We're introducing a new feature to our website, open to anyone who has a questions related to virtually anything related to safety whether that involves training, regulations, equipment, procedures, the OHSA.... Submit your question to brenda@safetyguystraining.com and our resident expert Amanda from All Safety Consulting will provide you with the answers you need.

Hi Amanda - I own a landscaping company, and some of the equipment we use, like backpack blowers can get pretty loud.  I want to make sure we protect the hearing of our employees, what steps could you recommend to make sure we doing everything right.  ~ Ted W.
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Hi Ted ~ I'm glad you asked that question! First you need to determine the db levels of the equipment. There is an app available from iTunes that you can download, Decibel X: dB, dBA Noise Meter. You can also rent or buy a dB meters or have a professional come out and perform the testing for you. Either way it is crucial to measure the dB for each piece of equipment. Backpack blowers are especially harmful and require two sets of protection.

​If you ever unsure, for example after renting or buying a new piece of equipment, and cannot find information from the manufacturer then the best course of action is the make sure the workers hearing is protected to the highest level.  The could require double hearing protect (plugs and muffs).  There is also ear-fit (hearing protection) testing.  This is a device that tests the effectiveness of hearing protection base on db exposure.  

The WSIB claims for noise induced hearing loss is at its highest ever.  When hiring new workers it is in the best interest of the employer to request a hearing test, then the employer has a bench mark.  Have the employee go through ear-fit hearing protection testing to ensure they are fully protected and document the results.  If in the future that employee has a noise induced hearing loss claim your company would be protected from any responsibility.  Usually this type of claim goes to the workers last employer.  If the last employer shows proof that it didn’t happen while the employee worked for them then WSIB goes to the next employer and so on.

Fall is here again and with that comes a seasonal increase in the spread of colds, flu and viral infections. In fact, as I write this, I have two staff off sick and three family members suffering at home with the same viral infection that is spreading through Kingston.

​As an employer, there is nothing quite as nerve wracking as someone calling in sick. Worse is the accompanying thought of germs having already been spread by that employee throughout the workplace...potentially leading to the temporary loss of an entire workforce for days. It can be a nightmare scenario for small business and their clients when it is imperative to meet deadlines to keep the cash flowing and complete projects on time. I worry about this, and I know I'm not alone. Sick workers have a real impact on productivity and to a lesser degree staff morale as other workers attempt to keep up with an increased workload.

Instead of feeling helpless though, it is better to don those protective gloves and start preparing to prevent or minimize the occurrence of colds, flus and other nasty viruses at work this fall and winter.

1. Encourage employees to go home immediately and stay home if they begin to feel sick at work. While this may seem inconvenient, it is better to have one staff member at home than witness your workforce go down one by one as contagion spreads.
2. Protect the well - Allow employees to work from home if possible until the spread of flu seems to have dissipated - our staff have laptops and a phone plan that allows them to work remotely.
3. Stock up on hygiene products to help prevent the spread of cold and flu – these include tissues, disinfecting wipes, soap, and hand sanitizer. 
4. Encourage employees to wash their hands regularly throughout the day especially after coughing or sneezing.
5. Avoid touching your face and mouth, this can help prevent germs entering your system. 
6. Avoid touching the bottom of briefcases, knapsacks and the like as they can provide a safe harbour for germs.
7. Purchase air purifiers with HEPA filters for the office that are capable of eliminating air born allergens and viruses.
8. Encourage employees to keep surfaces and equipment clean by wiping them regularly with disinfectant wipes. This is particularly important for shared equipment like telephones, keyboards, door knobs, handles, steering wheels and consoles in company vehicles..
9. Encourage visitors to stay away if they are ill or wear personal protective equipment such as face masks if staying away is not an option. Not easy I know. You may wish to include a statement in your Health & Safety Policy so that your employees and any sub trades are all in agreement about the protocols for dealing with sick employees.
10. Encourage employees to stay healthy by eating a balanced diet, exercising every day, getting enough rest and avoiding dangerous substances like tobacco and alcohol.
11. Practise good cough and sneeze etiquette by covering the mouth or nose when coughing or sneezing  - the better option is to turn head (away from people) and sneeze or cough into the inside of your elbow.
12. Create an email campaign for staff, or hang signs to remind employees to stay away when they are sick and practise hygiene measures like hand washing and good cough and sneeze etiquette to prevent cold and flu transmission.

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​Mandatory Working at Heights training came into effect on April 1, 2015. The Chief Prevention Officer of the Ministry of Labour has outlined the requirements for this training and it is mandatory that your WAH training be refreshed every three years. (WAHR)

• You must take WAHR three years from the date on your card. For example, if you completed WAH on October 1, 2015, your refresher training is due by October 1, 2018.
• If your card has expired, you are no longer permitted to work at heights, and may be subject to fines if you do so.
• If your card has expired, you are still permitted to take WAHR training as per MOL guidelines.
• You must provide proof of WAH training when registering for WAHR. Options are:
  • A valid WAH card; (from an approved training provider)
  • your MOL Working at Heights card and/or
  • your MOL student number.

Here at Safety Guys, we are ready to address the demand for WAHR. For your convenience, we have many public courses scheduled in Kingston and Belleville. We are excited to announce that we will be expanding this service to our new Bowmanville location in early November. 

Returning and new clients also have the option of booking a private training session for groups of 6 or more. Contact us to discuss arrangements and group discounts for 10-12 students.

SKID STEER
This is a course we have been wanting to offer for a long time, but proper skid steer training requires land disturbance. We are very fortunate to have an awesome landlord who has agreed to let us use the empty property around our Kingston location to run the practical sessions crucial to implementing effective skid steer training.

Skid steers are a versatile machine useful in landscaping, farming and constructions, but they are also very dangerous. Our experienced trainers will show you how to become a safer operator through theory training that covers the regulations and operating principals and hands-on practical training that will provide students with experience on track and wheel base loaders. Two courses have been added for April and May. Register here.