Health and Safety / Work and Home
Zone Comfort
August 2025 vol 24
Mental health impacts of natural disasters
Canada has faced an alarming rise in natural disasters as we have witnessed this summer in all regions of our country, not to mention the recordbreaking heatwaves we experience. While the physical destruction is visible, the psychological scars often remain hidden.
Natural disasters can trigger a wide range of emotional responses, including anxiety and fear during and after the event, depression due to loss of home, livelihood, or community, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from experiencing or witnessing traumatic events.
According to Health Canada, the frequency and intensity of climaterelated disasters are increasing, and so are their mental health consequences.
• Cyberbullying at work
• AMD awareness
• Break bad bedtime habits
• Surviving wildfire smoke
• Yard work safety tips
• Avoid awkward postures
• Swimming pool safety
• Toxicity explained
A 2024 review from the University of Ottawa highlights that survivors often experience long-term psychological distress, including flashbacks, nightmares, and emotional numbness. In flood-affected communities, people report increased family discord, financial strain, and social isolation.
If you’ve experienced a natural disaster, here are some ways to support your mental well-being:
Acknowledge your emotions: It’s normal to feel overwhelmed. Allow yourself to grieve and process.
Stay connected: Talk to friends, family, or neighbours. Social support is a powerful buffer against trauma.
Limit media exposure: Constant news updates can heighten anxiety. Take
• Healthy eating in season
• Take care of your eyes
• Sharing the road with motorcycles
• Outdoor electrical safety
• On-the-job dog safety
• What makes a weak password?
• Safety meeting: Struck-by hazards
breaks from screens.
Establish routines: Even small routines can restore a sense of control and normalcy.
Engage in self-care: Prioritize sleep, nutrition, physical activity, and relaxation techniques like deep breathing or mindfulness.
While many people recover with time and support, others may need professional care.
You should consider reaching out to a mental health professional if:
• You experience persistent sadness, anxiety, or irritability for more than a few weeks.
• You have trouble sleeping or concentrating.
• You feel hopeless or disconnected from others.
• You experience flashbacks or nightmares.
• You have thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
Two important support channels you can visit include 988.ca and cmha.ca, or contact your health care provider.
Publisher: Stefan Dreesen
H&S Communication Specialists: Alan Haycroft | Liz Slobodin | Kevin Harvey
Editor: Kate Van Hoof-Peeren
Contributing Writer: Bryden Winsby
TOLL FREE: 1-888-655-4800
info@smartworkplace.ca www.smartworkplace.ca
Do you know about agerelated macular degeneration?
(NC) It’s the leading cause of vision loss among older adults, affecting nearly 2.5 million Canadians, but awareness around age-related macular degeneration (AMD) remains low. It can significantly impact daily life and long-term eye health, so education and early detection are crucial. Here’s what you should know:
What is AMD?
The condition begins when the macula, a part of your retina, becomes damaged. There are two forms of the disease, dry and wet. The dry form is the most common, accounting for 85–90 percent of cases. The disease advances through three stages: early, intermediate and late. In some cases, the dry form can progress to wet AMD, a less common but more aggressive form that can lead to significant vision loss.
What are the symptoms?
At the early stage, symptoms are often unnoticeable but can rapidly progress, impacting vision and quality of life. In later stages, central vision can become very blurry or completely dark, making simple tasks like reading and recognizing faces difficult or even impossible. Who’s at risk?
Risk for developing AMD increases as we age, and research suggests that a family history of the disease can increase the risk further. Other factors like cardiovascular disease, prolonged UV exposure, smoking and diets rich in saturated fats also make the disease more likely to develop.
What treatments are available?
A healthy lifestyle and balanced diet can help slow the progression of dry AMD but can’t reverse it. The more Canadians know about AMD, its symptoms and risks, the better chance they have of protecting their vision well into the future. Ask your eye care professional about lifestyle choices that can support eye health, as well as available treatment options.
Things to know about cyberbullying
Today, we all face dangers from more places than ever before. Every new technology that helps us communicate or find community can also be abused to harass, intimidate and bully.
• Cyberbullying can have a profound impact, particularly in the workplace. In professional settings, cyberbullying can manifest through persistent, malicious emails, derogatory comments on professional networks, or public shaming on social media platforms.
• This harassment can extend beyond office hours, following individuals into their personal lives and creating a pervasive atmosphere of stress and anxiety. The anonymity of the internet can embolden bullies, making it difficult to trace the source of harassment and hold perpetrators accountable.
• Cyberbullying is a difficult subject to talk about, but silence only creates more opportunity for the danger to grow. Making online spaces safer starts with educating ourselves. Here are a few things you should know about cyberbullying:
• It’s more common than you think. Cyberbullying can take as many forms as there are ways of communicating online. Targets may experience private harassment like threatening or demeaning emails or text messages; the cyberbullying may also be public, like embarrassing photos being released online, or a website or social media page built to make fun of the target.
• It leaves a lasting impact. Unlike in-person forms of intimidation and harassment, cyberbullying can follow a target everywhere they go, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The effects it has
on someone experiencing it vary, but can include anxiety, hopelessness, shame, impacted job performance and even selfharm.
• It can cross borders. While most cyberbullies and their targets know each other, the online nature of the harassment means that it can come from anywhere. It also means that efforts to address cyberbullying in one region can potentially have a global impact.
• Recognizing if cyberbullying is affecting a coworker can be challenging, but there are several signs to look out for. These may include sudden changes in behaviour or mood, such as increased irritability, isolation from colleagues, or a noticeable drop in job performance. Physical symptoms like headaches or stomach aches, frequent unexplained absences, and reluctance to participate in team activities can also be indicators.
• To stop cyberbullying from happening, it’s crucial to foster a supportive and open workplace culture where employees feel safe to report any incidents.
Employees can play a significant role in combating cyberbullying by staying vigilant and supporting their colleagues. If you witness or become aware of cyberbullying, document the incidents with screenshots or saved messages, and report them to the relevant authorities within your organization. Providing support to affected colleagues by listening to their experiences and offering empathy can make a huge difference to their wellbeing. It’s also essential to be aware of your own online behaviour and ensure that all your communications are respectful and professional.
Tips for surviving wildfire smoke Ways you might be sabotaging your sleep
As wildfires burn through forests and grasslands, they produce smoke. Wildfire smoke may be carried thousands of kilometres from the fire zone. This means smoke can impact air quality in areas close to and far away from the wildfire.
Wildfire smoke is a mix of gases, particles and water vapour that contains ozone, methane, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
According to Canada.ca, fine particles (PM2.5) represent the main health risk from wildfire smoke. These particles aren’t visible to the human eye and have been linked to a wide range of health effects.
There’s no known safe level of exposure for some of these pollutants. This means that smoke can impact your health even at very low levels. As smoke levels increase, your health risk increases. Air quality may be poor even if you can’t see or smell smoke.
During heavy smoke conditions, everyone is at risk regardless of their age or health. Some people are more likely to be at risk because they are exposed more frequently to high levels of wildfire smoke. Others are more likely to experience symptoms or health effects when exposed to wildfire smoke.
Here are some tips to keep in mind:
• Check in on neighbours, friends and family, especially those who are more likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke.
• Check local air conditions using the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), InfoSmog (Quebec), special air quality statements or air quality advisories to determine whether smoke is impacting your area.
• Limit time outdoors. Listen to your body. If you experience symptoms of wildfire smoke exposure, consider reducing or stopping strenuous outdoor activities. It’s important to weigh the risks and benefits of being outdoors and participating in physical activity outside. Consider the level
and type of activity involved, as well as the needs of participants and spectators when deciding whether to re-schedule or reduce activities.
• As smoke conditions can vary considerably from hour to hour, it’s important to be prepared for changing conditions and stop activities if necessary.
• It’s important that the air indoors is as clean as possible, especially if you have to stay inside due to wildfire smoke events.
Protect your indoor air from wildfire smoke by:
• Keeping windows and doors closed as much as possible. When there’s an extreme heat event occurring with poor air quality, prioritize keeping cool.
• Using a clean, good quality air filter in your ventilation system based on the manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Using a certified portable air cleaner that can filter fine particles.
• Changing the filters of your ventilation system and portable air cleaner regularly during wildfire smoke events. Clogged filters aren’t effective at removing smoke.
• Limiting the use of exhaust fans, such as bathroom fans.
If you need more support during a wildfire smoke event, contact your local authorities for information on local cleaner air spaces. Seek out local cleaner air spaces to take a break from the smoke, especially if you can’t maintain cleaner air indoors during a wildfire smoke event, or if you don’t have air conditioning and it’s too warm to stay inside with the windows closed.
If smoke is present for more than a few days, stay active when you can. Try finding a place with cleaner air to exercise indoors, like a gym, community centre or at home. Levels of air pollutants in smoke may be lower indoors but can still be elevated. Listen to your body and stay aware of any symptoms even when you’re exercising indoors.
Getting enough sleep each night is essential for good health.
Here are a few habits you may need to break to make sure you are getting the sleep you need:
Too little sunlight in the morning: Sunlight tells our brains that it’s time to wake up and start the day. Aim to get at least 20 to 30 minutes of morning sunshine to see if that helps regulate your sleep cycle.
Too much blue light in the evening: This can delay the onset of melatonin production, which helps prepare your brain for sleep. Avoid blue light during the two hours leading up to bedtime.
Eating too little or too late: Diets low in fibre and high in saturated fat and added sugars are linked with lower sleep quality. Eat more fruits, veggies, and anti-inflammatory foods, and avoid eating two hours before bed to reduce the risk of heartburn, which can also keep you awake or disrupt your sleep.
Hanging out in bed during the day: Try to limit time in bed to sleep and intimacy. Otherwise, your brain might associate being in bed with staying awake, which can keep you up.
Late or long naps: If your nap is long enough to fall into a deep sleep, it can be harder to wake up and fall asleep later that night. Try not to nap later than 3 p.m.
Exercising at night: A 2019 study found that evening workouts between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. can disturb your body clock. Aim to work out in the morning or no later than 7 p.m.
Not having a bedtime routine:
Dimming the lights, turning off electronics, meditating, and even changing into pyjamas can signal to your brain that it’s time to wind down and prep for bed.
If changing these habits doesn’t help, consider speaking with your health care provider to get to the root of your sleep issues and protect your well-being.
Don’t give in to awkward working postures
We might know better, but we’ve all performed, or tried to perform, a physical task that exceeded the body’s capacity to work comfortably. Maybe it was because we wanted to get the job done faster or maybe we weren’t able or willing to ask for someone’s help. Whatever the reason, working in an awkward position can lead to fatigue, pain and musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis and back pain.
A key to avoiding awkward postures is awareness — being mindful of body positioning during tasks and knowing that any discomfort or pain can indicate there is undue stress being placed on the body.
Good posture maintains the natural curve of the spine and includes relaxed shoulders that are held slightly back and level, ears in line with your shoulders, chin tucked slightly inward, and pelvis shifted forward to allow the hips to align with the ankles.
Here are some ways to minimize awkward postures:
• Ensure work surfaces are at the correct height to avoid reaching, bending or hunching.
• Use tools that are the right size and design for the task and that allow for a neutral wrist and hand position.
• Rotate tasks to avoid prolonged
postures. Utilize lifting aids such as hoists or trolleys to minimize bending and twisting.
• Take short, frequent breaks to stretch and move around.
• Position yourself as close as possible to the task and keep frequently used materials within reach.
* Use step stools or ladders to avoid reaching overhead.
* Perform work at the proper heights — above the elbows for precision work, at the elbows for light work, and between the waist and elbows for heavy work.
• Don’t hesitate to ask for assistance when lifting or handling heavy objects.
• Maintain neutral wrist/arm postures as much as possible.
• Avoid twisting and bending motions, especially when lifting. Learn and use proper techniques to avoid excess pressure on your spine’s discs.
• Use both hands instead of one to lift or complete tasks.
• Respect your discomfort or pain. Change positions, stretch to ease stiff muscles or change tasks.
• If you must stand or sit in the same position for an extended period of time, a few minutes of walking or stretching will increase circulation and help you feel better and be more productive.
Be aware of hazards during yard work
Although we are well into the summer months and many of us have been taken care of the yard, we can’t forget good safety habits. Here are a few reminders:
• Wear protective eye and footwear (on eyes and feet, respectively).
• Wear hearing protection when operating loud machinery, vehicles or tools.
• Clear the lawn of sticks, stones, wire, toys and other objects as they could get caught in the machine or flung by the blades.
• Wear clothing that provides some protection, including long pants, a shirt with sleeves and firmly-tied shoes with non-slip soles and hard toes.
• Never cut the grass when it’s damp or wet, or when there is rain or lightning. Wet conditions greatly increase the risk that you will slip, suffer electric shock or clog the mower.
• Always mow in daylight, never at twilight, or in the dark. Keep your eyes on the lawn and look ahead (at least one metre) for debris.
• Shut off, unplug and engage your mower’s safety devices before removing clogged grass clippings.
• Shut off the mower immediately if you hit an object. Check for damage and do not restart it unless you’re sure it’s safe to do so.
• As suggested by its name, always push a push mower – never pull.
• All extension cords should be untangled, in good repair, have a threeprong plug rated for outdoor use and be of the recommended gauge for the load.
Remember safety around backyard swimming pools
Backyard swimming pools can be the hit of the summer, but it’s important to not let our guard down when it comes to safety.
Canada.ca tells us that one of the leading causes of death in children ages 1 to 4 is drowning. Don’t let your backyard oasis become a nightmare. Secure the area around your backyard pool, teach your children about water safety and, above all, supervise them.
Here are a few other important things to remember:
• Build a fence that is at least 1.2 metres high all the way around your pool. Check with your town or city to find out the rules for building a pool fence.
• Install a gate that is self-closing and self-latching. The latch should be beyond a child’s reach. Keep the gate locked at all times.
• Keep toys, garden furniture and tools away from the pool fence. Children can climb up on these items to get over the fence and into the pool.
• Keep lifesaving equipment (such as a safety ring with a rope) and a first aid kit near the pool.
• Keep emergency phone numbers by the telephone closest to the pool.
• After swimming in the pool, make sure you take the time to clean up properly. Put toys away after pool time. Leaving toys in or around the pool can tempt children to go get them and put themselves in danger.
• Keep a safety cover on your pool when it is not in use.
• Another important aspect to pool safety is the chemicals you use to keep the water clean. Be sure to use chlorinating agents according to the product instructions and use test kits frequently to keep chlorine and pH levels within recommended ranges.
• Store all pool chemicals away from public access, direct sunlight, and water.
When is ‘toxic’ considered really dangerous?
Toxic. It’s one of those descriptive words that has a wide variety of uses. Toxic personality. Toxic relationship. Toxic environment.
From a workplace safety perspective, being toxic has as much or more to do with hazardous substances than with nasty people or situations.
Toxic substances can take the form of solids, liquids, gases and vapours, as well as particles of various sizes, including very small (nanoparticles). Particles, in turn, occur as dusts, fumes, fibres and mists.
All chemicals can cause harm to a certain degree. Toxicity refers to the potential of a substance to cause harm, but the severity can vary greatly, depending on the substance, the dose and the route and duration of exposure.
When a small amount can be harmful, the substance is considered toxic. When only a very large amount can cause damage, it is considered to be relatively non-toxic.
The toxicity of a substance depends on three factors:
• Its chemical structure.
• The extent to which the substance is absorbed by the body.
• The body’s ability to change it into less toxic substances and eliminate it.
Toxicity is only one factor in determining whether a hazard exists. The others are:
• Route of exposure — how the substance enters your body (inhalation, ingestion, skin or eye contact).
• Dose — how much enters your body.
• Duration — the length of time you are exposed.
• Multiple exposures — other chemicals to which you are exposed.
• Susceptibility — how your body reacts to the substance, compared to other individuals.
The effects of toxic substances might appear immediately or many years after exposure.
An acute exposure is a single exposure or a few exposures. Acute effects are those that occur following acute exposures. Acute effects can occur immediately or be delayed until hours or days after exposure.
Chronic exposure is repeated exposure that occurs over months and years. Chronic effects are those that occur following chronic exposures and so are always delayed.
A toxic chemical might cause acute effects, chronic effects or both.
Many jobs expose workers to several chemicals. There could be several ingredients in one mixture or product, or several separate chemicals used for different parts of the job.
There might also be non-occupational toxic exposures from polluted air, from contaminated food and water, or from alcohol, drugs, and tobacco use. Numerous toxic chemicals can be found in the body at the same time.
The following are safe work practices when working with chemicals.
• Know what you are working with. Read safety data sheets to understand the safe handling procedures and what to do if you come into contact with the chemical.
• Eliminate chemical hazards where possible. Do not use extremely hazardous chemicals unless absolutely necessary. Substitute a less hazardous chemical if possible.
• Utilize engineering controls such as ventilation, filters, shields, or barriers to create distance from chemicals.
• Wear the correct personal protective equipment, such as respirators, goggles, a face shield, chemical gloves, and a lab coat.
Best practices to care for your eyes
(NC) Our eyes are constantly at work, whether it’s the strain from looking at glowing screens, squinting from the sun, or drying out from indoor air vents. Unfortunately, eye health often gets overlooked in our daily routines.
However, there are effective habits that can help protect your eyes at any stage of life.
• Make sure you’re eating well. A diet rich in vitamins A and C can help your eye health. Your body uses vitamin A to help build the rod cells in the retina that make it easier to see in low light. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can help protect against cell damage. These nutrients can be found in carrots, leafy greens, citrus fruits and sweet potatoes.
• Take it easy on your eyes. Staring at computers and phones for hours can lead to tired, blurry eyes and headaches. Your eyes have to work harder to read text on a screen, especially if you’re viewing it from the wrong angle, or in poor lighting.
• To give your eyes a break, try the 2020-20 trick: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Additionally, consider using blue light glasses or adjusting your screen settings to reduce harsh glare.
• Keep your eyes protected. From a day at the beach to working on a new DIY project, protective eyewear is a simple but important way to keep your eyes and vision safe. Sunglasses with UV protection help prevent long-term sun damage, while safety goggles are crucial for shielding your eyes from potential injury when working with tools and chemicals, or during high-impact activities.
• Get your eyes checked regularly. Regular, preventative eye exams should be part of everyone’s health routine. Even if your vision seems fine, checkups help catch conditions like glaucoma.
Save money by meal planning with what’s in season
(NC) Food prices in Canada remain high, but there are ways to get more bang for your dollars. One of the best ways is to plan your meals around what is in season. Summer and fall harvest seasons offer plenty of options to save money and eat healthy.
At this time of year, there is an amazing variety of fresh fruits ripe and ready to be enjoyed, like blueberries, apples, grapes, peaches, nectarines, pears, plums, strawberries, raspberries, watermelons and more.
There is no less variety when it comes to locally grown vegetables, from classic favourites like beans, cauliflower, carrots, peas, carrots, radishes and squash to more varied options including artichoke, bok choy, daikon radish, mustard greens, snow pea shoots and water spinach. Tree, field or vine-ripened, they’re packed with delicious flavour and nutrients, whether they’re eaten on their own or used as an ingredient in a favourite dish.
Whether you’re stopping at an onfarm store, visiting a farmers’ market or stocking up at the supermarket, shopping for what’s in season means plenty of supply and good value for money. Buy extra when you see a great deal and freeze, can, process or pickle produce to enjoy all year long as jams,
jellies, sauces, condiments, soups, ingredients and more.
Buying local will not only help you stretch your food budget, it’s also climate-friendly and more sustainable.
Here are four ways to enjoy local fruits and vegetables all year long:
Freezing – Peel, slice and pit fruits and freeze them on a large baking sheet before transferring them into freezer bags or storage containers. Chop and blanch vegetables before freezing by boiling them briefly and cooling them quickly to improve food safety and preserve nutrients and flavour.
Pickling – A relatively fast and easy option to preserve fruits and vegetables is to marinate them using a brine, which is a mix of salt, sugar, vinegar, water and other spices of your choosing.
Dehydrating – Use a dehydrator or freeze-dryer to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables and make them convenient for on-the-go snacks or meals.
Canning – A great but a bit more complex way to make jams, jellies, chutneys, sauces, salsas and other condiments. Find a good recipe, and make sure to follow the directions for proper canning techniques.
Sharing the road with motorcycles
Motorcycles are commonly seen during summer months, making it important for all drivers to remain aware of motorcycle riders and share the road responsibly. Both vehicle drivers and motorcyclists have responsibilities in preventing accidents; however, due to their exposure, motorcyclists may be more vulnerable in collisions.
Consider the following points:
• Always monitor blind spots, as motorcycles are smaller and less visible than other vehicles, particularly when merging or changing lanes. The profiles of motorcycles and riders can blend into mirrors, so take extra time to check each blind spot before completing any maneuver.
• Exercise caution when passing. Passing a motorcycle should follow the same rules as passing a car, but increased speed can create wind gusts that may affect motorcycle stability. Signal your intention with your turn signal and ensure sufficient distance— several car lengths—ahead before moving back into your lane.
• Motorcycles generally respond more quickly than cars. Maintain an adequate following distance, as rear-end collisions can be particularly hazardous for motorcyclists.
• Communicate intentions to turn by activating your turn signal earlier if a motorcycle is behind you. This alerts the rider and helps decrease the risk of multi-vehicle incidents.
• Intersections require careful attention. Follow safety protocols by stopping completely, observing traffic signs and signals, checking for cross traffic, and proceeding cautiously.
• Nighttime presents additional challenges for motorcyclists. Increase following distances, use low beams when approaching motorcycles at night, and avoid passing unless necessary to support safer conditions.
Teach children about outdoor electrical safety
(NC) With summer in full swing, many kids are spending more time outside playing in their neighbourhood. Outdoor playtime can be good mentally and physically for children, but there are electrical dangers that all parents and kids should know about.
Be cautious while playing near powerlines
Help children find safe places to play, away from utility poles and powerlines. Remember to look up and look out for powerlines that may be hidden between leaves and branches before engaging in activities like climbing trees, flying a kite or playing with a ball or frisbee. You don’t have to touch a powerline to get a deadly shock – electricity can jump or “arc” to an individual, tree branches or toys if they get too close.
Never climb a fence at an electrical substation
Teach children that the fences surrounding substations are not for climbing. If they lose a ball or toy behind the substation fence, remind them to leave it and ask an adult to call the local utility to have it safely retrieved.
Avoid the big green box
Electric pad-mounted transformers, often green in colour, are common
in many residential neighbourhoods and can be tempting for children to play on or around. The role of the transformer is to convert high voltage to a lower voltage power supply for the surrounding houses. These “big green boxes” are safe but can pose a risk if they have been damaged, pushed off the foundation creating gaps, or vandalized.
Explain to children that transformers are not meant for playing, climbing or touching and to never put sticks, fingers or other objects through ventilation holes or cracks in a transformer. If you see a transformer that has been damaged or has a broken lock, report it to your local utility.
Stay away from downed powerlines
Always assume a downed powerline has electricity flowing through it, even if it isn’t sparking. To avoid potential injury, remind children that if they see a powerline on the ground, to stay far away – a minimum distance of the length of a school bus (10 metres or 33 feet) – and to notify an adult who can call 9-1-1 and the local utility immediately.
Learn more about staying safe from electrical harm from the Electrical Safety Authority at esasafe.com.
When man’s best friend attacks
Dog attacks are a significant occupational hazard for various professions. While dogs are often considered man’s best friend, they can pose serious threats, particularly in work environments where individuals regularly encounter them.
Dog attacks can lead to severe physical injuries, psychological trauma, and even fatalities. The physical consequences range from minor scratches to serious wounds requiring extensive medical treatment. Common injuries include lacerations, puncture wounds, and fractures. In severe cases, dog attacks can result in permanent disfigurement or disability. Psychological impacts are also profound, with victims often experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.
Certain occupations are more vulnerable to dog attacks due to the nature of their work. The following are some of the professions most at risk:
• Postal workers: Postal workers frequently encounter dogs while delivering mail. Dogs may perceive them as intruders and exhibit aggressive behaviour, leading to attacks.
• Delivery personnel: Like postal workers, delivery personnel face risks when approaching residences with dogs. The increase in online shopping has heightened this risk.
• Utility workers: Utility workers who need access to residential properties for maintenance or meter readings are often exposed to dogs. This can lead to dangerous encounters.
• Homecare workers: Homecare workers visit patients’ homes, where they may encounter pets that are protective of their owners or territory.
Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself from being attacked on the job and what to do if an attack occurs:
• Don’t approach a dog that is sleeping, barking, snarling, eating or caring for puppies.
• Don’t approach a dog that appears to be in pain.
• Stay calm and don’t turn your back on the dog – always keep your eyes on it.
• Resist the urge to give treats to dogs, no matter how friendly they seem to be.
• Keep a safe distance between yourself and the dog, even if it is on a leash. If the dog is tied up, don’t assume that it can’t get loose.
• Don’t run past a dog as it will naturally want to chase and catch you.
• If you believe a dog is about to attack, position yourself so you have something between you and the dog, such as a tree, bench, post, backpack or bicycle. An umbrella can be a good defence, especially one that pops open with the press of a button.
• In an attack, face the dog from the side, not the front. A frontal posture is what you show the dog to get it to back down, but if the dog keeps coming, turn to the side to protect your vital organ area and to get a better stance for the impact. A side posture gives you a better chance of staying on your feet and makes your abdomen and neck areas less accessible to the dog.
What makes a weak password?
What makes a password weak?
Obviously one that is easy to guess, but not only easy for a person, but also easy for a computer to guess.
Here are a few examples of weak passwords. Some of them may seem obvious to you while others may have you scrambling to change yours:
Dictionary words – When you create a password using words out of the dictionary, it is extremely easy for a hacker to decipher. These include words in any language, out of any dictionary. Replacement characters – Hackers often seek out passwords that are created using dictionary words with replacement characters. An example would be “Fav0rit3_D0g” or “A1rplan3”
Repeating characters – One of the easiest passwords to decipher is one that is built on repeating characters, or characters that are positioned in a series. These would often include “AAAAAAA”, “12345”, or “abcdef”.
Personal identifiable information–Hackers often seek out personal information including names of friends or pets, birthdays, personal addresses or any data that can identify the user.
A simple pass phrase – An example of a simple pass phrase might be “Ilovemydog”. Any common phrase out of a book, movie or other source should be avoided.
Incorporating your username – Utilizing any part of your username in any form (i.e. all capitals, doubled, reversed) should be avoided.
Zone Comfort
Safety Meeting
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Stay focused to avoid struck-by hazards
Today’s safety meeting is about avoiding getting hit in a struck-by incident.
Objects involved in struck-by incidents can be falling, flying, swinging or rolling. In a great many cases, a worker is unable to see these objects coming towards them with enough time to react and move out of the way.
Falling objects can cause someone to be crushed, pinned or caught under them. Examples include tools and materials knocked or dropped from unprotected edges, equipment falling off a storage shelf or a suspended load coming loose.
Flying object hazards exist when something has been hurled, thrown or is being propelled. They can include material separating from a tool or other equipment, nail gun discharges, compressed air, dust or other particles.
Swinging objects, such as when a load being lifted twists or turns, can strike workers in their path or might also fall to another level.
Rolling objects — very often vehicles but also mobile equipment, carts and anything that moves or slides on the same level as a worker — can cause serious damage to people and property.
Many times the objects come out of nowhere, through no fault of whoever they hit, but often a lack of focus on the task at hand leads to a serious incident. First and foremost, it’s important to pay attention,
especially in riskier situations.
Struck-by injuries are the secondhighest cause of fatalities among construction workers, who are far more at risk of getting hurt than those in an office setting.
Still, the latter can be injured if they carry something in a way that obstructs their view, fail to make sure drawers and cabinets are always closed when not in use and stack heavy items at a higher level instead of keeping them closer to the floor.
Here are some tips for avoiding struck-by injuries:
• Always use the correct tool for a particular task, use it properly and make sure it is in good condition.
• Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment, such as hard hats and high-visibility clothing. If
there is a danger from chemicals and flying particles or dust, safety eyewear is a must.
• If working near heavy equipment, be constantly aware of its location and be able to establish eye contact with the operator.
• Stay clear of loads that are being lifted or dumped, and never work under suspended loads.
• Stay well outside the swing radius of cranes and backhoes.
• Do not exceed the rated load or lift capacity of any vehicle.
• Avoid situations in which an escape route is not available.
• When potentially hazardous equipment isn’t in use, make sure it is secured. For example, lower blades and lock moving parts of bulldozers, loaders and similar machines when they’re being repaired or not being used.
• Avoid the ‘drop zone’ beneath people working at heights.
• In outdoor situations, secure material against wind gusts.
• Indoors, be cautious around corners and doorways.
• In either situation, practice good housekeeping by keeping clutter to a minimum, stacking materials properly and arranging furniture or equipment so walkways are clear.
Thanks for your attention today.
Flying object hazards exist when something has been hurled, thrown or is being propelled.
Zone Comfort Zone Comfort
You should always use the correct tool for a particular task, use it properly and make sure it is in good condition.
Safety Meeting Quiz
Stay focused to avoid struck-by hazards
Rolling objects are usually anything that moves or slides on the same level as a worker.
Falling objects can cause someone to be crushed, pinned or caught under them.
A lack of focus on the task at hand leads to a serious incident.
Attendance Sheet
Stay focused to avoid struck-by hazards
Date of Meeting: ____________________________
Location: __________________________________
Start Time: __________ Finish Time: __________