Category: Safety

Creating a healthy lifestyle begins with you. Join workplaces across Canada and take part in activities that promote a healthy mind, body and corporate culture.

Tip #1 – Eat a healthy diet
What we eat affects how we feel and look. You don’t have to follow a strict diet, but it is important to follow a healthy diet. A nutritious, well-balanced diet gives you energy, protects against disease, and helps you maintain a healthy weight. One easy rule to follow is what some experts refer to as the “80/20 rule”: If 80 percent of what you eat is healthy – with a nutritious mix of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains – then you can let yourself eat what you want for the other 20 percent.Try to fit in two to three nutritious snacks throughout the day in addition to well-balanced,
main meals.

• Track your intake
• Drink water throughout the day
• Limit or avoid alcohol
• Eat lots of fruits and vegetables and include fish into your diet
• Keep an eye on portion size
• If junk food is your downfall, don’t buy it
• Stay away from snacks high in sugar or salt

Tip #2 – Get exercise
People who exercise even moderately have much lower rates of heart disease and other medical problems, and regular exercise helps to reduce stress. But exercise is often the first thing to go when schedules get busy or during difficult times. Experts recommend that adults get a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise that makes you breathe harder on all or most days of the week. Stretch for just a minute or two when you wake up each day. In addition to helping you ease into your day, a brief stretching routine can restore or build flexibility and energize your body. If the thought of joining a gym or reserving half an hour every day for exercise seems impossible, try starting with small steps and building up over time. Instead of worrying about fitting 30 minutes of exercise into your daily routine, focus on what you can do whenever you have five or 10 minutes – it will add up. Track your steps with a pedometer or a wearable wireless activity-tracker, such as a Fitbit device. Just knowing how many steps you take each day may motivate you to try to take a few more.
Here are some easy ways to build exercise into your life:

• Take a short walk during breaks at work
• Get exercise while you’re watching television
• Turn family time into exercise time
• Stretch for just a minute or two when you wake up each day

Consider an exercise app that makes you accountable. Look for an app that will donate money to a charity when you exercise. Stay tuned next month for more healthy living tips.

Lesley MacKinnon
Manager, Safety & Disability Management

 

 

To feel more supported and guided, connect with your EAP provider, LifeWorks.

LifeWorks supports employee health and well-being. Bethany employees have access to a wide range of resources such as:

• LifeWorks Blog
• Webinars and Events
• 24/7 Specialist Counselling

Link: Bethanycaresociety.lifeworks.com
username: bcs
Password: eap
Phone: 1-877-207-8833
Phone App: LifeWorks WorkAngel

During the summer months, there is an increased risk for severe weather events such as extreme heat, tornadoes, flooding, heavy rain, severe storm systems, fire and smoke. Learn about the risks so you, your family members and your neighbours can be prepared.
What is in an Emergency Action Plan?
An emergency action plan can reduce the impact of an emergency situation. Make a plan to ensure you and your family members know what to do and who to call.
To get you started, you should:

1. Have a family discussion about what should you do during an emergency, where would you go, what would you need, and where would you meet.
2.  Make sure children know when to call 9-1-1.
3.  Put together a 72-hour Emergency Preparedness Kit.
4. Create a home escape plan. This plan will tell your family how to evacuate your building in the case of an emergency. Determine a pre-designated meeting spot and make sure to have at least two ways to exit your building.
5. Hold evacuation and fire drills every month. If you need to escape from second or third floor windows, use rescue ladders.
6. Create a family reunion plan. Designate a common meeting place outside your community. Everyone should check in with an out-of-town friend or relative. Though phone landlines and mobile networks may be overloaded, often a text message will go through.
7. Plan a place to stay. Ensure that you have a place to stay in case you are evacuated from your home. Make plans with at least one inner-city and one outer-city friend or relative who can help you and your family in an emergency. Keep the contact information for these friends or relatives in your 72-hour Emergency Preparedness Kit.
8. Gather your family’s emergency contact information. It is important that you are able to get hold of the members of your family during an emergency or disaster. Learn your building’s evacuation plans and the locations of safety equipment. If you live in an apartment building or condominium, make sure to learn your building’s evacuation plans and know where fire alarms are located.
9. Finally, have a plan for your pet. Prepare a list of locations where your pet will be safe to evacuate. Consider if your pet is on medication or on a special diet, and ensure to keep extra supplies in your 72-hour kit.

To start making your plan, you can download this guide from the City of Calgary: Simplified Guide to Emergency Preparedness.

EMERGENCY ALERTS
The most effective way for emergency services to communicate information about an emergency or disaster is through mass communication, including traditional means, like radio and television, and social media.

SHELTER-IN-PLACE SUCH AS A CODE GREY
In certain circumstances, you may be directed to a “shelter-in-place” such as the inside of your home, office or vehicle. Take these steps to maximize your protection:

• Close all windows and doors.
• Turn off furnaces and air intakes.
• Take your 72-hour emergency kit into the room, including radio and a cell phone.
• Monitor your TV, radio or calgary.ca until you are told all is safe or you are advised to evacuate.
• If you’re in your vehicle, shut it off. Turn off the fan and close all vents.

Lesley MacKinnon
Manager, Safety & Disability Management
Human Resources

Like the tree whose branches bend and sway in a storm rather than crack under pressure, we have the power to remain flexible and strong amid life’s challenges… to be resilient! Resilience is a transformative lever for growth and learning. As Oprah Winfrey says, “you go with what you know until you know better…”

Resilience is defined as the process of bouncing back and fully recovering in the face of change. Being resilient doesn’t mean a person won’t experience difficulty or stress. However, resilient individuals respond to stress in ways that help them not only recover, but grow and thrive.

In our personal or work life, we can be facing an overwhelming amount of pressure – both good and bad. Our brain can become overloaded so it’s important to recognize you’re doing the best you can.

“Resilience is actually an acquired skill.” says clinical psychologist Meg Jay. “It is being able to adapt and respond positively to situations that life throws at you.”

Put on your “reality glasses”

The first step in coping with a situation is to put on your “reality glasses.” Reality glasses, a concept developed by Dr. Stephen Williams, an organizational psychologist from the U.K., are the glasses you use to look at and understand what’s going on in your world. When you put on your reality glasses, you stop, step back, and ask yourself: “Am I seeing this as it really is?” “How big is this problem?” Or, “Have I got this out of proportion?”

When you assess the situation, you may discover that the situation you are facing isn’t as serious as you had thought. Facing your problems with your reality glasses on helps you gain a sense of control. “You’ve moved into the driving seat,” says Dr. Williams. That’s the first step in growing stronger through change.

Remember, responding positively to life’s situations and recognizing that we have a choice in how we handle challenges and change, helps us to grow stronger. Resiliency starts with each of us, we need to take an active role. The following seven things can be considered as ways to be more resilient in life. Incorporating any or all will help us to thrive and respond better to change and stress in our lives.

 

NAOSH Mental Health Week Poster

 

Lesley MacKinnon
Manager, Safety & Disability Management
Human Resources

March is Nutrition Month—a great time to focus on making healthy food choices that contribute to your overall health and well-being.

A good way to start is to make food and activity choices based on balance, moderation and to handle food with safety in mind. We can eat very well, given the variety, safety, and wide availability of our foods today.

You can plan your meals to include foods that decrease your risk of chronic health problems like heart disease or cancer. If you watch how much you eat in relation to normal exercise, you will actively contribute to your well-being by maintaining a healthy weight.

Eating well (i.e. a well-balanced diet rich in vegetables and nutrients) is also associated with feelings of wellbeing. A study in 2014 found high levels of wellbeing were reported by people who ate more fruit and vegetables.

Most of us spend more than half of our waking hours at work. It makes sense to start thinking about what we are eating as a part of our workday. Keeping yourself hydrated and fueled up will go a long way to get you through your work shift.

Just like an athlete fueling for a marathon, it’s important to eat the right foods and stay hydrated. Eating the right foods and drinking the right fluids is key to being productive at work, staying healthy and injury-free.

Here are some tips on how to make healthy food choices:

• load up on fruits and vegetables
• choose whole grain foods
• eat less meat
• watch out for processed foods
• limit added sugar
• watch your sodium intake

Food can also bring people together in community. Starting a Bethany Healthy Eating Challenge this month with your co-workers will foster community among your team and beyond the work walls.

There is a different theme each week that you can choose from to help you build those healthy habits.

Below is a theme for each week of March.

WEEK ONE — Paint your plate with vegetables

WEEK TWO — Fill up on fibre

WEEK THREE— Rethink your drink

WEEK FOUR — Hold the salt

 

ADDITIONAL LINKS AND RESOURCES:

LifeWorks (login : BCS and password: eap)

Alberta Health Services

Continuing Care Safety Association

 

Lesley MacKinnon
Manager, Safety & Disability Management
Human Resources

Caring is at the very core of Bethany. It shapes and connects everything we do. Our culture of caring brings out the best in Bethany; the best in us, our processes, work and interactions. It has a powerful and positive impact that expands beyond Bethany as we collaborate to improve the lives of those we serve, and the broader communities we live and work.

We build trust from the inside out, starting with each other, and extending to our residents and the public. We strengthen our culture and lead by example each time we speak up and address situations that do not reflect our values.

Our Values and Code of Conduct guide us and set expectations for ethical behaviour and decision making. They help us decide how we serve our residents and tenants, and work with each other with respect, transparency and fairness. Remember, Bethany’s Code of Conduct protects employees, volunteers, residents, and tenants by providing a common understanding of what’s acceptable and what’s not. It’s a resource that helps us understand what’s expected and why.

On the spectrum of what are appropriate behaviours in the workplace being kind to one another is a great first step. As Nancy Hughes, our Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, recently said, “There are many ways to demonstrate kindness to one another in the workplace. Kindness begins with a smile, saying “thank you” in person, holding the door open for someone behind you and asking a co-worker how they are and actually listening to their answer.”

All employees are expected to treat one another, residents, clients, families, volunteers, contractors and visitors in a respectful, kind way. I recently read a book called,“The 12 Steps to a Compassionate Life” by Karen Armstrong. The core message for living a compassionate life is to, “Treat others as you would like them to treat you.” This means being kind towards one another and recognizing each of us is doing the best we can each and every day.

On February 27, 2019, organizations around the world will be celebrating Pink Shirt Day. Let’s show our support and get our pink on! Make the focus of the day small acts of kindness. Show kindness toward someone you work with or support by saying thanks, holding the door, or eating lunch with someone new.

Kindness is one size fits all. If we all perform one act of kindness each day, the world will be a better place for all of us and those we serve.

 

https://www.pinkshirtday.ca/

 

Lesley MacKinnon
Manager, Safety
Human Resources

Bethany Care Society is committed to ensuring the protection of the physical and psychological health and safety of all Bethany employees.

On June 1st, 2018, changes to the Alberta Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) Act were implemented to ensure workers in Alberta have the same rights and protections as all other Canadian workplaces.

The Alberta OHS Act and Code now includes expectations that require all workplaces to implement policies and procedures that help protect not just the physical safety of workers but their psychological and social well-being as well.

Bethany has updated all relevant policies and procedures in alignment with the new requirements and has created a new policy called Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace. Starting the week of January 21st, all employees will receive notification to Read/Complete a Policy Tech reading assignment and quiz for the new Psychological Health & Safety in the Workplace Policy.

Supervisors have taken part in training of this new policy and will be leading employee Huddles. The learning objectives for these Huddles are to:
• learn the definitions of workplace harassment, bullying and violence;
• be able to recognize workplace harassment, bullying and violence;
• introduce and ensure that all employees are aware of the policies, and procedures that address concerns related to workplace harassment, bullying and violence, and required actions;
• learn the procedures to be used to: Recognize, Respond and Report incidents.

Training will be mandatory for all Bethany employees and must be completed by March 15, 2019.

 

ADDITIONAL LINKS & RESOURCES
Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace policy
Reporting and Investigating Incidents and Injuries policy
Hazardous Condition and Employee Injury Report form

 

Lesley MacKinnon
Manager, Safety
Human Resources

Scenario: An employee working late is leaving the building when they observe an individual on a bicycle circling the entrance. As the employee exits the parkade, they see this person enter the parkade on their bicycle. The employee immediately drives around to the outdoor surface lot, parks their vehicle and enters the building to inform reception.

Geographic areas or outside locations that are considered very safe during daylight hours can take on a different feel when the workday ends or when it’s dark. When there is no security on site, it is important that staff don’t put themselves in harm’s way when a suspicious person is observed in or around a building. If you notice anything suspicious, staff should enact our CODE WHITE procedure.

The basic steps to follow for a CODE WHITE are as follows:

• Shout or page, “CODE WHITE (AND THE LOCATIONS)” if inside a building;
• Notify the police if required by calling 911*. Staff will be expected to speak with police should they be called;
• If the situation is urgent and you cannot get to a phone, try to get to a fire alarm pull station and activate the fire alarm;
• If notified of a CODE WHITE situation, staff working in and/or adjacent to the impacted area should respond and provide assistance as required.

The police will respond to a CODE WHITE (e.g., a suspicious stranger is in the building that has no plausible reason for being there or someone is behaving erratically and/or violently or has locked or barricaded him/herself in a room). If you do encounter or observe a suspicious person, it is important to complete a Hazardous Conditions Report ASAP so that the incident can be documented and properly followed up on. If you suspect someone is lurking outside, shout or page CODE WHITE and/or call the police.

Consideration can be given to designated parking spots that are close to the building which are well-lit for those who work after hours.

While it is not always hazardous to work late or outside of regular work hours, it can mean you are working alone and/or traveling to or from work when the building is dark. That said, we should pay attention to any suspicious person or packages we see in and around our buildings and report it. Any questions or comments, please contact: Safety@Bethanyseniors.com

ADDITIONAL LINKS AND RESOURCES:

• Code White
• Code Purple
• Workplace Violence Hazard Assessment

Here are a few more things you can do to keep safe if you are working late, alone or leaving work after dark.

• Always let a friend, co-worker, family member or supervisor know you are working late and when you expect to leave.
• Have a check-in procedure with someone you know.
• Use the “buddy system”. Arrange to work late on the same night as a friend or colleague.
• Plan ahead and think about which areas are safe where you can retreat to and/or call for help.
• Before it is dark outside, move your car to a well-lit area that is close to your building.
• Before your co-workers leave, check that all the doors and windows are locked and make sure nobody is in the washrooms and storage rooms.
• If you enter a room and suspect that someone might be inside, do not call out. Back out quietly and go to a safe area and call for help.
• If you encounter someone you don’t know, indicate that you are not alone. Say, “my supervisor will be right here and will be able to help you”.
• Be aware of the services offered by your local transit company for after-hours commuters (e.g., they may have a “request stop” service that allows commuters to get off anywhere along the route after dark, rather than at a designated stop).

 

*Be aware of the emergency number at your site. It may be 0-9-1-1 (dialing 9 to reach an outside line) and for most staff at Bethany Calgary, it is 3-9-9 (the business office, who will then call 911).

The record snowfall on October 2nd in southern Alberta has brought to light the importance of being prepared when venturing out during severe weather. There were motorists stranded for hours on the TransCanada and stories of people struggling to get to their destinations. I was scheduled to travel to Red Deer and after assessing the risk – chose not to go. However some people chose to travel and so it’s important to assess the need for travelling in such conditions and particularly your comfort level before you go. As this is only October we will face more severe weather in the coming months.

It’s important that each of us make sure that when we travel for work that we consider a few things prior to our departure. A hazard assessment done with your supervisor before you venture out is an important first step in determining how you travel and what options are available to you.

Below are a few questions to consider in anticipation of travelling  prior to and during severe weather events:

1. Have you checked the road reports?
2. Are you comfortable driving in these conditions?
3. Is your travel necessary?
4. Are you able to delay travelling?
5. Are there alternatives to you being somewhere in person?
6. If your travel is necessary, are there alternatives to driving?
7. If driving, is your vehicle appropriate for travel?
8. Has your vehicle been winterized?
9. Is your vehicle equipped with proper tires for potential conditions?
10. Are you prepared should you get stranded or stuck?
11. Have you established a Check In system?

These questions can help you decide on your travel options. When you venture out make sure you are prepared. Ensure you have topped up your gas and always drive for the road conditions. When you are travelling, make sure you check in with someone and keep them in the loop as to your whereabouts.

Your safety is the utmost importance to getting to your destination safely!

Lesley MacKinnon
Manager, Safety
Human Resources

 

Equipping your vehicle with an emergency road kit is recommended as well as making sure your vehicle is winterized.

Below is a list of things you could keep in your vehicle over the next few months:

• First aid kit
• Fire extinguisher
• Blanket
• Road map and compass
• Extra clothes and footwear
• Paper towels or rags
• Sand, road salt or non-clumpy kitty litter
• Ice scraper and snow brush
• Candle in a deep tin
• Waterproof matches
• Shovel
• Booster cables
• Flashlight with spare batteries
• Water and snack food