October 2021 - Wilfrid Laurier University Staff Association

Fuel-burning appliances should be inspected annually: Waterloo Fire Rescue

October 27, 2021/in Did you know?/by Tracy Cochrane

That’s part of their message ahead Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week, which is the first week of November

Ontario’s Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week runs from November 1-7, and Waterloo Fire Rescue reminds you to prevent carbon monoxide (CO) in your home by getting all fuel-burning appliances inspected annually.

“In Ontario, more than 65% of injuries and deaths from CO occur in the home,” says Fire Chief Richard Hepditch. “We want to make sure everyone is safe from CO. Get all fuel-burning appliances inspected by a registered contractor.” Visit www.cosafety.ca to find a registered contractor near you.

Waterloo Fire Rescue also reminds you to install CO alarms in your home if you have a fuel-burning appliance, a fireplace or an attached garage. Fuel-burning appliances can include furnaces, hot water heaters, gas or wood fireplaces, portable fuel-burning heaters and generators, barbeques, stoves and vehicles.

“You must have a working CO alarm adjacent to each sleeping area if your home has a fuel-burning appliance, a fireplace or an attached garage as per the Ontario Fire Code,” adds Hepditch. “For added protection, install a carbon monoxide alarm on every storey of the home according to manufacturer’s instructions.”

If you live in a condo or apartment building with a service room, CO alarms must be installed in the service room and adjacent to each sleeping area of all homes above, below and beside the service room. In condo or apartment buildings that have a garage, CO alarms must be installed adjacent to each sleeping area of all homes above, below and beside the garage.

What is CO?

CO is known as the silent killer because it is an invisible, tasteless and odourless gas that can be deadly.
CO is produced when fuels such as propane, gasoline, natural gas, heating oil or wood do not burn completely in fuel-burning appliances and devices such as furnaces, gas or wood fireplaces, hot water heaters, stoves, barbeques, portable fuel-burning heaters and generators and vehicles.

Prevent CO in your home:

Ensure fuel-burning appliances, chimneys and vents are cleaned and inspected annually. Visit www.cosafety.ca to find a registered contractor near you.
Check that all outside appliance vents are not blocked.
Gas and charcoal barbeques should only be used outside, away from all doors, windows, vents, and other building openings. Never use barbeques inside garages, even if the garage doors are open.
Portable fuel-burning generators should only be used outdoors in well-ventilated areas away from windows, doors, vents and other building openings.
Ensure all portable fuel-burning heaters are vented properly, according to manufacturer’s instructions.
Never use the stove or oven to heat your home.
Open the flu before using a fireplace for adequate ventilation.
Never run a vehicle or other fueled engine or motor inside a garage, even if the garage doors are open. Always remove a vehicle from the garage immediately after starting it.

Know the symptoms of CO:

Exposure to CO can cause flu-like symptoms such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, as well as confusion, drowsiness, loss of consciousness and death.
If your CO alarm sounds, and you or other occupants suffer from symptoms of CO poisoning, get everyone out of the home immediately. Then call 9-1-1 or your local emergency services number from outside the building.
If your CO alarm sounds and no one is suffering from symptoms of CO poisoning, check to see if the battery needs replacing, or the alarm has reached its end-of-life before calling 9-1-1.

Know the sound of your CO alarm:

Your CO alarm sounds different than your smoke alarm. Test both alarms monthly and make sure everyone in your home knows the difference between the two alarm sounds.
Don’t be confused by the sound of your CO alarm’s low-battery warning. Follow your CO alarm manufacturer’s instructions so you know the difference between the low-battery warning, the end-of-life warning, and the alarm alerting you to the presence of CO in your home.

For more CO safety tips, please visit www.cosafety.ca .For additional information about fire and life safety, please visit the Waterloo Fire Rescue website at waterloo.ca/fire or our Twitter page @Waterloo_Fire.

Via Kitchener CityNews

B.C. Human Rights Tribunal tosses complaints against Henry, Horgan over COVID vaccine card

October 22, 2021/in Did you know?/by WLUSA

Tribunal says “large volume” of complaints and inquiries have also been thrown out

The B.C. Human Rights Tribunal has tossed two complaints aimed at B.C.’s provincial health officer and Premier over the provincial COVID-19 vaccine card.

Typically, the tribunal does not publish screening decisions, which are made to determine if a complaint can be heard. However, due to receiving a “large volume” of inquiries and complaints alleging that the vaccine card is discriminatory, it was determined to be in the public interest, according to tribunal documents.

The first complaint was filed against Dr. Bonnie Henry, alleging that the proof of vaccination program discriminated against the claimant on the basis of disability. The complainant claimed to have asthma and a case of pneumonia as a child. The claimant also stated that he “does not want your experimental vaccine”.

Ultimately, his complaint was tossed because he failed to establish a connection between having asthma and not being fully vaccinated. The U.S.-based Allergy and Asthma Network said it is safe for people with asthma to get a COVID-19 vaccination, as they have not had an immediate or severe allergic reaction to the vaccine or any of its ingredients.

The second complaint was filed against Premier John Horgan, alleging the vaccine card amounted to discrimination on the grounds of political belief.

Human Rights Tribunal chair Emily Ohler wrote that political belief is only a ground of discrimination in relation to employment, employment advertisements and membership in employment-related organizations like unions.

The complainant filed her complaint on behalf of not only herself but a class of “people who are opposed to being forced into getting the COVID‐19 vaccination and getting our basic human rights and freedoms stripped from us.”

While Ohler agreed that a genuinely held belief opposing government rules regarding vaccination could be a political belief within the Human Rights Code, “I stress that protection from discrimination based on political belief does not exempt a person from following provincial health orders or rules.”

Ohler dismissed the complaint as it failed to prove how political opposition to the vaccine card adversely impacted the claimant’s employment and referred only to the announcement of the B.C. vaccine card, not any orders requiring employees in certain professions to be vaccinated.

Veronica Martisius of the BC Civil Liberties Association told Black PRess Media that there has been a rise in people who “mistakenly” believe their human rights are being violated by public health orders.

“Simply feeling oppressed by the government because you’ve been asked to wear a mask in a store or provide proof of vaccination to access non-essential services isn’t an acceptable human rights complaint under B.C. Human Rights Code,” she said.

Meanwhile, people with a disability that prevents them from wearing a face mask have a right to reasonable accommodation.

“Reasonable accommodation may include serving a customer outside or providing an online delivery service. If reasonable accommodation is not provided to someone with a disability, that may amount to discrimination.”

The Office of the Human Rights Commissioner — a separate entity from the Human Rights Tribunal which exists to provide education, advocacy and policy around the B.C. Human Rights Code — said they have received more than 1,000 phone calls and over 4,000 emails related to the B.C. vaccine card since Aug. 28.

B.C. Human Rights Commissioner Kasari Govender said in a statement to Black Press Media that while she understands how people feel the vaccine card is a violation of their rights and that medical exemptions are a vital accommodation, she does not believe the program violates human rights.

“A person who chooses not to get vaccinated as a matter of personal preference — especially where that choice is based on misinformation or misunderstandings of scientific information — does not have grounds for a human rights complaint.”

Via Kelowna Capital News.

Do you need additional insurance when you host a party at your home? [via OTIP]

October 21, 2021/in OTIP/by WLUSA

Many people enjoy getting together with friends, family and colleagues for a backyard BBQ or holiday party. As options for public venues are limited due to COVID-19 restrictions, more Canadians may be turning to hosting smaller gatherings at their home that comply with their local COVID-19 guidelines for social distancing and gathering size. However, throwing a party at home brings liability risk to the host. If you are hosting a small gathering, it’s a good idea to review the risks involved and ensure you have the insurance coverage you need.

To learn more, visit www.otipinsurance.com/article77

What’s Up WLUSA: October

October 1, 2021/in Did you know?, Social/by Tracy Cochrane

With September at our backs, October is a great time to think about Professional Development. Check out how you can access WLUSA PD funding.

October is Laurier’s United Way Campaign Month. Stay tuned for more information and how you can support United Way Waterloo Region Communities!

Laurier’s Music at Noon series returns to in-person and online audiences. Beginning October 7, the program is able to welcome 50 audience members (first-come, first-served) into the Maureen Forrester Recital Hall. Audience members must be current Wilfrid Laurier University students, contract academic faculty, faculty or staff and present their OneCard ID to Performance Facilities Staff.

Staff and managers from all campuses are invited to register for the Intercultural Certificate, offered in collaboration between Laurier International, the Centre for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and the Office of Human Rights and Conflict Management. Registration is open until Monday, Oct. 18 and limited seats are available. All modules are being delivered remotely.

Key October Dates:

October 11: Thanksgiving Holiday; no classes.

October 12 to 15: Fall Reading Week.

Archive for month: October, 2021

Tribunal says “large volume” of complaints and inquiries have also been thrown out

Key October Dates:

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