You aren’t allergic to safety… Your six safety stories!

By Matt King

I have a few allergies. None of them are particularly fatal, but I do my best to avoid the many foods to which I am allergic (gluten, dairy, eggs, beef, nuts, etc.) I found out about these allergies around 2 ½ years ago. Before then, I ate whatever I wanted, and finding out I had to drastically change my diet for my own health and bodily safety, well… it was a hard thing to take at first.

Ultimately, I had to train myself to look at ingredients and not eat the food. It was for my own good. It was difficult at first, but then it became part of my daily routine. Pick up a package of corn pasta, check the ingredients, eat it. Health and safety, whether it’s allergies or something at work, are very important.

So, use this week’s six safety stories to think about your safety at work. Have you been trained? Are you committing yourself to work safely?

• You are certifiable… in a good way! Young workers in Saskatchewan are being reminded that they need to take a readiness certificate course before working for the holiday season. This course is meant to prepare youth for work, helping them know their rights and what constitutes a safe workplace.
• Steel-toed and pregnant… In their ongoing health and safety at work series, The Belfast Telegraph takes a look at pregnancy and the workplace. Some of these items are specific only to Belfast, but it’s a good thing to think about – especially in terms of what your rights are if you’re pregnant.
• How much wood can a woodchuck safely chuck? WorkCover New South Wales is gearing up a new project, in which they will visit over 45 wood manufacturing businesses in a bid to reduce workplace injuries and illnesses.
• Injury report… A Nova Scotia flag person in Moncton was seriously injured on Monday when she was struck by a steamroller. In her 30s, the woman is in hospital.
• Cleaning bottles, getting hurt… Two workers suffered serious burns at a brewery on Wednesday in Montreal. Quebec’s workplace safety board is investigating the incident.
• Remembering… Western Australian WorkSafe investigators are looking into the death of a 53-year-old mechanic. This was the sixth workplace death in November, which is unusually high for the region. Investigators are hoping to get the safety message out and prevent further injuries and fatalities.

Remember, work smart, work safe.