Learning on the Move
Whether by road, rail, water or air, goods move across Canada every day. MTS Allstream is one of those movers.

As an integrated national provider in Canada, MTS Allstream's core businesses include its Enterprise Solutions Division, which offers a portfolio of solutions tailored to the needs of medium and large businesses - Internet protocol-based communications, Unified Communications, voice and data connectivity services.

The Division includes field technicians and operations personnel across Canada who are involved with the handling of batteries, compressed air, nitrogen, diesel fuel, and other goods classified as dangerous under Canada's Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Act and Regulations. Each person, whether they are drivers, consignors, consignees or employers, has specific responsibilities that he or she must understand.

Fred Riddle, CCEP, has served as a certified TDG trainer for MTS Allstream since 1990, and has been involved in TDG Regulations and instruction since 1984. During these years, he has completed training or re-certification 8 times, or every 3 years.

"A new learning approach to TDG is welcome," Fred chuckled.

In reviewing CCOHS' newest e-course offering, Transportation of Dangerous Goods*, he came away impressed. The eight modules of this course provide a detailed description of all aspects of the TDG system for managers and everyone with TDG responsibilities.

"The program is comprehensive and includes a good awareness component, with the right mix of information and illustrations. I enjoyed the interaction with the quizzes immediately following the instruction slides, to reinforce what I just learned."

The TDG course begins with the TDG:Overview, a 1.5hr module that reviews the TDG system for managers, employees and others who need to know about TDG and their responsibilities under the system. Terms and concepts and the requirements of the Canadian TDG Regulations are clearly explained, with links to definitions and the appropriate Regulations and useful resources provided throughout.

Fred encourages anyone involved with TDG, directly or indirectly, to take the course. "The Overview module is the best general description of TDG that I've seen. There's excellent information for health and safety committees, administrators and managers. Frankly, if any part of your business is involved with TDG, then you should take this Overview - it's a must for all your employees."

The other seven modules of the TDG course provide greater detail on critical aspects of the TDG system, and are available in several packages depending on specific TDG roles: consignor/consignee, carrier, and manager.

Consignors and consignees must be fully qualified and trained for their work in shipping and receiving dangerous goods. The five modules in the TDG for Consignees/Consignors course provide a detailed description of the parts of the TDG Regulations that they must know. This includes classification, documentation, safety marks, and means of containment.

Carriers, who transport dangerous goods and may load and unload shipments, must also be fully qualified and trained for their work. The six modules of the TDG for Carriers course covers documentation, safety marks, means of containment, emergency response, and special cases for road transport.

The comprehensive Transportation of Dangerous Goods course, comprising of all eight modules, is recommended for managers, supervisors, business owners, and personnel responsible to ensure that all work involving dangerous goods is properly done.

MTS Allstream's employees will be taking CCOHS' TDG courses as part of their TDG training and re-certification requirements. Many will be taking the comprehensive course relative to their TDG duties and responsibilities.

Debbie Harrington, Safety Officer at MTS Allstream, appreciates the convenience of the web-based course. "We have multiple locations across the country, from BC to the Maritimes. We're trying to go with as much e-learning as possible because it's difficult to get all our employees in one physical place for training. The fact that it is online means that TDG training and instruction is accessible to all our employees, plus it's more cost-effective."

* Reflects the new amendments to the TDG Regulations published in the Canada Gazette on February 20, 2008

t's known as the silent killer - the poisonous gas that you can't see, smell, taste or touch. However what carbon monoxide (CO) lacks in personality, it makes up for in potency. CO poisoning is responsible for hundreds of deaths, and thousands of hospital visits every year in North America.

A common and deadly hazard, CO results from the incomplete burning of natural gas and any other material containing carbon such as gasoline, kerosene, oil, propane, coal, or wood. Cigarette smoke and motor vehicle exhaust are also sources of CO.

How CO harms people
When we breathe in carbon monoxide, it interferes with the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen to the heart, brain, and other vital organs. Exposure to very high concentrations can overcome a person in minutes with few or no warning signs and result in coma or death. Hence the extreme danger of this gas.

The initial symptoms of poisoning are similar to the flu (but without the fever). They include tightness across the chest, headache, fatigue, dizziness, drowsiness, or nausea. As symptoms worsen the victim may experience muscle weakness, vomiting, confusion, and even collapse, losing consciousness. The sense of confusion, caused by this gas, can interfere with the victim's ability to realize that their life is in danger.

Workplaces at risk
Internal combustion engines are the most common source of CO in the workplace. There is also a risk of exposure in boiler rooms, warehouses, petroleum refineries, blast furnaces, steel production and pulp and paper production. Farmers have been poisoned by CO while using motorized equipment such as gasoline pressure washers inside barns. While workers in confined spaces, such as mines are at risk, harmful levels of CO can also be present in large buildings or outdoor areas. Other occupations with risk of CO exposure are taxi drivers, welders and garage mechanics. Emergency workers entering uncontrolled environments without wearing a carbon monoxide detector have also been subject to serious injury and even death.

What employers can do*

1. Install an effective ventilation system that will remove carbon monoxide from work areas.
   
2. Maintain water heaters, space heaters, cooking ranges, and other potential CO-producing equipment in good working order.
   
3. As an alternative to gasoline-powered equipment, use equipment powered by electricity, batteries, or compressed air.
   
4. Install reliable CO detector alarms that give both visual and audible warnings immediately.
   
5. Don't allow the use of gasoline-powered engines or tools in poorly ventilated areas.
   
6. Test air quality regularly in areas where CO may be present, including confined spaces.
   
7. Have your employees wear a certified, full-facepiece pressure-demand self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or a combination full-facepiece pressure demand supplied-air respirator with auxiliary self contained air supply in areas with high CO concentrations.
   
8. If your employees are working in confined spaces where the presence of CO is suspected, you must ensure that the air quality is tested before anyone enters.
   
9. Educate workers who may be exposed to CO. They must know the sources and symptoms, how to protect themselves, recognize symptoms in co-workers, and how to respond in case of an emergency.
   

Employees have a part to play
Employees, too, can help prevent CO poisoning by reporting any potential CO hazards to the employer, and looking out for ventilation problems - especially in enclosed areas where gases of burning fuels may be released. Don't use gas-powered engines in an enclosed space. Report complaints of dizziness, drowsiness, or nausea if you suspect CO poisoning, and leave the contaminated area immediately. If you get sick, tell your doctor that you may have been exposed to CO.

Protect yourself from CO exposure at home
We are just a few weeks into the new year and already there have been news reports of deaths and illnesses from CO poisonings. We are in the cold weather months and many deaths occur as the result of defective or poorly operated home heating devices. Follow these life-saving tips to protect you and your family:

• Install CO detectors in your home that have both audible and visual alarms. If battery-operated, replace the battery when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall.
  
• Never burn anything in a stove or fireplace that isn't vented. Don't use an oven as a heat source.
  
• When indoors, do not use portable flameless chemical heaters, gas camping stoves or generators and never burn charcoal.
  
• Never run a car or truck in the garage with the garage door shut or in a garage that is attached to a house.
  
  

* Used information from OSHA Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Fact Sheet

Further information about Carbon Monoxide exposure: