Simple Safety for a New Worker
When you start a new job there is usually a lot of excitement and a lot to learn. Health and safety might not be top of mind for you, but it is important.
So, here 4 simple steps to take
1. Get on Board – understand your role
2. Get in the Know – understand common workplace hazards and how to find safety information
3. Get involved – learn how to participate in workplace safety
4. Get more help – understand who you can go to for help, and how to refuse unsafe work
Workplace Health and Safety is Everyone’s Business
Many people are involved with health and safety on the job. According to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), the Board of Directors, the employer, supervisors, the joint health and safety committee (JHSC) and workers all have personal responsibilities for occupational health and safety (OH&S). Are you familiar with your responsibilities? When everyone works together, we can really be healthy, safe and successful.
Each person working in the organization can make a difference by:
- Wearing the appropriate protective equipment.
- Using safe work practices.
- Asking questions for clarification.
- Attending and participating in educational programs.
- Identifying and reporting hazards.
- Ensuring health and safety issues are resolved.
Struggling to keep your eyes open? How fatigue can harm your body and what you can do about it
No matter how mindful and focused we are, fatigue can catch up with us.
According to a recent poll by Decima Research, one-third of Canadians spend three to 10 hours a week struggling to keep their eyes open at work. The obvious answer is to get more sleep, but it’s not always that simple.
Here are some tips to help you fight the effects of fatigue:
- Create a sleep sanctuary and get a good night’s sleep
- Limit intake of coffee and artificial stimulants
- Drink plenty of water
- Strive for work-life balance
- Exercise, but not within 3 hours of sleeping
- Try to remain positive
- Rest and take breaks during the day
- Meditate, don’t medicate
- Nap, only if necessary
- Seek medical attention if necessary
You have Safety Rights at Work… do you know what they are?
Ontario workers have rights in the workplace and it is important that you understand these rights. These rights are set out in the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and it doesn’t matter your age or role. If you are a worker or a supervisor you are still a worker.
In Ontario the Occupational Health and Safety Act sets out three basic rights:
- Right to participate
- Right to know
- Right to refuse unsafe work
Read more to find out what this means for you.
Do you know about your workplace wellness programs?
Wellness programs and initiatives have become a trend among employers in hopes to better the quality of life of their employees, create a healthy culture and save on future health care costs. The benefit of any program however is dependent on employees’ participation, among other things. Research shows that many are not even aware of what their employer offers and the wellness programs available to them, and when they are, not everyone participates. Here is why you should become aware, and participate in your workplace wellness programs and take advantage of what your employer is offering:
5 reasons to participate in workplace wellness programs
- Better overall wellbeing – wellness programs have positive affect on physical, social, and mental wellbeing
- Increased productivity – with better health and work-life balance, employees are shown to miss less days of work due to sickness, and be more productive
- Better sense of community – when employees participate together
- Healthy work culture – your participation and enthusiasm can contribute to better health culture at the workplace
- Ownership of your health – say yes to making healthy choices by participating
Read more to see what action you can take to get most out of your workplace wellness programs.
Work Life Balance Quiz
More than ever before, Canadians play many different roles in their lives. They are workers, parents, spouses, friends, caregivers of elderly relatives and volunteers in their communities. They must also make room in their lives for taking care of their own physical and mental well-being. Not surprisingly, achieving balance among all these competing priorities can be difficult.
But, as difficult as work/life balance is to define, most of us know when we’re out of balance. To find out more about your own personal balance:
- Complete the Work-Life Balance Quiz
- Tips and Resources to make your work-life balance better
Click on the link below.
