OperationSafety is pleased to inform you of the launch of it's new comprehensive Business Operations Support System.  

Using Safety24-7 Health and Safety Management  System as our foundation, OperationSafety has developed strategic alliances with subject matter experts to in order to offer you two comprehensive new Product lines.  They are:

• A multi-solution package of resources that exist in the form of a web based Portal
• A customized range of a la carte products and services

These Products will enable you to protect your people, assets, and profits while assisting you to establish and performing your due diligence legally and ethically.

We are excited about this addition to our product offering! 

This re-launch of our brand will provide our current and future clients with a broader scope of services and increased resources to help them effectively run their business.  We have gone to considerable lengths to find the selected skilled professionals whom we feel will best match our high customer service level expectations and our business ethics.

Our current collection of Solutions include (but are not limited to):

• Safety24-7
• Human Resources 24-7
• Asset & People Protection 24-7
• Food Safety 24-7

This is a "cafeteria-style" product offering allowing you to pick and choose the solutions required to properly support your organization.

Each of the subject matter experts will be retained to provide you with the necessary:

• Guidance and support
• Customized Policies and Forms
• Generic Training Programs (customization is available) 

Click on Walt Bordian-Human Resources or Dean Correia-Asset & People Protection to learn more about two of these subject matter experts

OperationSafety's goal is to:

• Partner with each organization in their quest for operational excellence.
• Provide the Management Team with effective tools that allow them to focus their attention back onto the daily operations of the business.
• Save operational leader’s time and money by taking them out of the back room and allowing them to do what they love and do best– manage their operations.

OperationSafety is further supported by a network of ancillary organizations capable of providing a host of additional business solutions as required.

For more information about this new comprehensive multi-solution web-based Portal please feel free to contact Keith Lamson at klamson@operationsafety.ca  or Jvaillancourt@operationsafety.ca or call us toll free at 1-866-765-7486

A safe workplace is an engaged workplace is a profitable workplace. Passion, expertise, and results – that’s what differentiates OperationSafety.

     is Proud to Announce

Bringing Ability to Disability Management

Operation Safety is pleased to announce that we have entered into a joint strategic alliance with EARA Technologies out of Edmonton to promote and support their VideoPAD Ability Management Program.

The VideoPAD program fits nicely into our mission statement of "providing Employers with customized, affordable Safety solutions."    

The benefits to this web based portal are essentially endless, as this program is highly customizable to the needs of the organization.

Our belief is that the most impressive one is how it allows the Employer to effectively manage Return to Work programs after a workplace or non-work related injury.

it allows a non-medically trained or educated person the ability to co-ordinate a safe return to work program that matches the abilities of the injured person within seconds.    

We'd be happy to tell you and show you more, please feel free to contact us at klamson@operationsafety.ca for more information.

 Safetydude's Safety Tip of the Week

Lawn Mower Safety Tips

For both the workplace and at home. 

If you are an Employer who requires that an employee (or contracted person) performs this task you must ensure that they are trained, competent, and adequately supervised.   Please contact OperationSafety if you require more information on how to do this, we have an on-line training program available for your use.

Common types of lawn mower accidents

• Injury caused by someone coming into contact with the rotating lawn mower blade.
   
• Electrocution when using electric powered lawn mowers caused by cutting through the lawn mower cable.
   
• Injury by being run over by a lawn mower, this often happens when the driver of a ride on mower is reversing. Small children may below the drivers line of vision and so are at greatest risk. Having a hand manoeuvred mower pulled over an operators foot is also a known cause of injury.
   
• Burns by having bare skin come into contact with the engine casing
   
• Injury from a flying object that was ejected by the lawn mower, some lawn mowers can cause small stones and debris to be 'fired' out from under the lawn mower at a speed of over 100 mph. These flying objects can cause bruising, broken bones and even blindness.
   
• Upending a mower and having it fall on the operator. This normally occurs when the mower is attempting to mow a steep bank or turn a tight corner. The harmful effects can include coming into contact with the rotating blades and also having the weight of the mower land on a limb or the body.

Safety for All Mowers

• Be sure to completely read the safety information contained in the operator's manual.
   
• Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper operation regularly.
   
• Never operate a mower while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. These make reflexes slow and you are putting yourself in grave danger. Always make sure you have full concentration while mowing.
   
• Always mow in the daytime when grass is dry. Wet grass can cause your feet to slip. The mower or lawn tractor can also slip in wet conditions. If you slip, your feet and legs can come in contact with the mower's blades, causing injury or loss of limbs. Wet grass can clog your mower and cause the need for you to clean it.
   
• Always wear heavy, non-slip shoes that provide traction as well as guard against hard or sharp items that are hidden in the grass; NEVER operate a lawn mower in your bare feet.
   
• Avoid loose clothing or dangling jewellery that could become caught on your lawn mower's controls. Always wear long, close-fitting pants, socks and a long-sleeved shirt to protect your body from small objects that are thrown by your lawn mower's blades. 
   
• If the weather is too hot for long pants and shirtsleeves, mow in late evening or early morning when it's cool.
   
• Never listen to the radio using earphones while mowing your lawn. This prohibits you from hearing other sounds while operating your lawn mower.
   
• Be smart! Use safety glasses when mowing grass. Bits of grass, dirt, leaves and other objects can be discharged from your mower, rebound off the house or fence and hit your face. Glasses also protect your eyes on windy days. Carry snug-fitting leather gloves for the purpose of removing plugged grass or making adjustments to your mower.
   
• Walk the entire area of your lawn before starting your mower. Pick up rocks, toys, sticks and other debris that can be struck and thrown by your mower. The smallest object can become a deadly missile when thrown by your mower's blades that move at speeds up to two hundred miles per hour. Be aware of stumps, tree roots, pipes or rocks that stick out of the ground.
   
• Be certain that your children and family pets are not in the area where you plan to mow. It's best if you send them indoors to assure their safety. They may dart in front of the mower or be struck by and object the mower kicks out. It is not worth the risk.
   
• A hot engine can ignite gas fumes. Never refuel while the mower engine is running. Refuel only after the mower is shut off and the spark plug disconnected. Always allow the mower's engine to cool for fifteen minutes and only fill the gas tank three-quarters full. This allows the gas to expand in response to a hot engine and the sun's heat.
   
• If it is necessary to remove clumps of grass from the discharge chute, shut the engine off, be certain the blades have stopped rotating and disconnect the spark plug wire. Never put your hands under a lawn mower while it is running. Be certain to avoid contact with the hot manifold and exhaust system. Muffler temperatures can reach as high as 1200 degrees Fahrenheit.
   
• Do not operate a lawnmower with the discharge guard (reflector) or engine grass catcher NOT installed.
   
• Always allow the mower blade(s) to stop completely before leaving the mower's operator position.
   
• Always turn the mower blades off when crossing a sidewalk or a driveway.

Safety For Riding Mowers

• Do not give children rides on a riding mower, even with the mower blades not turning as they may fall off and be badly injured or children who have been given rides may suddenly appear in the mowing area for another ride and be run over or backed over by the machine.
   
• Do not mow with a riding mower in reverse unless absolutely necessary.
   
• Do not use a riding mower on too steep an incline or where you don't have adequate traction, it can cause you to lose control or roll over.
   
• Always consult your operator's manual for safety messages concerning operation on a slope.
   
• If you are operating a riding mower, always mow slopes up and down so the tractor won't tip sideways.
   
• Never leave a mower unattended while the engine is running. Be extra cautious about riding mowers. Lower the mowing deck and remove the key.
   
• If you have a riding lawn mower and must go backward, come to a complete stop before shifting into reverse and always look behind you as you back up.

Safety For Walk-Behind Mowers

• Do not put your hands or feet near or under the mower. Never tilt a walk-behind mower; always keep all four wheels on the ground.
    
• Do not pull the mower backward unless absolutely necessary. Always look down and behind before and while mowing backwards 
    
• Try to move in a forward direction at all times. Push; don't pull a hand mower. You can accidentally fall, pulling the mower onto your feet. 
    
• With hand mowers, mow slopes across. This gives you better footing. If slopes are very steep, you may want to plant a decorative ground cover. This eliminates the need to mow.

Safety For Electric Mowers

• Use only recommended, grounded extension cords and never abuse the cord or use a frayed cord. And always mow away from the cord.
   
• Turn off the mower when you leave it and unplug the cord directly from the outlet; never unplug by yanking the cord from the wall.
   
• Never use an electric mower when wet or raining.
   
• When turning a walk-behind mower, always keep four wheels on the ground. If you tip the mower, the blades are exposed and can send debris flying through the air.

For more information, please click here.

 From the Courts (Ontario Newsroom)

Supervisor Fined $12,000 Total After Worker Injured

A Supervisor with a North York constructor, was fined $8,000 for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act that caused a worker to be injured. He was also fined $4,000 for providing an inspector with false information.

On June 3, 2009, the constructor was at a project in Mississauga. The supervisor was in charge of the project when a worker fell from a pitched roof, fracturing an arm. The worker was not wearing any fall protection.

On June 12, 2009, the Supervisor told a Ministry of Labour inspector that the worker had tripped and fallen from a window opening, which was not the case.

The Supervisor pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that a worker was adequately protected when working from heights. He also pleaded guilty to knowingly furnishing an inspector with false information.

 Picture of the week

Honestly Officer, I wasn't the driver

Apparently, your NOT ALLOWED to have an emergency at this location!