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Hi Ryan,

Interesting comment. Thanks for taking the time to share.

I think that some individuals read a lot into the hazard assessment process in Alberta. You can make it as hard or easy as you want...as long as you comply with the law. Hazard assessment or identification is one of those foundational activities in all health and safety programs/systems. I see a lot of people taking the requirement in the Alberta OHS Code and using it to justify field level risk assessment or something akin to critical task analysis. Its extremely important for all of us to do things for the right reasons...if we're trying to generate paper, but getting no value from the activity then you're right; it is a waste of time. If your hazard assessment process provides you with useful information about potential harm in your workplace and then you develop new control measures to prevent injury or illness...that is good.

The hard thing for a lot of us safety folks is matching the cure to the illness. We need to do the best possible job giving the workplace the right medication at the right dosage. Doing the wrong thing or too much of the right thing is not helpful. It sounds like you've had this experience.

I sometimes get frustrated with the safety culture of one size fits all in a lot of Alberta workplaces. All workplaces are different. There are many ways to get to safety. I like your comment about the effectiveness of safety meetings. This is a great way of engaging workers...again, as long as its done for the right reasons and not because the company has to.

As to the cop thing, I think I wanted to be one when I was ten, but I'm glad I grew up to be a safety guy.

Have a good one....Andrew...a Canadian Safety Guy

Hi Dennis,

I'm sorry to hear about your experiences in your workplace in Alberta. Your description of the circumstance suggest that there are some instances of non-compliance at your workplace related to poor preventive maintenance of the powered mobile equipment. The OHS Code is pretty clear regarding the need to keep this equipment in good working condition.

Here's the section of the OHS Code Explanation Guide dealing with powered mobile equipment --> http://employment.alberta.ca/documents/WHS/WHS-LE... .

Also, here's a link to a guide for temporary foreign workers in Alberta--> http://employment.alberta.ca/documents/WIA/WIA-IM...

If you feel that you're not being listened to or if you have a concern regarding your safety and your rights you may want to chat with your safety committee (if there's one in your workplace) or with Alberta Workplace Health and Safety.

Here's a link to the government's contact information --> http://employment.alberta.ca/SFW/2874.html

I'm hesitant to provide any further assistance as I'm not party to all of the details related to your situation.

Again, sorry to hear about your workplace experiences. I'm glad to hear that you weren't seriously injured.

Regards...Andrew

Hats off to Alberta Employment and Immigration for taking some of the safety videos from Nova Scotia (like the Story of the Nail above) and recycling them to promote occupational health and safety in Alberta. I thought that Nova Scotia did a fantastic job with this series of videos and I'm glad they're getting a wider circulation. Its also a good use of money. Finally, one the health and safety authorities in Canada is harmonizing its messaging in a cost effective manner! Way to go Alberta and Nova Scotia!

Here's an update on the story from the Sault Star. Additional detail regarding the charges under the Ontario OHS Act have been added:

http://www.saultstar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=24...

Hi Robert,

Great comment. So you\'re telling me that you can play it safe and have fun at the same time? Sounds good.

Interesting service you provide... workplace fun. I would think that safety pro\'s would find your workplace celebration and team building services useful. Great video on your website. Will have to recommend you to some colleagues.

Wonder what you could do with WHMIS... lol

Regards...Andrew

Here's a Shane Koyczan's actual performance at the Opening Ceremonies:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AHJN558jTg

Bravo!

Here's Nikki Yanofsky singing I Believe, the 2010 Winter Olympics Anthem, on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrCA0HK-yO0

Here's the full written version of Shane Koyczan's poem on Canada called "We Are More". Check it out at VancouverIsAwesome:

http://vancouverisawesome.com/2010/02/12/shane-ko...

Here's a link to a news story about the luge track investigation. Investigators are indicating that some minor changes to the track will be made and additional practice runs allowed.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2698273/...