get off to a safe start at a new job!

other than how much i get paid, that is!

dude... i’m a stockboy not a stuntman! how dangerous do you think it’s going to be?

JERRY, EVERY JOB HAS HAZARDS! THAT’S WHY WORKPLACE SAFETY IS SO IMPORTANT!

for example, as a stockboy, you could be injured...

(cue imaginary injury sequence!)

lifting wrong...

cut ting yourself opening boxes...

uh-oh!

falling from a ladder...

using cleaning products incorrectly

2

hmmm... i see your point! but what kind of questions should i have asked?

well, since you asked...

is there a joint Safety and health committee or worker rep?

what are the hazards of my job? by law, your employer has to let you know what dangers to expect.

a company with 20 or more employees needs a committee. one with 10 to 19 employees needs a representative. it’s the law!

what are the company’s health and safety rules?

do i need safety gear and will i be shown how to use it?

every company must have them!

An employer will provide necessary safety equipment and show you how to use it (though you might have to bring things like your own steeltoed boots). You are responsible for using the equipment properly.

when will i get my training? the law says an employer has to make sure you have the skills to do the job... and a supervisor to watch you until you do! What do I do if I get hurt at work? Find out who can provide first aid in case you ever need help. If you do require first aid, you must report the injury to your employer as soon as possible. You should also report it to the WCB through the Claims Centre (954-4100 in Winnipeg, or toll free at 1-800-362-3340). If you see doctors or other health care professionals because of your injury, they also must report your injury to the WCB.

have a quick look at the panel below!

when will i be trained in emergency procedures? What are my safety and health responsibilities? To take reasonable care to protect your own safety and health and that of other workers. This means co-operating with your employer, following safety and health rules and policies, ensuring you do the job the way you were trained, wearing the required protective equipment and reporting hazardous conditions to your supervisor.

3

this is important so you know where the exits are, where to go if you’re injured, where the safety equipment is and how to report your injury properly.

okay! okay! i get it!

so what do i do now?

...me and your sister will fill you in on the whole workplace safety scene!

yeah! we’ll give you a crash course in the basics! okay! i’m in!

not to worry, little dude!

so let’s start with a look at basic

employment standards! but there

see, young people working in manitoba have all the same rights as adults! that means you get minimum wage, vacation time, specific holidays off and have the same rules when it comes to quitting or being fired!

for example, i’m 17, and because i’m under 18 years old, certain rules apply to me: * people under 18 aren’t allowed to work alone between 11:00pm and 6:00am * they also can’t work in - forestry - saw or pulp mills - confined spaces - underground in mines or in the face of open pit quarries - Asbestos abatement or removal pply also sa under e s e h t rker to weoars old! 16 y

are some restrictions when it comes to employing young workers!

you, jerry, are 15 years old. If you’re under 16 years old, there are some additional rules:

* people under 16 can’t work: - on construction sites - in industrial or manufacturing processes - drilling or servicing rigs - on scaffolds or swing stages - pruning, repairing, maintaining or removing trees * they can only work 20 hours (or less) during a school week (but more during christmas or summer vacation) * employees under 16 also need a permit from the employment standards branch! (see www.gov.mb.ca/labour/standards/

doc.young-workers.factsheet.html)

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of course there are also a lot of standards that apply to all Employees, no matter how old they are!

* All employees are entitled to a 30 minute break after working for 5 hours. * Employees are entitled to at least one day off every week. * Even though employers can ask employees to wear specific types of clothes (clothes they could wear when they aren’t working), an employer can’t make anyone buy uniforms. * A standard work week (what you are paid for) is generally 40 hours a week – 8 hours a day. Any work done past those 40 hours is considered overtime work and the employee should be paid 1½ times their regular wage. (there are exceptions to this rule though so it’s good to ask!) * Employers are in charge of scheduling work. That means an employee can’t just work overtime. Employees have to get the okay for overtime work – or they might not get paid an overtime rate. * Employees are guaranteed to make minimum wage. They can’t work for anything less (even if they wanted to!). * After 1 year working at the same place, employees get 2 weeks of vacation. After 5 years, they get 3 weeks of vacation. * Employers decide when to pay out an employee’s vacation pay - but they have to pay it by the employee’s last day of work before they take their vacation (and within 10 months of earning that vacation pay!)

what about um... that it’s... lonely?

working alone? what do you know about that? uh, dude... we just mentioned how people under 18 can’t work alone between 11:00pm and 6:00am - and people under 16 can’t work between 11:00pm and 6:00am at all! it was just on the last page!

well, there’s more to it than that! you see, legally ‘working alone’ refers to any work done when a worker is: a - the only worker at the workplace at the time and b - not directly supervised by his or her employer or any other person acting as supervisor.

oh. yeaaah!

got it! right!

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that’s not the same as ‘working in isolation’ which means working in situations where help isn’t readily available if there’s an injury, illness or emergency!

every employer has to provide safe work procedures designed to keep employees safe if they are ever working alone or in isolation! they also have to train workers in the proper safe work procedures for working alone or in isolation!

to develop the safe work procedures, an employer has to consult with:

their Joint Safety and Health Committee, the Safety and Health Representative

OR the employee involved to help assess the risks.

workers e r o f s t n e m e ir c he legal rseeqeuPart 9 of the Workepnlta t n o s il ta e d For more lone or in isolation, ion and the Employm orkers working aty and Health Regulatn specific to young w Safe Code. Informatio d at: Standards can be foun r/standards/ tml .ca/labou www.gov.moubngworkers,factsheet.h category,y

the employer must train the workers in the new procedures, and ensure workers follow them. A copy of the procedures must be posted.

wow!

i didn’t know even half that stuff!

you’d be surprised at how many people don’t!

that’s why it’s good to do a little job research before you even start working!

now, let’s talk safety...

here are a couple of websites to check out!

so let’s check out something i call... www.gov.mb.ca/labour/standards www.safeworkersoftomorrow.com www.safemanitoba.com

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...and there’s a lot to talk about!

Sure! I’ve seen some tv commercials... and i remember a website with a creepy guy and a contest!

so you’ve heard of safe work, right?

(plus the logo is over there on the left!)

safe woof?

i think so! isn’t it:

spot the hazard, assess the risk, find a safer way, every day?

ah, but do you know what ‘safe’ stands for?

you nailed it! and that’s what’s called a risk management model!

risk management model? is that anything like a supermodel?

(sigh) yes, jerry, it’s exactly like a supermodel. sheesh.

heh-heh!

This is why i wanted a little sister.

7

relax! i’m just kidding! a risk management model is like a simple guide to help you work safely!

Right! just follow the steps! and then they go down the steps, get it?

Spot thet hHazard s p o t e h a z a r

d

Every job has hazards. Some you’ll see right away. Others you might not. Some can injure you in a second. Some can make you sick over a long period of time maybe even years. So to spot hazards, you need: * Training * Awareness * Experience And if there’s something you don’t know, ASK.

Assess the Risk t h e r i s k

a s s e s s

A simple way to assess the risk is to ask yourself three questions: 1. Am I trained for this? 2. Can I get hurt? 3. How can this hurt me? The answers to these questions can help you decide what the risks are… and if you should be taking those risks.

Find a Safer Way f i n d

a

s a f e r

w a y

To make a situation safer, look at ways you can: 1. ELIMINATE the risk so it’s not there anymore (i.e. if there’s a risk of slipping in a puddle of water, mop up the water). 2. REDUCE the risk. Maybe changing a procedure, more training or using personal protective equipment would make getting an injury less likely. 3. SUBSTITUTE an action, a product or a piece of equipment for something safer (i.e. like using a less-toxic chemical for cleaning).

and don’t forget: you can use the SAFE model anywhere at work or at home!

Every Day e v e r y d a y You can put the SAFE steps into action anytime, anywhere – at home AND at work!

hey! how did you get to the bottom of the page?

8

it’s a comic! i can just show up anywhere! plus, i wanted to be ready for the next section!

and now readers, we draw back the thin curtain of reality and throw light on the hidden corners of the workplace! because to spot the hazard, you need to know what to look for. so sit back and prepare to take a glimpse at a lit tle something we call:

how did you do that thing with your shadow?

now focus! it’s good to know about the types of hazards because not all hazards are obvious!

plus, while some hazards can cause harm right away, others might make you sick or cause injuries over a long period of time. maybe even years! LIKE, SAY, SCANNING items at a checkout. doing the same thing over and over could eventually cause an injury! 9

it’s all special effects!

it’s impossible to list every hazard that exists, but knowing the basic categories is a good place to start!

h a z a r d s

Things like: * Electricity * Noise and vibration * Heat and cold * Dust and fibres * Radiation * Exposed moving machinery parts

h a z a r d s

Chemical hazards include: * Liquids (from office supplies to cleaning products to paints and acids) * Vapours and fumes (like the fumes given off when welding or fumes from things like paint) * Gases (such as oxygen, acetylene, propane and carbon monoxide) * Flammable, combustible and explosive materials

Physicalh a z a r d s

p h y s i c a l

Chemicalh a z a r d s

Then there are

c h e m i c a l

First, there are

And of course there are

h a z a r d s

whoa! that’s a lot of hazards!

h a z a r d s

By that I mean things like: * Unclean restrooms * Improperly stored medical waste * Mold, fungus and mildew * Bacteria and viruses * Insect stings * Animal bites

Which means stuff like: * Lighting * Workstation layout * Video display terminals * Work surfaces * Chairs * Lifting * Repetitive movements * Posture

e r g o n o m i c

Biologicalh a z a r d s

Ergonomic hazards

b i o l o g i c a l

Don’t forget

and that doesn’t even include

psycho-social hazards!

psycho-social hazards can cause changes in a person’s attitudes and behaviour! don’t underestimate psycho-social hazards! they can increase feelings of hostility, anxiety, aggression, and depression!

Psycho-social hazards can include: * Conflict or issues at work or home * Mental, physical or emotional harassment * Demanding schedules (shift work, unpredictable work) * Feeling like you have no support or feeling isolated * No variety in tasks, lack of interest (could be caused by doing the same thing over and over, feeling bored, not getting to use your skills to the fullest, short work cycles when you’re busy then you aren’t) * Role conflicts or confusion about what your role is * A lack of job security or uncertainty about your career path * Violence of any kind, including abuse, intimidation, threats or assault. 10

they can lead to trouble at work, missing shifts, alcoholism or drug abuse! they can also lead to illness including headaches, heart disease or rapid aging!

so how do i deal with all those different hazards? i was paper trained. does that count?

WORKING with WHMIS

w o r k i n g

w i t h

well, training plays a big part! that’s why having proper training and supervision in place from the start is so important for workplace safety! and since you’ll likely work with cleaning chemicals, your training should include...

employers are required to provide whmis training for a lot of different jobs! i had whmis training because i do contract work where i might use - or come in contact with - a lot of potentially hazardous chemical materials!

w h m i s

it’s also a regulation under the

workplace hazardous material information systems

workplace safety and health act! it’s all about knowing what you’re working with, how it can hurt you or make you sick and what to do in an emergency so you don’t cause harm to yourself or your co-workers!

a.k.a.

chapter four Manitoba’s whmis system has three parts:

The Warning Label

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

The label should be posted on containers with chemicals in them. The label tells you what kind of hazardous product it is (what class) and how to work with it safely!

Every chemical should have an MSDS with it to provide more detailed information on how to work safely with that chemical - including what personal protective equipment to use and first aid steps!

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Training Programs

Workers should receive training on how to read and understand chemical labels and the chemicals’ MSDS!

well what if something doesn’t have a whmis label or an msds?

in the end, remember this: if you feel you don’t have the training or you have questions about the chemicals you’re going to work with, ask your supervisor!

good point! not all products have warning labels... which is why you should always read the label before you use any product! and if there’s no label,

don’t use it!

or talk with your workplace safety and health committee or representative! okay, cool! so what should i be looking at, symbol wise?

check out the panel below!

but under manitoba whmis regulations, an employer can’t use or even store hazardous materials in a workplace unless it has a whmis label and msds. employees must be trained in how to use the product safely!

LOOK FOR THESE

c l a s s

a

c l a s s

b

c l a s s

c

compressed gas

flammable & combustible materials

d-2

c l a s s

d-3

biohazardous infectious material

oxidizing material

c l a s s

c l a s s

materials causing other toxic effects

c l a s s

e

c l a s s

f

corrosive material

d-1

materials causing immediate & serious toxic effects

dangerously reactive material 12

now how about those material safety data sheets...?

an msds tells you the hazards of a product, how to use it safely, what do to in an emergency and other info like, say the full name and properties of the chemical!

employers must keep current msds of all hazardous products where workers can find them and read them!

every hazardous product should have its own msds. the sheets might look different from one product to another.

but the controlled products regulation calls for specific content and a general format which includes nine topic headings: 1. product information 2. hazardous ingredients 3. physical data 4. fire and explosion data 5. reactivity data 6. Toxicological properties 7. preventative measures 8. first aid measures 9. preparation information

Sections 1-3 cover general information such as where the product came from, its physical characteristics and how it’s supposed to be used. Sections 4-6 outline the potential hazards of the product. Sections 7 and 8 outline the recommended procedures for proper use as well as emergency response. Section 9 gives preparation information and helps ensure the information is current. and when reading any msds sheet, you should ask yourself:

* Do I have the right MSDS for the product? * Is the MSDS up-to-date? (They must be updated every three years.) * Can the product burn or explode? * Is the chemical product unstable? What conditions make it unstable? * What harmful health effects are possible?

* Do I need to wear personal protective equipment when handling the product? * What equipment is appropriate? * Are there special handling precautions? * Do I know what to do in case of a fire, explosion, spill or leak? * Do I know where the emergency response equipment is and how to use it? 13

i’m home! what are you kids up to?

Actually, dad, we were talking about jerry and his new job!

hey, your first job! way to go, son!

thanks, dad! these guys were just giving me a heads up about some safety stuff!

what up, mr. d?

yeah! i’m a stockboy at gustav’s! yeah, we were just going to talk about the laws of workplace safety!

well, i can probably help you there since i’m part of the joint workplace safety and health committee at work!

wow! that’s a lucky coincidence! good thing he made it home for this chapter!

you see, the safety and health of workers is covered by both the workplace safety and health act and the canada labour code part ii!

Chapter 5:

The

Law of Safety!

ooo! Cool! a sequel!

14

shh!

the workplace safety and health act covers most of

now since the laws in the workplace safety and health act and the canada labour

the workplaces in manitoba, while the canada labour code part ii covers: * airlines and airports * atomic energy facilities * banks * bus companies* * cable companies* * courier companies* * crown corporations * federal government departments * grain elevator, flour and feed mills * pipelines* * railways* * radio and television broadcasting * shipping companies and * telephone companies *if

it transports out of province

code part ii are similar, i’m going to focus on telling you guys about the act - less confusion that way! i’m all about less confusion!

you see, the act describes the rights and duties of workplace owners, employers, supervisors and workers. it tells you the minimum safety and health requirements for most workplaces in manitoba - to help protect everyone from safety and health hazards on the job!

the regulations in the act will tell you things like what an employer has to provide and how to work safely in specific situations... like first aid requirements, rules about working alone, rules about fall protection and things like that!

you can find out about what codes and regulations apply to your workplace here!

the regulations and codes of practice are legal guidelines so it’s important you’re aware of the ones that apply to your workplace... and that you get the training you need to do your job safely! so where can your average worker get that type of legal info?

www.safemanitoba.com/legislation

15

the workplace safety and health act is built on what’s called an IRS.

irs? aren’t those the tax guys in the u.s.?

an internal responsibility system is all about shared responsibility for knowing the safety and health problems present at a workplace - and doing something about them!

dude. i totally knew that stuff.

an irs is based on the principle that when your life and health are at stake, you’ll want to do everything you can to make your workplace as healthy and safe as possible.

you see, under the act, everyone has specific duties - workers, supervisors and employers alike! and those duties overlap! employer duties

worker duties

not in this case! in this case, irs stands for internal responsibility system!

shh!

you did not!

which means for an irs to succeed, everyone has to do their part, taking action when they see a health and safety problem... instead of waiting for someone else to do it!

that’s where a jshc can be a big help!

a jshc? What’s that stand for?

supervisor duties

joint safety and health everyone is committee - a represented committee with so everyone’s worker and concerns management are heard! members!* they can also help guide the internal responsibility system!

yeah! I mean, who would know more about the people, machines, processes and materials than the people who work with them every day?

*For information on joint safety and health commit tees, visit www.ccohs.ca

16

okay, that all makes sense! everyone should be trying to prevent injuries and illnesses on the job!

dad, you had mentioned the act outlines specific duties?

yes! having legal duties written out helps make it easier for an irs to work!

sure! nobody wants to see someone injured!

here’s a look at the duties!

EMPLOYERS

* Post the following where all workers can see them: * The employer’s safety and health policy (reviewed annually) * Joint Safety and Health Committee (JSHC) minutes (if there is a JSHC) * Names and work locations of JSHC members or of the worker Safety and Health Representative * Safety and health inspection reports * Any Workplace Safety and Health Division orders for the workplace that have been issued * Develop a training program to carry out the safety and health policy * Provide and maintain a safe workplace, including equipment and protective devices * Train workers to use equipment properly and make sure they use it safely * Protect workers from dangerous situations * Tell workers about any known hazard and provide training to work safely with the hazard * Comply with The Act and all Regulations Employers must take every reasonable precaution to protect workers.

SUPERVISORS

* Make sure workers follow the Act and all Regulations * Make sure workers work safely and know how to use protective equipment * Tell workers how to work safely Supervisors must take every precaution to protect workers.

WORKERS

l e g a l

d u t i e s

LEGAL DUTIES

these duties down here?

* Follow the Act and all Regulations * Use required protective equipment the way your supervisor shows you how to use it - don’t change it in any way * Report any hazard, dangerous situation or violation of The Act or Regulations to your supervisor * Use all equipment safely, the way your supervisor shows you Workers must take every precaution to protect themselves and their co-workers.

but what if the act and the regulations aren’t being followed?

well, that’s an area for manitoba’s

workplace safety and health division!

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oh, i know about the wshd! the workplace safety and health division is the division of the manitoba government that deals with the health and safety of workers! where there’s a health and safety concern that can’t be resolved with a supervisor or employer, when there’s a serious incident, or serious injury or when there’s a fatality at the workplace, you can call the wshd!

find out more at www.safemanitoba.com

Workplace Safety and Health Officers have the power and duties to: * Inspect any workplace * Investigate any potential hazardous situation and work refusal * Order compliance with the law (e.g. the Act or Regulations) Everyone in the workplace must cooperate with the Safety and Health Officer.

workplace safety and health officers can:

Penalties under the Act * Every person who disobeys any of the regulations or fails to fulfill their duties under the Workplace Safety and Health Act can be fined up to $150,000 for the first offence. * Any officer, director or agent of the corporation may also be charged with an offense even if the corporation also has been charged. so you see, there are a lot of legal guidelines to help keep the workplace safe!

and these are the penalties that can be enforced under the act!

but they only work when everyone is doing their part!

18

let’s see... we’ve covered interview questions, employment standards, working alone or in isolation, safe work, types of hazards, whmis and some safety and health regulations.

yep! there’s a lot to know... including the information on the next bunch of pages!

WORKERS’ chapter 6

LEGAL RIGHTS w o r k e r s ’

l e g a l

r i g h t s

workers’ legal rights

workers’ rights? What about their lefts?

What? You don’t get it? That was a joke!

ha... heh... hee...

oh! sorry! we thought jokes were supposed to be, you know... funny!

Enough terrible jokes! let’s talk about workers’ legal rights! in addition to the other things we’ve talked about, the workplace safety and health act also gives workers three rights:

1. the right to know 2. the right to participate and

3. the right to refuse unsafe work!

19

ot wt o n K o t t h g i R e Th the righ

know

fely. You have the right toll sa b jo ur yo do to w ho ow kn to at wi a worker, you have the riginhtyour workplace and you have the right to training th as at th s an me ow Kn to t gh The Ri e materials and machinery know about the dangers of th give you this knowledge. ill, location of first aid sp or ry ju in an is e er th en do wh ication of hazards, what toprotective equipment and where to report injuries. tif en id e ud cl in ld ou sh g in Train limits, how to use personal supplies, areas that are off

The Right to P articipate t h e r i ght to part Regardless of the siz i

e of c and health issues and decisyour workplace or the position you hold, the Act gives i p a t e ion-making in your workplac yo e through one of the followiu the right to participate in safety ng: Your Worker Safety and Heal th * Workers with between 10 Representative Health Representative. and 19 regularly employed workers will have a Work er Safety and * The rep is a worker, electe management to resolve issd by his or her fellow workers that takes the worker ues. s’ safety and health concerns to Your Workplace Safety and * Virtually all workplaces wiHealth Committee * The committee’s purpose is th 20 or more workers must have a Workplace Safe and health concerns are ra identify and recommend solutions for safety and ty and Health Committee. * This committee is made up ised and to keep those concerns front and centre unhealth problems, to ensure all safety management). It must me of management and worker reps (with no more th til they are resolved. an half of the committee be * Worker members are sele et at least four times a year. ing from ct ed management members. by other workers or by the union (if there is on e). The employer selects the * The names of committee me m be all workers can see who th rs should be posted in the workplace where eir representatives are.

Woarf ke w o r k e f a s n U e s u f e refuse uns The Right tot R he right to ve may be to refuse any task you belie

Health Act) you have the right d an ty fe Sa e ac pl rk Wo ’s ba Under the law, (Manito and health or the safety and health of others. e er your safety or health. Thes ng da en ay m dangerous to your safety ve lie be u yo sk a ta unter an unsafe situationrvorisor. co en ay m u yo b, jo e th on While d immediately to your supe is not taken care of, you can n tio ua conditions should be reporte sit e th if t Bu . rd za e ha is resolved by eliminating th n tio ua sit e th s, se ca st mo In to work. conducted by a supervisoritiorate the en th is exercise your right to refuse ew vi re A r. iso rv pe su contacting their refusal. Once you in by rk l sa wo a fu re of s rk ep wo st e er th op es pr at e iti th w The worker in pany. It is important to follo m co e th of r be m me t en em manag ned to other tasks. refusal, you may be reassig of course, there is a proper way to refuse work. a work refusal has three steps...

20

Step 1: Immediately report to your supervisor, giving your reason for refusing to work. Your supervisor will inspect the worksite area and take action to fix the dangerous condition(s). Stay at your workplace for your normal working hours, unless you are working alone. In the meantime, your employer cannot assign or require any other worker to perform that same task unless that worker has been informed (by the refusing worker or Safety and Health Officer) that a refusal is in progress - and the reason for the refusal. If the other worker believes the condition is not dangerous, they can choose to do the work. Of course, if the employer resolves the matter to your satisfaction, you can go back to work. BUT if you still believe the work is dangerous…

Step 2:

Step 3:

Bring the matter to the attention of the Safety and Health Committee or Representative (if one exists), as soon as possible, giving the reasons for refusing to work. If you do not have a Committee or a Representative, go immediately to Step 3. Now if you or the committee/representative still believes the work is dangerous…

Call your nearest Workplace Safety and Health Office in Winnipeg 945-3446 (or toll free 1-866-888-8186) and explain your situation. An officer immediately will investigate and prepare a written report of the findings. The report will be distributed to all concerned parties. The decision of an Officer can be appealed to the Manitoba Labour Board.

but, i’m the new guy at work! i don’t want to get in trouble by refusing to do something!

ah, that’s covered by the workplace safety and health act too - it’s called having the right to protection from discrimination!

Any employee that tries to protect themselves or another worker from unsafe conditions cannot be disciplined or discriminated against. This includes using the Right to Refuse Unsafe Work or reporting a safety and health concern (such as unsafe practice or condition) to the Workplace Safety and Health Division. The Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Act states that discriminatory action against a worker is prohibited. No employer or union (or person acting on behalf of the employer or union) is allowed to take or threaten discriminatory action against a worker for: * Exercising a right under or carrying out a duty in accordance with the Act or regulations * Testifying in a proceeding under this Act * Performing duties or exercising rights as a member of a committee or as a representative; * Refusing to do dangerous work * Taking reasonable action at the workplace to protect the safety or health of another person * Complying with the Act or its regulations and codes of practice, or an order or decision made under the Act * Attempting to have this Act or the regulations enforced * Providing information about workplace conditions affecting the safety, health or welfare of any worker to an employer or a person acting on behalf of an employer, a safety and health officer concerned with the administration of the Act, another worker or a union representing a worker or a committee or a representative 21

okay! this is all great stuff - and thanks for filling me in on all this health and safety information - but i have one last question:

CHAPter 7

well, this is probably a The workers compensation good place to mention the workers Compensation Act! act was created to promote healthy and safe workplaces to encourage a safe and timely return to work AND to provide compensation for workers who are injured on the job!

any injury that stops you from earning a day’s pay or requires medical attention should be reported to the workers compensation board (also known as the wcb)!

then the wcb can provide compensation for lost wages and other benefits that help get employees back to work!

the employer has to report the injury within five days! and the worker has to report the injury within six months! the fact is, some young workers don’t report their injuries because: * The employer may be a relative or family friend * They believe the injury is too minor to be reported * They are concerned about what the boss may think * They are worried it indicates they can’t do the job

It is important to report any injury or illness you get while on the job. When you report injuries or illnesses, you help your employer to make changes to prevent the same injury from happening to others. Reporting will also help you get compensated for the time you miss work to recover.

If you get hurt or sick because of your job: 1. Tell your supervisor as soon as possible after it happens. 2. Get healthcare attention as soon as possible. Let the healthcare professional know you were injured or got ill at work. 3. Report the injury or illness to the WCB by calling 954-4100 or toll free 1-800-362-3340 (between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday to Friday) and provide the details of the injury or illness as soon as possible. 4. Keep your employer informed about your progress. Ask your employer if they have a modified return-to-work program you could get involved in while you are recovering. 5. Follow your healthcare professional’s treatment plan. It is important for you to get better and go back to work as soon as you are able. WCB benefits can be reduced or stopped if you are not doing what you can to get better. 22

so? Do you feel like you know more about workplace health and safety?

totally! but there’s so much to know! if only i had a resource book i could keep and check with later!

wha!t? the

well, that explains why i’ve had the feeling someone’s been watching me!

uh... jerry? don’t freak out, but you’re actually

in that resource book right now!

how long have you been there?

yeah, well, hopefully they hang onto this comic too!

and hopefully, they’ll know how to do their part to stay safe and healthy at work - no matter where they work!

hey! there are more pages!

check out these back pages for a glossary, a quiz and a list of resources!

23

The Workplace Safety and Health t h e

w o r k p l a c e

s a f e t y

a n d

1. Why is it important to report an injury or illness occurring at work?

h e a l t h

q u i z

QUIZ

11. What is the Internal Responsibility System?

12. Define “Working in isolation.” 2. The SAFE Acronym stands for: S: A: F: E:

13. Fill in the blanks: A person under the age of 18 years old cannot work alone between ________and _________.

3. Name three types of hazards: 1. 2. 3.

14. What are the powers and duties of Workplace Safety and Health Officers?

4. Are the risks of all hazards the same?

5.

15.

Name three psychological and behavioural changes that can be caused by psycho-social hazards. 1. 2. 3.

16. In a workplace with under 20 employees, there must be a______________________ to help communicate health and safety concerns to management and workers.

6. What does WHMIS stand for?

17.

7.

Name the three basic rights of workers: 1. 2. 3.

Name the three parts of the WHMIS system. a) b) c)

When you are injured at work, what are the first three steps you should take? Step 1: Step 2: Step 3:

18. Name three of the legal duties of workers: 1. 2. 3.

8. What is the purpose of an MSDS?

19.

9. Why was The Workers Compensation Act created? 10. What is the purpose of The Workplace Safety and Health Act?

Name four questions you should ask your employer: 1. 2. 3. 4.

20. Why is it important for you to report all injuries to your supervisor and to the Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba?

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Glossary and Acronyms g l o s s a r y

a n d

a c r o n y m s

Here are a few terms you should keep in mind: MSDS

Internal Responsibility System (IRS)

Material Safety Data Sheet

The Internal Responsibility System means employees and employers are partners in making a workplace safe and illness-free. A Joint Safety and Health Committee is one way for employers and employees to work together to improve workplace health and safety.

SAFE

Spot the Hazard, Assess the Risk, Find a Safer Way, Every Day

Joint Safety and Health Committee (JSHC)

WHMIS

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System

When an employer has 20 or more employees, they must have a Joint Safety and Health Committee to help put the Internal Responsibility System into practice. The committee must consist of labour and management representatives who meet on a regular basis to deal with health and safety issues.

Competent

Competent means possessing the knowledge, experience and training to perform a specific duty. Dangerous Work

Legislation

Dangerous work is defined as work that poses a danger that is not normal for that job, a danger that would normally stop work or a situation the worker is not properly trained, equipped or experienced enough to handle.

Legislation refers to the laws made to protect citizens. Near Miss

A near miss is an event or situation that could have resulted in a workplace injury or illness, but did not.

Due Diligence

Due diligence means everyone responsible for safety and health must take every reasonable precaution to avoid a work-related injury or illness.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Personal protective equipment is any equipment used to help the worker to perform a job safely and to reduce or eliminate the chance of injury. Some examples of personal protective equipment include hard hats, safety boots, respirators, eye protection, hearing protection and gloves.

Ergonomics

Ergonomics is the study of how workers interact with their work environment. Proper ergonomics involves designing objects in the workplace, such as keyboards and chairs, to provide safety and comfort for the worker.

Psycho-Social Hazards

Psycho-social hazards are hazards that cause some sort of stress and can even cause the worker to experience psychological and behavioural changes including hostility, aggressiveness, anxiety, depression, tardiness, alcoholism, drug abuse, sickness and absenteeism. They can also cause headaches, heart disease and rapid aging.

Hazard

A hazard is any activity, situation or substance that has the potential to cause harm. Hazards can come in many forms such as physical, chemical, biological or psychosocial. Workplace hazards are divided into two broad categories: safety hazards and health hazards.

glossary 25

Glossary and Acronyms g l o s s a r y

Reasonable Grounds to Refuse Dangerous Work

a n d

a c r o n y m s

Serious Injury

Reasonable grounds basically asks the question “Would an average worker with the same training and experience and using honest, professional judgment agree that the work presents an unacceptable risk?” If the answer is yes, the person has a right to refuse to do the task.

A serious injury is any injury where the worker dies, gets an injury from electrical contact, is knocked unconsciousness from a concussion, fractures a major bone, has a body part amputated, suffers third degree burns, goes blind or experiences loss of vision, sustains a cut or laceration that requires hospitalization, is asphyxiated or poisoned.

Refusal to Work

Severity

A worker may refuse to perform work at a workplace where he or she has reasonable grounds to believe and does believe that the particular work is dangerous to his or her safety or health, or to the safety and health of another worker or any other person.

Severity is the seriousness of the harm that could result from a hazard. Severity is described in four categories; catastrophic (death and/or permanent injury), critical (serious injury), marginal (minor injury) and negligible (no injury).

Responsibility & Authority

Supervisor

Responsibility is a duty assigned to you to carry out properly. Authority is the right to make decisions and direct the work of others.

A supervisor is an employee given authority over others. Workplace

A workplace is any building, site, workshop, structure, mine, mobile vehicle, or any other premises or location whether indoors or outdoors in which one or more workers, or self-employed persons, are engaged in work or have worked.

Risk

Risk describes the likelihood a hazard will cause harm. It refers to the probability and severity of potential incidents, dangerous occurrences, near misses and emergencies.

Workplace Safety and Health Division Routes of Exposure

The Workplace Safety and Health Division is the division of the Government of Manitoba that deals with the health and safety of workers. Contact the WSHD when faced with a health and safety concern that cannot be resolved with your supervisor/employer. WSHD should also be contacted by your employer when a serious incident, injury or fatality occurs at your workplace.

The ways in which you can be exposed to a chemical or biological hazard are called the routes of exposure – by inhalation, ingestion, absorption or injection. Serious Incident

A serious incident is any incident that involves the collapse of a structure or heavy machinery, an explosion, a fire or flood, an uncontrolled release or spill of a hazardous substance or the failure of a respirator that results in an injury.

WCB

The Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba (WCB) is a mutual injury and disability insurance agency governed by a Board of Directors representative of employers, workers, and the public interest and funded by employer premiums.

acronyms 26

quiz answers 9. The Workers Compensation Act was created to promote healthy and safe workplaces, to encourage safe and timely return to work and to provide wage compensation to workers who get injured on the job.

1. It is important to report any injury or illness you get while on the job. When you report injuries or illnesses, you help your employer to make changes in your workplace to prevent the same injury from happening to others. Reporting will also help you get compensated for the time you miss work to recover.

10. The Workplace Safety and Health Act gives GENERAL requirements for minimal health and safety standards in the workplace. The Regulations give very SPECIFIC requirements for particular types of work. Both the Act and the Regulations are administered by the Workplace Safety and Health Division.

2. Spot the hazard Assess the risk Find a safer way Every day 3. Chemical Physical Biological Ergonomic Psycho-Social Hazards

11. The Internal Responsibility System puts in place an employee-employer partnership in ensuring a safe and disease-free workplace. A Joint Safety and Health Committee is a joint forum for employers and employees working together to improve workplace health and safety.

4. No, all hazards and the risks associated with them vary depending on the kind of work being done. 5. Hostility, aggressiveness, anxiety, depression, tardiness, alcoholism, drug abuse, sickness, absenteeism

12. “Working in isolation” means working in situations where assistance is not readily available in the event of injury, ill health or emergency.

6. Workplace Hazardous Material Information System

13. Fill in the blanks: A person under the age of 18 years old cannot work alone between 11:00 p.m. and 6 a.m.

7. a) Labels b) MSDS c) Training

14. * Inspect any workplace * Investigate any potential hazardous situation and work refusal * Order compliance with the law (e.g. the Act or Regulations)

8. * Outlines the hazards of a product

* How to use it safely



* What to do in an emergency

* Everyone in the workplace must cooperate with the Safety and Health Officer

* Other information, such as the full name and properties of the chemical

quiz answers 27

quiz answers 19. 1. What are the hazards of my job?

15. a) The Right to Know b) The Right to Participate c) The Right to Refuse Unsafe Work

2. What are the company’s safety and health rules? 3. When will I receive training in job safety and the workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS)?

16. In a workplace with under 20 employees, there must be a Workplace Safety and Health Representative to help communicate health and safety concerns to management and workers.

4. Is there a safety and health committee or a worker representative?

17. 1. Get healthcare attention as soon as possible.

5. Do I need to wear safety gear and when will I be shown how to use it?

2. Tell your supervisor about any injury or illness as soon as possible after it happens.

6. When will I be trained in emergency procedures? 7. Where is emergency equipment located?

3. Report the injury or illness to the WCB.

8. What do I do if I get hurt? Who is the first aid person? Is this workplace covered by Workers Compensation?

18. a) Follow The Workplace Safety and Health Act Regulations that apply to your job.

9. What are my safety and health responsibilities?

b) Use personal protective equipment and/or clothing required by your employer.

20. It is important you report all injuries because if the WCB of Manitoba doesn’t have a record of the injury, you will not be able to receive insured benefits if you are unable to work because of the injury or illness. If you have not reported the injury to the supervisor, there will be no record that the injury happened in the workplace. You should get first aid so that injuries or illnesses are attended to as quickly as possible and so that they do not worsen.

c) Report hazardous situations or violations of the Act or Regulations to your supervisor. d) Conduct yourself safely – conduct your work in accordance with your training. e) Follow the “rules” your employer has provided.

quiz answers 28

Safety and Health Resources s a f e t y

a n d

h e a l t h

r e s o u r c e s

When it comes to protecting your safety and health, you may need help. Here are some resources available to you: Union Safety and Health Officer or Representative

Employer/Supervisor

If you have a question or concern while you are at work, talk to your employer or supervisor.

All unions have a Safety and Health Officer or Representative who advises union members and monitors all aspects of safety and health in the workplace.

Joint Safety and Health Committee or Worker Safety and Health Representative

Safety Associations

You can talk to the worker member of your Joint Safety and Health Committee (JSHC) or your Worker Safety and Health Representative. They can make recommendations to your employer to make the workplace safer.

Some industries have formed associations to help deal with safety issues, training and resources around specific occupations. These associations are designed to promote safety within the industry and help employers and workers meet their health and safety requirements. In Manitoba, safety associations exist in construction, heavy construction, restaurants/hospitality and mining, to name a few.

Occupational Safety and Health Professionals

Many large companies have occupational safety and health professionals on staff. One of their jobs is to give advice about safety and health in the workplace.

} Here is a list of their offices throughout Manitoba: 1) 200-401 York Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3C 0P8 (204) 945-6848 2) 328-340 Ninth Street Brandon, MB R7A 6C2 (204) 726-6361 3) 15-59 Elizabeth Drive Thompson, MB R8N 1X4 (204) 677-6443 4) 143 Main Street Flin Flon, MB R8A 1K2 (204) 687-1618

resources

}

Manitoba Labour and Immigration, Workplace Safety and Health Division (204) 945-3446 Toll free: 1-866-888-8186 www.safemanitoba.com

If your workplace has fewer than 10 regularly employed workers, there might not be a Worker Safety and Health Representative or a JSHC because the Act doesn’t require it. There probably won’t be an occupational safety and health professional either; however, there are other resources you can use to find the information you need.

This is the part of the provincial government that promotes and enforces workplace safety and health (law). They can answer your questions or concerns or provide you with information confidentially. If a serious incident, death or other problem is occurring in your workplace, they will send a Workplace Safety and Health Officer to your workplace. The Manitoba Human Rights Commission 7th Floor, 175 Hargrave Street Winnipeg, MB R3C 3R8 Tel: 945-3007 Toll free: 1-888-884-8681 TTY: 945-3442 www.gov.mb.ca/hrc

Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba For general inquiries, call (204) 954-4321 or call toll free in Canada 1-800-362-3340 www.wcb.mb.ca. To report a claim (8:00 am to 7:00 pm, Monday - Friday), call (204) 954-4100 or toll free at 1-800-362-3340.

For more information on SAFE Work programs and resources, call 957-SAFE (957-7233) in Winnipeg or 1-866-929-SAFE (1-866-929-7233) outside Winnipeg, or visit: www.safemanitoba.com.

29

SAFE WORKERS OF TOMORROW 884 Portage Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3G 0P1 www.workersoftomorrow.com

tel: (204) 992-2988 fax: (204) 956-4864