MINERVA 2020 E-NEWSLETTER

• President’s Message
• Minerva Forges Ahead with its Online Modules
• Minerva’s Webinar Series
• Student Awards
  • Inter Collegiate Business Competition
  • James Ham Safe Design Award
• Cancelled Activities, Social Media
• In Memoriam
• Meet our Minerva Board and Volunteers
• We Applaud our Sponsors and Partners

Be sure to check out our website!
www.safetymanagementeducation.com

We all know 2020 was a year of the Covid-­‐19 pandemic like no other and, for many around the world, the loss of their loved ones. It has proven to be a very difficult and challenging year financially for many individuals and organizations around the world. Despite the adversities created from Covid-­‐19, hopefully we can look back at our accomplishments and be thankful for continued good health. Minerva is also very grateful to all our sponsors who responded in dealing with the pandemic with their own personnel and who assisted their communities, hospitals, long-­‐term care facilities, etc. with PPE, sanitizers and emergency equipment. It was truly gratifying to see all this assistance.

Given the downturn this year in our Canadian economy, the financial challenges remain significant and are particularly challenging for not-­‐profit organizations like Minerva Canada. For Minerva, the pandemic led to reduced sponsorship funding, loss of in-­‐ person activities with post-­‐secondary academia and less than anticipated revenues from its new online Health and Safety courses and modules. These factors led Minerva to reduce its program administration expenses and reduce its program activities in order to focus its resources on continued development, marketing of its online H&S courses and its webinar program.

You can get details and find out more of our 2020 activities and educational resources in the following pages. Our continued success this year despite the pandemic is a reflection of the hard work, endless assistance and support from our many volunteers from industry, government, academia and H&S professional associations who make up our Board of Directors and Working Groups. I am also very grateful to our sponsors whose continued support and financial assistance make our initiatives at Minerva Canada possible. Without this support, Minerva would not exist as an organization.

In closing, let me offer to all our readers’ best wishes for a safe, healthy and Happy New Year.

As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions by contacting me at minerva@safetymanagementeducation.com.

A.E. Pasteris
Chairman and President
Minerva Canada Safety Management Education Inc.

PANDEMIC YEAR 2020 IN REVIEW

Minerva Forges Ahead with its Online Health and Safety Courses and Modules

Minerva has finally reaped the benefits of its hard work since 2018 to develop online H&S courses, modules for post-­‐secondary students. In 2020, it successfully launched its second online course providing access to over 5,000 engineering students with its first two online courses and 13 modules. Although delayed by the pandemic, development work on Course 300 progressed well in 2020. The course with its seven modules is expected to be launched in February 2021. Funding is now needed to allow Minerva to begin development work on Course 400.

We currently have five institutions and organizations including a professional engineering association with 16,000 members who plan to access the courses in 2021. Discussions are continuing with fourteen other universities and colleges on a possible Licensing Agreement, allowing one or more of their departments to access the modules for their students. The transition to online teaching has created challenges, an immense workload and diversion of resources within post-­‐secondary academia. This has caused delays as a result for institutions to review Minerva’s online courses.

The following is a summary of Minerva’s first three courses and its 20 modules.

Course 100

This course provides an overview of health and safety in the workplace, focusing on specific hazards engineers may encounter in their workplaces and ways to manage these hazards.
The course is divided into six different modules that can be completed in any order.

• The Introduction to Health and Safety module discusses the importance of safe workplace practices, health and safety legislation, and the role of employers and employees in ensuring workplace safety.
• In the Hazard and Risk Controls module, we explore the relationship between hazard and risk, and look at the controls we can use to reduce the level of risk in the workplace.
• In the Electrical Hazards and Controls module, we delve into the dangers of electricity, electrical hazards, and controls for managing these hazards.
• In the Fire Hazards and Controls module, we look at fire hazards, flammability parameters, and controls that target each element of the fire triangle.
• The Height Hazards and Controls module discusses the hazards of working at heights and ways to ensure workers’ safety in those situations.
• In the Lab Hazards and Controls module, we review some safety incidents that have occurred in laboratories, the hazards encountered by students and workers in the lab, and the elements of an effective laboratory safety program.

Course 200

In this course, we revisit some of the topics discussed in Course 100 and introduce some new concepts, focusing on hazard identification, risk assessment, and risk management.

This course is divided into seven modules that can be completed in any order.

• The Hazard Identification module explores the nature of hazards, as well as the relationship between energy sources and hazards. It also examines some of the techniques used for hazard identification.
• In the Risk Assessment and Management module, we discuss the importance of managing risk. Additionally, we review the steps of the risk assessment process and the components of a well-­‐thought-­‐out risk management plan.
• In the Legislation, Codes and Standards module, we take a look at the legal side of Occupational Health and Safety, beginning with a brief overview of the Canadian legal system before focusing on OHS legislation and the legislation governing professional engineers.
• The Mental Health in the Workplace and Academia module addresses the importance of mental health for students and employees, as well as key psychosocial risk factors that affect mental health on the job.
• In the Leadership and Management Systems module, we discuss safety management systems and compare how different industries approach it. We also illustrate the importance of having an effective safety management system in place.
• The Incident Investigation module introduces the topic of investigating safety incidents. It defines key terms and describes some techniques used, the reporting procedure, and the importance of following up.
• In the Professional Engineering Ethics module, we engage in a discussion of the professional engineers’ Code of Ethics, including the intent behind the code and the importance of complying with it.

Course 300

In this course, we will build on the concepts and topics discussed in Course 100 and Course 200. This time, we will look at those concepts in greater detail.

The course is divided into seven modules that can be completed in any order.

• In the Hazard Identification ̶ A Continuation from Course 200 module, we explore hazard identification and different hazard sources in more detail, giving you the opportunity to identify hazards in the presented scenarios.
• The Risk Assessment and Hazard Control module discusses commonly used risk assessment tools and how the Hierarchy of Controls can be applied to different hazards.
• In the Codes, Standards and Regulations Overview module, we examine different codes and standards in engineering practice, due diligence and licensing requirements, as well as non compliance to legal requirements.
• The Incorporating Safety into Engineering Design module demonstrates how to incorporate safety considerations during the design stage.
• In the Human Factors module, we explore what role human factors play in workplace incidents and learn design principles that we can use to address human factors and ergonomics.
• The Business Case for Safety: The Role of Engineers and Leaders module discusses the economic impact of workplace incidents and emphasizes the importance of having effective safety management systems.
• The Applying Professional Engineering Ethics module reviews the professional engineering Code of Ethics and presents several case studies to deepen your understanding of professional ethics.

Minerva’s Webinar Series Continues to Grow and be a Huge Success

Minerva’s webinar planning committee continued its great work by conducting three webinars in 2020 in conjunction with its partners, the Conference Board of Canada, the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering and Workplace Safety & Prevention Services. The one-­‐hour webinars continue to generate huge participation with 125-­‐160 participants in each of the 2020 webinars.

This year’s webinars focused on three different topics:

“Adapting Your Workplace to the Persistent Pandemic”.

Presentations were made by Robert Schulz from the University of Calgary and Kim Gould, Canada Post and both who are Minerva Board members.
When: November 2020.

“Leading Indicators – Using Your Data to Enhance Your Future OHS Performance”.

Presentations were made by Wendy Tobin, Corteva Agriscience and a Minerva Board member and Chris Banbury, NOVA Chemicals.
When: June 2020.

“Keeping Youth and Vulnerable Workers Safe in the New Economy”.

Presentations were made by Ron Kelusky, Ontario Ministry of Labour, Skills and Training Development and George Marshall, Service Hospitality in Saskatchewan and a Minerva Board member.
When: March 2020.

Webinar presentations can be found on Minerva’s website: www.safetymanagementeducation.com.

Based on the very positive feedback received from participants, Minerva Canada is committed to continue with its webinar series in a way that provides our sponsors an academic stakeholder with practical quality and experiential information in as little time as possible.

Student Awards and Projects are Impacted by Covid-­‐19:

a) Inter Collegiate Business Competition 2020

Over thirty business schools from Canada, USA, Europe and Asia participated in the preliminary round for this competition. In January 2020, members of the Minerva Canada Board of Directors judged the six finalists in the Human Resources Venue of the competition that involved the analysis of a case study focused on next steps to deal with a small company’s growth with a virtual workforce. Minerva Canada wishes to congratulate the student teams from the University of Calgary, Okanagan College and Concordia University for placing in the top three positions respectively within the Human Resources Venue. The presentations were judged by Minerva Board members Deborah McPhee, Lynn Smith, Wendy Tobin, Marcel Pouliot and Tony Pasteris.

(left to right) Deborah McPhee, Lynn Smith, Wendy Tobin, Marcel Pouliot & Tony Pasteris

 
ICBC case studies sponsored by Minerva Canada in past competitions are on the Minerva Canada website (www.safetymanagementeducation.com)

The 2020-­‐21 in-­‐person ICBC Competition was cancelled due to Covid-­‐19 and replaced with a virtual competition. As a result, Minerva Canada decided to forego the 2021 competition. A Minerva Board committee has been established to investigate a new business student competition for 2022.

b) Minerva Canada James Ham Safe Design Competition – 2020

The annual award challenges Canadian university engineering students and college students in technology programs to make an original contribution toward integrating safety into engineering design. The original deadline date of April 13th was extended to September 1st due to Covid-19.

Ryerson University – Wendy Ampadu, Ray Diezmos, Jeremy Hylob & Hassan Malik

 
The team of Wendy Ampadu, Ray Diezmos, Jeremy Hyslob, Hassan Malik, engineering undergraduate students from Ryerson University clinched First Prize in the 2020.

Minerva Canada James Ham Safe Design Engineering Student Awards contest for incorporating new safety design features at asphalt loading facilities owned and operated by a large Canadian asphalt company. The team’s design project addressed overfilling, loading arm and loading rack issues that included new technology, all of which would significantly enhance the safety of drivers loading hot asphalt. The team’s design submission was accepted for publication in an international Mechanical Engineering journal along with an invitation for the student team to present their project at 5 international conferences.

York University – Qi Zou, Xueling Luo & Shuo Zhang

 
The team of Qi Zou, Xueling Luo and Shuo Zhang from York University’s Lassonde School of Engineering took second prize in the Minerva Canada 2020 competition. They designed a novel shock absorber that can be attached between a power tractor and impact rollers used to compress soil for new construction sites, roads etc. The shock absorber significantly reduces the vibration experienced by operators of this equipment, thereby reducing the potential for serious injuries.

The winning team was awarded the first prize of $2,000 while the runner‐up team received $500. . These Minerva awards are normally presented at the WSPS Partners in Prevention Conference in Mississauga, Ontario and cancelled this Spring due to the pandemic. The students were recognized at a November virtual meeting of Minerva’s Board of Directors as well as during Minerva’s webinar in November.

It’s unlikely this Minerva competition will be carried out in 2021 due to cancellation of in-­‐person winter classes. Minerva ‘s Board is assessing a different engineering student competition for 2022.

Social Media

In a continuing effort to heighten awareness of Minerva’s mission and educational efforts, we remain diligent in building our network of LinkedIn followers. From an initial base of approximately 70 followers, we have achieved in excess of 450 followers at present. As we continue to grow this base with relevant postings, we will branch out to other social platforms such as Twitter or Instagram.

Similarly, Minerva held its first virtual meeting this past year with notable success and strong attendance.

Minerva Canada Board Meeting

Several Minerva Activities Cancelled in 2020

The COVID-­‐19 pandemic prevented Minerva to reach out to its stakeholders as several of its activities were cancelled by the host teaching institution or organization. These included

1. Spring 2020 Learning Forum
2. Student Safety Seminar
3. Engineering Student Projects and Case Studies
4. World Safety Congress Presentation

In Memoriam

The Minerva community and its many volunteers were deeply saddened with the passing away of Frank Saunders on July 4, 2020. Frank recently retired from Bruce Power as Vice President, Nuclear Oversight and Regulatory Affairs and then took on the role of President of the Ontario Nuclear Innovation Institute.

Frank was associated with Minerva for 15 years, having joined Minerva’s Board of Directors in 2006. He truly has been a great ambassador for Minerva and a great contributor for the organization in so many ways. He provided annual sponsorship for Minerva from Bruce Power including special funding for our Teaching and Online H&S Modules. He was also involved in delivering class seminars and Learning Forums for Minerva, developing the Radiation Safety teaching module, case studies and being involved as a judge in so many of our ICBC business student competitions. He truly enjoyed the competitions, the university, college environment and interacting with professors and students. He was a true nuclear safety leader for Ontario and Canada and instrumental in establishing what we have now today in Ontario with the CEO Health + Safety Leadership Network.

He will be truly missed by all of his friends at Minerva.

Meet our Board and many volunteers

Vice President and Secretary-­‐Treasurer Change Roles

With the retirement of Larry Masotti from the WSPS and a new working position for Peter Sturm, Minerva’s Board approved switching their roles as officers of the corporation by appointing Larry Masotti as Vice President and Peter Sturm as Secretary
–Treasurer. A big word of thanks for the long-­‐standing support and help provided by both Larry and Peter in assisting the President with Minerva’s day to day activities.

A Special Thanks to Graeme Norval

Graeme Norval from the University of Toronto has announced his intention to retire in 2021. Graeme has been an outstanding Minerva ambassador for Minerva over the last 10 years and was instrumental in advancing Minerva’s Student award/seminars, Learning Forum, Teaching Modules and online course activities. Throughout his involvement with Minerva, he was always prepared to promote the importance of Health and Safety education with his fellow professors and how to incorporate Minerva’s teaching materials in the engineering curriculum. A big word of thanks goes out to Graeme from all of us at Minerva.
Bruno Korst from the Electrical Engineering Department at U of T is replacing Graeme. We are pleased that Graeme has agreed to continue as a member of Minerva’s Working Group.

Minerva welcomes new Board members and says thanks to others

Minerva welcomes to its Board Lisa Hallsworth (CEO Rillea Technologies, Belleville, Ontario), Melanie Tremblay (HSE Partner, Rio Tinto Alcan, Jonquiere, Quebec), Bruno Korst (Electrical Engineering University of Toronto), George Marshall (CEO Service Hospitality, Regina, Saskatchewan) and Deirdre O’Reilly (President Canadian Society of Safety Engineering, Nova Scotia)
Along with Graeme Norval, we extend a heartfelt thank you to outgoing Board Members David Turner (past BCRSP Chair, President Turner Safety Systems) and Trevor Johnson (Past President Canadian Society of Safety Engineering, Alberta)

Meet Minerva’s Board of Directors

• Chairman and President: Anthony Pasteris – Retired from Imperial Oil Limited
• Vice President: Larry Masotti – Retired and Former Director Strategic Relations, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services
• Secretary-­‐Treasurer: Peter Sturm – Grainger Safety and Past President, Canadian Society of Safety Engineering
• Minerva Meeting Coordinator: Simona Mazat – Workplace Safety & Prevention Services
• Robin Angel – BCRSP Vice Chair and Regional Director, Nova Scotia Government OHS LAE
• Sue Bruning – Adjunct Professor Univ. Victoria and retired Business Professor at I.H. Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba
• Andrew Cooper – Past President, Canadian Society of Safety Engineering, and Lead EHS System Planning, Development, Dept. of Environmental, Health & Safety, University of Alberta
• Kim Gould – Manager Health and Safety, Canada Post, Ontario
• Jules Artnz-­‐Gray – Director OHS Branch, Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development
• Lisa Hallsworth – CEO, Rillea Technologies, Belleville, Ontario
• Anis Haque – Electrical, Computer Engineering Professor, University of Calgary
• Bill Holmes – Vice President Academic and former Dean, Faculty of Management, Royal Roads University, Victoria, BC
• Bruno Korst – Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Toronto
• George Marshall – CEO, Service Hospitality, Regina, Saskatchewan
• Iain McNab – Chair Engineering Technology and Architectural Studies, George Brown College
• Deirdre O’Reilly – President of Canadian Society of Safety Engineering, Nova Scotia
• Vic Pakalnis – Retired and Former President and CEO, MIRARCO Mining Innovation, Laurentian University, Ontario
Ron Pelot – Assoc. Dean COOP, Faculty of Engineering, Dalhousie University, N.S.
• Sandro Perruzza – CEO, Ontario Society of Professional Engineers
• Don Petkau – Professor, Faculty of Engineering, University of Manitoba
• Marcel Pouliot – IQ Trucking Consultant, Retired VP -­‐ Trimac Transportation Services LP, Alberta
• Marc Rosen – Professor and Founding Dean, University of Ontario Institute of Technology
• Robert Schultz – Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary, Alberta
• Lynn Smith – Engineering Workplace Safety Leader, General Motors of Canada, Ontario
• Wendy Tobin – Senior EHS Consultant, Corteva Agriscience, Kingston, Ontario
• Melanie Tremblay – HSE Partner, Rio Tinto Alcan, Jonquiere, Quebec

Meet Minerva’s Working Group Members

• Syed Ahmed – Retired from Imperial Oil Limited
• Susan Baka – Bay Communications
• Shahzad Barghi – Western University
• Jeffrey Castrucci – University of Toronto
• Renzo Dalla Via – Retired from WSPS
• Seyed Goosheh – Fanshawe College
• Brenda Henry – Fanshawe College
• Manny Marta – Retired from NOVA Chemicals
• Dave Meston – Retired Consultant
• Graeme Norval – University of Toronto
• Doug Ruth – Retired from University of Manitoba
• Ed Secnik – York University
• Gord Winkel – University of Alberta

We Applaud our Sponsors and Academic Partners

It is with deep gratitude that we acknowledge all our current and past sponsors and close working partners.

University and College Supporters of Learning Forums – Financial and/or In-Kind Support

Minerva Canada Safety Management Education Inc.
5110 Creekbank Road, Suite 300
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
L4W 0A1
Tel: 1 877 494 9777 ext 2138
Email: minerva@safetymanagementeducation.com
Website: www.safetymanagementeducation.com