NOVA SCOTIA HEALTH & COMMUNITY SERVICES SAFETY ASSOCIATION

 DECEMBER 2014



December has arrived! The talk around the water cooler resonates among all, about how the holiday season has fast approached!  Are we ready??
It is a time where I hope, we will all take some time to relax and enjoy this moment of celebration with family and friends. 
It is also the time of the year when we are all rushing to meet deadlines,  handling competing priorities and fitting in that personal time for gift buying. This all leads to a fast paced schedule and enhances the importance of making good choices in keeping safe as you go about your day. 
This issue brings you our holiday greetings with the AWARE-NS rendition of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas', a featured article to keep you informed on the importance of safety and important links and dates as we look forward to the New Year!

Be sure to register for our upcoming webinar for the latest updates on the Phase II OHS Regulations. We are pleased to have Greg Green, DLAE  join us for this webinar.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, Heather, Scott, Kenzie, Catherine and myself, we wish you a safe and joyous holiday. We look forward with great anticipation to working with you in 2015!
Yours in Safety! 

Sincerely,
Susan Dempsey
Executive Director, AWARE-NS

 




COSP Information Session for Community Service Sector

 

AWARE-NS has identified the Community Services as a priority to work in partnership with WCB-NS to develop a provincial Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) strategy which includes a Health and Safety Management System. Based on a number of assessments and expressed interest from the Community Services, AWARE-NS and WCB-NS, are rolling out the
Community of Safe Practice (COSP) Program to this sector.

 

The purpose of the program is to develop and facilitate a community of safe practice that supports a culture of workplace safety and prevents injuries and associated cost expenditures.

 

Why Now?

 

The numbers suggest that fewer financial resources will be available to the sector to establish and/or sustain an effective injury prevention system into the future. Given we also know that the safety of the people we support is directly correlated with the safety of the provider; we must be diligent in our pursuit of continuous improvement of workplace health and safety. Currently there is a lot of good work happening in each and every organization in Nova Scotia but we now have an opportunity to leverage our collective knowledge to ensure we reverse this trend together.

 

Where we are now?

 

Phase one of this initiative will begin with the establishment of a working group of Community Services organizations. The next phase is to engage the broader community in this initiative. AWARE-NS will be hosting nine (9) Information Sessions throughout the Province in February 2015.

 

AWARE-NS and our partners have completed a significant amount of work and we would like to invite you to learn more about COSP and the Health and Safety Management System.

  

Please take note of he dates in the 'Upcoming Dates to Remember" column.

 

To confirm your attendance or for more information, please email [email protected]

or Call 902 832 3868

 

 


christmas
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
 

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through AWARE

every person was stirring, safety talk was ringing through the air.

OHS webinars, COSP and Workplace Violence Reports, the team wasn't stopping

despite Kenzie wishing to watch sports.

Heather and the Soteria committee were all in a fuss,

To finish the Program Training Guide by Christmas Eve was a must.

Scott was ignoring the jingling while calling all over the land,

wanting to get Heathers New Years schedule completed and planned.

WCB and the Department of Labour scrambled all day and all night,

praying Santa would be in compliance before his big flight.

The Health & Community Services Sector were frantic, the streets were like ice

Spreading an urgent message about salting, or safety would pay the price!

Representing regions from North, South, East and West

The Board settled down for a well deserved rest.

When out of the office there arose such a clatter,

Susan sprang from her chair to see what was the matter.

Away to the parking lot she flew like a flash,

what in heavens name was that big giant crash?

When, what to their wondering eyes should they see,

thank goodness he was wearing the proper PFD.

Santa was dressed all in faux fur, from his head to his feet,

his reflective red suit, insulated against cold and resistant to heat.

His new safety harness and utility belt

were equipped with a first aid kit and a quick flash snow melt.

His broad face was covered with a beard-shaped protector

and around his neck hung a digital wind chill detector.

And, despite the back lifting support belt strapped to his belly

it still shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly.

The little old driver, once so lively and quick,

thought this is the moment; I think I might be sick.

More rapid than eagles his sleigh drivers came,

and he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name,

"Now, Dasher!, Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! On, Cupid! On, Donner and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall! He watched for the green light

then dashed away all!"

So up to the rooftop the reindeer they flew,

in the redesigned MVI approved sleigh and St. Nicholas too.

A bundle of toys ergonomically hung on his back,

he delivered them all, somehow without losing track.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

he filled the last stockings; then turned with a jerk,

His eyes -- Now they twinkled! His dimples again merry!

His cheeks still like roses! His nose like a cherry!

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, let the reindeer all know 

they had no more to dread.

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, and away they all 

flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight,

"Happy, Safe Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

 

 

Enjoy a Fire-safe Holiday Season

Municipal Affairs

December 8, 2014 11:07 AM

The holiday season is a great time to cook and decorate with family and friends. It is also a time to pay extra attention to fire safety.

"Whether you're trimming a tree, hanging lights, decorating the mantelpiece, lighting candles or cooking for friends and family, I want to remind all Nova Scotians to put safety first," said Municipal Affairs Minister Mark Furey. "By taking some preventative steps, we can help ensure a fire-safe holiday." 


Over the holidays and winter months, remember to:
-- check for frayed or cracked wires and broken light sockets
-- only use Canadian Standards Association approved lights, extension cords and non-combustible decorations
-- do not use outdoor lights and cords indoors and turn off the lights when not in use
-- avoid running extension cords through door jambs or under carpets
-- never locate your tree near exits or heat sources
-- always choose a freshly cut tree and make sure the tree is watered every day
-- when purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "fire resistant"
-- stay in the kitchen when cooking, especially when using oil or cooking at high temperatures
-- never leave candles unattended. Keep them out of reach of children and pets, and in a sturdy holder. Battery-operated candles and lights are safe and convenient alternatives
-- test smoke alarms weekly during the holiday season.


"Being extra careful this time of year can help ensure you and your family have a safe and joyous holiday season," said provincial Fire Marshal Harold Pothier. "Smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and carbon monoxide detectors are thoughtful Christmas gifts."



201 Brownlow Avenue, Unit 1Dartmouth, B3B 1W2

Phone 1-877-LETS-ACT (538-7228) Local Phone 1-902-832-3868 
Fax 1-902-832-3445
www.awarens.ca
In This Issue
Upcoming Dates to Remember

 

 

 

Webinars
JOHS Committee Requirements
January 21st, 2015
Click Here to Register Now

Update for Phase 2 of the Proposed Legislation - Presented by Greg Green (DLAE)
Click Here to Register Now
 

 

 

 

We are offering the following 2 sessions below in the communities indicated:

 

Joint Occupational  Health and Safety Committee Awareness & Workplace Inspections

  9:00 am to noon.

 

February 3 - Amherst
February 4 - Truro
February 5 - Halifax
February 10 - Kentville
February 18 - Yarmouth
February 23 - Baddeck
February 24 - Sydney
February 26 - Antigonish

COSP Information Session for Community Service Sector 
1:30pm - 3:30pm

February 3 - Amherst
February 4 - Truro
February 5 - Halifax
February 10 - Kentville
February 18 - Yarmouth
February 23 - Baddeck
February 24 - Sydney
February 26 - Antigonish

Make sure to check Heather's calendar for regular updates.

Coming In January 2015..

WHMIS

GHS

Stay At Work/Return to Work