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 FEBRUARY 2005
    WELCOME NEW O.R.F.A. MEMBERS
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TRAINING CALENDAR
 REGIONAL TRAINING COURSES OR IN-HOUSE TRAINING PROVIDER O.R.F.A. continues to solicite both "Expressions of Interest" to act as training hosts for our 2005 Calendar of Training Events, as well as providing specific "In-House training quotations" to meet your operational needs. For more information, please contact: Terry Piche, Technical Director at 416.426.7062. HIGHLIGHT OF THE MONTH 50TH ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM  O.R.F.A.’s Annual Training Program will once again be conducted at the University of Guelph from May 1-5, 2005. An extensive list of management and technical courses dedicated to ice, buildings/grounds and aquatic disciplines are all offered to meet the changing needs of recreation facility operators and managers across North America. This year marks a milestone for the Association and an opportunity to celebrate our rich training heritage with several special events held in conjunction with the training program.  O.R.F.A. EXPOAnother significant event held in conjunction with O.R.F.A.’s Annual Professional Development Program is the tradeshow exhibition, known simply as EXPO. The EXPO is the Association’s largest and most successful tradeshow opportunity for companies who specialize in products and services targeted to the recreation industry. The 2005 EXPO will be held on May 4th, 2005 at the Gryphon Dome, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. This is an opportunity to network with existing and potential O.R.F.A. members before, during and after the EXPO. The EXPO is open to everyone with no admission charge. INDUSTRY NEWS & VIEWS Occupational Health & Safety Ticketing The Ontario Government is moving forward with its plan to cut workplace injuries by 20 per cent over four years by expanding the powers of provincial health and safety inspectors to issue tickets for unsafe workplace practices to include the industrial sector. Ticketing is an enforcement tool that allows health and safety inspectors to issue on-the-spot offence notices, also known as “tickets”, under the Provincial Offences Act for certain violations of Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) regulations. Current fines (as of January 15, 2005) for Occupational Health & Safety Act violations. [more...] Acting as provincial offences officers, inspectors can issue tickets for health and safety violations in the construction, mining and diving sectors. This ability has now been expanded to include the industrial sector. The industrial sector is Ontario’s largest and most diverse sector, covering a variety of subsectors and a greater proportion of workplaces and workers than any other sector. By April, 2005--100 new health and safety inspectors will be deployed across Ontario to help the Ontario Government achieve its goal of preventing 60,000 workplace injuries a year by 2008. The new inspectors began a three-month training regimen in December 2004. [more...] Growth Plan Announced Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal, Hon. David Caplan released a draft Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. [more...] Skydome Name Change Goodbye SkyDome, hello Rogers Centre .[more...] Since Rogers owns the stadium, it won't pay the usually hefty naming rights. More about naming rights of some well known facilities. [more] Security Guidelines New NBA security guidelines will result in downsized beer and a designated driver program that will eventually affect all Air Canada Centre events, including Maple Leaf home games. [more...] Minor Hockey Change Changes coming to minor hockey clubs in Toronto.[more...] New Employment Standards The Ontario legislature passed new rules about working excess daily or weekly hours and averaging hours of work for overtime purposes. These new rules come into force March 1, 2005.[more...] Health & Safety Violation Toronto District School Board fined $150,000 for health and safety violation.[more...] Consumption of Alcohol At Sports Fields North Vancouver addresses illegal consumption of alcohol in and around sports fields.[more...] Lead Hand Recognized as a Supervisor A recent appeal case in Ontario under the Occupational Health and Safety Act in which a "lead hand" was held to be a supervisor within the meaning of the Act and held liable for the injuries of a co-worker. There was a clear message that even those who occupy positions a "considerable distance down the ladder" must concentrate on and take responsibility for worker safety. The case is called R v. Walters .[more...] Property Tax Reduction Province of Ontario reduces property tax pass-through for recreational uses along hydro corridors to 50% from 100% .[more...] Art in the Central Park Central Park’s trees are bare of leaves and snow often covers the expansive lawns, 23 miles of pedestrian paths throughout the park will be adorned with 7,500 gates bearing saffron-colored cloth. The Gates will transform Central Park and challenge viewers to revisit their preconceptions of public art and urban parks. Judge for yourself .[more...] Labour News-Worker’s Right to Refuse Work: How do you Define Danger? The Federal Court of Canada has ruled that, to invoke the right to refuse unsafe work under the Canada Labour Code, an employee is not required to prove that a potential hazard will result in danger every time it occurs, or precisely when it will occur. Instead, it is necessary to show only that there is a reasonable possibility that a hazard will occur, and ascertain the circumstances in which it can be expected to cause an injury. Further, the Court has clarified that, even where a hazard is inherent in the work environment, a right to refuse unsafe work based on a concern about a prospective danger may still be exercised where the level of risk has been increased beyond that normally faced. Although this decision deals with the Canada Labour Code, the decision of the Court may have an effect on the provincial jurisdictions. Details of this decision can be obtained from the Federal Court of Canada .[more...] Pool Closures Environmental health inspectors with the City of Winnipeg closed 13 pools and whirlpools last year due to bacteria contamination, chlorine imbalance or unsafe conditions. [more...] In Ontario, Public pools, spas, splash pads and water slides are inspected by the local Health Department under the authority of the Health Protection and Promotion Act to reduce the spread of water borne illnesses and to eliminate any potential health and safety hazards. Every owner and operator is required to keep and sign daily records as set out in Public Pool Regulations 381/84 Proper disinfection methods and pH control are paramount to the health and safety of facility users . Pressure Treated Wood The Ontario Architects Association (OAA) issued the following technical alert on Pressure Treated Wood: Chemicals in Common Use and Corrosion of Metals. The alert indicates that new preservatives may cause failure of structures dependant on inadequately protected: Steel hangers and hardware for wood framing; aluminum flashings and cladding; nails and fastenings; anchor bolts.[more...] Arena Air Quality A recent Carbon Monoxide scare at a British Columbia arena, where nearly 100 people were treated with CO poisoning has prompted the O.R.F.A. to remind facility owners and operators of the hazards of toxic gases in arenas.[more...] It is important to regularly monitor carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide levels in recreation facilities. The following checklist will assist you in evaluating your current air monitoring practices whether extra measures need to be taken.[more...] All fuel-burning equipment emits some carbon monoxide. This includes car, truck and forklift engines, construction equipment powered by propane or gasoline, and non-electric heaters. Poorly maintained equipment will usually emit more carbon monoxide. Fresh air intakes located too close to exhaust vents and even vehicles idling close to your building can put the staff, participants and spectators in danger of being poisoned by carbon monoxide. People that are exercising, especially children, are more susceptible to the effects of CO and NO2 poisoning. As of December 2005, Ontario will add more protection to occupational exposure limits including Carbon Monoxide. CO limits will be set to 25 ppm TWAEV (compared to the current 35 ppm TWAEV) Under the government's new system, Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) will be reviewed and updated on a regular basis, ensuring that the protection of Ontario workers is always based on the most current scientific and medical knowledge. This is the level that the Ontario Recreation Facilities Association recommends in its Suggested Guidelines for Air Quality in Arenas. Regulated under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, OELs restrict the amount and duration of workers' exposure to hazardous workplace substances such as asbestos, benzene, lead and silica .[more...] It is not widely known that small gasoline-powered engines and tools present a serious health hazard. They produce high concentrations of CO--a poisonous gas that can cause illness, permanent neurological damage, and death. Because it is colorless, odorless, and nonirritating, CO can overcome exposed persons without warning. Often there is little time before they experience symptoms that inhibit their ability to seek safety. Prior use of equipment without incident has sometimes given users a false sense of safety; such users have been poisoned on subsequent occasions. Recommendations for preventing CO poisoning are provided below for employers, equipment users, tool rental agencies, and tool manufacturers (Centers for Disease Control). Employers are advised to conduct a workplace survey to identify all potential sources of CO exposure.[more...] In Massachusetts, Department of Health requires arenas under the State Sanitary Code, to ensure the public health and safety of patrons who use indoor skating rinks by limiting air concentrations of carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide produced by fossil fuel resurfacing equipment to acceptable levels. This is accomplished by requiring indoor ice rink operators to: conduct air sampling for carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide; maintain a log book of such air measurements; take remedial action to reduce air concentrations of carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide where warranted; and require indoor ice rink operators to apply for an annual certificate of approval for operation. The scope of the regulation applies to all public and private operators of indoor ice skating rinks in Massachusetts. Local boards of health directly enforce these regulations, with assistance from the Department of Public Health. Review Emergency Response/Indoor Air Quality Program which includes a sample ice reporting log .[more...] Arenas in Ontario are encouraged to be proactive in their approach to air quality management. O.R.F.A.'s Ice Resurfacer and Refrigeration Logbooks are effective maintenance tools available to all members .[more...] Pool Corrosion Galvanic Corrosion in Pools is the Corrosion of metals that occurs when two or more dissimilar metals are immersed in an electrolyte including pool water. As TDS increases above 2000ppm, there is a greater probability of galvanic corrosion when there are dissimilar metals within the system. For example, if a pool has a copper heat exchanger and other metals in the plumbing, light fixtures or metal pump impellers, then galvanic corrosion can occur. Galvanic corrosion would be observed by the discoloration of metal parts in the water. It is commonly recommended that the TDS should not exceed 1,500 ppm higher than the TDS when the pool or spa was started up. There is no minimum or maximum. (source: National Swimming Pool Foundation) For galvanic or dissimilar or electrolytic corrosion to occur, three conditions must be met: • the metal join must be wet with a conductive liquid • there must be metal to metal contact • the metals must have sufficiently different potentials. More from the Australian Stainless Steel Development Association (ASSDA) on Stainless steel in the airspace of indoor pool buildings .[more...] |
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ONTARIO REREATION FACILITIES ASSOCIATION INC. 1185 EGLINTON AVENUE EAST, SUITE 402, NORTH YORK, ONTARIO, CANADA M3C 3C6 T.416.426.7062 F.416.426.7385 EMAIL: INFO@ORFA.COM ©2005 ONTARIO REREATION FACILITIES ASSOCIATION INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED CONTACT THE O.R.F.A. | PRIVACY POLICY | WWW.ORFA.COM |
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