28 l ROOFINGBC l SPRING 2019 SAFETY FOCUS WORKING TOGETHER WorkSafeBC Prevention Officers regularly present to first-year apprentices at the Roofing Contractors Association of BC on workplace hazards, including: ladder safety, fall protection, asbestos exposure prevention, excava- tion safety, worker rights and responsibilities and the injury claims process. T he following article discusses safety basics at a worksite, which are part of an effective occupational health and safety (OHS) program. Part 3 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation specifies OHS program requirementsforemployersof allsizes.The purpose of an OHS program is to prevent workplace injuries and keep workers safe. An effective program includes continu- ally performing risk assessments, as risks change depending on the project stage, and hazard identification. “When a prevention officer attends a construction site, one of the first activities they perform is a risk assessment of the worksite,” says Carol- Anne Boufford, manager, Prevention Field Services with WorkSafeBC. “The next step is often confirming how the employer is addressing the worksite’s safety basics.” Site safety basics include: toolbox talks; personal protective equipment (PPE); good housekeeping practices; and first aid. Toolbox Talks Crew talks, also referred to as toolbox talks, can be an important element of an effective safety management system. Toolbox talks provide opportunities to deliver pertinent, real-time health and safety messages specific to the worksite and task being performed. This message is just one of the ways employers can ensure that information about hazards is provided to workers as required under section 115 of the Workers Compensation Act. Toolbox talks are typically performed at the start of a work shift but can be performed as often as required if tasks change — no matter what size of oper- ation is underway. Employers and super- visors can design the talks around a rele- vant safety topic based on the tasks to be performed that day, as well as asking workers about any issues or concerns they may have. This process enables employers and workers to inform each other and stay informed about the changing hazards and risks on the jobsite. This is espe- cially true for multiple-employer jobsites: The workers hearing the tool box talk on the fall protection system today, may be different from the workers who heard the talk yesterday. “A construction site is dynamic with changing conditions,” says Carol-Anne. “Things may be safe today that become unsafe tomorrow, new hazards can be created throughout different stages of the project, through different trades working on site, and through changing weather conditions.” It`s who we are, it`s what we do Low Slope Roof Systems • Metal Roof Systems • Wall Systems Shingle Roof Systems Phone: 250.336.8088 Toll Free: 1.888.318.8642 www.nelsonroofing.com contact@nelsonroofing.com Comox Valley, Campbell River, Powell River, Lower Mainland Pride, Quality, Innovation, Performance & Safety