Workplace Safety

Early yesterday morning I was sitting at my kitchen table reading The Toronto Star as per my daily habit. Unlike most days, however, the front page was notlittered with the usual murder trial, hockey star or international crisis. Instead it was a picture of a young man dangling from high a top a skyscraper.  Rooftopping in Toronto the headline read and the article went on to tell the exploits of photographers who take great risks to take pictures from dangerously high buildings with no safety systems in place.

I listened with intensity as they talked about children who will wake up this Christmas morning with no presents, My stomach was knots as I thought about my own children and the beautiful presents they will receive.

Kyle Knox's body was trapped within the cab of his loader for almost a day; he was pronounced dead at the scene. Five other male workers were hurt by the rig which also fell on top of a backhoe; they were all hospitalized with minor to major injuries.

On Wednesday morning Students filled the Memorial Arena, a place where they usually go to watch the Sudbury Wolves play, to learn about career opportunities, while interacting with local business and union leaders.

Take this quick test of knowledge:

What type of injury causes almost HALF of all injuries in which workers need to take time off work in Ontario?

OK, so what did you think?...

Motor accidents (including forklifts, ATVs, pickup trucks, etc.)?

Burns from occupational fire hazards?

Electricity-related accidents?

Falls from heights - like in construction?

The single greatest number of work-related injuries that require time off are, in fact, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).