Shift work linked to higher risk of work injury • Ships to get black boxes • Safety blitz focuses on conveyor dangers
Shift work linked to higher risk of work injury
VANCOUVER — Canadians who work night and rotating shifts are almost twice as likely to be injured on the job than those working regular day shifts, according to a study by researchers at the University of British Columbia. The study, published in the current issue of the Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, examined data on more than 30,000 Canadians collected as part of Statistics Canada’s Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics and compared results between workers involved in different types of shift work from 1996 to 2006. It shows that while the overall rate of work injuries decreased during this time, the rate of injuries did not decline for night shift workers. The study also found the risk of work injury associated with shift work was more pronounced for women, especially if they work rotating shifts. The researchers suggest that because women are more likely to be responsible for childcare and household work, they may have more difficulties adjusting to shift work and maintaining regular sleep schedules. In 2006, 307,000 work-related injury claims associated with shift work represented more than $50.5 million in costs to Canada’s workers’ compensation system.
Ships to get black boxes
OTTAWA — Black boxes, which are key in determining the cause of airplane crashes and other incidents, are heading out to sea. The federal government has unveiled proposed regulations that would require certain vessels to have a voyage data recorder on board, recording information that investigators could later retrieve should an accident occur. That information could be used to prevent similar accidents in the future, said Chuck Strahl, minister of transports, infrastructure and communities. Under the proposed regulations, voyage data recorders would be required on passenger vessels more than 500 gross tonnes and on new cargo vessels of 3,000 gross tonnes or more that operate outside Canada's inland waters. Transport Canada would monitor and enforce compliance with the regulations through regular inspections, including the installation, maintenance and testing of voyage date recorders.
Safety blitz focuses on conveyor dangers
TORONTO — Ontario is focusing on the safe operation of conveyor systems in a fall safety blitz. Conveyor systems are used in industrial workplaces to move goods from one spot to another. Ministry of Labour inspectors will visit industrial workplaces during increased enforcement in November and December to ensure conveyors have proper guarding devices, they are being locked out when needed and workers are protected from developing musculoskeletal disorders, such as repetitive strain injuries. Between 2005 and 2008, two workers died and 48 workers were seriously injured in conveyor incidents. During that same time frame, workers missed an average of 68 days due to a conveyor injury, according to WSIB lost-time injury data. The blitz is part of the government’s Safe At Work Ontario strategy, which focuses on enforcing the Occupational Health and Safety Act in Ontario.
VANCOUVER — Canadians who work night and rotating shifts are almost twice as likely to be injured on the job than those working regular day shifts, according to a study by researchers at the University of British Columbia. The study, published in the current issue of the Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, examined data on more than 30,000 Canadians collected as part of Statistics Canada’s Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics and compared results between workers involved in different types of shift work from 1996 to 2006. It shows that while the overall rate of work injuries decreased during this time, the rate of injuries did not decline for night shift workers. The study also found the risk of work injury associated with shift work was more pronounced for women, especially if they work rotating shifts. The researchers suggest that because women are more likely to be responsible for childcare and household work, they may have more difficulties adjusting to shift work and maintaining regular sleep schedules. In 2006, 307,000 work-related injury claims associated with shift work represented more than $50.5 million in costs to Canada’s workers’ compensation system.
Ships to get black boxes
OTTAWA — Black boxes, which are key in determining the cause of airplane crashes and other incidents, are heading out to sea. The federal government has unveiled proposed regulations that would require certain vessels to have a voyage data recorder on board, recording information that investigators could later retrieve should an accident occur. That information could be used to prevent similar accidents in the future, said Chuck Strahl, minister of transports, infrastructure and communities. Under the proposed regulations, voyage data recorders would be required on passenger vessels more than 500 gross tonnes and on new cargo vessels of 3,000 gross tonnes or more that operate outside Canada's inland waters. Transport Canada would monitor and enforce compliance with the regulations through regular inspections, including the installation, maintenance and testing of voyage date recorders.
Safety blitz focuses on conveyor dangers
TORONTO — Ontario is focusing on the safe operation of conveyor systems in a fall safety blitz. Conveyor systems are used in industrial workplaces to move goods from one spot to another. Ministry of Labour inspectors will visit industrial workplaces during increased enforcement in November and December to ensure conveyors have proper guarding devices, they are being locked out when needed and workers are protected from developing musculoskeletal disorders, such as repetitive strain injuries. Between 2005 and 2008, two workers died and 48 workers were seriously injured in conveyor incidents. During that same time frame, workers missed an average of 68 days due to a conveyor injury, according to WSIB lost-time injury data. The blitz is part of the government’s Safe At Work Ontario strategy, which focuses on enforcing the Occupational Health and Safety Act in Ontario.
