Safety Scoops & Articles
Back to Business: BOGO 50% OFF!
We're Back to Business! Manufacturers' Health & Safety Association (MHSA) is excited to announce that we've officially opened the doors to in-house courses! For the months of July & August, all 1 day or 2 day courses are BOGO 50% off.
We're Back to Business! Manufacturers' Health & Safety Association (MHSA) is excited to announce that we've officially opened the doors to in-house courses! For the months of July & August, all 1 day or 2 day courses are BOGO 50% off.
WCB- Alberta Annual Report
We are pleased to share the 2019 edition of the digital annual report.
We are pleased to share the 2019 edition of the digital annual report.
Counterfeit Respirators
Counterfeit respirators are products that are falsely marketed and sold as being approved by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) or approved to some other acceptable standard, and may not be capable of providing appropriate respiratory protection to workers. NIOSH has identified a number of red flags including:
Counterfeit respirators are products that are falsely marketed and sold as being approved by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) or approved to some other acceptable standard, and may not be capable of providing appropriate respiratory protection to workers. NIOSH has identified a number of red flags including:
No NIOSH markings
NIOSH spelled incorrectly
Presence of decorative fabric or other decorative add-ons
Additional information regarding counterfeit NIOSH approval can be found here.
KN95 respirators not meeting performance standards have also been identified. The Centre for Disease Control is testing many of these and the results are available here. If an employer suspects that a mask is fraudulent or uncertified, stop using it and report the information to Health Canada.
Go here for information on many of the current issues related to the safe use of disposable respirators.
-OHS/ES eNews
Workplace Guidance for Business Owners
Overview This document has been developed to support business/services (excluding health care settings) in reducing the risk of transmission of COVID-19 among workers, volunteers and patrons. The guidance in this document is applicable to other settings and sectors (e.g., schools and places of worship).
This document has been developed to support business/services (excluding health care settings) in reducing the risk of transmission of COVID-19 among workers, volunteers and patrons. The guidance in this document is applicable to other settings and sectors (e.g., schools and places of worship).
Please find the full article here.
COVID-19 Orders and Legislation
The Chief Medical Officer of Health has issued Order 18-20, which rescinds Orders 01-2020, 02-2020, and 07-2020. The appendix contains a list of businesses, entities and schools closed to the public.
The Chief Medical Officer of Health has issued Order 18-20, which rescinds Orders 01-2020, 02-2020, and 07-2020. The appendix contains a list of businesses, entities and schools closed to the public.
For links to specific ministerial orders, orders in council and legislation that have been implemented to support Albertans, prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect our economy, visit the Alberta.ca COVID-19 orders and legislation page.
To stay up to date with new publications and OHS/ES developments subscribe to the OHS/ES eNews and find past issues here.
- OHS Prevention Services
N95 Respirator Alternatives
The Alberta Government is allowing the use of respirators meeting international standards as alternatives to N95 respirators approved by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
The Alberta Government is allowing the use of respirators meeting international standards as alternatives to N95 respirators approved by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
On May 3, a ministerial order took effect that temporarily amends the OHS Code during the COVID-19 public emergency. This amendment lists specific respirator standards, approved for use in other countries, that employers can use without needing to request an approval.
This amendment addresses the interim situation of domestic shortages of NIOSH-approved N95 respirators, and remains in effect until 60 days after the state of public emergency is over. Other requirements related to respiratory protection still apply, including a successful fit test on all mask types. The Ministerial Order can be viewed here.
-OHS Prevention Services
North American Occupational Safety and Health Week
The week of May 3-9th marks the North American Occupational Safety and Health week. The goal of this week is to focus employers, employees, partners and the public on the importance of preventing injury and illness in the work place, at home and in the community. This year we face a new set of challenges due to the COVID 19 pandemic, and it will be important that we all take the necessary preventative measures.
The week of May 3-9th marks the North American Occupational Safety and Health week. The goal of this week is to focus employers, employees, partners and the public on the importance of preventing injury and illness in the work place, at home and in the community. This year we face a new set of challenges due to the COVID 19 pandemic, and it will be important that we all take the necessary preventative measures.
"Lets work together to make sure Albertans can come home healthy and safe from their jobs each day."
-Jason Copping
Maintaining your Health and Safety System Through a Downturn
April 28th: Day of Mourning Ceremony
Although things were done a little differently this year, the Manufacturers' Health & Safety Association (MHSA) is grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in a very small gathering to remember the lives lost in workplace incidents.
Although things were done a little differently this year, the Manufacturers' Health & Safety Association (MHSA) is grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in a very small gathering to remember the lives lost in workplace incidents. Its vitally important to remember that protection of lives is a critical component to any business and should be the foundation value in order to maintain life and limb in any organization.
