Canadian Occupational Safety (COS) magazine is the premier workplace health and safety publication in Canada. We cover a wide range of topics ranging from office to heavy industry, and from general safety management to specific workplace hazards.
Issue link: https://digital.thesafetymag.com/i/356771
May 2013 7 Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma May y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 2013 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 7 Quebec study identifi es tools, jobs with high risk of silica exposure By Mari-Len De Guzman R esearchers at Montreal-based L'Institut de recherche Robert- Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) have developed a database on occupational exposure for construction workers. It identifi es tasks and tools that most expose workers to silica, as well as job designations that create high risk of exposure. e IRSST analysis identifi es the tasks and tools that may expose workers to silica at levels above the allowed exposure limit by regulations. ese tasks and tools include sawing masonry pieces with portable masonry saws, roughening (bushhammering), crack- ing masonry pieces (hammer drills and jackhammers, on concrete or ceramic), tunnelling and grinding joints of brick or stone. Employees working underground, as well as operators of heavy equipment used for drilling tunnels, have a higher risk of exposure to silica concentrations exceeding the level prescribed by Quebec regulations, according to a report from the IRSST. Cement fi nish- ers, bricklayers, drillers, semi-skilled workers and skilled operators of heavy equipment used for milling roads are another group at risk of exposure above or near the prescribed level. Crystalline silica is a basic compo- nent of soil, sand, granite and many other minerals. Prolonged inhalation at high concentrations can cause a lung disease called silicosis. is substance is also known to be carcinogenic when inhaled in the workplace, and deaths have been asso- ciated with exposure to silica, the IRSST said. e presence of silica in several of the basic materials used in the construction sector makes it diffi cult to use substitu- tion as an approach to eliminating hazards at source, the IRSST said. Technical means of controlling expo- sure, such as sprinkling and exhaust ventilation, promote a significant decrease in the concentration of silica in the air, but they do not, according to data collected by the IRSST, comply with exposure limits. Researchers rec- ommend optimizing these means, complemented by the use of respira- tor y protective equipment, improving the tuning and main- tenance of tools and equipment, and adopting work methods that limit the emission of dust. e IRSST research is available for download at the firm's website www.irsst.qc.ca. By COS staff M anitoba is embarking on an action plan for injury and ill- ness prevention, particularly targeting employers engaged in claims suppres- sion, says Family Services and Labour Minister Jennifer Howard. e action plan incorporates three reports that are part of a wide-ranging review of workplace injury and illness prevention. "Specifi cally, the reports show there are instances of employers discour- aging injured workers from making compensation claims," she says. " is is illegal and our government will do more to prevent it from happening, including legislative changes to increase penalties for claim suppres- sion and to make it easier to submit legiti- mate claims." e three reports come from the minister's advi- sory council on workplace safety and health, Manitoba's chief prevention officer for workplace safety and health, and Paul Petrie, a British Columbia-based expert on workers' compensation systems who completed a review of the impact of the current workers' compensa- tion board (WCB) experience-rating system on claim reporting and claim suppression, and identifi ed strategies to promote injury and disease prevention. The Petrie report identified problems with claim reporting, claim suppression and aggressive return-to- work practices. It recommends higher penalties for claim-reporting violations and a greater emphasis on prevention incentives. "Manitoba's current experience- rating system emphasizes claims cost control a er an injury occurs," said Petrie. "My recommendations are designed to minimize claims suppres- sion activity where it exists, to provide incentives to prevent injuries wherever possible and, where injuries do occur, to restore the worker to safe, productive employment as soon as practical." e minister said she has asked the WCB to review Petrie's recommenda- tions and create a plan to take action on them this fall. g will do m from hap leg si easi mate cl e th from the sory coun safety and chief preve By COS staff W orkSafeBC is undergoing a review of its current multiple sclerosis (MS) policy and is asking for stakeholders to provide input by Sept. 27, 2013. Current WorkSafeBC policy provides that the onset of MS could be precipitated by a compensable traumatic injury in an individual who is predisposed to the disease. Concerns have been raised regarding the scientifi c basis for this policy, according to WorkSafeBC. e review is to determine if there is scientifi c basis for this policy. WorkSafeBC's board of directors has approved the release of a discus- sion paper with options for stakeholder review and comment. WorkSafeBC has provided a number of ways for stakeholders to provide feedback on the options and dra policy amendments. Visit the WorkSafeBC website (www.worksafebc.com) to fi nd out how to provide feedback on the MS policy review. WorkSafeBC's board of directors will consider stakeholder feedback before it adopts any amendments to the current policy, the agency said. WorkSafeBC launches review of MS policy Manitoba targets employers for injury claims suppression