Weekly Safety Minute Week 51 - PowerPoint Presentation

1. Weekly Safety MinuteWeek 51December 20, 2021

2. COVID19 - UpdatesNew Measures Effective December 15, 2021Expansion of rapid testing As of Dec. 17, any Albertan can get free rapid antigen test kit. 500,000 of these kits are available for at home use on a first come, first served basis. Albertans can pick up kits for themselves and for one other household member (must have their Alberta Health Care number). Kits are for asymptomatic testing.If you do have symptoms, or test positive with your rapid test, immediately isolate and schedule a PCR test at an AHS assessment centre. These tests are not eligible for use with the Restrictions Exemption Program. Kits will be available as of Dec. 17 at Fort McMurray Community Health Services (113 Thickwood Blvd., and 108 Wolverine Dr.), Anzac Community Health Services, Janvier Municipal Building, and the Conklin Multiplex. More info on how to pick up kits here: Find an AHS Clinic | Alberta.ca Booster DosesEffective immediately, booster doses are now available to anyone over 50 and all healthcare workers, provided 6 months have passed since the second dose.  Vaccine effectiveness against infection may decline over time, and third doses can boost immunity to improve protection and limit spread.

3. COVID19 – Updates (Continued)Province-wide Gathering restrictionsAs of Dec 15, the following social gathering restrictions apply: Indoor social gatherings: Indoor private social gatherings are limited to a maximum of 10 people 18 and older, no limits on those under 18. This restriction does not apply to mutual support groups, or to workers who need to access your home to provide caregiving support or home repairs and maintenance. Outdoor social gatherings: Outdoor private social gatherings limited to a maximum of 20 people, with 2 metre physical distancing between households at all times. To learn more about provincial restrictions and updates, visit alberta.ca/COVID19. As an employee, if you are feeling sick or symptomatic, or have just been notified you are positive for COVID-19 or a close contact, you should contact the Hines Health Contact Tracing Line.More information on the contact tracing line can be found in the ‘Working Together Safety Guide" online here.How to contact the line:Phone: 780-799-8638 Hours: Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.After hours: Contact Safety On Call at 780-381-1422 or email safety@rmwb.caContact Tracing Line 

4. Festive Season Safety Reminder Regional Emergency Services (RES) is reminding residents to stay alert this holiday season and beyond when it comes to preventing fires in the home.   The festive period means more potential risks in the home, such as Christmas trees and lights, cooking equipment and candles. The risk of fire in the home is increased at this time of the year and RES has issued a list of helpful holiday safety tips: Check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working Don’t overload electrical outlets and replace broken or frayed lights and cords Only use indoor lights inside and outdoor lights, outside Consider battery-operated candles If you have a real tree, make sure it’s watered daily Never leave a fire or heat source unattended  Never use charcoal or gasoline-fueled devices indoors Switch off all decorations before leaving the house or going to sleep Stay in the kitchen when cooking Keep your doors closed when sleepingFor more information on fire prevention please visit the Fire Prevention and Safety page

5. Pause for Mental Health – Beating the winter bluesThe beginning of fall marks the time of the year that a significant number of people notice notable shifts in their mood, energy, and overall well-being. These changes can have serious impacts on their day-to-day activities as well as their ability to engage with the people and responsibilities that are most important to them. This withdrawn behaviour is actually quite a common reaction to adjusting to this darker, colder time of year which many of us refer to as “the winter blues,” also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD).What exactly is SAD?Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that occurs around the same gloomy time each year, typically kicking off in September or October. The onset usually begins in the fall or winter and subsides around the springtime, lasting on average for 4 to 5 months. Symptoms of SAD may include:Feeling down or sad most of the day, every dayGloomy outlook on lifeFeeling hopeless, worthless, and irritableLoss of interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoyLow energyDifficulty sleeping, or oversleepingCarbohydrate cravings and weight gainFrequent thoughts of death or suicideHow to prevent SAD:Regular exercise (physical activity relieves stress, builds energy and increases both your physical and mental well-being and resilience)A healthy dietGood sleep habitsStaying connected to others Balanced thinking techniques Managing stressOther proactive strategies to help mitigate or prevent the onset of specific SAD symptoms, include:Spending more time outdoors during the day Arranging the spaces you spend time in to maximize sunlight exposure  Keeping curtains open during the dayInstalling skylights and add lampsSAD can affect anyone, but there are ways to prevent and treat it. Open up your Dialogue app now to start a questionnaire and assess your symptoms.  If you think you are suffering from SAD or are interested in learning more about these treatments, talk to your family doctor who will be able to assess what is safe and best for you or contact Dialogue.

6. To find answers to frequently asked questions by employees, review the FAQ document at rmwb.ca/staff. Have questions about COVID-19? Email Covid.19@rmwb.ca Questions and More Information