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AMTA E-News
April 2010
Is Your
Workplace Safe for Emergency Personnel?
Think
your workplace is safe? Turn off the lights, trigger the alarm
and put yourself in the boots of emergency services personnel
who could be at your premises after hours, in unfamiliar
surroundings with poor lighting and stressful circumstances.
Your workplace is their workplace . . . is it safe?
Constable John Petropoulos, a police officer with the Calgary
Police Service passed away in the line of duty on September 29,
2000 at the age of 32, while investigating a break & enter
complaint. He died from brain injuries sustained after falling
through a false ceiling, as there was no safety railing to warn
him of the danger.
We all rely on emergency personnel to protect us and our
premises. Alberta employers have an important role to
play in helping keep them safe. Check out this list of tips:
*At your workplace: *
-
Consult with
workers about workplace safety. No one knows your workplace
better than those who work in it.
-
Conduct a
hazard assessment. Perform physical inspections using a
checklist.
-
After you’ve
identified hazards, make the necessary changes.
- Install
safety railings, proper signage and sensor/motion lighting.
- Emergency
exits should be easy to locate and accessible.
- Clear
clutter, debris and unsafe stacks.
- Properly
store hazardous waste and toxic chemicals.
- Get a
building permit for renovations.
- Ensure
security alarm systems and carbon monoxide detectors are
functioning properly.
- Be aware
of weather-related hazards.
- Make
workplace safety a priority
Behind the wheel:
- Slow
Down/Move Over when passing emergency services personnel
working on the road – and give them room to work
-
Yield the
right-of-way to emergency vehicles
-
Do not follow
within 150 metres of any emergency vehicle that has its
lights or sirens operating
-
Check
your rearview mirror regularly
-
Avoid
distractions: cell phones, music, makeup, eating, etc.
Find out more
about what you can do to help keep our emergency responders
safe. Visit: www.ourboots.ca
Find out more about the fund that supports this education
program: http://www.jpmf.ca/
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