Workplace Strategies for Mental Health Resources
Check out the resources on mental health awareness, leadership strategies and work-life balance tips.
Check out the resources on mental health awareness, leadership strategies and work-life balance tips.
Check out the resources by Work Wellness Institute about creating healthy workplaces.
Every incident must be immediately reported to the worker’s direct supervisor and if applicable, the first aid attendant on duty. After any incident that results in an injury that requires medical treatment for a worker, and near misses with the potential of causing serious injury, an incident investigation must be conducted to:
This resource is best utilized when attending one of Actsafe’s Incident Investigations Workshop.
Gone are the days when British Columbians could boast about mild winters to our friends on the East Coast. As we’ve seen over the past couple of years, the effects of climate change have not only brought lower temperatures but also increased snowfall, freezing rain, and a whole slew of winter weather conditions that many of us are not accustomed to. As we adapt to the conditions of the new normal, workers and employers must take proactive steps to protect themselves against the increased risks associated with winter.
Falling snow may be a picturesque backdrop, but inclement weather can pose significant risks when it comes to workplace health and safety. Icy sidewalks, slick road conditions, and falling snow are just a few winter-weather conditions crews need to consider when looking at ways to protect workers from weather-related hazards.
When workplace conditions change, including changes to the weather, employers should revisit their worksite risk assessments. Work with your crew to determine if any new hazards may be present in and around their workplace due to winter conditions. According to WorkSafeBC, cold stress, motor vehicle incidents, and slips, trips, and falls are common risks employers should anticipate during the winter season. Implementing appropriate controls and being proactive can help prevent injuries. Here are some ways to do this:
Working in cold-weather conditions can lead to serious injuries if you and your team aren’t prepared. Monitor weather forecasts regularly throughout the season and be ready to put additional safety measures in place where needed to keep workers safe. For more information, see Actsafe bulletin #34, Preventing Cold-Related Illness.
The increase in extreme weather events such as flooding and snowstorms can also bring about some uneasy feelings when it comes to facing the reality of climate change. Add longer and darker days with gloomy skies, and many individuals can find themselves struggling with their mental health during this time of year.
Recent studies have shown that an increasing number of Canadians are having difficulty staying hopeful about our uncertain and changing future. Whether they’ve been directly impacted by an extreme weather event or have general distress about what the future of our planet holds, these complex emotions can sometimes prevent individuals from going about their daily lives. It can be common for people to experience a range of emotions in response to climate change—feelings of anxiety, grief, fear, stress, and depression are examples of how this can manifest and can vary in intensity. Seasonal depression is also very common as we experience fewer hours of daylight during the winter months.
As an employer, supporting the health and safety of your workers, including their mental health, is a legal requirement. Keep an eye out for significant changes in mood or behaviour among your crew and performers. If you think someone may be struggling, create opportunities to check in with them regularly. Encouraging open and supportive communication can help reduce the stigma around mental health challenges and foster a supportive workplace culture. If you’re able to identify mental health issues in your workers, you can be in a better position to support them in getting the help they need.
Here are some other ways you can help support the mental wellness of your team members during the winter months:
There are many resources available to those struggling with mental health:
This contact sheet should be added on safety boards, featuring essential phone numbers. It serves as a quick reference in case of emergencies.
Struck-by incidents can occur in any workplace where mobile equipment is used, and the risk is increased when equipment operators have obstructed views (blind spots). The best way to prevent these incidents is to use a layered approach to risk controls, where several different controls work together to minimize the risk to workers.
This bulletin provides information to help employers understand their responsibilities and control the risk. It is supplemented by a video to illustrate how obstructed views increase the risk.
In 2021, the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation requirements for safety headgear changed. Under the revised requirement, employers must take steps to eliminate or reduce head injury risks before relying on safety headgear such as hard hats. This resource for workers describes the changes to the requirements. It also includes a process map describing the steps you can take if religious headwear or other reasons prevent you from wearing a hard hat in the workplace.
In 2021, the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation requirements for safety headgear changed. Under the revised requirement, employers must take steps to eliminate or reduce head injury risks before relying on safety headgear such as hard hats. This resource for workers describes the changes to the requirements. It also includes a process map describing the steps you can take if religious headwear or other reasons prevent you from wearing a hard hat in the workplace.
As an employer, you have a responsibility to identify the hazards that can cause harm to your workers. This resource outlines a process to help you proactively manage the risk of head injuries in your workplace.
A fillable risk management template is also available to help you document hazards and controls.
Visit WorkSafeBC’s Safety headgear webpage for more information and resources.
Actsafe Safety Association would like to acknowledge and honour that our workplace and classrooms are located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Qayqayt, S’ólh Téméxw (Stó:lō), Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group, səl̓ilwətaɁɬ təməxʷ (Tsleil-Waututh), šxʷməθkʷəy̓əmaɁɬ təməxʷ (Musqueam), and Stz’uminus peoples.
Actsafe is a not-for-profit health and safety association supporting British Columbia’s arts and entertainment industries.
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