Workplace Safety Legislation Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is an effective component of medical surveillance?

Regular equipment maintenance only

Routine health check-ups to monitor effects of hazardous exposure (correct)

Increased workload monitoring

Improving workplace decor

How can personal hygiene practices help prevent chemical ingestion?

Cleaning only equipment

Wearing a mask while eating

Limiting handwashing to before work starts

Washing hands before eating or smoking (correct)

Which guideline is recommended to prevent bringing contaminants home?

Storing contaminated clothes at home

Wearing extra layers to trap contaminants

Showering and changing clothes before leaving work (correct)

Limiting personal protective equipment usage

What is a major cause of PTSD in the workplace?

Traumatic events such as witnessing death or injury Signup and view all the answers

In Canada, which statement about workers' compensation for PTSD is true?

Without needing proof of occupational exposure Signup and view all the answers

What is considered a common workplace stressor?

Role conflicts and interpersonal relations Signup and view all the answers

What does CSA-Z1003-13 provide guidance on?

Creating a psychologically healthy and safe workplace Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true about stress?

It is an internal response to stressors that varies among individuals Signup and view all the answers

What should employees do when observing the SAV-T behaviors?

Report to a supervisor and seek help Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)?

Provide workers with information on hazardous materials. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a target hardening strategy to reduce robbery?

Minimizing CCTV and cameras Signup and view all the answers

What measure is commonly used for taxi driver protection against assaults?

Protective screens in the vehicle Signup and view all the answers

What are the three key worker rights outlined by the Royal Commission on Health and Safety?

Right to refuse unsafe work, know about hazards, and participate in safety. Signup and view all the answers

Type II violence primarily affects which group of professionals?

Social workers, healthcare workers, and teachers Signup and view all the answers

Which type of cost is not typically associated with workplace injuries?

Increased operational efficiencies. Signup and view all the answers

In terms of employer responsibilities for safety, what does due diligence entail?

Taking proactive steps to prevent foreseeable workplace accidents. Signup and view all the answers

Organizational strategies to address workplace violence should include:

Policies defining unacceptable behavior and encouraging reporting Signup and view all the answers

Type III violence is primarily caused by which of the following?

Coworkers or former employees due to job-related disputes Signup and view all the answers

Who primarily enacts and enforces safety legislation in the context of Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S)?

Government. Signup and view all the answers

Which measure is included in Type IV violence prevention?

Providing Employee Assistance Programs and temporary accommodations Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the Internal Responsibility System (IRS) in workplace safety?

Encourage all employees to participate in workplace safety practices. Signup and view all the answers

A comprehensive workplace violence program should include:

A violence prevention program, risk assessments, and response plans Signup and view all the answers

Which group is primarily responsible for creating and displaying workplace safety policies?

Joint Health and Safety Committees. Signup and view all the answers

What type of barrier prioritizes production over safety in the workplace?

Prioritizing production over safety. Signup and view all the answers

Which feature is essential for effective equipment design?

Displays within the worker's field of vision Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary aim of administrative controls?

Alter work practices and policies to increase safety Signup and view all the answers

Which method exemplifies safety awareness programs?

Distributing booklets and manuals on safety Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of special safety events in workplaces?

To increase awareness of specific safety issues Signup and view all the answers

Housekeeping in workplace safety involves which of the following?

Regular cleaning, waste disposal, and safe storage Signup and view all the answers

Why is preventive maintenance essential?

Avoids equipment failures and promotes safety Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of lockout procedures?

Shutting down and securing equipment for maintenance Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes a work permit?

An in-house license for high-risk tasks Signup and view all the answers

Which types of hearing loss does noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) include?

Conductive and sensorineural loss Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes sensorineural hearing loss?

Irreversible and common in industries with loud noise Signup and view all the answers

What is the most effective way to control noise exposure in the workplace?

Eliminating the noise source Signup and view all the answers

How does distance affect noise exposure?

Doubling the distance from a noise source reduces noise by 6 dB. Signup and view all the answers

What are the symptoms associated with whole-body vibration exposure?

Causing symptoms like fatigue, nausea, and headaches Signup and view all the answers

Which symptom is related to segmental vibration?

Numbness in hands from handheld equipment Signup and view all the answers

What is Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)?

An irreversible condition caused by using vibrating tools, especially in cold conditions Signup and view all the answers

What does thermal stress refer to?

The body's response to extreme heat or cold disrupting heat balance Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Workplace Safety Legislation and Standards

Royal Commission on Health and Safety Act: Established to address workplace safety concerns in Canada, key worker rights identified: right to refuse unsafe work, know about hazards, and participate in safety.
Occupational Health and Safety Act of Ontario: Provincial legislation outlining safety regulations and employer responsibilities.
Canadian Labour Code: Federal legislation covering safety standards and worker rights in federally regulated industries.
Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS): Introduced in 1988, aims to provide workers with information about hazardous materials in the workplace.

Costs of Workplace Injuries

Costs: Direct costs (medical expenses, lost wages), Indirect costs (reduced productivity, staff turnover, increased insurance premiums).

Employer Responsibilities and Due Diligence

Due diligence: Employer’s responsibility to take proactive steps to prevent foreseeable workplace accidents. This involves implementing safety programs, providing training, and addressing identified hazards.
Internal Responsibility System (IRS): Encourages all employees to participate in workplace safety practices, emphasizing shared responsibility.

Creating and Displaying Workplace Safety Policies

Responsibility: Employers are primarily responsible for creating and displaying workplace safety policies, but employees and Joint Health and Safety Committees often have input and can help enforce those policies.

Barriers to Workplace Safety

Prioritizing production over safety: One of the most significant barriers, as it can lead to shortcuts and a reluctance to address safety concerns.

Effective Equipment Design

Key Features: Displays within the worker’s field of vision, controls that are easy to use and understand, and ergonomic features that minimize strain.

Workplace Safety Controls

Administrative Controls: Alter work practices and policies to increase safety, for example, implementing safety training programs, adjusting work schedules to reduce fatigue, or developing procedures for working in confined spaces.
Engineering Controls: Physically eliminate hazards in the workplace. Examples include installing machine guards, using enclosed ventilation systems, or implementing proper lighting to improve visibility.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Provides workers with personal safety protection, but should be considered a last resort when other controls are not feasible.

Workplace Safety Awareness Programs

Purpose: To increase awareness of specific safety issues, promote safe work practices, and encourage employees to report hazards.
Examples: Distributing booklets and manuals, organizing safety events, conducting safety inspections, and providing training.

Housekeeping and Maintenance

Housekeeping: Regular cleaning, waste disposal, and safe storage of materials to prevent hazards.
Preventive Maintenance: Regularly inspecting and maintaining equipment to prevent breakdowns and promote safety.
Lockout Procedures: Safely shutting down and securing equipment before maintenance.

Work Permits and Confined Space Entry Procedures

Work Permit: Required for high-risk tasks, ensuring that necessary safety precautions are taken before work starts.
Confined Space Entry Procedures: Strict procedures to ensure the safety of workers entering confined spaces, including air quality testing, emergency access, and communication plans.

Record Keeping and Occupational Health and Safety

Importance: Documenting hazard control processes and ensuring compliance with safety legislation, this includes incident reports, training records, and inspections.

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)

Types of Hearing Loss: NIHL typically refers to both conductive (problems in the middle ear) and sensorineural (damage to inner ear or nerve pathways) hearing loss.
Sensorineural Loss: Irreversible and often caused by long-term exposure to loud noise, common in industries with heavy machinery or construction.

Controlling Noise Exposure

Effectiveness: Eliminating the noise source is the most effective way to control noise exposure. Other methods include using engineering controls, personal protective equipment (earplugs or earmuffs), and administrative controls such as rotating employees.

Whole-Body Vibration and Segmental Vibration

Whole-body vibration: Affects workers by causing symptoms like fatigue, nausea, headaches, and back pain.
Segmental vibration: Affects specific body parts, primarily hands and arms, associated with using vibrating tools.

Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)

Causes: Using vibrating tools over prolonged periods, often in cold environments, can lead to long-term nerve damage and vascular issues.

Controlling Vibration Exposure

Effectiveness: Using ergonomically designed tools and equipment is the most effective way to reduce vibration exposure. Other solutions include minimizing the time spent using vibrating tools, wearing anti-vibration gloves, and taking breaks to reduce exposure.

Thermal Stress

Definition: The body's response to extreme heat or cold, disrupting its heat balance leading to potential health problems.
Heat Transfer Mechanisms:
- Conduction: Heat transfer through direct contact between surfaces (e.g., hot surfaces or cold metal tools).
- Convection: Heat transfer through the movement of fluids (e.g., air or water).
- Radiation: Heat transfer through electromagnetic waves.
- Evaporation: Heat loss through the evaporation of sweat.

Heat Stroke

Medical Emergency: Indicates a severe disruption in the body's cooling system, requiring immediate medical intervention.

Medical Surveillance

Purpose: Regularly monitoring workers' health status to identify any potential health effects from exposure to hazardous substances.

Personal Hygiene Practices

Importance: Help prevent the ingestion of contaminants, especially in industries with hazardous chemicals, for example, washing hands before eating or smoking.

Preventing Contaminant Transfer Home

Guidelines: Showering and changing clothes before leaving work can help prevent the transfer of contaminants from the workplace to home, which can also reduce risk to family members.

Psychological Hazards

PTSD: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, often triggered by traumatic events such as violence, accidents, or witnessing death or serious injury.
Workplace Stressors: Job demands, lack of control, interpersonal conflicts, lack of support, and uncertainty can contribute to stress.
CSA-Z1003-13: Canadian Standard for the Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace, provides guidelines for creating and maintaining a psychologically healthy and safe workplace.

Safety and Violence Prevention

SAV-T Behaviors: Observing any Swearing, Agitation, Volume, or Threats should be reported to a supervisor and appropriate action taken.
Target Hardening Strategies: Measures to deter robberies, often involving security measures like increased lighting, cameras, and protective screens.
Type II Violence Occurs in industries where workers are interacting with the public and includes assaults by customers or clients.
Type III Violence: Workplace violence involving coworkers or former employees, often stemming from workplace disputes or issues.
Type IV Violence: Violence unrelated to the workplace, involving strangers entering the workspace.

Workplace Violence Prevention Programs

Components: Should include policies defining unacceptable behavior, a clear reporting process, violence prevention training, risk assessments, emergency response plans, and employee assistance programs.

Bullying and Harassment

Bullying: A sustained pattern of negative behavior directed towards a specific individual over time.
Harassment: Any unwelcome behavior that creates a hostile or offensive environment. Both bullying and harassment are illegal.

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Description

This quiz covers essential workplace safety legislation and standards in Canada, including the Royal Commission on Health and Safety Act, Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act, and the Canadian Labour Code. It also addresses the costs associated with workplace injuries, as well as employer responsibilities and the concept of due diligence in maintaining a safe working environment.