Category: Uncategorized

In 2002 and into 2003, SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) silently made its way into Toronto. Within weeks of seeing the first case, Toronto-area hospitals and healthcare providers were dealing with a full-blown pandemic. In the months following the outbreak,…

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was not designed with women in mind, because it was thought that it didn’t have to be: women typically didn’t work in industries where PPE was required. However, that is no longer the case. More women…

In 2012, Suncor Inc., a large energy company with substantial operations in the Alberta Oil Sands, introduced a random drug and alcohol testing policy at its operations in Northeastern Alberta. Employees at Suncor’s sites generally worked twelve (12) hour shifts, and operated some…

Over the past year, there has been a spotlight on workplace violence, harassment, and sexual harassment. Allegations have run rampant in the media, sports, entertainment, and politics. We continue to hear reports of toxic cultures deeply entrenched in large Canadian…

When it comes to fragrance, the range is vast. From delightfully light, fruity scents, to heavy musks, the variations are endless. So too, are people’s preferences for certain scents. However, preference is moot when it comes to allergies. For some,…

Right now, Canadian workplaces are experiencing a wellness revolution. Employers have come to recognize the value of human capital and the effect that wellness has on workers. The theory goes, “If we look after them, they’ll look after us.” It…

To err is human, or so the saying goes. But, is it true? The advent of automation has brought automation as a safety control to the attention of many health and safety managers. How does automation impact health and safety?…

Open office plans are trendy. Proponents often point to the collaborative effects and aesthetic appeal. Since open offices are so trendy and popping up everywhere, they must be great! However, there is a serious downside to open office layouts, and…

Every so often we come across an article, blog, or video that mirrors our own beliefs when it comes to how we view safety. Recently, I came across an article and a video of Mike Rowe from the show Dirty…