Stay tuned!

We’re in the process of refreshing our look here at SHAPE, and you’ll be the first to see the changes. Check back here on Monday, March 8th for an exciting update to our website.

As always, we’re working to bring clarity to your health and safety concerns, and we’ll continue to work with you to provide all the resources you need to make safety a priority in your workplace.

Come check us out on the 8th!

Safety Alert: Miller Back Biter Lanyards

Recently, there have been two incidents involving Miller Back Biter lanyards and, as a result, a Safety Bulletin has been issued.

Please read this bulletin for further details.

Thanks to everyone who participated in our survey!

The SHAPE survey is now closed. Winners of the top prizes will be notified shortly.

Thanks again for your participation!

Conducting a Field Flame Test

In response to a request from within the performing arts industry, SHAPE has just produced and launched a new video on how to conduct a field flame test to determine if a material is properly flame retarded.

The video discusses what to look for to see if a material is already properly flame retarded; when to test materials; where to look for information and, of course, how to conduct a field flame test.

Please note: A field flame test should only be conducted when a material’s flame retardant documentation is not available. It is a last resort to check for flame retardation. When testing, only a sample of the material should be tested.

SHAPE would like to thank Erin Neely of Hollynorth Production Supplies for her participation in the making of this video.

September Newsletter Now Online

The latest issue of the SHAPE Newsletter is now available for download from our website as a PDF. With this latest issue, you can now download the newsletter online as a regular webpage that allows you to link within the Newsletter, subscribe to our Newsletter email list and easily forward on to friends and collegues.

Contents include:

•H1N1 Planning and Prevention
•Cancer Research Project
•Fire Safety Week
•Performing Arts Supervisor Safety
•Accident Investigation
•Courses

Download PDF (380k) | Online Version (NEW FEATURE)

As always, if there is a topic that you would like to see addressed in our newsletter, let us know by contacting us at 604.733.4682 or by email at info@shape.bc.ca

Swine Flu Infosheet UPDATE

Updated: Monday July 6, 2009

This information is available for download: PDF • Word Document

The World Health Organization has confirmed that the new strain of influenza known as H1N1 (also called “swine flu”) is considered a pandemic influenza, meaning that it spreads easily between humans and affects a wide geographic area. Currently, H1N1 is about as serious as seasonal influenza, which occurs annually throughout the world. The spread of H1N1 is no longer associated with different regions of the world.

As employers and workers in the film and performing arts industries, we have the same responsibilities as other industries. Due to the declaration of a pandemic, all workplaces are expected to put an Exposure Control Plan into place.

Putting an Exposure Control Plan into place is not time consuming or difficult. It is really a question of assessing the risk in your workplace, putting practices in place which reduce the risk of exposure, including personal protective equipment if needed, and going through a brief education process with everyone in the workplace.

SHAPE has developed an Exposure Control Plan which addresses the issues likely to be found in the Motion Picture and Performing Arts Industries. The SHAPE Exposure Control Plan (available as a pdf or word document) can be used as is or adapted for your place of employment. For more information, see the Employer information section of this update.

To protect yourself, practice general preventative measures:

• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water, or use hand sanitizer
• Cough and sneeze in your arm or sleeve
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth – germs spread that way
• Keep doing what you normally do, but stay home if you are sick
• Practice good health habits including adequate sleep, eating nutritious food, and keeping physically active.
• Avoid close contact with people who appear unwell or have a cough or fever
• Talk to a health professional if you experience severe flu-like symptoms.

If you are sick:

o Stay at home to reduce the risk of spreading infection.

o If you experience severe flu-like symptoms, talk to a health professional (HealthLinkBC is available to all British Columbians by dialing “811”). Contact your Doctor before visiting them.

o If it is not possible to contact your healthcare provider in advance, communicate your suspicion of having swine influenza immediately upon arrival at the healthcare facility.

o Take care to cover your nose and mouth during travel.

Important information for Employers:
British Columbia employers have a responsibility to protect their workers from all work-related hazards, including exposure to infectious diseases like influenza. When a worker is at risk, or may reasonably be expected to be at risk, of harmful contact with a biological agent specified by WorkSafeBC, the employer is required to implement an exposure control plan as specified in Section 5.54 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. (WorkSafeBC has specified that section 6.34 applies to the virus that causes the swine flu.)

SHAPE has developed an Exposure Control Plan which addresses the issues likely to be found in the Motion Picture and Performing Arts Industries. That plan (available as a pdf or word document) can be used as is or adapted for your place of employment.

For WorkSafeBC’s Influenza Prevention information, click here.

The information distributed by SHAPE has been complied from the following sources:

• Public Health Agency of Canada
• WorkSafeBC
• World Health Organization

Leavitt Moves Training Locations

Leavitt Machinery, the organization that provides our Aerial Platform and Counterbalanced forklift training, has moved.

They're now located at:

Leavitt Machinery:
51 Leeder Street, Coquitlam, BC
Tel: 604.527.7166

Click on image for larger map.

Hot Off The Press! Pain is Optional Comic Book

Headaches? Back pain? Achy? Trouble sleeping? Then this comic book is for you!

Pain is Optional is a SHAPE produced, 16 page full colour comic book jam packed with information on how to identify and prevent Musculoskeletal Injuries (MSI). The publication is aimed specifically at office workers, but contains information useful to anyone who does any amount of work behind a computer. Everything from symptoms to types of injuries to proper computer station set up is covered.

To receive your free copy of the Pain is Optional comic book, contact SHAPE at 604.733.4682 or email us at info@shape.bc.ca

New SHAPE Course Registration and Fee Refund Policy

Registrations will not be accepted without full payment.

Credit card payments can be made over the phone by calling the SHAPE offices at 604.733.4682.

If you are unable to attend a course for which you have registered, you must give us at least 3 working days notice to qualify for a refund or credit for the next course date available. We will not issue a refund or credit if less than 3 working days notice is given.

For more information about SHAPE course registration, check out our Courses page or contact our Program Administrator at courses@shape.bc.ca.

Updated February 11/2010

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