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ABOUT E-NEWS: WHSCC E-News is a monthly publication designed to bridge the gap between the Commission's website and WHSCC NEWS, our print-edition newsletter, which is published twice a year.
WHSCC E-News will provide you with timely access to the kind of health and safety news you need to protect your workers, your co-workers and yourself.
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Important new legislation affecting JHSCs announced!
Bill 18, an Act to Amend the Occupational Health and Safety Act, was passed on June 1. This new legislation affects any workplace with a Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) or health and safety representative. These changes relate to the training of JHSC members, the structure of JHSCs on project sites, and monthly workplace health and safety inspections.
To learn more about how this legislation may affect you, click here.
Pictured in the back row, from left to right, are: Angela Acott-Smith, WHSCC; Tanya Godbout, WHSCC summer student; Dorita Lapointe, teacher; Roberta Dugas, chairperson, WHSCC; Denis Bourgeois, teacher, and K - Grade 2 students from École Grande-Rivère.
Progressive Agriculture Safety Day held in St-Léonard
More than 300 students from Grades K-12 attended a Progressive Agriculture Safety Day at l’École Grande-Rivière in St-Léonard on June 1. The event, co-ordinated by the WHSCC, marked not only the first time the event was hosted in Atlantic Canada, but also the first time it was ever hosted in French. Click here to read more.
Ask Us!
Q: I am asking two questions on behalf of my brother-in-law, who is employed as a seasonal worker by the Province of New Brunswick. His job at times entails the operation of a chainsaw in the bush. His Chainsaw Safety Certificate expired earlier this year.
If he is injured operating a chain saw on the job would he still be eligible for workers’ compensation? Can he refuse to operate the chainsaw without the risk of being fired?
John Smith*
Saint John*, N.B.
* Names have been changed for privacy purposes.
A: Compensation is no fault insurance and if the employee is injured in the course of his duties there will be coverage.
Employees have the “right to refuse” to do any act where they have reasonable grounds for believing that the act is likely to endanger their health or safety or the health or safety of others. The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS) entitles workers to this right, and protects them from discriminatory action by the employer. If your brother-in-law does not feel he is competent to operate the chainsaw, then he needs to inform his employer.
For information on your rights under the OHS Act, click here.
If you have a question for Ask us! please forward to stearsb@whscc.nb.ca .
Recent Accident Reports
Date of Accident: |
May 21, 2007 |
Injury Type: |
Head and severe back injury |
Hospitalized: |
Yes |
Industry: |
Aquaculture / Labourer |
Location: |
Southwest |
Notes: |
An ice crew was backing an ice truck into position to load ice on a vessel. The worker was at the rear of the truck, out of sight of driver and crew, when he fell over the edge of the wharf; he struck the boat rail and fell into the water, unconscious. The captain dove in and held him above water and the crew pulled him onto the vessel’s deck. |
More accident reports...
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Publications Workers’ Rehabilitation Centre – Programs and Services pamphlet
JHSC Guide (revised)
Did you know? In 2006, the WHSCC investigated 115 serious accidents. Serious accidents include fatalities, amputations or crushing injuries (excluding fingers and toes) affecting an arm, leg, hand, foot upper body or pelvis; loss of vision in at least one eye; injuries when an employee is admitted, or likely to be admitted, to hospital as an in-patient; and fractures (excluding fingers and toes).
WHSCC’s human resources department wins gold!
The WHSCC’s Human Resources Department was recently presented the Gold Star Agency Award by the International Personnel Management Agency (IPMA) – Canada, for its significant contribution to the practice of human resources management. Receiving the award, from left to right, are the WHSCC’s Heather Cossaboom, director, Human Resources; Doug Stanley, president and CEO; Yvon Collette, training consultant. To read more, click here.
Interesting Link The New Brunswick Forest Industries Safety Association’s new website is up and running. Check it out at http://www.nbfisa.ca
Events
June is ...
Stroke Awareness Month
Brain Injury Awareness Month
July 4-6
Assessment and Action for Healthy Settings: Schools, Communitites, Workplaces, Public Health Organizations & More
St. John’s, N.L.
Tel: 709 737-8476 or 1 866 843-9468
July 15-19
International Congress of Toxicology 2007
Montreal, Que. Tel: 613 993-9431
To have your health and safety event posted in this newsletter, please e-mail stearsb@whscc.nb.ca .
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