NEWS BRIEF
Safety Reporter
Canadian
www.safetyreporter.com
August 2015
Lawyers > pg. 2
NEW STANDARDS FOR FIRST AID
The United States has released a revised
workplace first aid kit standard — with two classes
to differentiate hazardous conditions — and
groups in Canada are hoping to follow suit 3
PRESENTEEISM pg. 5
Absenteeism is well-known as a
productivity killer and resource
waster, but presenteeism can also
be a workplace challenge — and an
indicator of a mental health issue
ALTERCATION
A member of the Toronto District School
Board lost her job after aggressively
confronting her daughter's bully
while off-duty — but did the board
make the right call? pg. 6
INSIDE
Combatting sedentary workplaces
involves active corporate cultures
Even active
individuals can
face heightened
health risks from
sedentary jobs
BY LIZ BERNIER
THOSE WELL-INTENTIONED
gym memberships, corporate
fitness challenges and healthy
living posters might all be falling
a bit short when it comes to em-
ployee health.
That's because physical activ-
ity, even if it meets the recom-
mended guidelines of 30 minutes
per day, may not be enough to cut
down health risks if employees
spend all day, every day, sitting
behind a desk.
"There's a difference be-
tween sedentary behaviour and
SURFER ESCAPES SHARK
ATTACK ON LIVE TV
JEFFREY'S BAY, South Africa (Re-
uters) — Australia's triple champion
surfer Mick Fanning survived a shark
attack in the fi nal of the World Surf
League's J-Bay Open, fi ghting off the
predator with his fi sts before return-
ing safely to shore.
"I was just sitting there and I felt
something just get stuck in my leg
rope, and I was kicking trying to get
it away," said Fanning. "It kept coming
at my board and I was kicking and
screaming. I just saw fi ns. I was wait-
ing for the teeth."
After the shark apparently swam
away, the three-times world cham-
pion was picked up by a support craft.
"We are incredibly grateful that no
one was seriously injured today," the
World Surf League (WSL) said in a
statement. "Mick's composure and
quick acting in the face of a terrifying
situation was nothing short of heroic
and the rapid response of our water
safety personnel was commendable.
"The safety of our athletes is a
priority for the WSL and, after dis-
cussions with both fi nalists, we have
decided to cancel the remainder of
competition at the J-Bay Open."
South Africa's waters are among
the most shark-infested in the world.
A swimmer was killed by a shark close
to Jeffrey's Bay in 2013.
Lawyer seriously
injured after receiving
letter-bomb in mail
Incident highlights risks of occupation
BY SABRINA NANJI
A LAWYER specializing in fam-
ily law was severely injured after
opening a letter-bomb that was
mailed to her firm in Winnipeg
in early July.
Maria Mitousis, who works at
Petersen King, lost a hand in the
blast and suffered numerous se-
rious injuries in a case that raises
more questions than answers
about how employers can keep
workers — particularly workers
Credit:
ostill/Shutterstock
The > pg. 4
