30 Workplace Safety & Prevention Services
Closing the Loop: Setting Up a Health & Safety System in Your Small Business
common Hazards (continued)
heat stress
Heat stress can affect those working indoors
and outdoors. Some guidelines for reducing
the risk of heat stress in the workplace and to
considerably cool things down, would be to:
Determine appropriate work-rest
schedules
Schedule work to limit exposure in
extreme heat; alternate work and rest with
frequent rest breaks
Know the warning signs and symptoms
Keep hydrated and well-rested, in a cool,
ventilated rest area.
Always pair workers if there is a risk of
heat stress
Dress for the heat and wear protective
equipment
Workplace hazardous materials
information system (Whmis)
The Right to Know is the premise on which
WHMIS is based. It is a system that is
used throughout North America to ensure
consistent labelling and categorizing of
hazardous materials. Employees must receive
WHMIS training, which allows them to
recognize hazards identified on warning labels
and Material Safety Data Sheets; to safely
handle, store and dispose of these materials;
and to apply appropriate first aid should they
come into contact with these materials.
As the employer, you need to ensure
that you:
Maintain an inventory of all hazardous
substances used in the workplace
Maintain up-to-date Material Safety Data
Sheets (you can get these from suppliers
and manufacturers) and make them
accessible to employees
Ensure hazardous substances are properly
labelled
Provide appropriate personal protective
equipment related to the use of these
substances
Provide workplace and job-specific
WHMIS training
Working Alone
Working alone, day or night, poses its own
particular set of risks. To minimize these
risks, it's important to:
Have someone maintain regular contact
with the employee
Keep emergency phone numbers
accessible and up-to-date
Keep back doors closed
Avoid having to enter alleys or other
secluded places to empty garbage at night
Acknowledge every person who enters
your location
Keep windows clear of posters and other
visual obstructions
Train employees how to respond to an
emergency when they are working alone
Ensure all tasks and equipment involved
can be safely handled by one worker.
