Health and safety article from OSH website.

As you know Health & Safety Training and Certification is required in many work settings and to meet many licensing requirments, but did you know that there is a lot of information out there available to help you meet these requirments affectively.

We are quality instructors with American Heart Association that can help you gain quality training and certification.

Here is some more information to assist you with things you can do to make your company safe and successful!

To find this document, go to this website: http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/hsprograms/basic.html#_1_13

How do you establish medical aid and first aid programs? First aid facilities and the provision of medical aid is generally prescribed under health and safety legislation or workers' compensation legislation. The OSH program must include the following information:

• location of first aid stations and medical facilities
• identification of first aid attendants
• identification of other staff trained in first aid
• policy on pre-employment and follow-up medical examinations
• procedures for transporting injured employees to outside medical facilities
• provision of first aid training
• procedure for recording injuries and illnesses

A policy on return to work after a lost-time accident might appropriately be included in this section of the program. The fact that "light duties" or "modified work" is a controversial issue is all the more reason for the organization to agree on a clear policy that is known by all employees. In some jurisdictions, modified work rules are covered by legislation.

In general, if injured workers are offered alternative employment:

• the work must be suitable and productive
• the worker's physician must agree that such employment will not harm the worker or slow down the recovery
• the worker will pose no threat to other workers
• the policy is applied to off-the-job injuries as well

Under no circumstances should the reduction of severity ratings be a reason for initiating a "modified work" program.

http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/hsprograms/basic.html#_1_13 
How do you promote employee involvement in health and safety programs? Once the health and safety program has been set in place and the program appears to be running smoothly, effort is still required to maintain enthusiasm and interest. Studies have shown that the effectiveness of health and safety educational techniques depends largely on how much importance management is seen to place on health and safety. Where management, by its actions, has shown that they are sincerely concerned, interest in the program can be maintained at a high level. Accountability for individual performance is a key motivator.

Safety awareness can be enhanced by:

• the setting of realistic goals and monitoring progress
• Distribution of all pertinent information
• individual recognition for superior performance
• general meetings, tailgate talks, and one-on-one coaching
• Well-designed incentive programs

The safety incentive program is probably the most controversial. Most incentive programs are based on the rationale that anything that raises safety awareness is worthwhile. However, there are those who do not share this viewpoint. They maintain that these programs lead to under-reporting of accidents and promoting of the "walking wounded" syndrome. Programs must not encourage workers to remain at work when doing so is unsafe for them due to their physical condition. Therefore, when an incentive program is launched, strict controls must be maintained to prevent this from happening. The joint health and safety committee can play a leading role in activities designed to promote the program and participation of all employees.


Should workplace specific items be included in occupational health and safety programs? The elements of OH&S programs discussed so far apply to all basic health and safety programs. In addition, specific items may be needed to address workplace specific activities. Examples of such items are:

• Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
• lock out procedures
• hot-work permits
• material handling rules
• plant maintenance
• fire safeguards
• vehicle safety rules
• off-the-job safety
• working alone guidelines
• personal protective equipment requirements
• engineering standards
• purchasing standards
• preventive maintenance