Canadian Occupational Safety

APRIL/MAY 2018 31 Defence kits deliver hazardous opioid exposure protection Opioid use across Canada is a big problem. The effects of increased encounters with opioids for law enforcement and first responders can be deadly. DQE developed the Sentry Shield line of personal protective kits to protect law enforcement officers and first responders from white powdery substances that could contain fentanyl, carfentanil or other powerful opioid-based substances. The Sentry Shield kits are configured based on the recommenda- tions of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. These personal protection kits range in cov- erage based on the severity of exposure levels responders may encounter. In all situations, employers must identify hazards to which their workers might be exposed and provide appropriate personal protective equipment to protect them. The Sentry Shield QP is a quick protection kit containing protective oversleeves, a NIOSH-approved N95 flat-fold respirator, safety glasses, nitrile gloves with extended cuffs, a contaminated clothing bag and warning labels. It is recommended for a minimal exposure response where fentanyl or other hazardous opioid substances may be present, but not visible. Use examples include pre-hospital care, law enforcement routine duties, inmate searches or customs and border inspections. The Sentry Shield SP is a standard protection kit contain- ing a barrier protective garment, NIOSH-approved P100 valve respirator, safety glasses, nitrile gloves with extended cuffs, a contaminated clothing bag and warning labels. It is ideal for a moderate exposure response where small amounts of sus- pected opioid materials may be present. Use examples include pre-hospital care, law enforcement routine duties or investiga- tions and evidence collection. Lastly, Sentry Shield EP is an extra protection kit, which contains a barrier protective coverall, boot covers, NIOSH- approved P100 valve respirator, safety goggles, two pairs of nitrile gloves, a contaminated clothing bag and warning labels. This is best suited to an elevated moderate exposure response where hazardous opioid substances may be present. Usage examples include investigations, evidence collection and working in the warm zone (contamination reduction). Due to the dangerous risk of exposure to hazardous opioid substances, it is critical to always be looking for fentanyl indicators, DQE said. Illicit fentanyl, fentanyl- related substances and other synthetic opioids, can resemble powdered drugs such as heroin or cocaine and have been identified in pills, capsules, liquid and on blotter paper. The company recommends its Sentry Shield kits be kept on hand when conducting motor vehicle stops, responding to calls for service and arriving at a scene where there is a suspected overdose incident. Ergodyne offers more relief from summer heat As we are slowly emerging from the deep freeze of winter, the summer heat may seem like a welcome respite to many. But for those making their living in the elements (and high- temperature indoor environments), the summer heat offers no break from on-the-job hazards. In its continued effort to curb heat-related workplace injuries, Ergodyne has announced an expansion of its industry-leading line of Chill-Its cooling solutions, offering more worker-preferred options than ever to help mitigate the effects of working in the heat. The new additions to the Chill-Its line includes a dew rag with Hi Cool performance fabric, moisture-wicking and quick-drying properties. It is comfortable to wear under hats, helmets or alone. The line also includes bandanas, a triangle hat, headband and cap. The Chill-Its 6485 Multi-Band is a "work and weekend favourite," Ergodyne said in a release, and is now available in hi-vis orange. A supremely versatile all-season solution with many uses, the multi-band blocks wind, sun and dust and is moisture-wicking and quick-drying with a stretch fabric. "Our Chill-Its cooling products have always lived up to their name and provided relief to workers in hot environments," said Alsie Nelson, product manager, Ergodyne. "And by giving workers the widest selection of cooling solutions available, they can be sure to find the right solution to match their specific job demands and personal preferences." Of course the dangers of heat stress go beyond the job site to athletics, weekend recreation and everyday life. And the same things that make Chill-Its cooling products a favourite on the job have made them desirable for those looking to beat the heat off the clock, too. "Our Chill-Its line of cooling innovations has found an enthusiastic audience beyond the job site," said Tom Votel, president and CEO, Ergodyne. "And in fact, it's something we strive for, because in the end, a safety risk is a safety risk, whether it's a construction site or your own backyard." WorkSafeBC releases new ladder safety videos WorkSafeBC has released six new ladder safety videos to remind workers, employers and homeowners to use ladders safely. "Last year, more than 1,000 workers were seriously injured in falls from height, includ- ing while using step ladders, extension ladders and scaffolding," said Dan Strand, director of prevention field services for WorkSafeBC. "The new videos and our ladder safety resources illustrate how the right ladder, the correct posi- tioning and hazard assessments could prevent a life-changing serious injury or death." From 2012 to 2016, six workers died and there were 4,920 accepted time-loss claims — including 1,634 serious injuries — as a result of falls from ladders across all industries in British Columbia. WorkSafeBC recommends employers select the right ladder for the job and ensure the ladder is long enough to extend 1 metre above the upper landing. The ladder should be placed on a firm, level surface and inspected before each use, for things like cracks or loose rungs, to ensure it's in good working condition. Workers might need to be reminded to always maintain three points of contact while climbing a ladder: two feet and one hand or two hands and one foot. They should not carry heavy or bulky objects while climbing up or down a ladder, work from the top two rungs of the ladder or have more than one worker on a ladder at once. Wind, rain and snow may pose additional hazards that need to be mitigated. It's also important to check for power lines and ensure a minimum distance of 3 metres can be maintained at all times before starting work, said WorkSafeBC. Online tool measures stress levels in a workplace Employers have a new tool to measure how stress- ful their workplaces really are. The Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW) and the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) have collaborated to create StressAs- sess, a free online survey tool to assist workplaces in identifying and addressing psychosocial hazards that can lead to stress and mental injury. "Workplace stress is a serious health and safety hazard that can take a significant toll on worker health. It is particularly challenging to address because it does not fit into traditional hazard categories such as chemical, musculoskeletal or slips and falls," said Valerie Wolfe, executive director, south central region, at OHCOW. Employers administer the survey in their workplace, which gathers anonymous and confi- dential data about current work conditions and psychosocial hazards. The survey adminis- trators are guided through a five-step process supported by instructions, tem- plates and reminders. Upon completion of the survey, a summary report is provided. Along with comparisons against validated national averages, it includes practical ideas for action to help workplaces address identified concerns. While the survey tool is meant to diagnose the workplace (not the worker), the website also includes a personal edition for individu- als interested in measuring their own personal level and sources of stress. In 2016, OHCOW surveyed more than 4,000 Canadians to establish a baseline to which workplaces could be compared. Although 45 per cent of respondents rated the psychological health and safety climate in their workplaces as "support- ive" or "good," the results also indicated a need for improvement: 10 per cent of workers rated their work climate as "poor" or "toxic." StressAssess is available at www.stressassess.ca and a mobile app version is currently in development. TOOLS OF THE TRADE PRODUCTS & SERVICES The latest OHS innovations and industry updates

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