Safety MattersOur blog discussing workplace safety opportunities in Nova Scotia and around the world.https://www.worksafeforlife.ca/safetymattersblogTips for staying healthy and safe while getting through winterhttps://www.worksafeforlife.ca/safetymattersblog/PostId/158/tips-for-staying-healthy-and-safe-while-getting-through-winterGeneralFri, 20 Feb 2015 14:35:44 GMTThis winter has brought some incredible weather to Nova Scotia - snow, freezing rain, rain, flash freezes, and all the above put together.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> On top of these pressures, we&rsquo;re also dealing with the balance of work and family obligations. It&rsquo;s easy to get frustrated and feel stress over the extra time it takes to get going each morning when you have to shovel, clear off the car, and inevitably, get stuck in what seems like endless traffic. Often, our tendency is to rush and take short-cuts.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> Short-cuts like not clearing off your vehicle properly, which can lead to ice and snow flying off the roof directly into the path of the driver behind you. &nbsp;<br /> <br /> Short-cuts like pulling into the passing lane to get ahead, only to realize the person driving the vehicle in front of you sees what you can&rsquo;t - black ice.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> Short-cuts like not having your driveway thoroughly cleared, causing an accident for yourself, or someone visiting your property.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> These tough winters are frustrating. They bring increased physical demands, the necessity to revise our schedules, and more time to navigate our way to work and extra-curricular activities.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> Here are some great tips on how to get through the next couple of months before the warm weather greets us once again:&nbsp;<br /> <br /> &bull; <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/1765198/brrr-its-cold-outside-what-you-need-to-know-about-health-and-winter-weather/ " target="_blank">What you need to know about your health and winter weather&nbsp;</a><br /> &bull; <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/autos/buyers-guide/10-blizzard-battling-winter-driving-tips-article-1.2091907 " target="_blank">10 essential driving tips to keep you safe&nbsp;</a><br /> &bull; <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/er-doctors-talk-winter-snowstorm-safety/ " target="_blank">ER Doctors talk winter safety</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /> &bull; <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/caa-manitoba-reminding-drivers-to-pack-winter-safety-kit-1.2857789 " target="_blank">What you should have in your car&rsquo;s winter safety kit</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;158Walking (and working) safely in a Winter Wonderlandhttps://www.worksafeforlife.ca/safetymattersblog/PostId/84/walking-and-working-safely-in-a-winter-wonderlandGeneralTue, 10 Dec 2013 12:27:34 GMT<p>This time of year many&nbsp;<span style="line-height: 1.6;">of us eagerly wait for the first dusting of snow to jumpstart our holiday cheer,&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 1.6;">but with festive weather comes slick roads and walkways, heavy loads and white-out&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 1.6;">conditions. &nbsp;</span></p> <p>While many winter&nbsp;<span style="line-height: 1.6;">weather-related injuries are the result of slips and falls on ice, or motor&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 1.6;">vehicle accidents caused by poor driving conditions, many injuries are also&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 1.6;">musculoskeletal. Those injuries, from activities like moving heavy, wet snow,&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 1.6;">represent part of the 60 per cent of all time-loss injuries that affect the skeleton,&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 1.6;">muscles, and tissues. Musculoskeletal injuries remove thousands of Nova&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 1.6;">Scotians from the workforce every year, with untold impact on their&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 1.6;">professional and personal lives.</span></p> <p>Here are some tips for <span style="line-height: 1.6;">preventing common winter injuries:</span></p> <strong>Slips and Falls</strong><br /> <ul> <li><span style="line-height: 1.6;">Wear non-slip shoes or boots</span></li> <li><span style="line-height: 1.6;">Always clear ice and snow off all walkways, steps and work areas</span></li> <li><span style="line-height: 1.6;">Use sand or salt on walkways and parking lots</span></li> <li><span style="line-height: 1.6;">Ensure ladders and scaffolds are completely free of ice and snow</span></li> </ul> <span style="line-height: 1.6;"><strong>Shoveling Snow</strong><br /> <ul> <li><span style="line-height: 1.6;">Push snow rather than lift it</span></li> <li><span style="line-height: 1.6;">If you have to lift, protect your back by lifting safely:</span></li> </ul> </span> <ol><span style="line-height: 1.6;"> <li><span style="line-height: 1.6;">Stand with feet at hip width for balance; be aware of&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 1.6;">ice</span></li> <li><span style="line-height: 1.6;">Hold shovel close to body</span></li> <li><span style="line-height: 1.6;">Space hands shoulder-width apart to increase leverage</span></li> <li><span style="line-height: 1.6;">Bend knees, and lift with legs not your back</span></li> <li><span style="line-height: 1.6;">Tighten stomach muscles</span></li> <li><span style="line-height: 1.6;">Don't twist</span></li> <li><span style="line-height: 1.6;">Don&rsquo;t lift higher than waist level</span></li> <li><span style="line-height: 1.6;">Walk to dump snow rather than throw it</span></li> </span></ol> <span style="line-height: 1.6;"> </span><span style="line-height: 1.6;"> <ul> <li><span style="line-height: 1.6;">&nbsp;When snow is deep or heavy, shovel small amounts at a time</span></li> </ul> </span><strong>Motor Vehicle&nbsp;Collisions</strong><br /> <ul> <li><span style="line-height: 1.6;">Get a vehicle maintenance check-up</span></li> <li><span style="line-height: 1.6;">Switch to winter tires</span></li> <li><span style="line-height: 1.6;">Check weather and travel conditions before heading out</span></li> <li><span style="line-height: 1.6;">Clear snow and ice from all windows, lights, mirrors and roof</span></li> <li><span style="line-height: 1.6;">Keep gas and windshield washer fluid tanks full</span></li> </ul> <p>Be sure to check out&nbsp;<span style="line-height: 1.6;">these useful links for a safer winter season:</span></p> <p><span style="line-height: 1.6;"><a href="http://worksafeforlife.ca/LinkClick.aspx?link=http%3a%2f%2fwww.tc.gc.ca%2feng%2fmotorvehiclesafety%2fsafevehicles-safetyfeatures-winterdriving-index-693.htm&amp;tabid=327&amp;mid=934" target="_top">http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/motorvehiclesafety/safevehicles-safetyfeatures-winterdriving-index-693.htm</a><br /> </span><span style="line-height: 1.6;"><a href="http://worksafeforlife.ca/LinkClick.aspx?link=http%3a%2f%2fwww.cos-mag.com%2fPPE%2fPPE-Stories%2f10-safety-tips-for-the-winter-worker.htmlhttp%3a%2f%2fwww.cos-mag.com%2fPPE%2fPPE-Stories%2f10-safety-tips-for-the-winter-worker.html&amp;tabid=327&amp;mid=934" target="_top">http://www.cos-mag.com/PPE/PPE-Stories/10-safety-tips-for-the-winter-worker.html</a></span></p> <br /> &nbsp;84