Shopping for ergonomic office equipment and supplies can be a daunting task. There are countless suppliers that will offer a wide variety of fascinating gizmos, elaborate desks and chairs that seemingly have the ability to cure scoliosis. All of these ergonomic products promise improved functionality and a substantial decrease or elimination of overuse injuries. But buyer beware: just because a product is listed as ergonomic, does not mean it will be right for you. As you have probably noticed, all bodies are built differently and no two people work and sit the exact same way. Therefore, wouldn’t it stand to reason that an ergonomic product isn’t ergonomic for...

Road Safety for Employers and Employees With the new school year fast approaching, the roads will be getting busier and drivers will be getting more hurried. With more drivers on the road during peak times, there is no surprise that accidents are more likely to occur, especially when the weather gets dicey. Motor vehicle fatalities make up approximately 30 per cent of the workplace fatalities in Alberta every year. The Transportation, Communication and Utilities sector accounted for 33 per cent of the motor vehicle incident fatalities, while the Construction and Construction Trade Services sector accounted for 22 per cent. In 2008, motor vehicle incidents accounted for more than...

Are you ready to celebrate Mental Health Week: May 7-13, 2012? There are many reasons why mental illness occurs, and it is much more common than you may realize. Mental health problems affect Canadians of all ages, genders, cultures, education and income levels. Studies indicate that in any given year, one in every five Canadian adults under age 65 will have a mental health problem. It is likely that mental illness will indirectly touch every Canadian at some time because a family member, friend or colleague experiences mental illness. Most of these individuals say that the stigma associated with mental illness is worse than the actual symptoms itself....

The recent federal budget, announced March 29th, 2012, has implications that will likely impact you as an employer: Employer Paid Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) and Critical Illness Plans. Currently, the premium paid by the employer for AD&D and Critical Illness is a non-taxable benefit to the employee. Starting in 2013, the premium paid by the employer for these benefits will be taxable to the employee. This means that any premium paid on behalf of the employee for these benefits will need to be added to the employee’s T4 slip as income. Further, payroll systems will need to be updated to reflect the change in tax treatment. This...

Job changes… Illness, bills, personal life…You can’t always control what causes stress, but how you cope can actually minimize your chance of developing heart disease. Although it may not be the primary cause of heart disease, uncontrolled anxiety can affect other risk factors like high cholesterol or blood pressure. Don’t give up; try these tips to help you stay calm and healthy. Exercise, exercise, exercise Studies show that people who are more active during the day sleep better at night. Physical activity not only clears your mind, it also releases natural good-mood-boosting chemicals called endorphins. Make Time for Yourself Close your office door to take a few deep...

The difference between influenza and the common cold. Here's the scoop: Both influenza and the common cold are viral respiratory infections (they affect the nose, throat, and lungs). Viruses are spread from person to person through airborne droplets that are sneezed out or coughed up by an infected person. In some cases, the viruses can be spread when a person touches an infected surface (e.g., doorknobs, countertops, telephones) and then touches his or her nose, mouth, or eyes. As such, these illnesses are most easily spread in crowded conditions such as schools. Influenza is commonly referred to as "the flu." From November to April each year, 5% to...

Sixty thousand workers in Canada get injured annually due to fall accidents. This number represents about 15% of the "time-loss injuries" accepted by workers' compensation boards across Canada. Statistics show that approximately 60 percent of falls happen as a result of slips and trips. Slips happen where there is too little traction between the footwear and the walking surface. Common causes of slips are: • occasional spills, wet or oily surfaces • weather hazards • loose, unanchored rugs or mats • walking surfaces that do not have same degree of traction in all areas Common causes of tripping are: • poor lighting or obstructed view • clutter in...

For many of us, this time of year brings colder weather, and blankets our usual areas of play and exercise with soft white snow. This results in staying inside longer where it’s warmer, and less time outside exercising and staying healthy. (Not to mention all the extra yummy treats around the holidays!) But why choose to wait for the return of Spring and Summer to get outside again, when Winter brings new options to get out and stay active? Get out and build a snowman, or take the family to the toboggan hills! Below is a great article by Great West Life’s online Center for Health Information, providing...

Everyone is responsible for Workplace Health and Safety. Whether you’re an employer, supervisor or worker, make sure you know your health and safety responsibilities. What are the employer's responsibilities? An employer must: • establish and maintain a joint health and safety committee, or cause workers to select at least one health and safety representative • take every reasonable precaution to ensure the workplace is safe • train employees about any potential hazards and in how to safely use, handle, store and dispose of hazardous substances and how to handle emergencies • supply personal protective equipment and ensure workers know how to use the equipment safely and properly •...

Winter weather taking its toll on you? Are you feeling down and overwhelmed by the dismal weather? You are not alone and this is something that affects many people. You could be a victim of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Taking a vacation is a wonderful way to get away, but not everyone has the luxury of taking time off this season. There are several other ways to help deal with this such as just getting outside during daylight hours to take advantage of the sunshine hours and get some exercise outside. Here is a very interesting article on SAD and if you are affected and what you can...