We see signs in red, yellow, green, or blue, and we pay attention because we know they contain important information. At a glance and almost without thinking, anyone can tell that there is a safety hazard and judge how severe it may be. It’s what makes colour-coding a truly brilliant idea for safety. Even in unfamiliar places where we don’t know our way or speak the language, the colours of safety demand our attention and we can count on them to help us understand our surroundings. It’s not magic, it’s psychology; every colour carries its own meaning and each one evokes a different reaction from us.
Coming from a team with hundreds of staff on our roads each day, there is nothing like being prepared. One of the best ways to prepare is to build a roadside emergency kit that is truly tailored to your needs.
Topics: health and safety
Field Level Risk Assessments—Tips for Flaggers
Field-Level Risk Assessment, Job Safety Analysis, Task Hazard Analysis, Field-Level Hazard Analysis—no matter what you call it, the process of stopping to identify and control hazards in your work environment is a crucial step in keeping you safe.
Topics: health and safety, workplace tips, flagging, traffic management
Although roadside work hazards vary widely depending on the type of road, driving conditions, scale and duration of the project, etc., there are a few safety tips that workers should always keep in mind.
Topics: health and safety, workplace tips, flagging, traffic management
Starting a Career as a Construction Safety Officer
If you’re passionate about ensuring safe work practices, maintaining safe work environments, and coaching others, you can succeed as a Construction Safety Officer (CSO). Helping others, that’s what a career in safety is all about. Some go into it because they have a background in trades and need to do something different. Others have family ties to construction or the desire to join a growing industry. Whatever your reason, here is a good place to start:
Topics: health and safety, professional development, construction, career, jobs
What it's like to take a Traffic Control Person course at Universal Health and Safety
WorkSafeBC requires all traffic control workers to have a Traffic Control Person (TCP) certification. This translates to a two-day course that combines classroom learning and field practice to ensure traffic control persons have the skills they need to be prepared and safe on the road. Universal Health and Safety (UHS) proudly offers the certification, and as a Universal Group company, it also offers immediate access to GOtraffic and Universal Flagging recruiters who are happy to discuss career options at the Universal Group. Here’s what it’s like to take a TCP course at UHS:
Topics: health and safety, professional development, training, flagging, traffic management, career
What does a career in Occupational Health and Safety look like?
To put it simply, Occupational Health and Safety specialists are those people keeping worksites and workers safe. How? By making sure everyone is following the rules and minimizing risks. Of course, there’s a lot more to it than that… Let’s break it down.
Topics: health and safety
What are the important qualities for Occupational Health and Safety specialists?
The field of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) deals with keeping workers, work environments, the public, and the environment safe. It follows that the qualities required to succeed will vary but here are just a few of the important ones:
Topics: health and safety
3 Ways to Stay On Top of Workplace First Aid
Do you have a first aid kit in your office? If you do, do you know where it is, and if it meets WorkSafe BC first aid standards? Workplace first aid is an essential part of all offices, and it should be a pillar of your health and safety requirements in your work environment. Here are 3 ways your organization can stay on top of workplace first aid.
Topics: health and safety, workplace first aid
Construction sites need Construction Safety Officers (CSOs) to maintain the health and safety of the entire crew. A CSO is imperative to every team, but what do they do?
Topics: health and safety, construction