1 PUBH5131 Occupational Health and Safety Management I

Free Online Books:

I. Health and Safety Movement – Some History and Evolution

• Safety And Health Movement, Then and Now (PDF) (Pearson)
• Health and Safety in Canadian Workplaces (PDF) (AU Press)
  • See Chapter 1 Workplace Injury in Theory and Practice (P.1 – 2)
• Workplace safety in Canada: Where it all started (Canadia Occupational Safety)
• History of Workplace Safety (SafetyLine.com)

II. Industrial Hygiene and Chemical

• Industrial Hygiene (PDF)(OSHA Office of Training and Education)

• WHMIS

  • WHMIS.org – Canada’s National WHMIS Portal
  • WHMIS/GHS/(M)SDS (CCOHS)

III. Biological Hazards

• Health and Safety in Canadian Workplaces (AU Press)

• • Biological Hazards (P.104)
• Biological Hazards (PDF) (OHS Body of Knowledge, Au)
• Chemical and Biological Hazard Prevention (Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail, IRSST, Oc)

IV. Ergonomic Hazards and Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders

• Ergonomics (WorkSafeBC)
• Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) (CCOHS)
• Computer Workstation Ergonomics (PDF) (WorkSafeNB)
• Ergonomics for Truckers Videos

V. Mechanical/Machinery Hazards

• The Basics

  • Health and Safety in Canadian Workplaces (AU Press)
    • Chapter 4 Physical Hazards (P.69)
  • Mechanical Plant (PDF) (OHS Body of Knowledge, Au)
    • Please read:
      1. Understanding Plant Hazards (P.7)
      2. Control of Hazards Associated with Plant (P.14)
  • Physical Hazards: Mobile Plant (PDF) (OHS Body of Knowledge, Au)
    • Please read:
      1. Understanding Mobile Plant (P.3)
      2. Control of Hazards Associated with Use of Mobile Plant (P.8)
      3. Implications for OHS practice (P.11)
  • Machine Safety – Prevention of Mechanical Hazards (PDF) (IRSST, Qc)

VI. Falling, Impact, Acceleration Hazards

• What is?

  • Gravitational Hazards (PDF) (OHS Body of Knowledge, Au)
    • Please read:
      • Understanding gravitational hazards (Physics, Slips, Trips, Missteps, Falls from Heights, Falling Objects) (P.5)
      • Control of Gravitational Hazards (P.20)

• How to Work to Protect from Falling (or Falling Objects)

  • Ladders and Work Platforms
    • Line C – Tools and Equipment Competency C-4: Describe Ladders and Work Platforms
    • Line C – Tools and Equipment Competency C-3: Describe Rigging and Hoisting Equipment

• Canada Legislation and Standards

  • Federal:
    • Canada Occupational Safety and Health Regulations (SOR/86-304)
      • Part II Permanent Structures, and
      • Part XII Sections 12.01 to 12.09

• • Provincial:
    • Workplace Health and Safety Regulations (N.S. Reg. 52/2013)
      • Part 21, Fall Protection, Sections 21.1 to 21.4

VII. Temperature and Chemical Burn Hazards

• Temperature Hazards:

  • Thermal stress in the work place (Government of Canada)
    • Please read:
      • Introduction
        1. COHSR Regulations: Thermal stress
        2. Definition
        3. Measuring thermal stress
        4. TLVs® and action limits
        5. Heat Stress
        6. Cold Stress
  • Thermal Environment (PDF) (OHS Body of Knowledge, Au)
    • Please read the followings:
      1. Understanding the Impact of Hot Environments (P.5)
      2. Understanding the impact of cold environments (P.17)
      3. Contact Injuries (P.21)
      4. Implications for OHS Practice (P.23)
  • Cold Environments – Working in the Cold (CCOHS)
  • Best Practice – Working Safely in the Heat and Cold (PDF) (Work Safe Alberta)
    • With the following contents:
      1. Specific Jurisdiction Regulations and Guidelines for Outdoor Heat Exposure (P.32 – 38)
      2. ACGIH Screening Criteria for Heat Stress Exposure (P.40)
      3. Correction of TLV for Clothing (P. 41)
      4. Recommended Actions Based on the Humidex Reading (P.42)
      5. Specific Jurisdiction Regulations and Guidelines for Outdoor Cold Exposure (P.43 – 45)
      6. Work Warm-up Schedule for Outdoor Activities (P.49)
      7. Estimating Wind Speed (P.50)
      8. Wind Chill Calculation Chart (P.51)
      9. Controlling Exposure (P.53 – 61)

• Chemical Hazard and Burn:

1. • Burns (Work Safe BC)
   • Chemical Hazards

• • • Process Hazards (Chemical) (PDF) (OHS Body of Knowledge, Au)
      • Please read:
        1. Underpinning Science (P.4)
        2. Chemical Process Hazards (P.5)
        3. Consequences (P.14)
        4. Control (P.24)
        5. Implications for OHS Practice (P.29)

• • • Chemical Hazards (PDF) (Government of Alberta)
      • Please read:
        1. Hazard Identification and Control Review (P.3)
        2. Chemical Hazard Overview (P.4)
        3. Types of Chemical Hazards (P.5)
        4. Exposure (P. 26 – 37)
        5. Exposure Limits (38)
        6. Control and Identify Chemcial Hazards (P. 41 – 66)
  • Care for Chemical Injuries
    • First Aid for Chemical Exposures (CCOHS)
    • Chemical Burns: Care Instructions (MyHealth Alberta)
  • Chemical and Biological Hazard Prevention (IRSST, Qc)

• Legislative Control refers to WHMIS

• Chemical Exposure Limit refer to:

  • OSHA Occupational Chemical Database
  • NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards

VIII. Pressure and Confined Space Hazards

• Confined Space

  • Confined Space – Introduction (CCOHS)
  • Hazards of Confined Spaces (PDF) (Work Safe BC)
    • Please read:
      1. Definition of a Confined Space (P.1)
      2. Hazardous atmospheres (P.4)
      3. Physical hazards (P.14)
      4. Confined space entry program (P.18)

• • Confined Space – Program (CCOHS)

• Health Effects of Sudden Change in Pressure:

  • Barometric Pressure Increased (ILO, UN)
  • Barometric Pressure Reduced (ILO, UN)
  • Reduced oxygen environments (Hypoxic environments) (HSE, UK)
  • A health risk assessment of working in hypoxic atmospheres (HSE, UK)
    • See:
      1. Section 4 Results (Hypoxic work environment and effects of hypoxia)
      2. Section 5 for major physiological, medical and psychological effects of various hypoxic state
  • Scuba Diving: Decompression Illness & Other Dive-Related Injuries (CDC)
  • Decompression Sickness (In-depth Understanding) (Full Article)
    • Cooper, J. S., & Hanson, K. C. (2019). Decompression sickness. https://europepmc.org/article/NBK/nbk537264

• Canada Legislation and Standards

  • Federal
    • Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (SOR/86-304) Part XI Confined Space
  • Provincial

• • • Nova Scotia Occupational Safety General Regulations Part 12 Confined Space Entry

• A guide to Confined Space Entry:

  • Confined Space Entry A guide to Part 12 of the Occupational Safety General Regulations (PDF) (Labour and Workforce Development, NS)

IX. Electrical Hazards

• About Electricity Hazards

  • Electricity (PDF) (OHS Body of Knowledge, Au)
    • It contains the following contents

• • • • Understanding Electricity (P.3)
        1. Health and Injury Outcomes Associated with Electricity (P.13)
        2. Working Near Electricity – non-electrical workers (P.16)
        3. Working on Electrical Installations: Electrical Workers (P.25)
      • Control of Electrical Risk (P.28)
  • Electricity Appendix – Arc Flash (PD) (OHS Body of Knowledge, Au)
    • Understanding Arc Flash (P.5)

1. 1. 1. 1. Risk Assessment (P.11)
         2. Control of Arc Flash Hazards (P.15)

• Control and Prevention:

  • Electrical Safety – Basic Information (CCOHS)

1. • Controlling Electrical Hazards (OSHA)

• • Electrical Safety: Safety & Health for Electrical Trades (Student Manual) (PDF) (CDC Workplace Safety and Health)

• Canada Legislation and Standards

  • Federal:
    • Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (SOR/86-304) PART VIII Electrical Safety

• • Provincial
    • Nova Scotia Occupational General Regulations Part 11 Electrical Safety

X. Fire Hazards and Life Safety

• Fire Hazard

  • Fire Safety (OSHA)
    • Standards
    • Hazards and Possible Solutions
    • Additional Resources
  • Common Fire Hazards (PDF) (Nevada State Fire Marshal Bureaus)
  • Fire Protection and Prevention (PDF) (OSHA)
  • Fire Hazard Identification Checklist (PDF) (Government of British Columbia)

• • Line A – Safe Work Practices Competency A-5: Describe Fire Safety (Open Online Textbook) (BC Campus)

• Life Safety

  • Life Safety Features (PDF) (Nevada State Fire Marshal Bureaus)
  • Occupational health and safety (OHS) Guide for Firefighting (PDF) (Government of Alberta)

• Inspection for Fire and Life Safety

  • Basic Fundamentals for Inspections (PDF) (Office of the British Columbia Fire Commissioner)
    • It contains the following contents:
      • General Information (P.9 – 12)
        • Inspections vs. Compliance Inspections
        • Inspection of Public Buildings
        • What is a Fire Prevention Inspection?
      • Fire Prevention (P.17 – 21)
      • Life (Occupant) Safety (P.22 – 33)
      • Fire Control and Extinguishment (P.34 – 41)
      • Standpipe and Hose Systems (P.41 – 44)
      • LAFC Inspection Process (P.44 – 53)
      • Table Top Inspection (P.54 – 74)
  • Fire Safety Plan Guidelines (PDF) (Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency)

• Canada Legislation and Standards

  • Federal
    • National Fire Code of Canada 2020

• • • National Building Code of Canada 2020
      • Division B Part 3
    • Directive on the Management of Real Property
    • Vessel Fire Safety Regulations (SOR/2017-14)
  • Provincial
    • Nova Scotia Fire Safety Act (PDF)
    • Fire Safety Regulations (NS) 

XI. Radiation Hazards

• The Basics

  • Radiation Basics (EPA, US)
    1. Protecting Yourself from Radiation
    2. Radiation Health Effects
    3. Radiation Sources and Doses
    4. Radiation Terms and Units
    5. Calculate Your Radiation Dose

• • Ionizing Radiation

    • Ionizing Radiation (PDF) (OHS Body of Knowledge, Au)
      • Please read:
        1. Understanding Radiation (P.8)
        2. Control (P.18)
    • Ionizing Radiation – Occupational settings (OSHA)
    • Radon in Buildings (CCOHS)
      • It contains the following topics:
        1. What is Radon?
        2. What are the Health Effects of Radon?
        3. What do Uranium and Radon have in Common
        4. What are the units of measuring radon levels?
        5. How does radon enter buildings?
        6. What are exposure limits for indoor radon?
        7. How are radon levels detected?
        8. What can I do to reduce indoor radon levels?

• • Non-Ionizing Radiation

    • Non-Ionizing Radiation – Electromagnetic (PDF) (OHS Body of Knowledge, Au)
      • Please read:
        • Understanding Non-Ionizing EMR (P.3)
        • Definition and Use, Health Effects and Risk Management of
          1. Extra Low Frequency Radiation (P.5)
          2. Radio Frequency Radiation (P.7)
        • Infra-Red Radiation (P.11)

• • • • • Visible Light (P.13)
        • Ultraviolet Radiation (P.18)
        • Lasers (P.25)

• • • Non-Ionizing Radiation (OSHA)

• Canadian Legislation

  • Federal:

1. 1. 1. Radiation Emitting Devices Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. R-1)
      2. Radiation Emitting Devices Regulations (C.R.C., c. 1370)

• • Provincial:
    • Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Professionals Act (NS)

1. 1. • Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Professionals Regulations (NS)

• • • Specified Site Regulations (NS)

XII. Noise and Vibration Hazards

• Noise Hazard

  • Occupational Noise (PDF) (OHS Body of Knowledge, Au)
    • Please read:
      1. Understanding Noise (P.3)
      2. Control of Noise Hazards (P.13)
  • Exposure Limit:
    • Noise – Occupational Exposure Limits in Canada (CCOHS)
    • Noise Exposure Calculator (Excel File) (OHCOW, Ontario)
      • You may find this tool useful in your worplace
  • Legislation:
    • Federal:
      • Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (SOR/86-304) Part VII Level of Sound
      • Canada Labour Code Part II

1. 1. 1. 1. • Section 125 (1) (n) (Specific duties of employer)

• • • Provincial:
      • Nova Scotia Health Protection Act (PDF)

• Vibration

  • Basics of Vibration:

    • Vibtation (PDF) (OHS Body of Knowledge, Au)
      • Please read the followings:

• • • • 1. Understanding Vibration (P.4)
        2. Measurement and Evaluation of Risk Associated with Vibration (P.6)
        3. Control of Vibration Hazards (P.11)
        4. Implications for OHS Practice (P.13)

• • • Vibration – Health Effects (CCOHS)

• • Exposure Limit and Canada Legislation:

    • Canada: Many Canadian jurisdictions do not have regulations for vibration exposure
    • Refer to Federal or Provincial Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act, OHS Regulation etc. to take reasonable precautions to ensure worker’s health and safety.

  • Control and Prevention:

    • Vibration – Measurement, Control and Standards (CCOHS)
    • Best Practices – Vibration at the Work Site (PDF) (Government of Alberta)
      • Please read the followings:
        1. Introduction to Vibration
        2. Vibration Health Effects
        3. Identifying and Assessing Vibration Exposures
        4. Methods for Reducing Hand-Arm Vibration Hazards
        5. Methods for Reducing Whole Body Vibration Hazards

XIII. Psychological Health and Safety

• The Basics of Psychological Hazards

  • Mental Health – Introduction (CCOHS)

1. • Mental Health – Psychosocial Risk Factors in the Workplace (CCOHS)

• • Health and Safety in Canadian Workplaces (AU Press)
    • Chapter 6 Psycho-social Hazards
  • Psychosocial Hazards (PDF) (OHS Body of Knowledge, Au)
    • Please read the followings:
      1. Extent of the problem (P.8)
      2. Common Work-related Psychosocial Hazard (P.11)
      3. How Psychosocial Hazards Create Harm (P.18)
      4. Risk Management for Psychosocial Hazards (P.23)
      5. Risk Assessment for Psychosocial Hazards (P.25)
      6. Risk Control (P.27)
      7. Implications for OHS practice (P.32)

• Diversity Inclusion

  • Diversity and Inclusion in Psychiatry: The Pursuit of Health Equity (Full Article)
    • Moreno, F. A., & Chhatwal, J. (2020). Diversity and inclusion in psychiatry: the pursuit of health equity. Focus, 18(1), 2-7. https://focus.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.focus.20190029

1. • Diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace: ‘A safety issue’ (Safety and Health Magazine.com)

• • How diversity and inclusion can improve OHS (Australian Institute of Health & Safety, Au)

1. • Organizational responsibility for preventing and addressing human rights issues (Ontario Human Rights Commission)

• Controls of Psychological Hazards

  • Guidelines

    • Mental Health – How to Address and Support (CCOHS)
      • Please read:
        1. Why should employers be concerned about mental health?
        2. Are there any specific issues in the workplace that affect employee mental health?
        3. What can workplaces do to support mental health?
        4. What else can employers do?
        5. Does CCOHS have any other resources to help?
    • Building Success: A Guide to Establishing and Maintaining a Psychological Health and Safety Management System in the Federal Public Service (Government of Canada)

  • Action Plan for Diversity and Inclusiveness

    • All Together – An Action Plan for Diversity and Inclusion in the Public Service (PDF)(Province of Nova Scotia)

• • • Guide to Developing a Strategic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan (The Society for Human Resource Management, California)

1. • Canada Legislation and Control: See Section XV Violence, Harassment and Bullying in the Workplace Below

XIV. Preparing for Emergencies and Terrorism

• Emergency Preparedness

  • Why Emergency Preparedness Matters (Walden University)
  • Types of Emergencies , and what to do (Red Cross)

• • Emergency Planning (CCOHS)
  • Get Prepared (Government of Canada)

• Terrorism

  • Pre-Incident Indicators of Terrorist Incidents: The Identification of Behavioral, Geographic, and Temporal Patterns of Preparatory Conduct (PDF) (Office of Justice Programs)

  • Chemical Facilities Security

    • CHEMICAL SAFETY VERSUS TERRORISM (PDF Slides)(Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons)
    • Protect Your Laboratory Chemicals from Use in a Terrorist Attack (PDF) (Homeland Security, US)
    • Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) (Homeland Security, US)

• Energy Plant Security

  • Why do terrorists target the energy industry? A review of kidnapping, violence and attacks against energy infrastructure (Full Article)
    • Lee, C. Y. (2022). Why do terrorists target the energy industry? A review of kidnapping, violence and attacks against energy infrastructure. Energy Research & Social Science, 87, 102459. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214629621005466
  • Terrorism and the Electric Power Delivery System (PDF) (National Research Council, US)
  • Nuclear Energy and Terrorism (PDF) (Pillsbury Law.com)
  • Nuclear Power Plant Security and Access Control (Nuclear Energy Institute)
  • Performing Energy Security Assessments — A How-To Guide for Federal Facility Managers (PDF) (Federal Energy Management Program, US)

• Cybersecurity

  • Cybersecurity (Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency, US)
    • Directives & Guidance
    • Information Sharing
    • Protecting Critical Infrastructure
    • Securing Federal Networks
    • Tips & Alerts
  • Cyberterrorism – How Real Is the Threat? (PDF) (United Sates Institute of Peace)
  • What Is Cybersecurity and Cyber Terrorism? (Fairleigh Dickinson University)
  • Why OHS professionals need to step up on cyber security (Australian Institute of Health & Safety)
  • Cyber security guidance (Government of Canada)

• Bioterrorism

  • Bioterrorism (OSHA)
  • Bioterrorism : A Public Health Perspective (Full Article)
    • Das, S., & Kataria, V. K. (2010). Bioterrorism : A Public Health Perspective. Medical journal, Armed Forces India, 66(3), 255–260. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0377-1237(10)80051-6

• • Potential Bioterrorism Agents (Baylor College of Medicine, US)

1. • CDC’s Strategic Plan for Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response (CDC)

• • For in-depth details, see also PUBH 5117 Health Care Emergency Preparedness

XV. Violence, Harassment and Bullying in the Workplace

• The Basics

  • Bullying and Violence (PDF) (OHS Body of Knowledge, Au)
    • Please read the followings:
      • Extent of the problem (P.6)
      • Understanding Workplace Bullying, Aggression and Violence (P.9)
      • Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (P.15)
      • Risk control methods (P.19)
      • Implications for OHS practice (P.22)

• • Bullying in the Workplace (CCOHS)
  • Workplace harassment and violence could be in physical or psychological forms.

• Prevention and Control, Guidelines

  • Guide for Preventing and Responding to Workplace Bullying (PDF) (Safe Work Australia)
    • Its contents:
      1. Impact of Workplace Bullying (P.8)
      2. Who Has Duties in Relation to Workplace Bullying? (P.8)
      3. How Can the Risk of Workplace Bullying be Managed? (P.9)
      4. Preventing Workplace Bullying (P.11)
      5. Responding to Workplace Bullying (P.17)
      6. Investigations (P.22)
      7. External Avenues (P.25)

• • Preventing and Responding to Workplace Bullying: Best Practices Guidelines (PDF) (Work Safe New Zealand)
    • The following contents will be valuable to you:
      1. Advice to Employees (P.15)
      2. Preventing Bullying in Your Workplace (P.27)
      3. Measuring Bullying in Your Workplace (P.38)
      4. Advice for Employers: Dealing with Reports of Bullying (P.41)
      5. Roles and Responsibilities for Preventing and Managing Bullying (P.51)
      6. Useful Tools for Preventing and Managing Bullying (P.54)
      7. 3 Case Studies (P.65)

• Canada Legislations

  • Federal:
    • Work Place Harassment and Violence Prevention Regulations (SOR/2020-130)
      1. effective since Jan 1, 2021, replacing the previous Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations Part XX
      2. for incidences that the employer was aware of before January 1, 2021, the resolution provisions in Part XX of the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations will continue to apply.

• • Provincial:
    • Nova Scotia Violence in the Workplace Regulations

XVI. Something More