What Is Due Diligence?

Due diligence is a process of taking the care and time to understand safety and production requirements of a job or task. Supervisors have a responsibility to ensure that every part of the task or job is challenged against a standard of safety to ensure that workers are adequately protected. This is part of the Job Hazard Analysis or Job Safety Analysis that must be completed for each task or day.

Challenging all steps in a job against safety standards is the basic concept of due diligence. Understand the scope of the job and the tasks required first. Then assess each task individually for safety. Finally, establish a plan to control hazards and work safely.

Why Do Supervisors Need Training?

A supervisor is appointed because of training and experience regarding a task or job. The supervisor is directly responsible for the safe completion of the work, and the wellbeing of the workers they are supervising.

Supervisors cannot be expected to inherently know how to perform any supervisory task. Moving from a worker position to a supervisor position requires specific training. Understanding the roles and responsibilities of a supervisor is paramount to being a safe and effective supervisor.

What Happens Next?

Supervisors are tasked with getting a job done. To get the job done safely, supervisors need appropriate training to assess and control the hazards they’ll face. A general awareness of due diligence is a good place to start. Specific training in tasks and hazards faced by an organization or site require specific training.

KMC Safety Solutions offers training, hazard assessment, safe work planning, program development and auditing of health and safety programs. For solutions customize to your needs, contact us:

First Aid Requirements

Every workplace in Ontario must have a first aid kit and trained first aid provider at all times. WSIB lists all individual buildings, all company vehicles including personal vehicles for work purposes are considered workplaces and require a first aid kit. The location of first aid kit should coincide with a first aid station that includes the required posters. First Aid kits must be inspected at least quarterly, and be maintained to at all times to the standard set out in the regulations. Any items used from the kit must be replaced immediately.

Under WSIB regulations (1101), the first aid kit must be under the care of a person trained in first aid. The level of training required depends on the number of workers in the workplace. For fewer than five workers in the workplace, Emergency level first aid is required. For more than 5 workers, Standard level first aid is required. First Aid training must be provided by a recognized training provider (St. John Ambulance, Canadian Red Cross, Lifesaving Society are the primary providers of training). Those designated workers must work in the vicinity of the first aid kit. A record of all first aid incidents must be kept in the workplace.

Most first aid certifications are valid for three years from the date of issue. Some specific levels of training expire annually. In most cases, a certificate can be renewed prior to its expiry in a condensed recertification class. Recertification is valid for another three years, but cannot be recertified a second time.

First Aid Equipment

The equipment required for each workplace varies by the number of workers on any shift. First Aid kits must be restocked after every use and fully inspected every three months. Each workplace is assessed individually for the number of workers in the area. When in doubt, stock a kit to the next level rather than the lower level.

Of note is that vehicles are required to have first equipment on board relative to the number of workers in the vehicle. A mini-van that can hold 6 passengers and a driver requires a first aid kit for up to 15 workers.

KMC Can Help

We’re pleased to be adding first aid services to our portfolio. We can certify workers to either Emergency or Standard level first aid. Emergency First Aid is a one day course with a three year expiry and includes CPR with AED use. Standard First Aid is a two day program and includes CPR and AED use. Training is offered at our facility or on-site at your facility, provided there is adequate space to meet the program requirements. Our instructors have more than 25 years of experience in emergency response and have taught hundreds of courses at all levels.

In addition to training, we’re pleased to offer a first aid kit inspection and stocking service. We can swap your kits for sealed kits during regular site audits or on a quarterly basis to keep your site compliant with regulations. Our kits are sealed with break-away tags to readily identify when contents may be missing. The advantage of a sealed kit is that if the seals are missing, we know to look for corresponding records. We can supply either a record book that will comply with WSIB regulations or add the recordkeeping requirements to our digital safety platform used to manage the rest of your health and safety program.

Get Started Today

Contact us to book your training or to arrange for supply stocking services.

KMC Safety Solutions serves the Southern Ontario manufacturing and construction sectors. We offer training, program development, gap analysis, compliance auditing and consulting services. Training is available in person or online for many programs. Contact KMC for your personalized solutions.

Expiring Certificates

Early in the pandemic, the Ontario Ministry of Labour recognized that access to training was going to be difficult. The MOL decided to extend the validity of all certificates that were set to expire February to August 2020 were extended until the same date in 2021.

Certificates that were set to expire in 2021 are still expiring in this time frame.

What this means

Many workers and companies took advantage of this extension in a bid to keep their workers safe. The result is that in 2021, we are seeing an increased demand for training spaces.

Workers must have a valid certificate when working at heights. There is no exception to that rule and there has not been throughout the pandemic. Workers, supervisors, employers, and project owners can all be fined if a worker is working at heights without valid certifcation

With limited class sizes and double the normal demand, it can be difficult to find space for your workers in open-enrollment classes.

What can you do

Contact us using the link below to discuss a private class for your company. Book a course before the expiry period of your certificate on our website. Ensure that workers are compliant and properly trained to work safely. Ensure that workers have received specific training on the equipment they will be using on the job.

As always, ensure that workers are documenting their equipment inspections, safe work plans, and rescue plans as required.

The Incident

The injury occurred at an industrial facility in Guelph Ontario. The exact details are less relevant for this post, The result of the injury was that the worker’s arm was severely injured with an arterial bleed. Direct pressure was not controlling the bleeding adequately and the injured worker was quickly losing blood. A nearby police officer hearing the dispatch responded and applied a tourniquet to control the wound and prevent further blood loss.

The Lessons

Assessing tools and processes for hazards is a critical step in preventing injuries and emergencies. When emergencies do arise, having response plans in place produces the best outcome for the injured worker. Put the guards and tools in place to protect a worker from being injured. Have a plan in case the safeguards fail.

First Aid training is critical to the health and safety of workers. WSIB and OHSA sets out the minimum requirements for first aid in the workplace. These standards are minimum and based on the standard first aid program requirements of training providers. Those standards are set based on specific criteria of equipment, average types of injuries and proximity to professional responders.

WSIB sets out minimum equipment standards for workplace first aid kits. These standards are based on common injuries and are largely not in line with best practices. There is no requirement for PPE in first aid kits, as an example.

Workplaces with specific hazards need specific training. In this case, StopTheBleed training and equipment would have been ideal care while waiting for emergency responders. StopTheBleed is a plan designed to intervene with life-threatening bleeding in a pre-hospital environment.

The Training

The availability of a tourniquet, wound packing gauze, and the training to work with the equipment is critical in the event of a major injury. Strategic placement of equipment at high-risk points is the best second-line defense.

StopTheBleed training is short (under one hour typically per class) and equipment is reasonably inexpensive without expiry dates. The more remote workers are, the more important it is to have appropriate first aid equipment and training. Buy only genuine components from recognized distributors. Many counterfeit tourniquets are widely available and have a high rate of failure. Like most skills, this skill is easy to learn, but is also perishable. Incorporate regular refresher training into all health and safety plans.

 KMC Safety Solutions serves the Southern Ontario manufacturing and construction sectors. We offer training, program development, gap analysis, compliance auditing and consulting services. Training is available in person or online for many programs. Contact KMC for your personalized solutions.

What is a confined space

There are three conditions that create a confined space. None of the definitions refer to the physical size of the space. Confined space doesn’t always mean small or in close quarters.

The first condition is that it is not designed for continuous human occupancy. This is a broad definition and can encompass everything from an open vat or pool to a pipe or tunnel.

The second condition is that the space may present an atmospheric hazard. Doesn’t necessarily present a hazard, but might. An atmospheric hazard is one that creates an oxygen deficient (or enriched) atmosphere, or a toxic atmosphere because of other contaminants. This hazard can be internal or external such as a cutting or welding operation or the introduction of gases or vapours from an outside source such as engine exhaust or leaking fuel.

The third condition is that there needs to be limited means of egress. This may be due to the size of the vessel or compartment, the shape of the doorway, the need for a ladder or other means of access.

What goes into an entry plan

Any confined space entry needs a specific plan written for that event. In many cases, the details of a plan can be repeated for each space and adjusted for specific tasks that are being completed during the entry. It is best practice for industrial facilities to have an inventory of confined spaces and the requirements for each one pre-filled in the plan.

Basic information includes the type of space, the hazards that are or may be present in the space, the tasks to be completed in the space, and the rescue plan should an emergency arise. The details of the plan are based on the specific conditions encountered at the time of entry. The plan also sets out the workers, attendants, and supervisors involved in the activity.

What information do we need

The first thing needed is a description of the space and an assessment of the hazards associated with entry. These hazards need to be addressed before adding any other potential hazards of the tasks to be performed in the space. Once the hazards are identified, controls must be put in place. Depending on the nature of the space and tasks, there may need to multiple or back up controls. If multiple trades are involved in the process, a coordinating document is required to ensure that one trade’s operations won’t create a hazard for other workers in the space.

What’s next?

Every employer needs a confined space program if their workers are exposed to confined space work. Developing a plan and training workers is a critical step in worker safety. Contact us today to review or update your confined space plan, or develop training for your specific needs. Remote training is available here:

KMC Safety Solutions serves the Southern Ontario manufacturing and construction sectors. We offer training, program development, gap analysis, compliance auditing and consulting services. Training is available in person or online for many programs. Contact KMC for your personalized solutions.

Emergency Order

The Provincial emergency order will expire Feb 10 at 12:01am Many of the regulations imposed by the order will remain in effect. In essence, rather than the provincial government controlling the entire province as one area, each health unit will be handled individually. It allows for the most appropriate response based on number of cases in an area rather than applying one set of rules to the entire province. The province is returning to the control zone by

Colour Control Zones

As we saw in 2020, the colour code system will be in place to set control measures that are appropriate to the case concentration. Beginning Feb. 10th, Hastings and Prince Edward County, Kingston Frontenac Lennox and Addington, Renfrew County health units will be returning to the colour control zones. Everywhere else in the province EXCEPT Peel, Toronto and York regions will be returning on Feb. 16th. Peel, Toronto and York will return on Feb. 22nd.

Restrictions

Stay at Home control: (most of the province) stay at home unless you’re going to school, work, the grocery store, the pharmacy, helping vulnerable people, and exercising. Don’t visit people. If you live alone, you may visit one other household only. Businesses must screen all workers, limit occupancy to 50% of capacity and ensure that everyone stays 2m apart. Surfaces must be cleaned and disinfected regularly. Everyone in the business must wear a face covering or mask of some kind. A safety plan must be posted where employees and patrons can see it. A safety plan must include protective measures, controls and a method of notifying the company in the event of an exposure. Most retail businesses are restricted to curbside pick up . Businesses that require in person shopping such as automobiles, prescription eyewear, medical devices and safety supply stores require an appointment.

Grey/Lockdown control: don’t visit anyone you don’t live with. Indoor social gatherings are prohibited. Outdoor social gatherings are limited to 10 people. Most of the same restrictions are in place as the Stay At Home control. Retailers can open at a maximum of 25% capacity , 50% for pharmacies and grocery stores. Everyone must continue to wear a face covering and remain 2m apart.

Red control: restaurants are allowed to have seating for up to 10 people with a maximum of 4 people per table, minimum 2m between tables. Alcohol service stops at 9pm music dancing and live performances are still prohibited. In the red control zone, Meeting spaces can be opened with a maximum of 10 people indoors, 25 outdoors, no more than 4 people per table. Face coverings are required at all times. Gyms and sports can operate in the red control zone.

Orange control: indoor gatherings (homes) limited to 10 people, organized events limited to 50 indoors. Restaurants are now allowed to seat 50 guests, the same rules as red control apply. Meeting and event spaces are limited to 50 indoors. Retailers are now allowed to be at full capacity.

Yellow control: Restaurants are now allowed to operate at full capacity with 2m between each table. Closing time is extended to midnight. Retail is generally not restricted, except that dressing rooms cannot be adjacent and everyone must be wearing a face covering or mask.

Green control: this is the least restrictive of the control measures. Sports and recreation can have up to 50 participants per class and up to 50 spectators indoors, and 100 of each outdoors.

The control measures put in place are based on the number of active cases and rate of positive testing. The rules are changing regularly as the provincial health authorities learn more about the spread and control of COVID-19 virus.

Regular updates can be found here:

KMC Safety Solutions provides training and consulting services for the Ontario Construction and Manufacturing industries. KMC provides on-site in person training or remote instructor-led or video based training depending on the circumstances required.

Why Safe Lifting Is Important

Safely lifting and moving materials and tools is a critical factor in worker safety. The safe lifting and carrying of materials prevents a number of injuries as well as material damage or loss.

Unsafe lifting and handling techniques leads to strain and sprain injuries, especially in the core and back. Shoulder, arm and leg muscles are also affected when improper technique is used. Over time, these injuries can lead to greater damage to the spine, hips, and shoulder joints as these structures compensate to protect the injured muscles.

Improper lifting techniques are associated with long term back injuries. These injuries prevent workers from reporting to work, and contribute to significant lost time injuries and worker’s compensation claims.

How To Safely Lift

Lifting safely starts with good planning. Ideally, workers should warm up with gentle exercise and stretching prior to lifting heavy or awkward items. Plan the work to minimize the number of lifts required. Ensure the path is clear before lifting to prevent falls. Ensure the lay-down area is ready and available prior to beginning the lift.

Test the weight of object by rocking it. Bend at the knees and hips keeping the back straight. Use handles or lifting slings where possible or required. Ensure the load is stable prior to lifting.

When To Get Help

Generally, two people can lift an object weighing up to 300lbs safely and comfortably. For each additional 100lbs of weight, or awkward and/or unstable loads, additional help is required. Long, wide, or oddly shaped loads may require extra help. Climbing stairs or changing levels may require extra assistance.

Lifting slings, handles, packaging etc may need to be removed or added to make the lift safer and easier. Dollies or wheeled assists can resolve a lot of carrying challenges over distances.

When using multiple people to lift, ensure that workers are coordinated in their effort. One person should be designated in charge to ‘call’ the lift and ensure all workers are lifting together. As much as possible, everyone should be facing forward to perform the lift.

What’s Next?

Further training is available here with a certificate at the end of the program. Palletize materials wherever you can and lift with mechanical means such as a forklift, palletjack or telehandler.

Get In Touch

KMC Safety Solutions serves the Southern Ontario manufacturing and construction sectors. We offer training, program development, gap analysis, compliance auditing and consulting services. Training is available in person or online for many programs. Contact KMC for your personalized solutions.

Every worker who is exposed to a fall hazard requires working at heights training. Under the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act, workers need training from an accredited training provider.

All accredited training providers have a program that is approved by the Ministry of Labour. The program will train workers to identify, inspect and don PPE, set up an appropriate fall protection system and work with that system safely.

Training Regularly

Formal certificate training is required every three years. All workers need a current certificate prior to being exposed to a fall hazard. Once formal training is completed, specific workplace training needs to be conducted to orient workers to the specific equipment they’ll be using, and the specific hazards to which they’ll be exposed.

Best practice is to hold regular refresher training with the equipment and tools that workers use. Workers who use equipment regularly can become complacent in the best practices. Workers who use fall protection equipment rarely get rusty and refresher training.

Any time new equipment is introduced, workers must receive specific training on its proper use and limitations. Workers need to be completely comfortable with their equipment prior to using it in a fall protection system.

Book A Course

During the ongoing pandemic, we are able to offer training at your facility under specific circumstances. Please contact us to discuss specific details

When does a trench need inspecting?

A trench must be inspected when a worker will be in the trench to ensure compliance. S224 requires a trench to be compliant with the Regulations prior to a worker entering the trench. If no worker will need to be in the trench, there is no specific need to inspect it.

In a situation where the trench is ‘following’, that is being dug at one end and filled in at the other simultaneously, best practice is to have a supervisor assigned to monitor the trench conditions.

What are you looking for?

The safety of a trench is directly related to the type of soil in the excavation. Section 226 details what constitutes the four basic soil types, Type 1 being the best/safest and Type 4 being the least compact and least safe. After determining the type of soil, the slope of the trench walls is the next most important item to check. The slope is determined by the type of the soil, but if unsure, 3:1 out to deep is a good rule. For every meter of depth, the wall should slope out 3m. Ensure that no materials are stored within 1m of the edge of the excavation.

If the trench walls are stable, the next level of inspection is the inside of the trench. The wording in the Regulations is “reasonably free of water” which is open to interpretation, but the less water and mud in the bottom, the safer the trench is (S. 230). The trench must be clear of loose rock or any material that may slide, roll or fall upon a worker (sec 232.1). This can mean by absence or control such as wire mesh.

If the trench has a support structure in it (such as trench box or shoring), the structure must be installed to manufacturer’s specifications or be set according to the regulations (S235, 236, 237, 238). The support structures must also be inspected regularly. The type of inspection and documentation is laid out by the manufacturer, or the quality of the timber and security of installation must be checked and recorded.

If the trench includes utilities or services, ensure that all services are clearly marked and isolated or revealed. All utility locate documents must be current.

How should the inspection be documented?

As with all things related to safety, documentation is key to success. A form that allows the inspector to document soil type, slope, shoring, and other considerations should be made available. Ideally, this form should be electronic that can allow photos to be taken to qualify the findings of the inspection. learn more about digital documentation here

Where can you learn more?

There is more to trench safety than meets the eye. Training in trench safety can be done in person (ideally on a jobsite with trenches) or remotely here

Why Safe Work Planning Matters

Safe work planning is a process that starts with understanding the work to be done. Having a plan for safe work means that workers know what hazards are associated with the task or process, and how to keep themselves safe. A safe work plan means that workers, supervisors, and constructors will have a clear view of what hazards are present and how those hazards will be controlled.

A permanent record of the safe work plan is required for the duration of the project or job. The record needs to be available to safety inspectors, trade unions, constructors, management as well as the joint health and safety committee. If writing the plan by hand, write it legibly in ink and keep an accurate filing system for the completed plans.

Plans can be repeated for the same tasks, but must be acknowledged and signed each time the task is completed. For example, a roofing contractor may have the same safe work plan for working at the edge of all flat roofs. The plan may be applied to different roofs, but the assessment must be conducted and the workers need to sign the plan every time they’re exposed to the edge of a flat roof.

How to Assess Hazards

Start with an assessment of the tasks to be completed. For each task, look at the tools, equipment, materials, and locations required. This should be done daily as conditions on a jobsite can change quickly. At the start of each work day the supervisor should lead a short tailgate or toolbox meeting to address hazards and assign tasks for the day.

Assess each item individually for hazards: tools might need guards or wet-cutting to prevent dust; equipment or materials may need rigging and personnel to move safely; locations could interact with other trades creating a hazard, or a fall hazard, confined space, atmospheric hazard, electrical, fire etc.

Once each hazard has been identified, work out a control for it. The guards, PPE, or equipment needed to overcome the risk. Ensure that the appropriate controls are practical, and that workers have the required training. Each control needs to be appropriate to the task and the workers. The best controls are at the source of the hazard to protect all the workers, as opposed to PPE which only protects one worker.

Why Documentation Matters

The most important rule in safety and compliance is that “if it’s not written down, it didn’t happen”. In the event of an injury or failure of a control, the documentation associated with that hazard is the proof of due diligence. All workers working with that task or process need to review the safe work plan and sign it confirming they understand.

Supervisors are mandated to ensure that workers are adhering to the plan. Make the plan available to the workers. The best way to manage that is with a digital safety management platform. Learn more here. A digital system puts the plan in the hands of the worker, the supervisor, the management, and anyone else that needs access to the record. With no paper to lose or damage, the records are easy to find. All documentation is stored in a searchable database.

Where Do You Get Certified?

A remote training certificate is available here. This video based certificate class gives learners the basics of hazard analysis.

Live training is available for more in-depth and customized solutions for specific workplaces. Contact us to schedule an assessment and training plan. Our team will conduct a gap analysis and establish a process for each safe work assessment. Supervisors and workers will be well equipped to identify and mitigate the hazards associated with construction work.

Plan your work, work your plan, stay safe.

A safe work plan is essential to protecting workers. Proper documentation relieves confusion and shows due diligence during inspections. Proof of training is a further step in the documentation process.

KMC Safety Solutions serves the Southern Ontario manufacturing and construction sectors. We offer training, program development, gap analysis, compliance auditing and consulting services. Training is available in person or online for many programs. Contact KMC for your personalized solutions.