When you have questions about workplace safety, ask! Know that you can and should ask questions. You should always know who questions should be directed to. It is okay to ask questions, even if it feels uncomfortable. Your safety is more important than any embarrassment that you may feel.

Your workplace may have a formal process that you will need to understand. If you have safety concerns, it is your responsibility report any hazards immediately to the appropriate person.

Sometimes, you might not be sure what questions to ask. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• What are the safety rules here?
• How will I know if I am following the rules correctly?
• Who do I talk to about safety at work?
• How do I report a concern?

Where to Find Information about Workplace Safety

It is important for you to know where and how to find information concerning workplace safety. For official information in British Columbia and Canada, you can find most information you need from WorkSafeBC. The WorkSafeBC website is searchable and includes Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations, as well as a number of specific resources like new and young workers and how to lift correctly. On the WorkSafeBC site, you will find the  “I Am a …”  menu on the bottom left of the web page, where you can choose to find information specific to your workplace role.

Another good source of information is the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS). This is the federal governing organization for workplace health and safety in Canada. Similar to WorkSafeBC, there is a specific section for workers with the tab on the top navigation menu. The information on CCOHS is directed more toward employers and the education and promotion of workplace safety.

While it may be tempting to turn to Google for answers to your workplace safety issues, avoid this as most of these issues have legislation to support them and for a topic as important as your health and safety, you will want a trustworthy source of information.

Recognizing Hazards and Preventing Injuries

The words risk and hazard are often used interchangeably; however, when it comes to workplace safety these two words have quite different meanings. Hazard is something that will cause harm to a person, property, and/or the environment. Whereas, according to Health Canada, “risk is the likelihood that a hazardous material will cause harm” and to what extent. When looking at risk, two factors are considered, “the seriousness of the hazard” and “how much exposure there is to the hazard” (Government of Canada, 2009).

One of the standard training programs you will likely encounter as a worker is the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS). This worker education program is designed to help you to understand the way that Canadian workplaces classify and document hazards. WHMIS also explains how to create and maintain safety data sheets (SDSs). Safety data sheets explain what hazards exist with a particular product and explain how to safely use it. If you aren’t sure how to safely use something, start by reading the safety data sheet. If you don’t know where the safety data sheet is, ask!

After completing his WHMIS training, Niko understands the importance of reading the safety data sheets the accompany the paint.

For example, after completing his WHMIS training, Niko recognizes the hazard of breathing in vehicle exhaust working in the warehouse while one of his co-workers is driving the forklift. However, the risk is low because this only occurs for a short period, about 20 minutes each day, and Niko can wear a face mask to decrease the effect of the fumes. In addition, by opening the exterior warehouse doors and allowing air circulation, the risk of this hazard is further decreased.

Risk and hazard need to be considered together when assessing if a workplace situation is too hazardous or if there are steps that can be taken to make the hazard less risky.

For example, Niko recognizes the hazard of breathing in vehicle exhaust working in the warehouse while one of his co-workers is driving the forklift. However, the risk is low because this only occurs for a short period, about 20 minutes each day, and Niko can wear a face mask to decrease the effect of the fumes. In addition, by opening the exterior warehouse doors and allowing air circulation, the risk of this hazard is further decreased.

Let’s look at a scenario and see if you can determine the hazards and the risk involved. Also, consider if there are ways to decrease the risk by using PPE or other means.

Incident Versus Accident

Sometimes bad things happen at work. Even if you and your co-workers are good at identifying and eliminating workplace hazards, things can still go wrong. When they do, you need to be prepared. There are two main terms we use to talk about times when things go wrong: incident and accident. Like the words hazard and risk, incident and accident are two terms that seem interchangeable; however, in terms of workplace safety, these terms have different meanings. The distinction is that an accident implies an element of fate or chance; whereas the term incident can be applied to all events, including accidents, that could or could not be prevented, and that caused or didn’t cause injuries.

Accidents usually means that someone got hurt. For example, someone might slip and fall, injuring their knee. In contrast, incidents do not necessarily have to result in injury. For example, an incident would take place where someone trips but lands on their feet. It may also be an incident when something falls but no damage takes place and no one gets hurt, like if a heavy item falls down off of a shelf.

Most of the time, accidents are preventable. That is why reporting hazards and following the rules is so important. Often when accidents are investigated it is found that “if the right actions were taken” they could have been prevented (CCOHS, 2019).

Reporting an Incident or Accident

If there is an incident or you are injured on the job, you may be required to complete some documents. This could be a formal incident report provided by the company or WorkSafeBC, or something less formal. In either case, remember that the goal of reporting is to help prevent further issues. When investigations and reporting take place, the goal should not be about finding fault but “finding the root cause of the incident so you can prevent the event from happening again” (CCOHS, 2019).

• Provide as much description as you can. It is important for you to record as much information as possible in a clear, objective, detailed way.
• Include details about when it happened. Make note of the time and date. Anyone who was present and could potentially have witnessed the incident or injury.
• Use objective language and stick to the facts. Using objective language means simply stating the facts without judgement or blame and while remaining neutral.
• Keep all relevant documentation. Keep a copy of all documents regarding an incident, accident, or injury that you are involved in. Even if something appears to be a small incident, it is good practice to keep notes, any emails or other communication associated with the incident because there might be long term consequences.
• Note if medical treatment was required. If you require medical treatment, ensure the medical staff know that this occurred at or because of work. They will have their own documents that will need to be completed.

References

CCOHS (2019). Incident investigation. OSH answers fact sheets. https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/hsprograms/investig.html

CCOHS (2021). Who pays for PPE? OSH answers fact sheets. https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/prevention/ppe/who_pays.html

Government of Canada. (2009). Risk versus hazard. Environmental and workplace health. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/environmental-workplace-health/reports-publications/occupational-health-safety/whmis-quick-facts-risk-versus-hazard-health-canada-2008.html

WorkSafeBC. (2017). Getting a job? WorkSafeBC. https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources/health-safety/information-sheets/getting-a-job-ask-questions-about-safety?lang=en

WorkSafeBC. (2021a). Roles, rights & responsibilities. WorkSafeBC. https://www.worksafebc.com/en/health-safety/create-manage/rights-responsibilities

WorkSafeBC. (2021b). Who does and doesn’t need coverage? WorkSafeBC. https://www.worksafebc.com/en/insurance/need-coverage/who-needs-coverage