Whats wrong with this photo?

hen youre committed to workplace injury prevention, a picture is worth a thousand words. In fact, depending on the intended message, a photo can speak volumes about how to work safely or unsafely. As part of our responsibility to demonstrate safe work practices, we scrutinize every photo we publish. Based on feedback we receive from readers, we know youre equally vigilant. We regularly get comments pointing out a potential hazard thats been overlooked in one of our photos, so, once again, weve decided to give you the chance to share your expertise for everyones benefit.

The photo above has been deliberately staged to display dangerous work habits. Were inviting you as dedicated employers, employees, and health and safety professionals to tell us how many hazards you spot. Email your responses to Dana.TyeRally@worksafebc.com by January 24, 2013. And, if youd like to try the online version, go to WorkSafeMagazine.com, and click on Spot the hazards. Please include your full name, work title, workplace, and workplace location. Well publish our top responses, and provide our own answers. Ultimately, we hope this exercise reminds everyone to use the same laser-eyed precision in creating their own injury-free work spaces.

Whats wrong: a look at last months contest

Exposure Registry Program

Have you been exposed to a harmful substance or agent at work?

cleaning crews the next morning. Of course, not every hotel guest leaves his or her room in disarray. But for many room attendants racing against the clock the physical challenges involved with restoring a room to its formerly pristine state leave them vulnerable to a range of injuries or exposures. For this months photo spotlight on the hospitality industry, WorkSafeBC occupational safety officer Laddie MacKinnon found the following common hazards for room attendants.

Tight timelines put hospitality cleaning crews at risk

nyone whos spent a night in a hotel, motel, or fishing lodge can only imagine the health and safety hazards that might await

WorkSafeBC has created a new online exposure registry as a way for workers, employers, and others to report an exposure at work.

Types of exposures can include:

Asbestos Formaldehyde Hepatitis

HIV Isocyanates Lead Meningitis

Mercury Mould Noise Scabies

Shingles Silica Thallium

Tuberculosis Wood Dust

For more information on the exposure registry program, visit www.worksafebc.com/claims/occupational_diseases/default.asp or call 1 888 621-7233.

The laundry cart

The cart is broken, with tape holding it together. The wheel on the cart is broken. The bed linen on the cart requires an awkward posture for
lifting.

The room attendant

The power cord

The cord poses a tripping hazard. The cord should be replaced (the tape needs repairing).

The food tray

The tray poses a tripping hazard. The tray requires an awkward lifting posture to remove it.

She is hazardously extending her body (her poor posture is ripe for strains). She should be wearing gloves. The gloves on the cart are ruined. The cleaning bottle is not labelled for its contents. The ladder is unsafe. The hypodermic needle should not be left out.
Now its your turn. See the flip side of this pullout poster for a closer look at power washing hazards.

Are

you

as safe as you

think ?

May 5 to 11, 2013

Safety & Health Week in B.C.

A Commitment for Life: Are you as safe as you think?

Check out WorkSafeMagazine.com to find examples of Whats wrong with this photo? from previous issues, and see if you can spot the hazards in other workplace scenarios.

For more information on how to get your workplace involved, visit our website at WorkSafeBC.com and click the Safety & Health (NAOSH) Week logo.