Developing a Healthy Safety Culture Is at the Heart of the Mining Industry

While the mining industry has been working towards enhanced safety practices and full compliance with safety standards by embracing innovative safety technologies, creating a culture focused on proactive health and safety has been essential in improving QHSE practices across the industry. The adoption and use of digital technologies and QHSE management software to mitigate safety risks has been on the …

Improving QHSE On Construction Sites With Virtual RealityTechnology

Researchers at the Institute for Computation in Engineering at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum are using virtual reality technology to create interactive training programs and improve QHSE practices on construction sites. Through this technology, workers can be trained, experience work site accidents and explore simulated work site environments with equipment noise and weather conditions. The researchers are studying the behavior and testing …

Workplace Injury Claims Nearly Double On Alberta Farms

Since January, when workplace compensation coverage became mandatory for farms, the number of injury claims from Alberta farm employees has nearly doubled. In the first half of 2016, the WCB received 395 claims from Alberta farm employees, of which 356 were accepted. Compared to the numbers from 2015, this is a sharp increase with nearly double the amount of injury …

Citations, penalties from inspectors reduce workplace injuries and improve QHSE

A recent study by the Institute for Work & Health in Toronto has found that workplace inspections resulting in citations and penalties for infractions have been key and effective in motivating employers to improve QHSE conditions, making workplaces much safer, and reducing the number of workplace injuries overall. Published in June, the study concluded that when an OHS officer or …

SmartSite Releases Cloud Based Software to Manage Safety at Construction Sites

Software startup SmartSite has recently released hardware and cloud based health and safety software to help manage QHSE processes at constructions sites, using sensors to track employee exposure to health and safety hazards. Designed to reduce site safety risks, the hardware/software combination will monitor air particles, hazardous substances, noise and vibration levels, and exposure to UV rays to ensure construction …

Improving Safety Culture Through Employee Engagement

A recent study has found that workplace cultures in which employees are engaged in their jobs and QHSE practices are not only more efficient and productive, but are also safer places to work overall. Gallup’s 2016 study — examining over 82,000 business units and 1.8 million employees in 230 organizations, across 49 industries and in 73 countries — shows that …

Anonymous Letter Details Withheld Safety Info in Nuclear Energy Sector

In the last month, Canada’s nuclear-energy sector has come under fire with allegations from an anonymous letter, detailing cases in which risk information and QHSE noncompliance issues have been overlooked by CNSC staff. The letter, provided by an anonymous group of specialists at the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), highlighted 5 cases in which important info about risk or noncompliance …

First Nation Centered Workplace Safety Association Founded in Saskatchewan – QHSE

Launched in early July, the new Saskatchewan First Nation Safety Association aims to develop and implement strategies to support First Nations workers, communities and businesses achieve the highest standard of QHSE and occupational health and safety. Founded with the central mission of empowering First Nation communities with the resources and training to work safely and injury-free, the SFNSA’s priority is …

Alberta Worksites Prepare For Safety Blitz

Alberta’s construction companies have been warned to prepare themselves for surprise safety inspections this summer. These safety inspections are part of the province’s plan to improve Alberta’s worksite culture and QHSE, by making sure employers and workers avoid taking shortcuts when it comes to health and safety. Occupation Health and Safety officers will be out in force, and the inspections …

Microsoft Cloud Is Picking Up Steam

During the Worldwide Partner Conference in Toronto, Microsoft announced the opening of their new Azure datacenters in Toronto and Quebec, making their Dynamics CRM Online available through the Microsoft Cloud in Canada. The two data centers are set to come online next year, supporting Azure, Office 365, and Dynamics CRM online. With the availability of Microsoft’s Dynamics CRM Online and …