The Grim Reaper: Hazard Assessment and You.
By Barbara Semeniuk
It was a dark, stormy night here in Alberta. The snow came down in torrents cloaking the black cloaked figure in a shroud who approached me slowly….gliding on dark, patterned snowshoes towards me (hey this is Alberta, eh.)
I gulped as he slowly drew out the long, sharp scythe on it inscribed in plain language government script (elven style aka Lord of the Rings) were the words, " Assess Hazards or Die!"
It was the grim reaper…I gasped as I stared at the inky blackness where a face should be…"Who are you!" I squeaked.
WWWWaaa……Aheemm….I am Elmer Fudd the government inspector who is go goi going to make sure you ob ob obey the Hazard legislation which will be fin fin final in April 2004. That’s That’s me! he stuttered…..
Elmer Fudd…why I haven’t seen you in ages….do you want me to tell my audience a nightmarish story of ghoulish, bone chilling proportions (this should have been written in Halloween not January)
"AAAACtually No". Elmer stuttered.
" Ok, then, I will. Let me tell you about the highlights of the new Safety Code…"
"Over…Over..4…4…4 hundred pages" the gloomy form of Elmer Fudd government inspector yelled…."and, and, we’ll be en…en…en…forcing!"
That’s right. Under Part 2 of the Safety Code an employer must assess a work site and identify existing or potential hazards before work begins at the work site. An employer must prepare a report of the results of the hazard assessment and the methods used to control or eliminate the hazards identified.
An employer must ensure that the date on which the hazard assessment is prepared or revised is recorded on it and an employer must ensure that the hazard assessment is repeated at reasonably practicable intervals to prevent the development of unsafe and unhealthy working conditions or when a new work process is introduced, or when a work process or operation changes, or before the construction of a new work site…..
A blast of cold air billowed around my rat fur muk luks….specially imported from BC because Alberta is a rat free province…..although many people do not feel so…..with some of the candidates fielded in the last provincial election…but I digress…..Yes? I said removing my glasses and the portable flip stand I had been writing on with my thermo gloves….
"DDDDoon Don’t forget work worker wa wa worker participation!" Elmer moaned shuffling his robe and adjusting his scythe which glowed blue in the cold, crisp moonlight.
If reasonable practicable, an employer must involve affected workers in the hazard assessment and in the control or elimination of the hazards identified. An employer must ensure that workers affected by the hazards identified in a hazard assessment report are informed of the hazards and the methods used to control or eliminate the hazards….
BBBBBarbara…what about Hazard elimination and control? Elmer sniffed, his hood falling forward.
If an existing or potential hazard to workers is identified during a hazard assessment, an employer must take measures in accordance with this section to eliminate the hazards or if elimination is not reasonably practicable, control the hazard. If reasonably practicable, an employer must eliminate or control a hazard through the use of engineering controls. If a hazard cannot be eliminated or controlled through the use of engineering controls the employer must use administrative controls that control the hazard to a level as low as reasonably achievable. If the hazard cannot be eliminated or controlled by engineering or administrative hazard controls then the employer must ensure that the appropriate personal protective equipment is used by workers affected by the hazard. If the hazard cannot be eliminated or controlled by either the use of engineering, administrative, or the use of Personal Protective Equipment, the employer may use a combination of engineering, administrative controls or personal protective equipment if there is a greater level of worker safety because a combination is used.
"Ann And Em Em Emergency Situations?" Elmer queried.
If emergency action is required to control or eliminate a hazard that is dangerous to the safety or health of workers, only those workers competent in correcting the condition, and the minimum number necessary to correct the condition, may be exposed to the hazard and, every reasonable effort must be made to control the hazard while the condition is being corrected….
"Th, Th, Th Thanks, Barb" Elmer stuttered, hitching up his robe. "Got to get back to work…no rest for the wicked." "Oh, and by the way…you have friends who are government Health and Safety Officers …he plunged the scythe into the snow violently….and they know where you live!" he winked, and laughed;. stutter gone.
I gulped. Sighed. Yes, I was in big trouble but that never stopped me before…glaring into the moonlight I unfolded my list…" I’d like to thank the Alberta Construction Safety Association for their clear highlights of the changes to the OH&S Regulation and Code which I borrowed freely from in their Advisor publication which I get because I am a member and you are noooot….and I, being a consultant and used to the rigors of overtime, poor pay and overwork with no corresponding appreciation from the readers of this column and others implore you this January to make sure that you have all these measures in place before the end of April, 2004 in Alberta……or Elmer is going to get you….and the fines now range from a low of up to $500,000 for a first offence and/or 6 months in jail or both or up to $1 million in fines and /or 1 year in jail or both…..
Be careful…be safe….my precious! I twisted the ring I had found in that mound of lava in some place called Moldar……it was going to be a long winter.
Submitted by Barbara Semeniuk
firstbesafe@shaw.ca
January 8, 2004