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Tuesday, May 4, 2010 — THE MEDICINE HAT NEWS

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ABOUT NAOSH WEEK

The success of NAOSH Week is rooted in a community-based approach. Across the country, NAOSH Week events and activities are coordinated by local, provincial and/or regional committees, comprised primarily of volunteers, who share a focus and vision of safer workplaces and communities. Partnerships with government, business, suppliers, CSSE Chapters, community health organizations and other safety groups provide the support, resources and network necessary to manage the NAOSH Week plans.

HISTORY OF NAOSH WEEK

NAOSH Week – North American Occupational Safety and Health Week - was fi rst launched in June 1997, marked by an agreement between Canada, the United States and Mexico. CSSE’s Canadian Occupational Health and Safety Week (COHS) had been observed for ten years previously (1986-1996). During the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) talks between the governments of Mexico, United States, and Canada, workplace safety within the boundaries of all three nations was discussed by government labour department representatives. Canada’s representative at these talks was familiar with Canada’s COHS Week and suggested to his Mexican and American counterparts that their countries may wish to become involved in a similar endeavor. Subsequently, CSSE was approached for permission and support to expand the COHS Week format and experience to Mexico and the United States. After many meetings between Labour Canada and the CSSE COHS Committee in 1995, the proposal to expand the COHS format into the North American arena was formalized with the CSSE Board of Directors at their spring 1996 meeting. It was agreed that CSSE would adopt the North American concept and implement it in place of the Canadian Week. Labour Canada agreed to ensure that CSSE was the offi cially recognized safety organization responsible for NAOSH Week. Labour Canada would also play the lead political role for North America for three years, after which there would be a review. CSSE was responsible for all management, marketing, policy, administration, etc. related to NAOSH Week, and was deemed the proprietor and governing body. In September 1996, the agreement was taken to the NAFTA meeting and all parties agreed to the proposal. NAOSH was established. NAOSH Week was implemented under this agreement between 1997 and 2000. Since 2000, the responsibility and management of NAOSH Week has continued under CSSE’s leadership. Partnering with the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety (CCOHS) and the Labour Program of Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC), CSSE works hard to promote and encourage the goals of NAOSH. Along with the efforts of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), NAOSH Week continues to be a truly continent wide event.

Safety & Health Week

May 2 - 8, 2010

North American Occupational

ACTIVE LIVING

AT WORK

WHAT IS ACTIVE LIVING?

Active living is an approach to life that values and includes physical activity in everyday living. You can fi nd ways to be active at work, school, home, and during leisure time. Active living is not the same as an exercise program. Active living means making physical activity part of every day life whether you are taking the stairs instead of the elevator, gardening, taking the kids or dog to the park, walking to the other building at your facility, or swimming laps in the pool.

HOW MUCH ACTIVITY IS ENOUGH?

It is easier than you think to be “physically active”, Health Canada’s Guide to Physical Activity says all you need is anywhere from 30 minutes of vigorous to 60 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week to experience signifi cant health benefi ts. This goal can be achieved throughout the day by accumulating 10 minute periods of activity. Physical activity should be a mixture of endurance, fl exibility and strength activities.

This

mixture helps to strengthen the heart and lungs, keep joints fl exible and mobile, and maintain strong bones. The following chart is an example of the Health Canada recommendations:

Very light Effort

HOW DO I FIND TIME TO BE ACTIVE AT WORK?

Many times people feel they don’t have time to ‘add’ activity into their day. The workplace can help. A workplace can encourage employees to take on various activities at all levels regardless of age and ability. For most people, they just need help to get started. “Balance” needs to come from the individual wanting to start or continue with an activity program, and having encouragement from the workplace in order to meet these objectives. Whether you work in a small or large company, there are many areas and strategies that can increase participation in fi tness and active living programs. Some strategies are: • Develop a physical fi tness policy for the workplace. • Ask staff what types of programs they are interested in.

• Have fl exible working hours. Allowing people to arrive at work a little later, or leave a little earlier can help them add activity to their day. • Job sharing, telecommuting, and on-site day care will also provide some fl exibility to schedules. Allow individuals to take an extra half hour twice a week at lunch to walk, swim, attend fi tness class, etc. • Encourage people to walk to a co-worker’s offi ce or workstation rather then using the telephone or e-mail. • Map a 10 minute walking route inside or outside your

workplace. Encourage staff to take a mid- morning or afternoon “active” break.

Start each workday or shift with a pre- shift stretch program. • Provide bike

Time Needed Depends on Effort

Light Effort Moderate Effort

60 minutes a day

(Can ac- cumulate in 10 minute periods)

Strolling Dusting

Light walking Volleyball Easy garden- ing

Stretching minutes 30-60

(As you prog- ress, you can cut down to 30 minutes, 4 days a week.)

Brisk walking Biking

Raking leaves Swimming Dancing

Water aero- bics

No change from when

you are rest- ing

Normal breathing Slight increase in breathing rate

Starting to feel warm

Vigorous Effort

20-30 minutes

Maximum Effort

racks (in secure location) • Offer on-site

fi tness facilities, or negotiate discounts to various health clubs in the area. • Offer a wide range of company programs, whether it is a walk / bike

group or an organized exercise activity (can be just 10 minutes long). • Provide resources and education - newsletters, bulletins, community guides, health fairs, guest speakers, etc. • Help staff to

fi nd a support group or buddy system to encourage each other.

HOW CAN A PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROGRAM HELP YOUR WORKPLACE?

Simply put, a workplace that supports physical activity provides and enhances quality of life for employees, both inside and outside of the workplace. When employees are encouraged to be active, there can be benefi ts for both the employee and the company, such as: • gains in productivity, • decreases in absenteeism and turnover, • more positive and happier employees and

workplace culture, • lower medical costs and fewer injuries, • enhanced corporate image, • reduction in stress and increase in relaxation, • improved employee health / wellness.

It is important for organizations not only to analyze the cost of running a physical activity program in the short term, but also to see how it will benefi t the organization in the long run.

HOW DO YOU GET A PROGRAM STARTED?

Sometimes making small changes can support big results. The employees, management and committees can create ideas or initiate for the workplace. After acknowledging these ideas, a detailed plan of action can be the next step. In this step, you can plan your activities that can be developed for your specifi c workplace setting. After a program is in place, it should be monitored, evaluated and maintained.

Aerobics Jogging Hockey

Basketball Fast swim- ming

Fast dancing How should I feel while exercising? How warm am I? What is my breathing like?

Warmer Quite warm Very hot/ perspiring heavily

Greater increase in breathing rate

ABOUT CCOHS

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has a vision: the elimination of work-related illnesses and injuries. We serve Canadians – and the world – with credible and relevant tools and resources to improve workplace health and safety programs. We encourage you to join us in creating a work world without pain, loss or tragedy. We believe that all Canadians have a fundamental right to a healthy and safe working environment. Through our programs, services, knowledge, commitment, and action, CCOHS will continue its efforts to advance health and safety in the workplace.

S.Len Hong, President and Chief Executive Offi cer, CCOHS

Background

Established in 1978, CCOHS promotes the total well-being – physical, psychosocial and mental health – of working Canadians by providing information, training, education, management systems and solutions that support health, safety and wellness programs. A not-for-profi t federal department corporation, CCOHS is governed by a tripartite Council – representing government, employers and labour – to ensure a balanced, approach to workplace health and safety issues. We offer a range of workplace health and safety services to help your organization raise awareness, assess risks, implement prevention programs, and improve health, safety and well-being.

What we Offer

CCOHS fulfi lls its mandate to promote workplace health and safety, and encourage attitudes and methods that will lead to improved worker physical and mental health, through a wide range of products and services. These products and services are offered in both English and French, and are designed in cooperation with national and international occupational health and safety organizations with an emphasis on preventing illnesses, injuries and fatalities. We provide a variety of both public service initiatives at no charge to the user, such as OSH Answers, the person-to- person Inquiry Service, newsletters, and the Workscape online discussion board. Services for specialty resources provided on a cost recovery basis include databases, publications and training and education. We addressed the need to reduce the consistently high level of injuries and illnesses incurred by new and young Canadian workers, with the development of the Young Workers Zone on our website. We’ve also developed several other websites to provide Canadian workers, employers, health and safety professionals, and students with access to current and reliable workplace health and safety information. Spread the Word Information and knowledge are powerful tools to support prevention initiatives. It is with a passion for and commitment to worker health and safety that CCOHS equips working Canadians with the information needed to reduce hazards and eliminate risks in the workplace, that all may enjoy a healthy and safe environment!

WHAT ARE EXAMPLES OF SOME TYPES OF ACTIVITIES?

It is important to have a mixture of activities in your routine. Endurance (aerobic) exercise helps improve the body’s ability to use oxygen. • Walking • Corporate or organized events (special activity days, sports teams, etc.) • Golfi ng (without a cart) • Cycling • Dancing Flexibility routines help to maintain the body’s ability to bend and stretch easily. • Gardening / Yard work • Yoga • Tai chi • Stretches at your workstation Strength training helps strengthen muscles as well as improving balance and posture. • Climbing stairs • Lifting and carrying toolboxes (or young children) • Lifting weights

At CC&T we believe it is everyone’s personal responsibility to follow:

“The HSEGolden Rules”

You and I will: • Comply with the law, standards and procedures • Respect our neighbours • Intervene in unsafe or non-compliant situations

More out of breath

Completely out of breath

Sprinting Racing

Service Rigs / Coiled Tubing Units / Swab Units

Serving Saskatchewan

Swift Current

Ph: (306) 778-6682

Fax: (306) 778-0530

Unity

Ph: (306) 398-3752

Fax: (306) 398-3553

www.diamondenergy.ca

Medicine Hat

Ph: (403) 580-8111

Fax: (403) 580-8102

• Encourage employees to get a fi tness evaluation and/or health risk appraisal from their doctor before starting any signifi cant exercise program. • Work with senior management to resolve multiple factors (such as physical work environment, scheduling of work tasks, etc.) that can infl uence the employee’s capacity to be active. • Help individuals fi nd that one reason they need to get started and help them recognize that reasons to stay active may change

over time. • Encourage people to start with one small activity. Whatever their situation or ability, they can try a variety of activities to improve their health and

fi nd out what is right for them. • Provide the information that people need. Often the act of looking for information is the

fi rst step towards getting started. • Allow participants to choose activities that they like to do. • Invite potential participants to watch activities or to participate in a trial class to see if they are interested. • Have a person trained in

cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) present at moderate to high physical activity sessions. • Offer a variety of programs. Be sure there is a mixture of endurance, strength and fl exibility activities.

WHERE CAN I FIND MORE INFO?

More information on active living is available from the following organizations*: * Health Canada. Handbook for Canada’s Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living • Canadian Health Network: Active Living Health Centre • Alberta Centre for Active Living: Physical

Activity @ Work

(*We have mentioned these organizations as a means of providing a potentially useful referral. You should contact the organization(s) directly for more information about their information and/or services. Please note that mention of these organizations does not represent a recommendation or endorsement by CCOHS of these organizations over others that you may know.) (Adapted from: “Wellness in the Workplace” Guide. CCOHS, 2002)

Canadian Fertilizers Limited

One of the core values of Canadian Fertilizers Limited (CFL) is the health, safety, and well being of our employees, contractors, neighbors, and the environment. To demonstrate this commitment, CFL has created a safety vision which states:

At Canadian Fertilizers Limited, safety will be an integral part of how we work. Everyone will be empowered, engaged and innovative in creating a safe, productive and environmentally responsible workplace.

The personnel who work at CFL are proud to be recognized by the Medicine Hat Chamber as a Health and Safety Performance Leader in the City of Medicine Hat. CFL has also been recognized as a Best Safety Performer in the Province of Alberta on numerous occasions.

WWW.CANADIAN-FERTILIZERS.COM

CANADA INC.

2159 Brier Park Place N.W. 527-4400

MEDICINE HAT REGIONAL SAFETY COMMITTEE

recognizes and promotes

North American Occupational Safety & Health Week May 2 - May 8

Ensure a Safe and Healthy Work Environment

Mission Statement

“To provide quality advice to construction employers and employees that will lead to reduced human and financial costs associated with incidents in the construction industry.”

Alberta Construction Safety Association 1-800-661-6090

Make Safety a Way of Life

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