legislation

Visibility

Hallowe’en seems like the perfect time for a discussion about “visibility” and “line of sight”. Masks and other costumes can obstruct a trick-or-treater’s vision; a child may not see approaching people or vehicles, and may trip and fall over obstacles that they cannot see. When you can only see forward, your peripheral vision is impaired; […]
Read more

Does your safety coordinator “do” ergonomics?

It might surprise you to learn that most of our clients have full-time safety coordinators. And yet, when you look at job postings for safety positions, many of them identify “ergonomics” as one of the job responsibilities. Given that strain/sprain injuries account for the majority of incidents and the majority of WSIB costs, you’d think […]
Read more

Should ergonomics training be provided regularly? If so, why?

Basic employee ergonomics training, as we described in a previous blog should be provided upon hire. But after that, do employees need ergonomics training? We argue that, yes, training should be provided regularly. Here’s why: Orientation is a blur. (“The mind can only absorb as much as the butt can endure,” or so said P. […]
Read more

Design, so they don’t reach for it!

If you’re familiar with ergonomics design guidelines, then you are aware of the CSA guideline (CSA Z1004-12) that provides recommended reach guidelines for “frequent”, “infrequent”, and “occasional” work. What do these guidelines represent? For reach, we usually are most concerned with a smaller worker, because a larger worker could stand further back, and achieve the […]
Read more