Canadian Occupational Safety

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018 7 Firefighters absorbing harmful chemicals through skin A study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology sheds light on a dangerous threat that might be putting firefighters' health at risk: toxic chemicals in smoke. A team of researchers at the University of Ottawa, working with Health Canada, the University of Toronto and the Insti- tut national de santé publique du Québec, examined chemical exposure experienced by Ottawa Fire Service firefighters during on-shift, emergency fire operations between January 2015 and April 2016. This is the first study to examine chemical exposure occurring during emergency, on-shift fire suppression. "Our research shows how firefighters are exposed to harmful chemicals, which helps us find ways to reduce those exposures — and hopefully reduce the onset of disease," said Jules Blais, professor of environmental toxicology at the University of Ottawa and research team leader. "Our study shows that the best way to reduce a firefighter's exposure to harmful combustion products is to reduce chemical exposure to the skin." The team collected urine and skin wipe samples from the firefighters at the start of their shifts, as well as after a fire to measure whether they were exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which can cause DNA mutations and cancer. They also analyzed other harmful chemicals often found in smoke. "Firefighters had from three to more than five times the amount of metabolites, or by-products of PAHs, in their urine after a fire compared to before the fire," said Jennifer Keir, researcher at the University of Ottawa and senior author of the study. "Mutagenic potency of the urine, which reveals the potential for genetic mutations, also increased on average more than four times after a fire." Since urine contains waste and toxins filtered by the kidneys from the bloodstream, its mutagenic potency is a good indicator of the presence of noxious components in firefighters' blood. Previous studies have shown that firefighters have increased risk of cancers and other serious ill- nesses, compared to the general population, due in part to their exposure to hazardous chemicals found in smoke. An unexpected finding relates to the route by which the monitored chemicals enter a firefighter's body. The team found a significant link between PAH metabolites found in urine and levels of PAHs on skin, suggesting that firefighters are exposed to these harmful chemicals mainly through contact with their skin, rather than by inhalation. "I have witnessed many of my peers and friends battle job-related illnesses," said Ottawa Fire Services Capt. David Matschke, a firefighter of 32 years. "To have definitive proof of the chemicals that we are exposed to and the routes of our exposures will improve our procedures and our equip- ment, meaning reduced incidence of job-related disease and longer, healthier lives." Ontario triples maximum OHSA fine to $1.5 million O ntario has increased the maximum fines for individuals and corporations that commit safety offences. As of Dec. 14, the maximum fines for an offence under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) increased from $25,000 to $100,000 for an individual or unincorporated business and from $500,000 to $1,500,000 for corporations. The 25 per cent surcharge, required under the Provincial Offences Act, is added to the penalties. Jail sentences for individuals remain unchanged. "Ontario has one of the best worker safety records in Canada. Despite this, people con- tinue to lose their lives or get seriously injured in workplaces every day. By increasing the fines for non-compliance, we are sending a message to all employers and workers that we are serious about enforcing workplace health and safety," said Kevin Flynn, minister of labour. In 2016, Ontario courts imposed more than $11 million in fines for contraventions of the OHSA and its regulations. Bill 177, Stronger, Fairer Ontario Act (Budget Measures) also changed the time limit to allow for prosecution from one year from the date of the offence, to one year from the date an inspector becomes aware of the alleged offence. This effec- tively expands the one-year limitation period. The legislation also introduced a new reportable inci- dent for structural inadequacies. If a joint health and safety committee or a health and safety representative has identified poten- tial structural inadequacies of a workplace as a source of danger or hazard to workers, the employer must notify a director. This obliga- tion does not apply to an employer that owns the workplace. The legislation also allows for regulations to expand the circumstances in which persons are required to report an accident or other incident. Of note is that other reportable incidents may be added to regulations. The bill allows for pas- sage of further regulations to specify additional locations in which employers are required to report an accident. Currently, certain events such as explosions, fires, floods and equipment failure must be reported if they occur at a pro- ject site or mine. The bill also allows for regulations to specify additional notice requirements that must be met where a person is killed or critically injured at a workplace; where a person is disabled or requires medical attention because of an acci- dent, explosion, fire or incident of violence at a workplace; and where an accident occurs at a project site or mine. Substance abuse top health and safety risk in sawmills A group of sawmill industry experts in Ontario has identified being under the influence of drugs and alcohol as the number 1 workplace concern. This includes not just alcohol and recreational drugs but also prescription drugs, such as pain medication. Employees taking short- cuts on the job and not properly locking out or guarding equipment rounded out the top three concerns as identified by 15 industry rep- resentatives from management, labour, government and not-for- profit organizations. The individuals participated in a workshop organized by Workplace Safety North in North Bay, Ont. to identify, review and discuss nearly 90 risks present within sawmills. When it came time for the final vote on the top risks, only actual workers and managers in the sawmill industry were allowed to vote. In order to ensure an open and fair voting process, handheld electronic devices recorded votes anonymously. "As they identified specific conditions and situations that could result in injury or illness, we asked the group, 'What keeps you up at night?'" said Sujoy Dey, corporate risk officer at the Ministry of Labour and the workshop facilitator. "And both workers and managers agreed: the number one risk in sawmills is substance abuse." Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs — prescription or not — is a long-standing safety concern in the workplace and it's difficult to measure, said Workplace Safety North. "Even though there are issues regarding social stigma, pri- vacy and human rights concerns, drug and alcohol use in the workplace is an issue that's too risky to ignore any longer," the association said in a news release. Three of the top 10 risks involve psychosocial or mental health issues: substance use, lack of focus and stress. Employers need to take a holistic approach to health and safety and foster a supportive culture that promotes the well-being of employees, said Workplace Safety North. The results of the workshop were reviewed by the Ontario volunteer industry advisory committee for forestry, paper, printing and converting sectors. The committee, in conjunction with Workplace Safety North, is supportive of the next step: A detailed analysis of the root causes of substance abuse in the workplace and the creation of an effective prevention plan. TOP 10 OHS RISKS IN SAWMILLS 1. Substance Abuse: Being under the influence of drugs and alcohol in the workplace. 2. Training issues: Employees taking shortcuts. 3. Lock out: Not properly locking out or guarding equipment. 4. Age: Inexperienced new, young workers who don't see the dangers. 5. Psychosocial: Lack of focus or worker distraction while performing duties. 6. Slips, trips and falls 7. Occupational disease: Loss of hearing or ringing in the ears. 8. Psychosocial: Stress, including job and family pressures. 9. Working from heights: Absence of engineered anchor points. 10. Machine lock out and guarding: Being caught in or crushed by mobile equipment.

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