Out of 16.1 million Canadians who have jobs, at least one-third are classified as temporary workers. Temporary employment takes a wide variety of forms: term, contract, seasonal, casual and placement through a staffing company.

Temps tend to suffer more injuries than permanent employees, and those injuries tend to be more serious. Both employer and the employee need to be on their guard for safety in temporary work situations.

By law, Canadian employers must ensure their workplace is safe, train employees with respect to any potential hazards, supply necessary personal protective equipment and make sure workers know how to use it. These responsibilities apply to all workers, whether permanent or temporary.

Regardless of a worker's qualifications, employees must never leave a new temp to work unsupervised before ensuring he/she can safely perform the required tasks. Job orientation and safety training are extremely important for temporary workers.

In certain industries such as agriculture, logging and forestry, and construction, seasonal workers predominate. The rates of injury in those sectors are relatively high, due in large part to the nature of the work. With inexperienced season workers, the risks increase. Again, both the employer and the worker must be aware of all hazards. Proper training, equipment and other safety measures are essential.

Often, temporary work involves a third party. Many employers hire through agencies. These firms also have a role to play in assuring the safety of the workers they place in temporary jobs.

Its Up To You! Employers are responsible for ensuring all workers, whether full-time, part-time, and/or temporary, are fully trained.

Are Your Employees Properly Trained?

For more information, click here
- Canada Safety Council

Did you know each year approximately 2,900 people are killed and more than 220,000 are seriously injured on Canadian roads?

Below are a few safe driving tips to help avoid becoming a statistic:

• Look down the road!  On the highway, look 15-30 seconds down the road. In city traffic, try to look 3 traffic lights ahead. It is much better to avoid trouble than try to get out of it!
• Look Around! Check all three mirrors regularly. Scan the area in front of you. Move your eyes about every 3 seconds: ahead, left-side mirror, ahead, rear-view mirror, ahead, right-side mirror and so on.
• Never Assume! Don't assume other drivers have mirrors adjusted properly, or that they will even look over their shoulders if they don't. Don't count on directional signals when they change lanes. For all these reasons, NEVER drive in another driver's blind spot.
• Don't Stare! Drivers tend to stare at obstacles suddenly placed in front of them. Train yourself to look for an alternative, an escape route, and your foot will release pressure off the brake pedal as you shift your eyes away from the obstacle. All that remains is to steer!

1. Slam on the brakes
2. Squeeze the brakes hard
3. Pump the brakes
4. Hit something solid
   

The answer will be included in next month's newsletter!

Crew foreman, superintendent, general foreman, manager, supervisor - regardless of your exact title, there are very important duties that you are responsible for!

According to the Occupational Health & Safety Act, supervisors are responsible for the health and safety of each worker under their supervision.

• Works in the manner and with the protective devices, measures and procedures required by the Act and regulations
• Uses and/or wears the equipment, protective devices or clothing that the worker's employer requires to be used or worn

• Advise a worker of the existence of any potential or actual danger to the health or safety of the worker
• Provide a worker with written instructions on the measures and procedures to be taken for protection of the worker
• Take every precaution reasonable in the circumstance for the protection of a worker