Health And Safety: Attention to Small Details Can Prevent Big Problems
Authors: Pommen-Peterson D. , Nelson H. 
Published: March 2010

Managing health and safety issues is a critical part of doing business in the 1990s. The implications for a business not implementing a solid health and safety program point toward increased injuries, high costs and potential long-term liabilities for the company. A health and safety program is an important component of the management system for many types of businesses, but the range and scale of issues are diverse: the issues at a chemical plant will be different from those at an oil sands facility, and different again for a mine site. Health and safety concerns may change again when the project or facility is in another region or country.
As a group of consulting companies that operates internationally, Golder Associates' employees must be trained on several levels, including the health and safety policies of the client, issues of the client's specific project/facility, and they must be thoroughly proficient in Golder Associates' own health and safety program. These three levels provide staff members with the knowledge and skills necessary to prevent losses and injuries, and can provide significant benefits for the company.

Does Your Program Measure Up?
If your company has already implemented a health and safety program, or is interested in reassessing it, you may want to ask the following questions:Does senior management fully support the program?Does your company have a Health and Safety Committee?Do you provide comprehensive and continual training for employees?Do you evaluate your program/plan and your training to ensure continual improvement?Does your training include the following programs, and/or should it include others?Workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS).Transportation of dangerous goods (TDG).Hazardous waste operations and emergency response to comply with occupational safety and health administration (OSHA).Accident investigation.Hydrogen suphide training.Confined space entry.First aid and CPR.Bear awareness.Boat safety.Are Certificates of Training issued to staff members?Is hazard identification a component of your program?Do you provide personal protective equipment (PPE) that stands up to chemical and toxicological hazards, including personal respirators designed for the individual?Accessing regulatory environmental compliance. Figure (Available in full paper)

A Challenging Project
A project in an oilfield in Kazakhstan recently posed a health and safety challenge for 'a Golder Associates project team. Potential exposure to asbestos, hydrocarbons and radioactive materials meant a detailed health and safety plan specific to the site had to be developed well in advance of project startup, and all personal protective equipment and monitoring equipment was shipped to the location before the team left Canada. Unanticipated hazards were addressed once the project team arrived. Such proactive planning can decrease project costs, and potential injuries.

Small Details == Big Savings
An Employee Assistance Program is one health and safety program component that assists with additional health concerns not covered by provincial health plans or extended health benefits. It may include assistance with stress management, family relationship conflicts, grief and loss, emotional and psychological distress, alcohol and drug abuse, and career/financial counselling.