First Aid Support

This resouce page is for all First Aid related content what you will find in this section:

• WCB and WorkSafe BC Reporting Guidelines.

• Policies and Injury Management

• Field staff seeking First Aid Information.

• Designated First Aid Attendant Forms.

WCB and WorkSafe Reporting

If an incident occurs in Alberta you must report to WCB

Quick Guide for WCB Reporting - 

You need to submit a report to WCB if the accident results in, or is likely to result in:

• lost time or the need to temporarily or permanently modify work beyond the date of accident,

• death or permanent disability (amputation, hearing loss, etc.),

• a disabling or potentially disabling disease or condition caused by occupational exposure or activity (such as a mental health concern, poisoning, infection, respiratory disease, dermatitis etc.),

• the need for medical or mental health treatment beyond first aid (assessment by physician, psychologist or mental health provider, physiotherapist, chiropractor, etc.) or

• incurring medical aid expenses (dental treatment, eyeglass repair or replacement, prescription medications, etc.).

WCB Reporting Guidelines for Employers and Employees

Reporting Guide 

If an incident occurs in British Columbia you must report to Work Safe BC (WSBC)

Quick Guide for WorkSafe BC Reporting - 

You need to submit a report to WSBC if the accident results in:

• You must immediately report serious incidents and fatalities. Employers are also required to report any workplace injury or disease within 72 hours of the incident, if the worker missed time from work or required medical attention beyond first aid in the workplace.

• You can submit a report even if you don't have all the details of the incident yet.

WSBC Reporting Guidelines for Employers and Employees

Reporting Guide 

First Aid Policies and Injury Management

At Shakti we want everyone to be safe at work and come home happy and healthy, and we realize this is not always the case. We have and are continuing to develope our first aid and injury management programs to support our staff when health challenges arise and to supprt them to a faster and more complete recovery as best we are able.

If you would like to see our complete first aid policies they can be found here.

When health challenges do arise and work can no loner be continued as before we have several assistance programs to help staff rest and recover. Shakti has an Injury Day Rate program that offers staff $160/Day to stay home and rest as well as Shakti has a modified work program for staff who are able to continue working, however, are no longer able to perform their regular duties.

Injury Day Rate is included in your short term service agreement and is calculated off an 8 hour day of work at the alberta minimum wage standard + $40 SWA. We offer this to anyone who requires rest days at home to help ease the mental strain of missing work. Injury Day Rate is offered by the HR Department based on the First Aid Report.

Modified Work is still under development at this time, given the small nature of shakti and the specific work we do our options for meaningful modified work are limited, however, some options that currently exist are tasks such as Joining the Checking Team and Delivery Driving and Pick Up. Modified work is decided by the injured staff member and the HR Department at the time of the incident and based on what is appropriate for the situation.

If you would like to learn more about our Injury Management Policy it can be found here.

First Aid Information, Procedures and Programs

If you are injured at work it is your responsibilty to report it immediately to your Designated First Aid Attendant (DFA). There will be a on each main crew with a valid OFA Level 3 certification and the relevant first aid equipment to support you. All OFA's carry a Zoleo device for satellite communication in the event of an emergency at a remote workplace.

Your DFA will help to treat your injury to the best of their knowledge and skill set. If your require medical attention beyond first aid you will be taken to the nearest emergency medical centre for support. In the event that emergency medical care is not needed you are welcome to resource our TELUS Virtual Care Health Service, available to all Shakti Field Staff.

TELUS Virtual Care

Contact: 

Total Physio and Tendonitis / Inflammation

Tendonitis along with general pain, inflammation and discomfort are common symptoms of the repertative strain tree planting puts on the body. Anyone experiencing physical pain, inflammation or discomfort at work. we believe that EARLY intervention is BEST and encourage all staff to STOP work at the first sign of pain, inflammation or discomfort (PID)

If you are experiencing PID:

• Stop work and tell your DFA.

• Make sure you are hydrating with electrolytes.

• Rest well.

• Ask for a Total Physio Virtual Consultation to help with prevention.

• Rest on Injury Day Rate or use Modified Duties the following day.

Total Physiotherapy is a specialized team of Physiotherapists who have performed research analysis on tree planting and its most common injuries. The team has created a wide catalogue of resources for injury prevention and management. Their goal is to help you maximize your quality of life and assist you in achieving your best possible health. Everyone can benefit from physiotherapy treatment whether you are living with a chronic illness, recovering from a sporting injury or work injury, or suffering from a minor muscle strain. 

Total physio is available to anyone who needs it. Consultations can be arranged via your DFA.

First Aid Assessments (FAA)

The First Aid Assessment Form is a project and daily responsibility of the designated first aid attendant. These forms will serve as a projects first aid risk assessment, as well as outline the general Emergency Response Plan. Each time the crew plans to work at a new site the DFA must update the FAA and ERP to reflect the current working conditions of the day.