- We discuss a new study by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives pointing out the fact that our Employment Insurance is failing to help the majority of unemployed workers.
- We talk about the 4 Eastern European migrant workers who fell 13 floors off a scaffolding stage on Dec. 24, 2009. It always takes a worker to die before Government/Employers do anything to change work practices.
- A new online poll for Windsor asked if people would be apposed to having a big-box store downtown. This then spurs on discussion about a group of labour and community activists in the Bronx NY demonstrating Mega-Developments in city cores by Tax Payer subsidies. No Subsidies without Living Wages!
- The IMF first stated that is was going to give 100 million dollar loan to Haiti into a Grant, then back-pedaled later deciding to not give emergency aid in Grant form.
- We discuss an article quoting Nicolas Sarkozy (French President) saying that we need a revolution in work regulation to put labour standards on the same footing as those for trade. Yes quoted from Nicolas Sarkozy...
EI system failing recession “stress test”—report
http://www.policyalternatives.ca/newsroom/news-releases/ei-system-failing-recession-stress-test%E2%80%94report
Scaffold deaths prompt probe of workplace safety laws
http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/756557
Bronx Battle Line: Development on City's Dime Must Push Up Wages
http://labornotes.org/2010/01/bronx-battle-line-development-driven-city-dollars-must-push-wages
IMF Backtracks on Debt Relief for Haiti
http://www.naomiklein.org/articles/2010/01/imf-backtracks-debt-relief-haiti
Executive pay should be capped at 20 times average, says union leader
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/jan/27/executive-pay-bonuses-davos
WOHIS Health and safety Minute: (Sorry we did not get to read it on air)
According to the Worker's Health and Safety Centre, "large numbers of Ontario workers are exposed to cold work environments with the potential for developing a serious and even fatal injury. These workers include individuals who work outside in the winter months such as construction workers, firefighters, traffic police, forestry, postal and utilities workers to name a few. There are others who work indoors in artificially cold environments year-round such as workers in meatpacking plants, slaughterhouses, food processing plants, and dairies. Individuals working in garages and warehouses where the doors are left open in the winter are also exposed to cold, damp air."
Exposure to too much cold can cause bodily or mental strain. The most dangerous and rapid heat loss occurs when clothing is wet, wind is high, surrounding surfaces are cold, or when the body is immersed in cold water. Various studies on effects of cold on workers show cold stress is a safety hazard. It impairs performance of both manual and complex mental tasks.
Workers exposed to cold environments are at risk. Unfortunately, Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act only has a general duty clause which requires employers to "take every precaution reasonable to protect worker health and safety." This would include working in cold environments indoors or outdoors.
The best way to prevent cold stress is to avoid, whenever possible, work in cold, damp environments and direct contact with freezing cold objects. However, for many workers these conditions cannot be avoided.
For continuous work in temperatures below the freezing point, heated warming shelters such as tents, cabins and rest rooms must be made available. The pace of work must not be so heavy as to cause excessive sweating. If such work is necessary, proper rest periods in a warm area must be provided. Further, time must be allowed for changing into dry clothes. New workers must be given enough time to get accustomed to cold and protective clothing before assuming a full work load.
The risk of cold injury can be minimized by: proper equipment design, protective clothing, training, and safe work practices.
For more information on working in cold environments, contact WOHIS - Windsor Occupational Health Information Service - at 519-254-5157 - or visit us at 3129 Marentette Avenue - behind the theatres at Devonshire Mall.
Visit our website at: www.wohis.org
Remember, you have the Right to a safe and healthy workplace!
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