OUTREACH
MOTION PICTURE
Actsafe ’ s Executive Director , Geoff Teoli , and Anand Kanna , Manager , Communications and Industry Advisor recently facilitated Actsafe ’ s Safety Awareness Workshop on Vancouver Island .
In conjunction with Vancouver Island South Film & Media Commission , the workshop was held in Victoria , with a full class of enthusiastic students .
When asked what they got the most value from during the workshop :
“ knowing workers rights gives confidence to act on them in the workplace ”
“ everyone must participate and be responsible regardless of position / experience ”
We ’ re planning another trip to Victoria early in the new year . Check our website and subscribe to our Safety Scene newsletter for updates .
PERFORMING ARTS
Actsafe ’ s Performing Arts Advisor Don Parman visited Vancouver Island in September as part of our outreach programme . After a successful outreach last year to the Northern part of the Island , this year saw Don covering the South and visiting Belfry , Brentwood , Cowichan , Intrepid , Mac , Pacific Opera , Royal , Sooke and Victoria .
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ICE MELT PRODUCTS
Representatives of BC ’ s Film & Television Industry approached Actsafe in 2007 over concerns regarding ice melt products being used to assist in clearing walkways . These products tended to increase the conductivity of electricity , and electricians working on film sites were receiving electrical shocks .
Actsafe approached UBC ’ s School of Environmental Health to conduct research on this issue . Following are their comments and recommendations .
Most safe and effective ice melt products contain chemical salts as an active ingredient . Since salts conduct electricity when dissolved in water , these products will increase the conductivity
PRODUCT
Zep Ice Attack ( active ingredient : calcium magnesium acetate )
Urea
Chloride salts ( potassium chloride , magnesium chloride , calcium chloride and sodium chloride ) are a common ingredient in ice melts .
HEALTH EFFECT
Based on the available evidence , calcium magnesium acetate ( CMA ) appears to be relatively nontoxic .
Skin or eye contact with urea can cause irritation . Ingestion of highly concentrated urea can cause nausea , excitement and convulsions . Inhalation of urea dust or mist may cause respiratory irritation . Chronic inhalation exposure to high levels of urea dust or mist may be associated with emphysema .
These salts can cause mild skin and eye irritation . Animal studies have shown that calcium chloride may cause severe acute skin irritation if it contacts broken skin , and they have also shown that calcium chloride can cause eye damage .
of the water it melts . The safest methods of avoiding electrical hazards are engineering controls : prevent water from contacting electrical wires and electrical connections . If water is effectively prevented from contacting sources of electricity , de-icing products that increase the conductivity of water can be used . If electrical conductivity is a concern , consider appropriate products intended to increase traction rather than ice melt products .
For traction products and the full document :
http :// www . actsafe . ca / wpcontent / uploads / 2009 / 04 / icemelts . pdf
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Calcium magnesium acetate is generally regarded as having relatively few environmental impacts . It readily biodegrades and therefore does not persist in the environment .
Urea can have a number of negative environmental impacts when it enters aquatic habitats .
Chloride salts contribute to the levels of chloride in the environment . Chloride can be harmful to plants and wildlife . Aquatic life , particularly algae , is sensitive to chloride exposure . If animals and birds eat the salt they may be poisoned ; behavioural changes have been seen in animals and birds who have eaten salt used to melt road ice .