Reporting is a crucial component of a well-functioning health and safety program. Both employers and employees benefit from each incident, hazard, and near miss that is reported because without reporting we cannot find the gaps in the health & safety program and continue to improve for everyone’s well-being. Consider the 5 W’s and the how of reporting.

WHO MUST REPORT?

• Employees
• Witnesses
• Supervisors or managers
• Safety representatives or committees
• When in doubt, if you see something, say something

WHAT NEEDS TO BE REPORTED?

• Workplace injury
• Workplace illness
• Workplace violence
• Workplace harassment
• Workplace sexual violence or harassment
• Property damage
• Near Miss (could have caused injury or property damage)

WHEN DO I HAVE TO REPORT?

• Immediately
• After being told about an incident
• After observing the incident

WHERE COUNTS FOR WORKPLACE REPORTING?

• At work
• Working from home
• Travelling for work
• At a client’s location
• If it happens while you are working, it must be reported

WHY DO I HAVE TO REPORT?

• Legislatively required under OHS law
• To prevent further and future injuries, illnesses, or property damage
• Assess, control, and evaluate the hazard(s) and control(s) in place

HOW DO I REPORT?

• Report any incidents to your manager/supervisor
• Follow your organization’s reporting policy and procedure and speak with your supervisor/manager if you are not aware of this policy/procedure

Contact us at info@fast-rescue.com or (905) 760-2045 for classroom, onsite, or blended First Aid Training, JHSC Certification Training or Working at Heights Training in Ontario.

Imagine a picture-perfect scene on a sports field: the crowd is cheering, the game is at its climax, and young athletes are showcasing their peak performance. Then, without any warning, a star player collapses. This isn’t just a dramatic scenario; it’s a reality that occurs more often than we’d like to admit, casting a shadow over sports arenas. We’re talking about sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) – an event that turns triumphant cheers into stunned silence.

What is Sudden Cardiac Arrest?

Sudden cardiac arrest is when the heart stops abruptly due to a malfunctioning of the heart’s electrical system. When the heart stops, it cuts off the blood supply to the brain and vital organs. The person no longer has a pulse, stops breathing and loses consciousness. Sudden cardiac arrest can lead to brain and organ damage or death within minutes. With each passing minute, the person chance of survival decreases by 7 – 10%.

Why Young Athletes? Isn’t That Unusual?

Young, fit, seemingly the epitome of health – but that’s precisely what makes SCA in athletes both puzzling and alarming. The mix of undetected heart conditions, like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (thickened heart muscle), and the intense pressure on the heart during sports can be a lethal cocktail.

Recognizing the Warning Signs

SCA often plays its cards close to its chest, with no symptoms. But sometimes, it sends out a few signals – fainting or seizures during exercise, unexplained shortness of breath, or chest pain. Spotting these could be the difference between life and death.

In the younger athlete, pre-participation screening with history (including family history), physical examination and ECG should help identify those at high risk for SCD and a detailed evaluation by a cardiologist can be considered for those suspected of heart disease or risk on initial screening.

A Deeper Dive – Reference Video Insight

To add another layer to our understanding, let’s take a moment to explore an insightful video on this topic. This video offers a comprehensive look at real-life incidents, expert opinions, and in-depth analysis of SCA in young athletes. It’s a must-watch for anyone connected to youth sports – from parents to professionals.

In Conclusion – Keeping the Game Safe

Sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes is a complex puzzle with many pieces – physical intensity, hidden health issues, and the need for swift, informed action. It’s a topic that deserves our attention, our understanding, and our commitment to safety. So let’s keep the conversation going, keep pushing for awareness and preparedness, and ensure that for our young athletes, the game goes on, safely and joyfully.

Got any questions or insights you’d like to share? Drop them in the comments below, and let’s keep this important dialogue alive for the sake of our young sports stars’ safety and well-being. And remember, staying informed and prepared is not just a strategy, it’s a lifesaver.

Stretching before, during, and after your work shift can offer various benefits. It is important to note that the type and intensity of stretches should be appropriate for the nature of the work you are doing, and your individual physical condition.

The benefits of regularly stretching can include:

BEFORE WORK:

1. Increased Flexibility: improved range of motion in joints and muscles, which can be particularly beneficial for tasks that require a wide range of movements.
2. Enhanced Blood Flow: Stretching promotes better blood circulation, delivering more oxygen and nutrients to muscles; enhancing overall muscle function and reducing the risk of injuries.
3. Mental Preparedness: Stretching can serve as a mental warm-up, helping you focus and mentally prepare for the tasks ahead. This can contribute to increased alertness and productivity

DURING WORK:

1. Microbreaks for Sedentary Workers: Incorporating short stretching breaks during sedentary work can alleviate stiffness, reduce muscle tension, and prevent discomfort associated with prolonged sitting.
2. Reduced Fatigue: Stretching can prevent the buildup of muscle fatigue, helping you maintain optimal energy levels throughout the day.
3. Improved Posture: Regular stretching breaks can help counteract the negative effects of poor posture, which is especially important for jobs that involve prolonged periods of sitting or repetitive movements.

AFTER WORK:

1. Muscle Recovery: Stretching can aid in muscle recovery by promoting the removal of waste products (such as lactic acid, which causes muscle soreness) that accumulate during physical activity.
2. Injury Prevention: Stretching can ease muscle tension, maintain joint flexibility, and address imbalances that may have developed during the workday.
3. Relaxation and Stress Reduction: Stretching can have a calming effect, promoting relaxation and reducing stress levels. This is particularly beneficial for individuals in high-stress work environments.

Consistency is key. Regular and consistent stretching is more effective than occasional stretching. Strive to incorporate stretching into your daily routines to maximize the benefits of stretching.

Boundaries help to create clear guidelines of how you would like to be treated. They establish trust and help to build healthy relationships. Setting healthy boundaries contribute to self-respect, self-care, and are the basis for personal leadership. Follow these tips below to set healthy boundaries in the workplace:

Decide how much personal information you want to share

While it can be beneficial to get to know your coworkers, you don’t need to share all the details of your life with others. Decide what you are comfortable sharing (and what you’re comfortable with others knowing!) and stick to your boundaries.

Respect Other’s Boundaries

Just as you expect others to respect your boundaries, you must also respect other’s boundaries. We all have different personalities, perspectives, and comfort levels. Workers should feel safe, respected, and recognized.

Avoid the Gossip!

While it can be hard to avoid, do your best to stay out of the gossip cycle. Gossip can lead to low morale, anger, frustration, and helplessness. Be direct and tell others you are not comfortable engaging in gossip about coworkers.

Take your Lunch Break

It’s easy to work through lunch. However, taking time away from your workspace may help to clear your head and prevent frustration. Take your well-deserved breaks!

Speak Up

When your boundaries are crossed, it is important to let others know, even though it may be uncomfortable. Be specific about the issue, how it crossed your  boundary, and how you plan to move forwards.

Contact us at info@fast-rescue.com or (905) 760-2045 for classroom, onsite, or blended First Aid Training, JHSC Certification Training or Working at Heights Training in Ontario.

How often do you check the batteries in your fire alarm? Do you use protective gloves while cleaning with harsh chemicals? What about a mask when you decide to paint or stain around the house? How about proper footwear when cutting the grass? Do you have a first aid kit? When was the last time you refilled your first aid kit at home? What about a fire extinguisher

Perform the action items below to encourage personal protective equipment (PPE), effective emergency response, and wellness when at home.

PPE

• Use closed-toe shoes when mowing the lawn, conducting car maintenance, moving items in and around the house, or when lifting heavy objects.
• Consider wearing a safety mask, gloves, and/or glasses for do-it-yourself projects around the house involving painting, staining, machinery, tools, etc.
• Check product labels in your house to determine what PPE is needed.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

• Know who to call when an emergency occurs at home. Have an evacuation plan in place for any type of emergency. Practice fire drills or roleplay to become more comfortable if an emergency were ever to occur.
• Consider getting First Aid certified or having someone in your household certified.
• Think about your personal security – get to know your neighbours, lock your doors, and consider installing a camera, and automatic lights.

WELLNESS

• Eat nutritious foods, exercise regularly, and sleep well.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Use any wellness resources provided by your workplace, such as an Employee Assistance Plan (EAP), or talk to your health care professional.

Sometimes safety at home can feel overwhelming and time-consuming. However, if you make safety a priority as you perform daily activities at home it will soon become second nature.

Looking for an expert Health and Safety Consultant? Let us help you reduce the risk of accidents by providing a complete solution. Contact us now!

For some, your home is your workplace, and for others, it’s a place where you live with your family, roommates, or even alone. Either way, safety never stops! Although you may clock out when you finish work for the day, this doesn’t mean that safety practices are also done. Safety at home is just as important as safety while on the job.

When you prioritize safety, even when you’re not working, you can help develop a better safety attitude. This can prevent injuries from occurring while at home that may impact your ability to not only perform your job but to also do the activities that you love!

Just like in the workplace, when you maintain good safety practices at home, it creates a sense of comfort, security, and pride in your space. Use the action items below:

HOUSEKEEPING

• Ensure all chemicals are properly stored and labeled, as well as out of reach from any children and/or pets. Make sure to consider items like cleaning supplies,
  aerosol cans, paints, car supplies, medicine, etc.
• Use a schedule for household chores so they don’t pile up. Letting chores pile up can be overwhelming and sometimes even lead to more work. Instead, stick to a routine that will allow you to tackle a bit of cleaning each day. Break chores out into daily (i.e., making your bed, doing dishes), weekly (i.e., vacuuming, cleaning the bathroom), and monthly/quarterly (i.e. deep cleaning items like wiping baseboards or clearing drains, changing your furnace filter).

SHELVING AND STORAGE

• Follow proper instructions when installing shelving. Make sure the shelving unit can withstand the weight of the item(s) you wish to put on it. If you are unsure, ask for help!
• Use proper containers when storing items and label them accordingly. Stack fragile items last. Annually inspect for any water damage, pests, or broken items.

SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS

• Maintain clean and dry floors. Clean spills up immediately. Ensure rugs aren’t rolling up at the ends.
• Have cords tucked away. Don’t leave items in front of doorways or at the top of stairs.
• Have adequate lighting with switches easily accessible and at the top and bottom of stairs. Install handrails where needed and be mindful of your movements.

This is not to say that you must maintain a meticulous home at all times. We’re all human, messes are inevitable, and some things are out of your control. Instead, consider incorporating proper safety habits into your day-to-day activities to enhance your life by decreasing the likelihood of hurting yourself and feeling safer while at home.

Looking for an expert Health and Safety Consultant? Let us help you reduce the risk of accidents by providing a complete solution. Contact us now!