HSE Updates Week of 4 Feb 2026 – RAE, OHS

Greetings,

Please review the applicable HSE Updates.

• Company Safety Meeting Presentation:   deadline: two weeks following the Company Safety Meeting
  • It is mandatory to review the Company Safety Meeting on SiteDocs and sign-off that you have done so. If the deadline has passed – you missed it but are still expected to review and sign-off the presentation in SiteDocs.
• 2026 HSE Manual Knowledge Check: testmoz.com/15133572
• 2026 Emergency Response Drills: Sign-off for drills will be issued via SiteDocs, check your SiteDocs!
• H&S Bulletin: Answer due by 8am last Friday of the month
  • Attached: February 2026 H&S Bulletin
• Health and Safety Committee: Next Meeting: usually Thurs before last Fri of the month
  • If you can’t join the HSC meetings,  you can still participate by providing feedback, questions, or concerns to hsc@raeengineering.ca. Please submit feedback prior to the next meeting so it can be brought forward.
  • The HSC meets the last Thursday of each month at 1pm via Teams
  • Previous HSC Meeting Minutes can be found in the Teams Channel, attached, and on SiteDocs
• Safety Rewards Program: Where your commitment to RAE’s Safety Culture is rewarded!
  • Submit more cards! Be specific in how your coworkers are contributing to safety! The latest PRC winners are:
    • $500 Best Card Winner: Sherry Nelson
    • $100 Safety PRC Draw:  Gerard von dem Bongart
  • If you have any questions or concerns about the Safety Rewards Program, or would like to sign-up to do a presentation, please email hsc@raeengineering.ca.
• Peer Recognitions: Due by Company Safety Meeting each month

OHS

• OHS eNews – February 2026 has been issued. Highlights include:
  • Updated:
    • Approved first aid training agencies
    • Potentially serious incident (PSI) email and letter – frequently asked questions (FAQ)
  • Pink Shirt Day (Feb. 25): Harassment is a workplace hazard. It can occur at any work site and range from disrespectful remarks to physical aggression. Pink Shirt Day, on Feb. 25, encourages Albertans to be inclusive, welcoming and supportive at work and in our communities. Addressing concerns early helps prevent escalation.
  • International Repetitive Strain Injury Awareness Day (Feb. 28): Work that involves repetitive tasks, awkward postures or forceful exertion can contribute to bone, muscle, ligament, tendon and nerve injuries, known as musculoskeletal injuries/disorders. In recognition of this, Feb. 28 is International Repetitive Strain Injury Awareness Day—a reminder to be aware of manual handling hazards and take steps to reduce strain and prevent injuries.
  • Changes to employment standards long-term leave: As of Jan. 1, 2026, eligible workers can take up to 27 weeks of job-protected, unpaid leave to recover from a long-term illness or injury, an increase from the previous maximum of 16 weeks. This change aligns with federal Employment Insurance sickness benefits, which provide up to 26 weeks of financial assistance for employees who cannot work for medical reasons.
  • 2026 WCB-Alberta Research Program grant competition launches: The 2026 WCB-Alberta Research Program grant competition is now open, with an application deadline of Mar. 20, 2026. For details about the program and how to apply, visit the WCB-Alberta Research Program website. If you need additional information or application assistance, email research@wcb.ab.ca.
  • Gender-Related Injury and Illness Prevention Program application deadline reminder: The deadline for submitting an application for funding under Alberta’s new Gender-Related Injury and Illness Prevention Program (GRIIPP) is Mar. 16, 2026. There is up to $900,000 available for this grant program in 2026-27 for research on gender-based factors that cause increased rates of workplace injury and illness among women, such as ill-fitting personal protective equipment and higher rates of workplace violence and harassment. The results of this research will support women’s participation in the workforce through:
    • prevention of injury and illness
    • identification of best practices
    • recommendations for OHS policy and practice
    • knowledge translation activities
  • 2024 workplace injury, illness and fatality statistics and infographics available
  • Free webinar for employers of small- and medium-size businesses
  • Upcoming live webinars on employment standards
  • OHS: Beyond the numbers: This month looks at the importance of properly fitted personal protective equipment (PPE).
    • A long-standing issue that causes some workers to have trouble finding PPE that fits them is related to the design of PPE. Historically, PPE has often been designed for a mostly male workforce and for workers who have an average anatomical “build”. This has made it difficult for female workers, as well as workers who are shorter, taller, larger or smaller than average to obtain PPE that fits properly.
    • For example, as part of a broader research project published in 2022, the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) surveyed 3,000 Canadian women to understand their experience at work and find out how well PPE met their safety and functional needs. The survey respondents reported challenges with mobility and task performance, as well as having to adjust PPE while working.