May 2022 Recap: In Other News and What You May Have Missed

Here is all of the occupational safety and health-related news that you may have missed in May. Hope you’re having a safe spring!

Do you know your local safety legislation? Here’s how it impacts you and your lone workers - ISHN

Not only do employers and companies have a moral obligation to protect their workers and employees, but they also have a legal one. Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act of 1970, regulations regarding lone worker safety have been predominantly guided by two core standards.

Why this matters: 

OHS legislation for lone workers can be confusing and varies from jurisdiction and industry.

 

Fear-based workplace can hinder productivity – leaders play a role to fix it – OHS Canada

Workers who live in fear are less likely to speak their minds for fear of reprisal or career impact. The result of fear goes beyond not speaking up, not providing ideas, not pointing out a risk or weak point in the workplace, or offering a suggestion.

Why this matters:

A safety culture where employees are afraid to speak up about OHS issues is one that is not only dangerous but unproductive as well.

 

Feelings of Being Unsafe at Work May Correlate to Depression, Anxiety – OH&S 

A new study from the National Safety Council found people who felt unsafe at work were more like to experience symptoms of anxiety or depression than their coworkers who felt safe.

Why this matters:

This explores the correlation between work safety and mental health, which can be used to protect vulnerable workers.

 

Early in the pandemic, more health care workers are exposed to COVID-19 on the job than outside work: study – Safety+Health

Health care workers who were diagnosed with COVID-19 during the first year of the pandemic were more likely to have contracted the illness on the job rather than in household or community settings, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study has concluded.

Why this matters:

The data collected from this study can help protect health care workers - and the public - more effectively in the future.

161 deaths: B.C. remembers those lost to workplace injuries, disease in 2021– Surrey Now-Leader

The workplace compensation company marked the Day of Mourning Thursday (April 28) with the release of its latest statistics, revealing that 161 B.C. residents died from a workplace injury or disease last year. That’s up from 151 in 2020 and 140 in 2019.

Why this matters:

In 2021, WorkSafeBC accepted the highest number of workplace death claims in seven years; there are a number of applicable lessons learned from these statistics for future occupational safety for all areas.

 

Setting Up Lone Utility Workers for Safety and Success – Utility Products

Line lone workers face an array of various safety hazards that can result in debilitating and sometimes fatal consequences. However, before these safety hazards can be addressed and then mitigated or eliminated, they must be identified and documented.

Why this matters:

The safety of lone utility workers is an under-addressed issue that needs to be taken more seriously.

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