What a way to start the Summer! Keep those umbrellas handy as we brace for the expected rainfall. We need to also be on the look out for river levels as the snow beings to melt from the mountains. That being said let’s look at some guidelines for potential floods. Things to avoid during a flood:
• Avoid low spots, like ditches, basements, or underpasses. These become extremely dangerous during a flash flood.
• Do not walk through flooded areas. It can be difficult to tell how deep the water is and what lies underneath the water that could hurt you.
• If you have to walk in water, wherever possible, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.
• Do not drive into flooded areas. Remember: “Turn around, don’t drown.” If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground—only if you can do so.
• Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
“When life gives you a rainy day, play in the puddles” Let’s not take that saying literally and do our best to keep safe!
On the OHS front, we have a very informative update from Alberta OHS on an OHS Preventative Initiative. Read more on this below:
Every year, Albertans are killed or harmed while on the job. There has been an average of 50,000 work-related injuries per year in recent years in Alberta. By taking actions before an event occurs, workplace fatalities, illnesses and injuries can be prevented.
This is the goal of the occupational health and safety (OHS) system – to keep workplaces and workers healthy and safe. This is done through awareness and action. The OHS prevention initiative focuses on the 3 most common injuries and illnesses that occur in workplaces:
• Injuries to bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons and nerves (musculoskeletal) due to repetitive use, overexertion and heavy lifting;
• Injuries from slips, trips and falls and
• Injuries, illnesses resulting from workplace violence, harassment and mental health issues (psychosocial hazards).
The initiative focuses on workforce types known to be at higher risk of injury and illness such as small businesses – private sector employers who have less than 20 workers, vulnerable workers – individuals who have one or more of the following characteristics:
young (aged 24 or less), older (aged 55 or more), Indigenous, short tenure of work (temporary, seasonal or casual work contracts or arrangements – up to 6 months), have multiple jobs, temporary foreign workers and migrants.
The following links are OHS resources to help create awareness to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses.
https://ohs-pubstore.labour.alberta.ca/slips-trips-and-falls
https://ohs-pubstore.labour.alberta.ca/musculoskeletal-disorders