Canadian Occupational Safety

30 Canadian Occupational Safety | www.cos-mag.com TOOLS OF THE TRADE PRODUCTS & SERVICES The latest OHS innovations and industry updates PAPR without belt, hoses comes to Canada CleanSpace Technology, a global manufacturer of powered air-purify- ing respirators (PAPRs), is expanding into North America. What makes CleanSpace respirators unique is there are no cables or hoses — they are neck-mounted. "Until now, the respiratory protection market has remained relatively stagnant despite available technology and engineering advancements," says Alex Birrell, CEO of CleanSpace Technology. "CleanSpace respirators deliver the high level of protection of a powered air-purifying respirator with the ease of use of a negative pressure mask. The days of traditional, heavy PAPRs, hoses, cables or belt-mounted battery packs are now behind us." The respirators offer a minimum 99.97 per cent fi ltration to particles 0.3 micron and are NIOSH approved P100, according to CleanSpace. The respirators weigh less than 1 pound and the light ergonomic design places the weight at the back of the neck rather than on the face. AirSensit responsive fl ow control software responds to airfl ow demand breath-by-breath, making it pleasant and easy to breathe, even in the most challenging environments, says CleanSpace. The respi- rators provide fresh, clean air for up to eight hours and are compatible with helmets, goggles and ear protection. They are comfortable when operating heavy equipment and are safe when working in tight locations because they won't catch on equipment. The HEPA fi lters are easily changed and the wearer sees the consolidation of dust in the fi lters after the shift. Filter alarms ensure the fi lters are changed when needed. Easy equipment checks, an intuitive operating system and simple training ensure correct use. CleanSpace products are currently in use in mining, manufacturing, energy and oil and gas in more than 20 countries. CoreChair gets workers moving while sitting The CoreChair is an ergonomic, active-sitting chair that encourages movement. The COS staff could not stop talking about this chair at the 2017 Partners in Prevention trade show in Mississauga, Ont. in May. When you sit in the chair, it not only feels extremely comfortable, eliminates any pressure points and gives you instantly perfect posture, but it moves around with you. CoreChair CEO and co-founder Patrick Harrison pitched the chair on CBC's Dragon's Den where he explained it was inspired by the trend toward exercise balls being used as chairs in the offi ce. "We set out to design an active-sitting chair that is really intended to optimize the posture, which the ball doesn't do, and above all things, make it safer in the offi ce environment," he says. The seat is highly sculpted to relieve pres- sure points, prevent sliding and deliver comfort. Prolonged static sitting in tra- ditional chairs (even high-end ergonomic chairs) can result in uncomfortable back strain and lack of movement, says CoreChair. The amount of static sitting workers do in a day contributes to obesity, disease and back pain, otherwise known as the sitting disease. Introducing a variety of movement into the work- day helps to optimize worker health. The design of the CoreChair encourages movement in all directions to 14 degrees, enhancing joint mobilization of the hips, pelvis and spine. The chair engages core muscles and stimulates circulation and other vital systems. "The chair allows you to move as you're reaching for things, so it's minimizing strain on your back as you're doing normal activities," says Harrison, who is a kinesiologist based in Aurora, Ont. The vision of CoreChair is to offer the world's healthiest, therapeutic offi ce chair. Studies by the Mayo Clinic in the United States show that moderate movement on the CoreChair stimulates metabolism 20 per cent more than on a standard offi ce chair. Harrison's wife is a personal trainer and she developed a series of exercises that can be done on the CoreChair to help workers build exercise and activity into their workday. While some of us were a bit concerned about fall- ing out of the chair, others were unsure about the lack of armrests. But the chair comes with a 60-day satisfaction guarantee, so if you just can't get used to it, the company has your back. Kee Safety improves lifelines for use on bitumen membrane roofs Kee Safety of Concord, Ont. has announced signifi - cant enhancements to its KeeLine horizontal lifelines that enable easier installation on bitumen membrane roofs and provide greater resistance to harsh weather. KeeLine is a wire-based lifeline system designed to pro- vide CSA-compliant fall protection for construction and maintenance personnel on rooftops where guardrails are not suitable. It features a redesigned post and base- plate for ease of installation on bitumen membrane roofs that is also compatible with metal profi le, standing seam and composite panel roofs. Additional safety and durability upgrades to KeeLine include new toggle fi xings, a slim-line corner design, stronger rivets, improved swage and reduced-height intermediate uprights. "Independent reports estimate that the global roofi ng market is expected to reach $111 billion by 2020 with the largest growth forecast for the bitumen roof segment," says Mike Mumau, president of Kee Safety. "Our improved new KeeLine is designed to provide workers with added fall protection in the course of their construction work, inspections or maintenance and repairs." KeeLine is a permanent lifeline system that offers up to three workers uninterrupted access and free movement around the surface of a roof. It features spans of up to 15 metres between the new low-profi le posts with brackets that permit the traveller to glide easily along the system without having to detach at any time. The new baseplate for bitumen membrane roofs allows for simple weathering detail and virtually all components are constructed of galvanized or stainless steel for corrosion resistance. The KeeLine lifeline features an 8 millimetre Grade 316 stainless steel wire plus universal components that allows for multiple fi xing options. In the event of a fall, in-line shock absorbers minimize loads applied to the building and the new post design reduces damage if the system is deployed. New program focuses on families of fi rst responders with PTSD Family members of fi rst responders impacted by post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) will now have access to new supports in increasing resiliency and improving mental health outcomes. Medavie Health Foundation and the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) are partnering to develop Road to Mental Readiness (R2MR) for families and other supportive relationships. "It is clear that improving mental health is a prior- ity in paramedicine and other fi rst responders but we often forget about the family members and the impor- tant role they can play in supporting their loved ones," says Ed Mantler, vice-president, programs and priorities, MHCC. "By supporting fi rst responders and their families through R2MR, we aim to increase literacy and reduce the stigma associated with mental illness, helping to create a healthy work and home life environment." This new national program — to be available in both French and English — will be adapted for family mem- bers and others in supportive relationships of paramedics and other fi rst responders. Originally developed by the Department of National Defence, R2MR was adapted by MHCC to meet the mental health needs of fi rst responders. Evaluation results show that participating in R2MR training reduces the stigma that often surrounds mental health problems and mental illness, and increases resiliency, says Medavie. This new program will be developed by MHCC and Heather Stuart of Queen's University in Kingston, Ont. with support from the University of Calgary's Andrew Szeto, who helped develop the R2MR program for fi rst responders. Research on United States veterans has shown the harmful impact of PTSD on families, including marital problems, family violence, partner distress and behav- iour problems in children, says Medavie. "This new program… (is) an example of a different kind of heath care, one that doesn't start in a doctor's offi ce, but in our kitchens and living rooms in keeping Canadians healthy and living their best lives," says Ber- nard Lord, CEO of Medavie. operating system and simple training ensure correct use. CleanSpace products are currently in use in Prolonged static sitting in tra- ditional chairs (even high-end ergonomic chairs) can result in uncomfortable back strain and lack of movement, says CoreChair. The amount of static sitting workers do in a day contributes to health. The design of the CoreChair for things, so it's minimizing strain on your back as you're doing normal activities," says world's healthiest, therapeutic offi ce chair. Studies by the Mayo Clinic in the United States show that moderate movement on the CoreChair stimulates metabolism 20 per cent more build exercise and activity into their workday. nard Lord, CEO of Medavie.

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