The Actsafe team will be unavailable by email from Friday, July 17 at 6pm until Monday, July 20 at 10am as we move email hosting services. 

If you could please refrain from emailing the Actsafe team during this time as there is the possibility that any new emails will be lost in the transition.

We apologize for any inconvenience caused during this time. 

If you experience a worksite emergency, contact WorkSafeBC. Their Prevention Information Line is 1.888.621.7233.

Mental health is still a difficult discussion. For those that suffer from mental health issues, there is still a stigma attached.

– Don Parman, Manager of Performing Arts Programs and Services, Actsafe Safety Association

My story. I don’t tell it to gain sympathy. I don’t tell it to make a political statement. I tell it to help open the door a little bit further for the next generation of live event technicians.

Most people have no idea that I have struggled with anxiety and depression since my early teens. In my case, it manifested itself as violent physical outbreaks. Thankfully, it was never directed at people but inanimate objects. Hitting, throwing, and breaking was the pressure release valve for anxiety and anger. Throughout my elementary years and into high school I struggled to keep friends and relationships because of my erratic reactions to often simple issues. There was little to no help within the school system in the ‘80s and ‘90s. What little was available was so limited that it never had any effect on my situation.

Skip to March 2, 1996, and while I was coming home from the wedding reception of a good friend, I was assaulted. Blindsided as I exited a 7-Eleven, they knocked me out by kicking my head into the curb outside the front doors as my girlfriend (now spouse of 23 years) watched helplessly from the taxi. No MRI. No follow-up. No counselling.

I was released the next day but the effects would linger for years.

Forward to 2003. Now married with two amazing kids, we realized it was time for help. While my colleagues rarely saw the outbursts, they continued at home. This had to change. Stacey and I embarked on a mission to get me help. This is where things get really interesting. Because I wasn’t a threat to myself, my family, or the public, I was thrown into a system that has no place for me.

Since then I have been on waitlists for over three years for subsidized treatment, only to get one session a month for a maximum of a year. We added to our mortgage to afford paid professional help. That help took six to eight months to find, only to have them decline my appointments because of my insane schedule.

When I finally had benefits through my employers, I was able to utilise the Employee Assistance Program’s counselling services, but again, they were designed for people that were a threat to themselves or others. I attended six sessions and was then referred to a waitlist for further treatment. I’m still looking for help today.

It’s not all bad news. Out of all these experiences, I have found tools that do help. My family being number one, but the general theatre community has been a major resource for me and I, in turn, hope that I can be a resource to the community.

The irony in all of this is that I write this during a pandemic lockdown which has given me a rare opportunity to truly work on my own mental wellness. I do not think I could have written this piece six weeks ago. Exercise, reduced work hours, and more time with my support system (Stacey, Kaleb, and Shelby) has me in a better mind space than I have been in in years which is interesting!

This article was written for our quarterly newsletter, Safety Scene. You can find a link to the full edition below.

Click here for the full Summer 2020 Edition of Safety Scene.

COVID-19 has had significant impacts on every facet of our lives – and while we are working hard to ensure we are engaging in distancing and cleanliness to ensure physical health and safety, how many of us are tending to the psychological health impacts of COVID-19?

– Dr. Joti Samra, R. Psych, MyWorkplaceHealth

Preliminary data suggests that — just a few short months post announcement of the pandemic — rates of depression are doubling, anxiety quadrupling, and alcohol consumption is up 25%.

Furthermore, COVID-19 has had significant impacts on every single work environment — and by extension every worker, irrespective of sector or industry. The myriad impacts include uncertainty about job stability or future; layoffs (anticipated or feared); working fewer hours (or in some cases longer hours); and working from home — just to name a few. All of these changes have the ability to affect one’s mental health and are important to pay attention to, given that meaningful work and purpose is one of the most important contributors to our mental health.

For many, the fading distinction between our ‘personal’ vs. ‘work’ environments has contributed to an enhanced risk of burnout as one no longer provides a reprieve from the other. For example, an argument with a partner becomes difficult to escape as you no longer have the option to get some ‘time out’ by going to work; conversely, you may now be spending too much time thinking about work when you are home because your living area has turned into your work area.

Getting back to work

Since May, Canada has lessened isolation/quarantine measures, resulting in a return to pre-COVID work and life. Getting back to work can be both a blessing and a curse. For some, there may be excitement about getting back to a predictable routine. However, the majority (57%) of Canadians continue to be stressed out about leaving the house, and only 40% are comfortable going back to work.

For many people, this means finding the notion of going back to work incredibly confusing and anxiety-inducing. On one hand, people want to go back to the old normal where they could work, hug family and friends, or eat at a restaurant without worry. But on the other hand, people know the virus is still circulating, which brings anxiety about one’s own safety as well as the safety of others.

What employees and employers can do

In addition to ensuring physical distancing and hygiene/cleanliness protocols according to our leading health and government agencies, there are a number of things employees and employers can do to manage the stress associated with returning to work.

1. Acknowledge and communicate that this is a stressful time.For employees who are anxious about returning to work, clearly and directly express your concerns to your employer (your direct supervisor or manager, or human resources). Know that as an employee, you have the right to a psychologically safe work environment. As an employer, make sure you prioritize psychological health and safety by speaking about it.
2. Connect one-to-one and take the time to understand individual circumstances. Almost half of working Canadians have indicated their employer has not even asked them how COVID-19 has impacted them. Find out what unique situations and challenges employees are facing — including personal or family pre-existing health concerns, and parenting challenges and demands. Be flexible and adaptable where possible.
3. Let people continue to work from home if this does not cause undue hardship. If employees are able to be effective at working from home and prefer to do so, let them continue until they are comfortable coming back.
4. Offer more flexible work arrangements. To the degree possible, work around other demands employees are facing – including personal and childcare demands. This can build both trust and loyalty.
5. Do regular beginning and end of shift check-ins. Ask your employees what they require to be and feel safe, and be open to input and feedback on changes you can make in the work environment.
6. Disseminate information on psychological health and resilience to all employees. There are many free, high quality, evidence-based resources that exist – providing these to your entire workforce can be a cost-effective way to allow employees to self-select resources that would be helpful if they are struggling. MyWorkplaceHealth.com has many free resources for employees and employers alike, including free webinars, handouts, and worksheets.

Our resources include:

• Our Psychological Health and Resilience toolkit contains a package of resources all oriented around enhancing your overall psychological health. Sign up for a free copy and join our community!
• Please see our digital download page with access to many reading guides, worksheets and beyond.
• We post blogs on our MyWorkplaceHealth site with relevant mental health in the workplace and psychological health and safety topics which you can access here and on our Dr. Joti Samra, R.Psych & Associates site on psychological health, wellness & resilience topics here.
• We share videos on common mental health topics on our YouTube channel here including free webinars here.

This article was written for our quarterly newsletter, Safety Scene. You can find a link to the full edition below.

Click here for the full Summer 2020 Edition of Safety Scene.

When I was in high school, everyone joked that I was a great therapist. My friends would always come and talk to me about their problems. Siblings, relationships, assignments, no matter what, they turned to me to be their sounding board. To them I was known as “The Ear”.

– Anand Kanna, Manager of Motion Picture Programs and Services, Actsafe Safety Association

Most left our “sessions” feeling much better about their situations, with a clearer, rosier outlook on life. And it wasn’t because of anything I said. I offered no advice or amazing insight into their problems. After all, I didn’t have any more experience or knowledge than my friends, being a teenager in secondary school and all. So, what did I do that made people feel better?

Listen.

Whether it was in front of my locker, in the cafeteria at lunch, or on the drive home dropping off my friends, I just listened to them clear their minds or pour their hearts out, giving them an ear to talk their way through things. And it seemed to work. My friends were happier at the end of it, and life kept moving forward with my cohort surviving through graduation. And it continued through post-secondary. My best friend and I ended up at the same college, and we took classes scheduled in the evening. After that, we would hop in my car, and even though we lived a short drive away from the college, it would take more than an hour to get home. During that time, my friend would rant and rave about everything that bothered him while I drove. I didn’t say much, but I was still an active participant in the conversation, and I did what my friend needed me to do.

Listen.

But as time moved forward and life got busy, I seemed to be listening less. Time for my friends seemed to have vanished as home and work life started to encompass all.

Last year, I was lucky enough to attend a fabulous keynote presentation delivered by Stéphane Grenier. Stéphane is a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the Canadian military, and suffered from PTSD after several overseas missions, including the mission in Rwanda.

I took two things away from Stéphane’s presentation that made me believe we can all help, regardless of what experience in mental health counselling we have. The first one is peer support. As stated on the Mental Health Innovations website (https://mhic-cism.com) “Social support from a person with lived experience can inspire hope and empower others in similar situations”. So being there for each other with non-clinical support is an easy way to help people in their times of need. The second take away from Stéphane’s presentation is something we can all do.

Listen.

We have to take the time to listen to each other. Stéphane’s presentation a year ago re-kindled in me the importance of actively listening to my friends, family and colleagues, to help relieve the stresses in their lives. It may not cure everything, but most of the time people just want to be heard. They might not necessarily need answers at this time. Not every problem requires a solution right now. But by being there to lend an ear, provide a safe space for people to talk their way through their crises, and provide options for additional help, we have more power to help people work their way out of the darkness than we may have realized.

Listen.

It’s something that we don’t do often enough. But to someone in crisis, it could mean everything.

This article was written for our quarterly newsletter, Safety Scene. You can find a link to the full edition below.

Click here for the full Summer 2020 Edition of Safety Scene.

Over the past few years, there has been much-required attention on the mental health of our nation, our communities, and – quite frankly – our industry. We’re now taking seriously how to take care of our own mental health and that of the people around us in our increasingly complex world. Systems are racing to catch up and we are only too happy to see a conscious broadening of the scope of Occupational Health and Safety to include Psychological Safety; it’s none too soon.

– Natasha Tony, founder and CEO of Elevate Inclusive Strategies

For the last two decades, I have been focused on Respectful Workplaces with a focus on justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. As a labour relations specialist, my work was carved out of the myriad of injustices I have witnessed, that I have been asked to advocate and investigate and ameliorate. And now I educate.

We’re in the midst of a culture shift in our industry – which owes a great deal of gratitude to the courageous people who spoke up with the “MeToo” movement. We’re all far more conscious of privilege or, conversely, discrimination we see on the basis of gender identity, race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sexual orientation, and so on. They are locked into our laws, our safety regulations, our codes of conduct, employer policies, and collective agreements. It would be a good idea to be aware of what they say because the next step is making it real.

Whether or not there is intent, where there is impact there needs to be attention.

Those on the receiving end of intimidation, discrimination, sexual harassment, and bullying and harassment often hold feelings of anger and humiliation, an increased sense of vulnerability and a loss of confidence. There can be an inability to sleep, the onset of depression, and physical symptoms including headaches and body aches. Substance abuse, distress, anxiety, thoughts of suicide – these issues can become life-threatening if left unattended. Unresolved issues can be brought home, increasing family tension and stress and cause distractions that affect workplace productivity, and run the risk of creating workplace safety issues. We don’t want that for ourselves and we don’t want it for our colleagues. It’s got to be called out and it’s got to be stopped.

When we see something, we have to say something.

When I speak of organizational culture, I am referring to the philosophies, attitudes, beliefs, behaviours, and practices that define an organization. This culture can be toxic or what makes the organization inimitably successful. When we are talking about the culture shift of the entertainment industry, think about it as the workplace immune system.

What is in place to ensure that both our physical and psychological health is prioritized to maintain a healthy workplace?

Whether we are workers, supervisors or employers, we all have a responsibility to address injustice. That is, to educate ourselves in what injustice looks like, to be aware of our biases, and to question our own assumptions. And, although it’s hard, we need to be willing to listen when others are willing to speak about actions and attitudes that have a negative impact on them. It’s not always obvious to us. But we’re evolved enough to create space for different lived experiences, and to have empathy for issues that might not be our own.

There is the Golden Rule – which says that we need to treat people the way we want to be treated. When we talk about the culture shift and building a respectful entertainment industry, we are now talking about the Platinum Rule – which says we need to treat others in the way that they would like to be treated.

A respectful workplace is one that is free from discrimination, sexual harassment, bullying and harassment; a work environment in which all individuals are treated fairly and respectfully, have equal access to opportunities and resources and can contribute fully to the organization’s success. In healthy work environments, differences are acknowledged and valued, communication is open and civil, conflict is addressed early, and there is a culture of empowerment and cooperation.

When individuals are treated fairly and respectfully, stress levels are reduced, and the brain settles into a healthier rhythm.

As we move into a new normal, we could all use a little support and direction. Today’s Respectful Workplace training comes with an anti-discrimination lens. It doubles down on the responsibility of workers, supervisors, and employers to address and eradicate gender, racial, and all other forms of discrimination. It calls for awareness and understanding of the relevant Codes and employer policies and invites commitment to the creation of a culture that benefits the health and welfare of everyone working in the entertainment industry.

This article was written for our quarterly newsletter, Safety Scene. You can find a link to the full edition below.

Click here for the full Summer 2020 Edition of Safety Scene.

WorkSafeBC deferring quarterly premium payments for an additional quarter

Release of preliminary base rates for 2021 postponed until fall

Richmond, B.C. (June 8, 2020) — WorkSafeBC today announced that it is extending the deferral period for quarterly premium payments for an additional three months, without penalty or interest.

In order to ensure account balances are correct, employers will still be required to report their payroll for the first and second quarters by July 20, 2020. However, the payments for the first and second quarters will not be due until October 20, 2020, when third-quarter payments are due.

The deferral only impacts employers who are required to report payroll and pay premiums on a quarterly basis. Employers who report annually will not be impacted because they do not report payroll or pay premiums until March 2021.

WorkSafeBC recognizes the challenges many employers are facing amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and has taken several measures to support them, including:

·         On March 27, WorkSafeBC announced that first-quarter premiums were deferred until June 30, 2020, without penalty or interest. Approximately 27,000 employers in the province opted to take advantage of the premium-deferral measure.

·         On May 26, WorkSafeBC announced it was waiving premiums on wages paid to furloughed workers of employers receiving the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy. This change was retroactive to the March 15, 2020 start date of the CEWS and will continue for the duration of the program.

Preliminary Base Premium Rates for 2021

WorkSafeBC is postponing the release of its 2021 preliminary rates — and the associated rate consultation sessions — until the fall of this year.

The release of the preliminary rates and consultation sessions were originally scheduled to occur in July, but WorkSafeBC has determined that additional time is required due to the economic uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The additional time will provide a better perspective on the prospects for the investment markets and the economy, which is required to complete the year-end forecasting, an integral element in determining next year’s rates.

2019 was a year of change for Actsafe Safety Association as it entered into its third decade in operation. Many new faces joined the team including new leadership, both of the team and the Board of Directors. Important initiatives and resources were created to support the arts and entertainment industries in British Columbia including two new courses, an even larger conference, and the introduction of the Actsafe Safety Café. This annual report highlights the impact of the work that Actsafe does and notes how the work is made possible through the unwavering commitment and support of its stakeholders.

To read 2019’s annual report, please click here: 2019 Annual Report PDF

When Rebecca Orr laces up her shoes to walk in Steps for Life, her reasons are both intensely personal, and universal. Rebecca’s husband Lance was killed when a load of heavy concrete forms slipped from the chains of an overhead crane and crushed him. Now, Rebecca participates in Steps for Life– Walking for Families of Workplace Tragedy and will act as a spokesperson for the walk in Vancouver this spring.

“I am honoured to be taking part in my 4th Steps for Life walk,” Rebecca says. “By sharing my story I hope to raise more awareness of the effect workplace tragedy has on the families left behind.”

Steps for Life is a five-km walk to support families like Rebecca’s, affected by workrelated fatalities, life-altering injuries and occupational disease. Created in 2005, Steps for Life is the flagship fundraiser for the Association for Workplace Tragedy Family Support (known as Threads of Life). This spring, 29 communities from coast to coast will play host to Steps for Life. They will be joined by individuals and organizations who are committed to workplace health and safety.

The annual event raises money so that Threads of Life can provide peer support programs and services for families, and increase awareness about the importance of workplace health and safety. Last year’s Steps for Life raised more than $770,000 for this work.

“We all have a role to play in workplace safety,” Rebecca says. “I don’t want to have what has happened to me happen to someone else. Let’s make our community and our workplace a safe place to be. Because one life lost is one too many.”

You can get involved by registering to walk, or donating to another walker or team. Steps for Life includes a team challenge for any group of three or more walkers, who join together to participate and raise money for the cause.

For more information about Steps for Life walks, visit: stepsforlife.ca

Actsafe is supporting Threads of Life as part of our 2020 CSR initiative by donating all revenue generated from the advertisements in 2020’s quarterly newsletters to this incredible association.

This article was written for our quarterly newsletter, Safety Scene. You can find a link to the full edition below.

Click here for the full Spring 2020 Edition of Safety Scene.

This quarter’s theme is Concussion.

During these testing times, we hope this edition of Safety Scene will help keep us all engaged with one other as we continue social distancing.

Concussions are not to be taken lightly. Even a ‘small’ bump to the head can result in a life-threatening brain injury. The spring edition of Safety Scene focuses on the importance of understanding concussions, the correct steps to take if you or a co-worker hits their head, and finding out first-hand what it is like to suffer from a concussion.

To begin reading, click here.

Click here for a quick access PDF for viewing, downloading, and sharing.

Click here for a quick link to the CATT Concussion Awareness, Response, and Management Flowchart Poster.

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We want to hear from you!

We appreciate any feedback you may have. Maybe you’d like to write an article for our next edition? For content and advertising opportunities, please email Jennifer at jenniferlane@actsafe.ca.

We are printing a limited number of quarterly newsletters on Sugar Sheet. If you wish to receive a printed copy, please contact communications@actsafe.ca.

For those of us in the Live Performance Venue, Performing Arts, Organizing or Conducting Special Events industries, and for anyone who owns, occupies and operates places at which large numbers of people gather, an order from B.C.’s Health Minister below:

View the order here or click below.

Updated version: July 2020.

Course Cancellation & Coronavirus (COVID-19)

 At Actsafe, the health and safety of our course participants and the Actsafe team is of the utmost importance. As such, Actsafe has decided it best to cancel all inhouse classes scheduled up to and including April 30, 2020 to mitigate the impacts associated with the potential spread of the COVID-19 virus in our community. 

If you registered and paid for either the Occupational First Aid-Level 1 course or the Motion Picture Industry Orientation course, you have the option of getting a refund or keeping a credit on file for a future date.

If you are registered for the Motion Picture Safety 201 – Safety for Supervisors course, the Joint Health & Safety Committee Fundamentals course or the Reel Green Carbon Literacy course, there will be no charge to rebook into a future date.

 We apologize for any inconvenience these cancellations may cause.

Leavitt Machinery courses are going ahead as scheduled. However, if you are exhibiting the following symptoms, coughing, high fever, difficulty breathing, we ask that you do not go to class. Please let us know and we will rebook you into a later class at no additional charge.

Actsafe is following the situation and will provide updates when necessary. If you have any questions, feel free to email: info@actsafe.ca.

 Follow our Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for updates.

Preventative Measures

We are all responsible for safeguarding ourselves and take every precautionary measure to remain uninfected with the virus. Proper hygiene can help reduce the risk of infection or spreading infection to others. Health Canada suggests:

• wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after:

o   using the washroom and when preparing food

o   use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available

• when coughing or sneezing:

o   cough or sneeze into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand

o   dispose of any tissues you have used as soon as possible in a lined waste basket and wash your hands afterwards

• avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands

The world is grappling with an issue of enormous scale and human impact, and our hearts go out to all who have been affected by the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Mental Health

In light of the coronavirus pandemic, Actsafe reminds you that taking care of mental health is as important as looking after physical health. Coronavirus has thrust the world into uncertainty and this may be taking its toll on people’s mental health. For those who may be suffering from the stress of this situation, please remember that there are resources through Calltime: Mental Health that can help. We urge everyone to look out for one another during this time.

Actsafe Team Availability

Actsafe Safety Association is doing its part in mitigating the exposure and spread of COVID-19 to its team and community. Therefore, the Actsafe office is currently closed until further notice. However, the team are working remotely and continue to be available by phone, email, or LiveChat. Please reach out with any queries or concerns.

In the midst of COVID-19 we’ve curated a selection of resources we believe to be of value to our industries, which you may view here.

This information on COVID-19 (coronavirus) covers precautions that both employers and workers can take to avoid contracting and spreading the virus. At the time of this publication, according to BCCDC, B.C. has declared a state of emergency and a public health emergency.

What is coronavirus? 

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which in humans can cause diseases ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV). The new coronavirus has been named COVID-19.

What are the symptoms of coronavirus?

The symptoms of COVID-19, are similar to other respiratory illnesses, including the flu and common cold. They include: 

• coughing 
• sneezing 
• fever
• sore throat 
• difficulty in breathing

At this time, the available information suggests the incubation period is up to 14 days. The incubation period is the time from when a person is first exposed until symptoms appear. 

How does coronavirus spread?

When someone who has COVID-19 coughs or exhales they release droplets of infected fluid. Most of these droplets fall on nearby surfaces and objects – such as desks, tables, or telephones. People could catch COVID-19 by touching contaminated surfaces or objects – and then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth. If they are standing within six feet of a person with COVID-19 they can catch it by breathing in droplets coughed out or exhaled by them. 

Steps employers can take to prevent the spread of COVID-19:

• If practicable, employers should curtail non-essential work at the workplace and consider having workers work remotely (e.g. work at home)
• If it is necessary for workers to come to work, employers should put preventative measures in place such as; 
  • where practicable, reconfigure the workplace to maintain appropriate distance between workers,
  • encourage physical distancing (maintain six feet distance), and
  • limit worker travel.
• Make sure workplaces are clean and hygienic by keeping surfaces (e.g. desks and tables) and objects (e.g. telephones, keyboards) clean and disinfecting regularly. Make hygiene materials such as sanitisers available, where possible.  
• Reinforce personal hygiene messages such as handwashing to workers and anyone else who may enter your workplace.

Steps workers can take to prevent the spread of COVID-19 if entering the workplace:

• Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; use hand sanitisers if you are unable to wash hands
• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
• Coughing or sneezing into your sleeve and not your hands 
• Maintain a distance of six feet or more from others
• Staying home if you are sick to avoid spreading illness to others

Other preventative measures that can be taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19

Social Distancing: Social distancing is a way that you can slow the spread of COVID-19 by limiting close contact with others. This includes limiting activities outside your home, staying home when you’re sick, avoid social activities in large gatherings, and if you are out in public keep six feet distance between you and others. 

Self-Monitoring: If you have reason to believe that you have been exposed to a person with COVID-19, then monitor yourself for 14 days for one or more symptoms of COVID-19.  

Self-Isolation: If you have been exposed/in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or travelled outside of Canada in the past 14 days then you need to self-isolate and avoid contact with other people.

If you develop symptoms, isolate yourself from others immediately and call HealthLink at 811 for an assessment and to determine next steps.

Please refer to the following links to keep updated about the latest information – 

• Actsafe.ca
• Worksafebc.com
• BCCDC.ca
• Canada.ca

This info sheet was developed using various resources including BCCDC, WHO, WorkSafeBC, and Government of Canada. 

Click below for downloadable PDF version;

This quarter’s theme is Learning, Training, and Development.

This edition of Safety Scene is jam-packed with articles to inspire you and your team to invest more time into training and development.

Learning, training, and development can be carried out in many different ways, be it at our Entertainment Safety Conference, an Actsafe course, or just running a fire drill with your team. This edition’s centrefold has 4 toolbox talks for you to use to help educate your workers on a number of health and safety topics, including how to conduct risk assessments and how to report safety concerns

To begin reading, click here!

Click here for a quick access PDF for viewing, downloading, and sharing.

Click here for a quick link to our Toolbox Talks webpage.

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We want to hear from you!

We appreciate any feedback you may have. Maybe you’d like to write an article for our next edition? For content and advertising opportunities, please email Jennifer at jenniferlane@actsafe.ca.

We are printing a limited number of quarterly newsletters on Sugar Sheet. If you wish to receive a printed copy, please contact communications@actsafe.ca.

Are you looking to schedule in a large group for machinery training? Would you like your crew to be trained on your work site? You are on the right page!

Actsafe will work with Leavitt Machinery to cater to your crew, and schedule as best we can. Group Training can be accommodated with Aerial Lift, Fall Protection, Counterbalanced Forklift, Telehandler/Rough Terrain, and Skid Steer Training. 

Once you submit a Group Training Request form, we will send you our Group Training Policy that will cover class size limitations, experience levels, price, and a schedule example as they pertain to each class. 

Please fill out his Group Training Request Form below and an Actsafe representative will contact you within 2 business days to discuss your training options.

We’re seeking a candidate to fill the role of Safety Advisor here at Actsafe Safety Association.

About Us

Actsafe supports the Entertainment industry in British Columbia by providing occupational health & safety advisory services, resources, training and support as needed to help employers, workers and supervisors achieve a healthy and safe workplace. Actsafe was established in 1998 and we serve members in the motion picture, television, performing arts, commercial production and live event industries in British Columbia. We employ a professional team of industry advisors, health & safety specialists to support our members. We are a not-for-profit industry organization passionate about what we do and how we impact people every day.

We want to continue to engage our membership while looking forward to assisting more entertainment companies, large and small, to promote good health and safety programs. If you are an enthusiastic safety professional who brings exceptional knowledge, standards and experience in engaging our members by implementing high quality safety programs, here is an opportunity to serve the entertainment industry by joining Actsafe Safety Association.

Position Summary:

The aim of the Safety Advisor is to offer value to our members without compromise, deliver the highest level of service by assisting our members to implement Health & Safety Management programs through advising, training and providing resources.

Key Activities and Responsibilities:

1. Safety Program Advisory Services

2. Resource Development and Training Facilitation

3. Membership Engagement

For the full job description and requirements, please read the full description here; Safety Advisor – Motion Picture.

Please note: the Actsafe office will be closed Wednesday, January 15 due to extreme weather. All team members will be available via email. For any further assistance, please email info@actsafe.ca or contact us on our website via LiveChat . We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. Stay safe out there #BC!

Get your full conference pass for the Actsafe Entertainment Safety Conference before Jan. 31st and save $100! Single day passes go on sale Feb. 1st. Register here.

Why attend? The #AESC2020 brings together a broad range of stakeholders from the motion picture, live events, health and safety, education, and beyond to network and learn about entertainment safety from a range of experts in their fields across a 3 day conference.

For new sessions and speaker announcements check out our conference website here.

 Wishing You & Your Family a very Happy, Healthy, and Safe Holiday Season!

The Actsafe office will be closed from Monday, December 23 and will reopen on Monday, January 6 at 9am.

If you experience a worksite emergency, contact WorkSafeBC. Their Prevention Information Line is 1.888.621.7233.

Actsafe is happy to announce that we are launching the inaugural Actsafe Safety in Entertainment Awards.

The six awards will recognize individuals and organizations who were ambassadors and pioneers for safety in 2019 in the arts and entertainment industries. We are calling on you to nominate co-workers, organizations, and individuals that you feel prioritized safety within the industries that Actsafe supports.

Closing date for nominations is February 14, 2020. If you have any questions, please contact our Marketing and Communications Coordinator Jennifer at jenniferlane@actsafe.ca.

Please note that we will only present awards to nominees that we deem to have met each of the required criteria. 

Nominate Below (one nomination per form);

EARLY BIRD SALES CLOSE JANUARY 31!
Visit actsafeconference.ca to learn more and to register.

2020 Actsafe Entertainment Safety Conference
March 5–7, 2020
River Rock Casino Resort, Richmond, BC

Register now for the only conference in the Pacific Northwest focused on sharing knowledge about making arts and entertainment workplaces safer for workers and audiences alike!

• 300 Delegates
• 50+ 90-Min Sessions
• 20 Tradeshow Exhibitors
• Live Demonstrations
• Social Events
• Free Industry Training
• 3 Full Days of Programming

In its fourth year in 2020, Actsafe’s annual conference expands to a third full day to include programming for the motion picture and television industry as well as the live events and performing arts industries.

Actsafe’s Entertainment Safety Conference (formerly Event Safety Conference) brings together a broad range of stakeholders from motion pictures and television, festivals and the performing arts, the music industry, venues and event production and venues, tourism, health and safety, education, municipalities, labour unions and beyond to network and learn about entertainment safety from a broad range of experts in their fields.

The conference will be jam-packed with over 50 informative sessions covering a range of topics pertaining to safety, health, and wellbeing with experts in their fields, live demonstrations, more than 20 tradeshow exhibitors, and social events.

BONUS: Registration also includes a free (non-transferrable) Industry Training course in Occupational First Aid (Level 1) or Firearm Safety (Level 1). Courses are held outside of conference dates.

SESSION PROPOSALS
Got a great idea for a presentation, panel discussion, roundtable, or interactive/hands-on demonstration? We want to hear from you! Session proposals are accepted until December 20.

NOTE: CROWD SAFETY WORKSHOP
Those who work in the areas of security, public safety, production and event planning, and audience services won’t want to miss this: For the third year running Actsafe is thrilled to welcome back UK-based crowd safety expert Eric Stuart of Gentian Events Ltd. to present his popular two-day Crowd Safety Workshop on March 3–4. This workshop is a sell-out every year, so register early to avoid disappointment. Details at actsafeconference.ca/crowd-safety-workshop.

Canada is facing a national opioid crisis. The growing number of overdoses and deaths caused by opioids, including fentanyl, is a public health emergency. Between January – August 2019 there have been 584 fentanyl-detected deaths in B.C., according to the B.C. Coroners Service.

Discover how you can recognize and help prevent opioid overdoses with our free Naloxone Training, in partnership with Vicky Waldron of Construction Industry Rehabilitation Plan.

Next available course date: November 26th, 2019. Register below;

Naloxone Training

October 10th is World Mental Health Day, which raises awareness of mental health issues around the world.

For our industries here in British Columbia, Calltime Mental Health is an initiative by British Columbia’s motion picture industry unions to assist workers and employers grappling with mental health and addiction issues both in and out of the workplace.

We’re also pleased to announce that the theme for next year’s Actsafe Injury Prevention Week is MIND Your Health: Mental Health Awareness.

The goal of this annual event is to highlight the importance of a safe and healthy work culture amongst B.C.’s arts and entertainment industry workers and to provide shareable tips, tools, and resources to help prevent illness and injuries.

Save the date: September 21st – 25th, 2020. Bookmark our Injury Prevention Week page for updates, announcements, and resources.

This quarter’s theme is Emergency Preparedness!

This edition is filled with information on how to be prepared for an emergency at your workplace, and also at your home. It includes articles from Actsafe’s safety team, the City of Vancouver’s Desiree Hamilton, and Gentian Events Ltd’s Eric Stuart. This edition’s centerfold is Actsafe’s Emergency Preparedness info sheet that has tips on how to introduce emergency preparedness practices into your worksite.

To begin reading, click here!

Click here for a quick access PDF for viewing, downloading, and sharing.

Click here for a quick link to the centrefold pullout; the Workplace Emergency Preparedness info sheet.

___________________________________________________________________

We want to hear from you!

We appreciate any feedback you may have. Maybe you’d like to write an article for our next edition? For content and advertising opportunities, please email Jennifer at jenniferlane@actsafe.ca.

We are printing a limited number of quarterly newsletters on Sugar Sheet. If you wish to receive a printed copy, please contact communications@actsafe.ca.

If you are using a Google Chrome web browser to complete our online courses (including Motion Picture General Safety Awareness 101), please ensure that your browser is up to date by following these steps;

Mac & PC;

1. Click on the MORE button in the top right hand corner (3 vertical dots);

2. Help>About Google Chrome

3. A new tab will open and will confirm whether the browser needs to be updated.

4. For Android or other Apple products, please refer to Google Help for more information.

AIP Week 2019 is well under way!

Here’s an overview of the ‘Prevention Through Orientation’ calendar, we’ll be posting resources focused on the following topics through our social media channels daily:

This year we also have a safety cafe which will be visiting a production near you! Check out which location you can attend for a complimentary coffee, swag and orientation conversations;

#AIPWeek2019

Click on the poster to view the full size PDF for printing;

Please bear with us whilst we upgrade our website. We apologize for any inconveniences this may cause, please feel free to reach out to us with any questions info@actsafe.ca.

Wishing you all a happy, healthy, and safe Labour Day weekend!

Actsafe will be closed from 2pm Friday, August 30th and will re-open on Tuesday, September 3 at 9am.

If you experience a worksite emergency, contact WorkSafeBC. Their Prevention Information Line is 1.888.621.7233

In the April 2019 issue:

• Actsafe Event Safety Conference Round-Up.
• Respectful Workplaces in the Arts.
• Upcoming April Courses.
• Upcoming Events.

Also, in this month’s edition, Don Parman, our Manager of Programs and Services for the Performing Arts Industries, is on the Road – find out where!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here.

Nancy Harwood, Chair of the Board of Directors of Actsafe Safety Association, is pleased to announce that Manu (Manobhiram) Nellutla has been selected as the organization’s new Executive Director, effective March 11th, 2019.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors of Actsafe, I wish to welcome Manu to his new role and say how much we are looking forward to Actsafe’s future with his leadership. Manu was selected by the Board’s Recruitment Committee from a field of highly qualified candidates after a rigorous search”, stated Ms Harwood. “ We are very impressed with Manu’s experience and successes as a senior executive with another progressive health and safety association, his passion for health and safety, and his proven leadership abilities.”

Manu brings a wealth of expertise from his current position as Chief Operating Officer with the Manufacturing Safety Alliance of BC (MSABC) to his new role. Actsafe’s entertainment industries will be well served by Manu’s experience of delivering high-quality services and resources to stakeholders and advancing initiatives that lead to successful health and safety outcomes for industry.

Manu has a background in the fields of ergonomics, education, health and safety, and research. He holds a Masters in Physiotherapy with specialization in musculoskeletal and sports, Post Graduate Diploma in Ergonomics, Post Graduate Certificate in Higher Education and Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety. He is currently pursuing a Masters in Business Administration.

Before his tenure at MSABC, Manu was a Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Physiotherapy at the University of Rwanda. He has also taught Occupational Health and Safety in MSc Public Health program at Mount Kenya University.

 “I am very excited and grateful for this opportunity to provide leadership at Actsafe,” said Nellutla. “I am looking forward to working with the Actsafe team, industry members and all other stakeholders as we strive towards making British Columbia the safest province to work in the entertainment industry.”

The official announcement can be found here. Welcome Manu!

In the January 2019 issue:

• Motion Picture Safety Awareness Course is Now Online.
• Actsafe’s Event Safety Conference 2019.
• How to Beat the January Blues.
• WorkSafeBC 2019-2021 Policy Workplans.

Also, in this month’s edition, be in with a chance of winning tickets to see an advance screening of ‘Stan & Ollie’.

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here.

Motion Picture Safety Awareness is making the move…to online!

Launching January 7th, you will now be able to complete this free course online, at your leisure.

This interactive, video-game style course takes approximately 5 hours and can be completed in parts, all while collecting both stars and knowledge along the way!

Click here to begin the course!

In the December 2018 issue:

• Actsafe’s Event Safety Conference 2019.
• New AEDs available in January.
• Working in cold weather conditions.
• Actsafe seeks new Executive Director.

Also, in this month’s edition, be in with a chance of winning one of five $10 Starbucks vouchers by completing our short Newsletter Feedback survey.

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here.

In the November 2018 issue:

• Actsafe’s Injury Prevention Week Round-up!
• Actsafe Aspiring Filmmaker Award.
• Guide to Winter Driving. #ShiftIntoWinter
• Dates announced for next Carbon Literacy courses.
• Actsafe seeks new Executive Director,

and a whole lot more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here.

For the full opportunity description, click here.

The Executive Director is responsible for the effective administration of Actsafe Safety Association, and for achieving the goals of the mission statement and the objectives set by the Board of Directors. Appointed by the Board of Directors and reporting to the Chair, the Executive Director provides leadership in the management of Actsafe, the facilitation of stakeholder input, and directs the staff in the planning and development, administration, finance, management, and mentoring of all Actsafe activities.

FOR INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Julian Manchon or Tony Kirschner
LEADERS INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE SEARCH #880—609 Granville Street Vancouver,
BC V7Y 1G5
Phone: (604) 688-8422
Email: vancouver@leadersinternational.com

To celebrate Actsafe’s 20th year in the business of helping to keep workers safe we’ve launched a new digital safety initiative, Actsafe Injury Prevention Week (AIP Week).  Each year AIP Week will highlight preventable industry injuries within different sectors of production work. This year’s week long campaign is entitled Back Here, Safety Matters and puts a focus on the leading causes of injury in BC’s motion picture industry and its workers, working on and around trucks.

Actsafe’s inaugural AIP Week begins the week of November 5th. During campaign week, Actsafe will provide productions with additional resources, with an aim to help employers, supervisors and workers address the theme of the campaign. In addition, film studios will feature large art installations drawing attention to, and creating conversations around, the resources necessary to keep a production’s crew safe around trucks.

For further info check out our page dedicated to AIP Week here.

In the October 2018 issue:

• Announcing Actsafe’s Injury Prevention Week!
• Join Our Crowd Safety Workshop with Eric Stuart
• Information on Cannabis Legalization
• Help BC Injury and Prevention Unit with their Online Concussion Awareness Training Tool

and a whole lot more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here.

In the September 2018 issue:

• Geoff Teoli, Actsafe’s Executive Director, Steps Down,
• Thoughts from Don Parman, our Performing Arts Industry Advisor,
• The Importance of Road Safety,
• Announcing our Event Safety Conference 2019 dates!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene online here.

Geoff Teoli has accepted an exciting new position with the City of Vancouver so, unfortunately, this means that his last day with Actsafe will be October 5th, 2018.

Over the past five years Geoff has led Actsafe through significant innovation and growth, enhancing our organization’s delivery of services and support to the motion picture, television, performing arts and live event industries. He will leave a legacy of strong leadership, collaboration and passionate commitment to Actsafe’s health and safety mission.

We would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the Actsafe Team, Board of Directors, Standing Committees and our communities at large, to thank him for his support throughout his tenure with Actsafe. Please join us in wishing Geoff tremendous success in his future endeavours.

You can find Actsafe Safety Association’s Board Chair, Nancy Harwood’s, official announcement of this news here. 

In the August 2018 issue:

• Artificial smoke & fog bulletin update
• Watch Your Back! Our new vehicle safety campaign
• Event Safety Conference update
• Carbon Literacy course dates

and a whole lot more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here.

In the July 2018 issue:

• Guidelines For Working In Hot Temperatures,
• Calltime: Mental Health Resource Website,
• Joint Health & Safety Committee Reports and What To Do With Them,
• Managing Fatigue,
• Hello’s and Goodbye’s,
• And Much More!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene online here.

In the May 2018 issue:

• Launch of Mental Health Resource: Calltime Mental Health,
• Thoughts from Actsafe’s Performing Arts Industry Advisor,
• WorkSafeBC Student Video Contest Winner,
• Joint Health & Safety Committee Meeting Information,

and a whole lot more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here.

In the April 2018 issue:

• Is Your Joint Health & Safety Committee Compliant?
• Opioid Crisis Management Resources,
• WorkSafeBC Regulation Update,
• Launch of the Carbon Literacy Workshop!

and a whole lot more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here.

In the March 2018 issue:

• Stunt Harness Hazard Alert,
• Road Safety At Work Week,
• WorkSafeBC Regulation Update,
• Actsafe Event Safety Conference Round Up,

and a whole lot more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here.

In the January 2018 issue:

• Early bird ticket sales extended until January 14th!
• Respirator Fit Testing Resource Update
• New Workshop Announcement: Safety For Supervisors
• 2018 Course Fee Reminder

and a whole lot more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here.

In this month’s issue:

• Early bird ticket sales end December 31st for our Event Safety Conference 2018
• Introduction of Respirator Fit Testing Pricing
• Winter Driving Resources
• Course Fee Changes

and a whole lot more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here.

In the November 2017 issue:

• Early bird tickets on sale for our Event Safety Conference 2018,
• New STAR System announcement,
• Actsafe Aspiring Film Maker Award 2018 Application
• Smoke and Fog Research Project

and a whole lot more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here.

In the October 2017 issue:

• Registration now open for our Event Safety Conference 2018,
• October is National Ergonomics Month,
• Ladder Safety Tips,

and a whole lot more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here!

In the September 2017 issue:

• Your invitation to our next Event Safety Conference 2018,
• WorkSafeBC bulletin release on carbon monoxide exposure during film shoots,
• Back to school driving tips,
• Website re-design – we’d like your help!

and a whole lot more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here!

In the July 2017 issue:

• Recommendations for managing fatigue,
• WorkSafeBC #listentoyourgut young worker campaign,
• Office closure notification,

and a whole lot more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here!

In the June 2017 issue:

• Summertime safety edition,
• Knowing the differences between heat stroke and heat exhaustion,
• AGM Announcement.

and a whole lot more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here!

In the May 2017 issue:

• NAOSH Week information,
• WorkSafeBC OHS regulation updates,
• New Publications.

and a whole lot more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here!

In the April 2017 issue:

• First JHSC Fundamentals training course held at Actsafe
• Conference wrap up
• Downtown Eastside filming notice
• Performing Arts Safety Awareness workshop dates

and a whole lot more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here!

In the March 2017 issue:

• New JHSC regulation additions and mandatory training
• Inaugural Actsafe Event Safety Conference success
• Emergency preparedness competition time
• Upcoming Events
• New Performing Arts Safety Awareness Workshop

and a whole lot more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here!

We’ve dedicated the February 2017 issue to the inaugural Actsafe Event Safety Conference.

Plus, in the February 2017 issue:

• View our complete conference program
• Complete conference schedule
• Dancer Transition Resource Centre ‘on the MOVE’ event dates
• Top 10 most viewed Motion Picture bulletins 2016
• Full publication of our ‘Recommendations for Fighting Fatigue’ document

and a whole lot more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here!

In the January 2017 issue:

• More sessions added to our conference schedule!
• Helpful suggestions to fight fatigue
• WorkSafeBC JHSC Regulation Additions
• Announcing Don Parman as our new Performing Arts Industry Advisor
• Price Increase Reminder

and a whole lot more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here!

In the December 2016 issue:

• Announcing Rick Antonson as our keynote speaker for the Actsafe Event Safety Conference 2017
• Helpful suggestions to fight fatigue
• WorkSafeBC Asbestos Warning

and a whole lot more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here!

In the November 2016 issue:

• Announcing the Actsafe Event Safety Conference 2017!
• Helpful suggestions to fight fatigue
• Winter driving checklists

and a whole lot more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here!

In the October 2016 issue:

• IATSE Local 891 and Actsafe Collaboration Announcement
• Looking For New Recruits? Check Out Our Student Availability Resource
• Production Packages

and a whole lot more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here!

In the September 2016 issue:

• Actsafe Is Going On The Road!
• Joint Health & Safety Committee Evaluation Tool
• New and Young Worker Orientation

and a whole lot more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here!

In the August 2016 issue:

• WorkSafeBC Incident and Investigation Reporting
• Suggestions for Fighting Fatigue
• Our Comic Books Are Now Digital!

and a whole lot more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here!

In the July 2016 issue:

• Equipment & Material Handling Injury Reduction Initiative
• WorkSafeBC’s new website!
• Tips & Tricks For Fighting Fatigue

and a whole lot more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here!

In the April 2016 issue:

• Actsafe’s STAR System announcement
• Emergency Preparedness Week
• What’s Wrong With This Picture?

and a whole lot more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here!

In the March 2016 issue:

• NEW! Wheel Chock Info Sheet
• Actsafe is Moving
• Circle of Safety.

and much more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here!

In the February 2016 issue:

• Accident Investigation Reports
• Blended Learning reminder
• Actsafe Staffing Changes.

and much more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here!

In the December 2015 issue:

• NEW! UAS Safety Bulletin!
• Who should I call?
• Hazard Alert! – Trucks with no designated “Park” position.

and much more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here!

In the November 2015 issue:

• Driving safety after the end of Daylight Saving Time
• 2015 Career Expo
• Actsafe’s Propane Awareness Campaign.

and much more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here!

In the September 2015 issue:

• a “BEST OF” Spotlight on Philip Moessinger – Rigging Grip in live events.
• Workers Compensation Act changes relating to Injunctions & Due Diligence.
• Actsafe’s Propane Awareness Campaign.

and much more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here!

In the August 2015 issue:

• a “BEST OF” Spotlight on Jenny Duffy choreographer and dance instructor.
• Workers Compensation Act changes relating to Stop Work Orders.
• Changes to our course fees.

and much more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here!

In the July 2015 issue:

• The Actsafe Spotlight on Elia Kirby from the Great Northern Way Scene Shop.
• Welcome Brian Fisher-Smith.
• Investigation Reporting procedural changes in the Workers Compensation Act.

and much more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here!

In the June 2015 issue:

• A NEW Actsafe Spotlight on Elia Kirby fo rom the Great Northern Way Scene Shop.
• Hellos, and goodbyes.
• Workers Compensation Act Changes.

and much more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here!

In the April 2015 issue:

• A “Best of” Actsafe Spotlight on Hans Dayal, Locations Manager
• Actsafe’s New Respirator Fit Testing Procedures
• Day of Mourning
• Bootie Call

and much more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here!

In the March 2015 issue:

• The NEW “What is Actsafe” video
• Actsafe’s First Aid Assessment Tool
• Farewell Marty!
• Ladder Safety
• On the Move
• Actsafe is Hiring!

and much more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here!

In the February 2015 issue:

• The Actsafe “Best Of” Spotlight on Efosa Otuomagie, Production Safety Officer
• Firearms in Theatre
• Transportation of Dangerous Goods
• Firearms Use Flowchart
• Actsafe is Hiring!

and much more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here!

In the December 2014 issue:

• The Actsafe “Best Of” Spotlight on Jay Dodge, Artistic Director of Boca del Lupo
• Propane Safety
• Tips for working in winter weather
• Things to keep in your car in case of a winter emergency

and much more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here!

In the October 2014 issue:

• The Actsafe Spotlight on Bill Ryan – Special Effects Coordinator.
• WorkSafeBC’s Innovation at Work program
• Personal Optional Protection Insurance
• Working safely when vehicles are backing up.

and much more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here!

In this special issue, you will find:

• What you need to know about Cardiac Arrest
• Where Actsafe’s AEDs have been placed
• Orientation videos for the AED in our program, the Lifepak CR-Plus
• A SPECIAL OFFER for Level 3 First Aid / Craft Service persons

and much more!

View The Actsafe Safety Scene here!

Take a look at the April 2014 issue here:

http://eepurl.com/ShqUD

In our February/March 2014 issue:

• Smoke Effect: Using E-Cigarettes in the Arts
• Product Testers Wanted
• Actsafe Launches AED Program
• Safe Driving Quiz
• Actsafe’s Social Networks and our upcoming courses.

Click on the link below to view the digital version of our new Print Newsletter!

Actsafe February/March 2014 Newsletter