Session Speakers
Connie Boldt
Connie is a partner in a consulting firm specializing in OHS management, including development and implementation of OHS management systems, audits and custom training. Her experience encompasses an environmental background and OHS work with a wide range of industries including health care, transportation, construction, manufacturing, petro-chemical, municipalities, education, and government.
OHS Performance Indicators
What doesn’t get measured doesn’t get done! To implement and maintain a strong, meaningful OHS management system specific OHS performance indicators need to be identified, monitored and analyzed. More than WCB data and statistics are required to effectively manage OHS programs and promote informed decision making. Examples of OHS performance indicators and summary reports for various organizational levels will be discussed.
Money, Ethics, & OHS Leadership
Board members, executive and senior managers have a critical role to ensure an effective, successful OHS management system is in place in their organizations. Human, financial and legal factors are considered, the importance of executive and senior management involvement, and actions to demonstrate a strong OHS leadership.
Debra DeWaal
Debra deWaal is a former Calgary Police Officer and is now the owner of Safe & Sound Safety Training & Consulting Ltd. Debra’s 10 year career with CPS included 3 years undercover work in auto theft, stolen property and vice. Debra also spent numerous years working on the street as a uniformed officer. Debra is a professional member of Canadian Association of Professional Speakers and has been developing and facilitating Mental Toughness, Personal Safety and Conflict Management Training to Canadian citizens since 1995.
Be Safe Not Sorry
A dynamic presentation on Personal Safety In one dynamic session, learn how to handle the ultimate “what if”. Debra deWaal will share her experiences in an informative, high energy and humorous way. Learn what types of crime are occurring in our society and how to safely prevent and manage any potentially dangerous situation for you and your family. This session will give you the mental and physical tools to be safe in a verbal or physical conflict.
Don Voaklander
Don Voaklander holds a bachelor of physical education (with distinction) from the University of Alberta, an MSc (epidemiology) from Queen’s University and a PhD (Physical Education), also from the University of Alberta. He is a professor in the School of Public.
Dr. Voaklander is primarily interested in injury prevention. He currently is the director of the Alberta Centre for Injury Control & Research. His other areas of research interest include injury epidemiology, injury prevention, aging, farm injury and linked health data.
Resident Lifting Study
Alberta has a wide variety of assistive lifting equipment, including electric beds, transfer belts, low-friction transfer sheets, mechanical floor lifts including sit to stand lifts, and ceiling lifts. Ceiling lifts are being widely incorporated into many of the newer long term care facilities in both Alberta and across Canada. This study was conducted in two phases, with the first phase involving an online survey that was distributed to all members of the Alberta Continuing Care Association. The second phase included site visits to a group of randomly selected facilities that responded to the phase one survey. Facilities for phase two were grouped into facilities that had ceiling lifts and facilities that did not have ceiling lifts. The findings of the study have resulted in 16 recommendations many of which have been align with the No Unsafe Lift Workbook published by Worksafe Alberta.
Injury in Alberta
Dr. Voaklander will give advice on how staff and families can avoid some of the major causes of injury at work or at home. This session will profile the Alberta Centre for Injury Control and Research (ACICR), share with you the magnitude of Alberta’s current injury problem and show how you can make Alberta a safe place to live, work, learn and play.
Ergonomic Building and Design Discussion Panel
This panel session will discuss issues with ergonomic design of long term care facilities that impacts the daily tasks of staff. The views of an interior designer, architect, and builder will provide insight into the challenges that they face during renovations, expansions, and development of new facilities. Discussions will be regarding bariatrics, fall protection legislation, layout to accommodate equipment and staff efficiency.
David Hamilton
David Hamilton has been a registered Alberta architectural consultant since 1971, joining the firm of GMH Architects in 1976 after having worked as lead architectural designer in the consortium which developed as the Commonwealth Stadium and other facilities for the Commonwealth Games. As Past President of the Alberta Building Envelope Council, and one of the original members, David Hamilton has years of experience with sharing the innovations which have been developed in envelope technology, both for durability and for upgrading traditional buildings.
Edward Gooch
E. F. Gooch Architects Inc. has been located in Edmonton since 1977. The firm has been working in association with GMH Architects since 2001. Edward Gooch, principal, has had a successful general architectural practice since the founding in 1977. The firm has been involved in the design of schools, institutional oriented projects, commercial, industrial, warehouses and residential projects.
Mary Gerrard
Mary Gerrard is a principal interior designer at Interscape Interior Design. Mary holds a Bachelor of Interior Design from the University of Manitoba and is LEED accredited professional. Mary’s experience spans a variety of projects ranging from the corporate offices, institutions, hospitality, health services and retail. Her work at Interscape has earned multiple awards including the Bronze Award for the Interscape Offices, the Silver Award for the Boardroom Spa and the Teknion Furniture Systems Award of Excellence for the Davies Transit Garage.
Paul Polson
Paul is a prominent figure in western Canada’s architectural and construction world. He is an architect by profession, and is currently the Vice-President of Stuart Olson Dominion Construction; one of Canada’s largest construction management firms, which he joined in 2001. Prior to this time, he was a partner in an architectural practice for 22 years. Throughout his career, Paul has been involved in a number of long term care facility projects throughout Alberta, including the St. Michael’s Health Centre, Edith Cavell Care Centre, Bethany Care Facilities and the Red Deer & Sylvan Lake Care homes. Paul’s innovative and forward-thinking mentality, combined with his passion for community development and care for the people whose lives his work affects, makes him a valuable member of every long-term care project that he works on.
Sheldon Fall
Sheldon Fall is a graduate engineer who has been involved in the construction industry for the past 30 years. During the past 10 years, his primary endeavours have been in the development of Care Housing in Western Canada. Through MPM Project Management (1995) Ltd. Sheldon has developed for himself as well as outside clients Assisted Living, DAL, enhanced DAL, brain injury, nursing, dementia and early on-set dementia. Sheldon’s passion in the industry is the re-purposing of building such as schools into care housing and his current projects include: Manoir du Lac – McLennan (www.integratedlifecare.ca) and Balwin Villa (www.excelsociety.org/news_balwin.html)
Gary Zimmermann
Gary is an associate with McLennan Ross whose practice focuses on commercial litigation, insurance law, occupational health and safety and municipal law. He is one of the few lawyers in Canada to have extensive experience as an Independent Supervising Solicitor and Counsel of Record for parties in Anton Piller Orders.
Gary has significant experience as lead counsel on numerous, multi-party, "high-stakes" litigation files and has pursued and defended numerous complex litigious files involving contractual disputes, commercial landlord & tenant matters as well as product liability cases.
He has delivered seminars to various corporations and professional peer groups including the Legal Education Society of Alberta, the Canadian Defence Lawyers and the Canadian Bar Association and written articles for a variety of industry publications including Canadian Underwriter and Claims Canada.
Occupational Health and Safety in the Medical Health Sector - Government Initiatives and How They Affect Medical Professionals
Gary has authored articles and in his practice, focuses on OHS matters in the medical sector. He represents some large medical organizations. He would like to speak on the current official mandate of the Alberta Government which "targets" the health sector. It further targets certain employers in that sector. He would provide practical tips and traps for both employers and workers.
Linda Norton
Linda is an Occupational Therapist who has been working in the area of seating and mobility for over 15 years. She is a co-author of the Canadian Association of Wound Care Best Practice Recommendations for Pressure Ulcers, and was a review team member for the Registered Nurses Association Guidelines for the Assessment and Treatment of Stage I-IV Pressure Ulcers. As a faculty member at two Ontario Universities and at the Canadian Association of Wound Care Institute she is committed to staying current, and sharing her knowledge and experience. She has completed her Masters of Science in Community Health with a focus on wound prevention and treatment at University of Toronto and has presented numerous workshops across North America. Linda is the Rehabilitation Education Coordinator with Shoppers Home Health Care.
Safe Client Handling Techniques
This hands-on presentation will equip attendees with techniques which can be used to ease the potential for caregiver injury when completing the following day to day tasks:
- Repositioning Residents in Bed
- Demonstration of the proper use of slider sheets including application and removal techniques.
- Repositioning Residents in Wheelchairs
- Sling Application in Bed
- Techniques demonstrated will show how a sling can be applied beneath a resident easily with no rolling of resident required.
- Sling Application in Wheelchair
- Techniques to place a sling behind a resident with the use of a slider sheet to reduce the risk of caregiver injury.
The focus of our products and services is very much related to reducing injuries for staff within long term care and assisted living facilities. There are many quick and simple techniques which can be implemented in any facility which can help to reduce the risk of worker injury.
Cindy Poole
Cindy Poole graduated from McMaster University with a Bachelor of Health Sciences degree in Physiotherapy After graduating she worked in general hospital settings rotating betwn medical/geriatric wards, ICU , orthopaedic post op wards and cardio-respiratory care. She then began working in private practice with a mainly orthopaedic caseload. After receiving a Certificate in Sports Physiotherapy she worked at several major events including Canada Games, FISU/Universiade Games, and Winter Olympic Games. She has travelled internationally with the National Figure Skating team including events such as Skate Canada, Skate America and the World Championships. Cindy has been a therapist with LifeMark Health for many years and lives in Calgary. In recent years educating physicians and other health care practitioners, insurers and employers has become the focus of her career.
Fitting in Fitness Seminar
Busy schedules, many commitments...finding it hard to fit in regular formal physical activity everyday. Find out how to improve your health by adding more activity to your day. Learn how to include strength, flexibility and endurance exercises into your busy schedule that work.
Richard Gerow
Richard is a full time health and safety practitioner in long term care, and has more than 20 years of experience in the safety field. He has worked in almost every continent, including the high arctic, central Africa, Europe, and every single province in Canada. In past careers, he has been a NATO air traffic controller, a combat medic, a fire fighter, a paramedic, and has liaised with the Transportation Safety Board dealing with aviation crashes as well as with the federal government post 9-11 regarding airport security. Richard says that of all the surprising things that he has seen and heard, nothing was more surprising than at age 45 finding out he was going to be a father again. Today, Richard works for Extendicare as their Manager of OH&S, Western Operations, and lives in Leduc with his wife and 6 year old son AJ.
Humour In Safety
As soon as you mention “safety training” in your building, people start running for the doors. Let’s face it, it’s not the most exciting thing to listen to. Humour in Safety is a session designed to demonstrate how to energize a safety discussion, regardless of size or target audience. This stimulating program will look at many different aspects of safety and give some on the ground, practical tools for people to use when designing safety related training. Be prepared to laugh.
Teri Spohr
Teri Spohr has been with WCB-Alberta for 19 years. In her current role as Account Manager, she provides quality proactive services in disability management and training to employers. She has extensive knowledge of WCB Customer Service policies, procedures, WCB legislation and business/industry practices and trends. She actively works with employers and employer associations in the areas of risk management focusing on injury prevention and disability management resulting in safe and early return to productive employment.
Tips for a Better Disability Management Program
This session will answer questions such as:
- What is disability management?
- What elements make up a best practice disability management program
- What are the legislative requirements
- What tools are available to assist with your program and other tips.
Reference and electronic links for forms and documents will be available to help you start to build your program.
Session Speakers
Connie Boldt
Connie is a partner in a consulting firm specializing in OHS management, including development and implementation of OHS management systems, audits and custom training. Her experience encompasses an environmental background and OHS work with a wide range of industries including health care, transportation, construction, manufacturing, petro-chemical, municipalities, education, and government.
OHS Performance Indicators
What doesn’t get measured doesn’t get done! To implement and maintain a strong, meaningful OHS management system specific OHS performance indicators need to be identified, monitored and analyzed. More than WCB data and statistics are required to effectively manage OHS programs and promote informed decision making. Examples of OHS performance indicators and summary reports for various organizational levels will be discussed.
Money, Ethics, & OHS Leadership
Board members, executive and senior managers have a critical role to ensure an effective, successful OHS management system is in place in their organizations. Human, financial and legal factors are considered, the importance of executive and senior management involvement, and actions to demonstrate a strong OHS leadership.
Debra DeWaal
Debra deWaal is a former Calgary Police Officer and is now the owner of Safe & Sound Safety Training & Consulting Ltd. Debra’s 10 year career with CPS included 3 years undercover work in auto theft, stolen property and vice. Debra also spent numerous years working on the street as a uniformed officer. Debra is a professional member of Canadian Association of Professional Speakers and has been developing and facilitating Mental Toughness, Personal Safety and Conflict Management Training to Canadian citizens since 1995.
Be Safe Not Sorry
A dynamic presentation on Personal Safety In one dynamic session, learn how to handle the ultimate “what if”. Debra deWaal will share her experiences in an informative, high energy and humorous way. Learn what types of crime are occurring in our society and how to safely prevent and manage any potentially dangerous situation for you and your family. This session will give you the mental and physical tools to be safe in a verbal or physical conflict.
Don Voaklander
Don Voaklander holds a bachelor of physical education (with distinction) from the University of Alberta, an MSc (epidemiology) from Queen’s University and a PhD (Physical Education), also from the University of Alberta. He is a professor in the School of Public.
Dr. Voaklander is primarily interested in injury prevention. He currently is the director of the Alberta Centre for Injury Control & Research. His other areas of research interest include injury epidemiology, injury prevention, aging, farm injury and linked health data.
Resident Lifting Study
Alberta has a wide variety of assistive lifting equipment, including electric beds, transfer belts, low-friction transfer sheets, mechanical floor lifts including sit to stand lifts, and ceiling lifts. Ceiling lifts are being widely incorporated into many of the newer long term care facilities in both Alberta and across Canada. This study was conducted in two phases, with the first phase involving an online survey that was distributed to all members of the Alberta Continuing Care Association. The second phase included site visits to a group of randomly selected facilities that responded to the phase one survey. Facilities for phase two were grouped into facilities that had ceiling lifts and facilities that did not have ceiling lifts. The findings of the study have resulted in 16 recommendations many of which have been align with the No Unsafe Lift Workbook published by Worksafe Alberta.
Injury in Alberta
Dr. Voaklander will give advice on how staff and families can avoid some of the major causes of injury at work or at home. This session will profile the Alberta Centre for Injury Control and Research (ACICR), share with you the magnitude of Alberta’s current injury problem and show how you can make Alberta a safe place to live, work, learn and play.
Ergonomic Building and Design Discussion Panel
This panel session will discuss issues with ergonomic design of long term care facilities that impacts the daily tasks of staff. The views of an interior designer, architect, and builder will provide insight into the challenges that they face during renovations, expansions, and development of new facilities. Discussions will be regarding bariatrics, fall protection legislation, layout to accommodate equipment and staff efficiency.
David Hamilton
David Hamilton has been a registered Alberta architectural consultant since 1971, joining the firm of GMH Architects in 1976 after having worked as lead architectural designer in the consortium which developed as the Commonwealth Stadium and other facilities for the Commonwealth Games. As Past President of the Alberta Building Envelope Council, and one of the original members, David Hamilton has years of experience with sharing the innovations which have been developed in envelope technology, both for durability and for upgrading traditional buildings.
Edward Gooch
E. F. Gooch Architects Inc. has been located in Edmonton since 1977. The firm has been working in association with GMH Architects since 2001. Edward Gooch, principal, has had a successful general architectural practice since the founding in 1977. The firm has been involved in the design of schools, institutional oriented projects, commercial, industrial, warehouses and residential projects.
Mary Gerrard
Mary Gerrard is a principal interior designer at Interscape Interior Design. Mary holds a Bachelor of Interior Design from the University of Manitoba and is LEED accredited professional. Mary’s experience spans a variety of projects ranging from the corporate offices, institutions, hospitality, health services and retail. Her work at Interscape has earned multiple awards including the Bronze Award for the Interscape Offices, the Silver Award for the Boardroom Spa and the Teknion Furniture Systems Award of Excellence for the Davies Transit Garage.
Paul Polson
Paul is a prominent figure in western Canada’s architectural and construction world. He is an architect by profession, and is currently the Vice-President of Stuart Olson Dominion Construction; one of Canada’s largest construction management firms, which he joined in 2001. Prior to this time, he was a partner in an architectural practice for 22 years. Throughout his career, Paul has been involved in a number of long term care facility projects throughout Alberta, including the St. Michael’s Health Centre, Edith Cavell Care Centre, Bethany Care Facilities and the Red Deer & Sylvan Lake Care homes. Paul’s innovative and forward-thinking mentality, combined with his passion for community development and care for the people whose lives his work affects, makes him a valuable member of every long-term care project that he works on.
Sheldon Fall
Sheldon Fall is a graduate engineer who has been involved in the construction industry for the past 30 years. During the past 10 years, his primary endeavours have been in the development of Care Housing in Western Canada. Through MPM Project Management (1995) Ltd. Sheldon has developed for himself as well as outside clients Assisted Living, DAL, enhanced DAL, brain injury, nursing, dementia and early on-set dementia. Sheldon’s passion in the industry is the re-purposing of building such as schools into care housing and his current projects include: Manoir du Lac – McLennan (www.integratedlifecare.ca) and Balwin Villa (www.excelsociety.org/news_balwin.html)
Gary Zimmermann
Gary is an associate with McLennan Ross whose practice focuses on commercial litigation, insurance law, occupational health and safety and municipal law. He is one of the few lawyers in Canada to have extensive experience as an Independent Supervising Solicitor and Counsel of Record for parties in Anton Piller Orders.
Gary has significant experience as lead counsel on numerous, multi-party, "high-stakes" litigation files and has pursued and defended numerous complex litigious files involving contractual disputes, commercial landlord & tenant matters as well as product liability cases.
He has delivered seminars to various corporations and professional peer groups including the Legal Education Society of Alberta, the Canadian Defence Lawyers and the Canadian Bar Association and written articles for a variety of industry publications including Canadian Underwriter and Claims Canada.
Occupational Health and Safety in the Medical Health Sector - Government Initiatives and How They Affect Medical Professionals
Gary has authored articles and in his practice, focuses on OHS matters in the medical sector. He represents some large medical organizations. He would like to speak on the current official mandate of the Alberta Government which "targets" the health sector. It further targets certain employers in that sector. He would provide practical tips and traps for both employers and workers.
Linda Norton
Linda is an Occupational Therapist who has been working in the area of seating and mobility for over 15 years. She is a co-author of the Canadian Association of Wound Care Best Practice Recommendations for Pressure Ulcers, and was a review team member for the Registered Nurses Association Guidelines for the Assessment and Treatment of Stage I-IV Pressure Ulcers. As a faculty member at two Ontario Universities and at the Canadian Association of Wound Care Institute she is committed to staying current, and sharing her knowledge and experience. She has completed her Masters of Science in Community Health with a focus on wound prevention and treatment at University of Toronto and has presented numerous workshops across North America. Linda is the Rehabilitation Education Coordinator with Shoppers Home Health Care.
Safe Client Handling Techniques
This hands-on presentation will equip attendees with techniques which can be used to ease the potential for caregiver injury when completing the following day to day tasks:
- Repositioning Residents in Bed
- Demonstration of the proper use of slider sheets including application and removal techniques.
- Repositioning Residents in Wheelchairs
- Sling Application in Bed
- Techniques demonstrated will show how a sling can be applied beneath a resident easily with no rolling of resident required.
- Sling Application in Wheelchair
- Techniques to place a sling behind a resident with the use of a slider sheet to reduce the risk of caregiver injury.
The focus of our products and services is very much related to reducing injuries for staff within long term care and assisted living facilities. There are many quick and simple techniques which can be implemented in any facility which can help to reduce the risk of worker injury.
Cindy Poole
Cindy Poole graduated from McMaster University with a Bachelor of Health Sciences degree in Physiotherapy After graduating she worked in general hospital settings rotating betwn medical/geriatric wards, ICU , orthopaedic post op wards and cardio-respiratory care. She then began working in private practice with a mainly orthopaedic caseload. After receiving a Certificate in Sports Physiotherapy she worked at several major events including Canada Games, FISU/Universiade Games, and Winter Olympic Games. She has travelled internationally with the National Figure Skating team including events such as Skate Canada, Skate America and the World Championships. Cindy has been a therapist with LifeMark Health for many years and lives in Calgary. In recent years educating physicians and other health care practitioners, insurers and employers has become the focus of her career.
Fitting in Fitness Seminar
Busy schedules, many commitments...finding it hard to fit in regular formal physical activity everyday. Find out how to improve your health by adding more activity to your day. Learn how to include strength, flexibility and endurance exercises into your busy schedule that work.
Richard Gerow
Richard is a full time health and safety practitioner in long term care, and has more than 20 years of experience in the safety field. He has worked in almost every continent, including the high arctic, central Africa, Europe, and every single province in Canada. In past careers, he has been a NATO air traffic controller, a combat medic, a fire fighter, a paramedic, and has liaised with the Transportation Safety Board dealing with aviation crashes as well as with the federal government post 9-11 regarding airport security. Richard says that of all the surprising things that he has seen and heard, nothing was more surprising than at age 45 finding out he was going to be a father again. Today, Richard works for Extendicare as their Manager of OH&S, Western Operations, and lives in Leduc with his wife and 6 year old son AJ.
Humour In Safety
As soon as you mention “safety training” in your building, people start running for the doors. Let’s face it, it’s not the most exciting thing to listen to. Humour in Safety is a session designed to demonstrate how to energize a safety discussion, regardless of size or target audience. This stimulating program will look at many different aspects of safety and give some on the ground, practical tools for people to use when designing safety related training. Be prepared to laugh.
Teri Spohr
Teri Spohr has been with WCB-Alberta for 19 years. In her current role as Account Manager, she provides quality proactive services in disability management and training to employers. She has extensive knowledge of WCB Customer Service policies, procedures, WCB legislation and business/industry practices and trends. She actively works with employers and employer associations in the areas of risk management focusing on injury prevention and disability management resulting in safe and early return to productive employment.
Tips for a Better Disability Management Program
This session will answer questions such as:
- What is disability management?
- What elements make up a best practice disability management program
- What are the legislative requirements
- What tools are available to assist with your program and other tips.
Reference and electronic links for forms and documents will be available to help you start to build your program.