April 28 marks an official Day of Mourning to commemorate those workers who have suffered work-related injuries, illnesses and fatalities. Statistics for 2014 show an average of 2.5 workplace related deaths per day, across Canada. The purpose of Day of Mourning is twofold; to remember and honour those lives lost or injured and to renew the commitment to improving health and safety in the workplace.  Typically the Canadian flag on Parliament Hill is flown at half-mast, and workers and employees observe this day in various ways including lighting candles, donning ribbons and black armbands, and observing moments of silence. For more information on the National Day of Mourning, please visit:...

Oral health and overall wellness are closely linked, and it is important to take care of both to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. While we all know that overall health can most often be maintained with proper diet, regular exercise and the occasional trip to your family physician; taking care of our oral health is sometimes neglected. Health Canada suggests that poor oral health may contribute to negative health outcomes including diabetes, respiratory diseases and more serious infections triggered by cavities. /about-us/ Taking care of your oral health can be something that you would rather avoid due to discomfort with dentists and the high cost of dental...

Do you have questions regarding who is responsible for Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) in your workplace? Are you looking for resources to guide you through implementing a Health and Safety program at work? Or are you interested in OH&S statistics and trends across Canada? If so, the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC) is a comprehensive website providing Federal and Provincial OH&S resources and links. From the AWCBC website: “The vision of the AWCBC includes the mandate to drive a strong Canadian leadership role in providing the safest and healthiest workplaces in the world.” “There are also many resources to help employers and workers prevent...

Sedentary lifestyles are on the rise as our work hours get longer. We spend roughly 80% (on average) of our waking lives sitting.  At your desk, in your car, on your couch, you sit.  Researchers have said not even regular exercise will save you from the detrimental effects that resting on your laurels will provide.  Doctors have gone so far to say sitting is the new smoking.  Between the increased risks of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, higher cholesterol levels and being more prone to depression, what’s an office worker to do? Standdesk.co has developed a handy, helpful and beautiful infographic loaded with tips on staying happy and healthy at the...

As we all know, safety at home and work is paramount every day of the year. We’ve found a great way to remember the importance of safety during the winter/holiday season from the Government of Canada’s ‘Get Prepared’ webpage… The 12 Days of Holiday Safety In the true spirit of the season, and to help keep family and friends out of harm's way, here are some tips and helpful hints for The 12 Days of Holiday Safety: On the First Day … prepare your home for the holidays – and safety. Make sure you have a working carbon monoxide detector, smoke alarm, fire extinguisher and a first aid...

Injured at work? You play a vital role in your Return to Work and Recovery. When an injury or illnesses does occur, it is important for you and your employer to try to minimize the impacts by focusing on returning you to employment. The WCB Alberta website has some very helpful tips for what you can do to feel better, get your daily life back to normal, and manage your benefits as smoothly as possible. Promptly tell your employer, doctor (or other healthcare provider) and WCB exactly what happened when you were hurt. Clearly communicate what caused your work injury/illness. Ask questions until you understand. You deserve to...

Holidays…. For most of us, this means months and months of saving, planning, and organizing. But even more so it is the excitement and anticipation for those days of pure bliss and fun. Some of us even start the countdown on our calendars and start day dreaming about our time away. Until… Nobody goes on holiday with the intention of having to deal with a medical emergency or any other disruptions. Some of us will have taken the steps necessary and will be ready for such a situation, and unfortunately others will find them selves dealing with nightmarish circumstances. For many, the primary focus in booking a vacation is in finding...

Did you know the Workers’ Compensation Principles in Canada are now just over 100 years old? The Meredith Report, which guides the legislation across the country, was penned by Sir William Meredith in 1913. As per the Association of Workers' Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC), the majority of Canadian workers’ compensation legislation includes the following 5 basic concepts: “No-fault compensation, which means workers are paid benefits regardless of how the injury occurred. The worker and employer waive the right to sue. There is no argument over responsibility or liability for an injury. Security of benefits, which means a fund is established to guarantee funds exist to pay benefits....

The recent economic crunch has caused many people to not only tighten their belts, but also lose sleep: a recent Canadian study found that nearly a quarter of us are tossing and turning at night over money worries. Did you know that in addition to keeping you awake at night, financial stress and worry can also actually make you sick? Recent studies have shown that when people are dealing with financial stress, they are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure, severe depression, back pain, headaches, digestive problems, and heart attacks. These situations can keep you off work, frequenting the doctor’s office and add to financial pressures....

According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, fatigue may be described as the state of feeling tired, resulting from a number of factors such as insufficient sleep, prolonged mental and/or physical work, or extended periods of stress and/or anxiety. It was also noted that boring and/or repetitive tasks can increase the feeling of fatigue. How often do you feel fatigued at work, or hear a co-worker comment about feeling fatigued? It is estimated that 78% of employees go to work at least one day per week feeling tired. Research has shown that employees who receive less than 5 hours of sleep, or who have been...