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Home > News > Vol. XLIII, No.3, July 1999 > Did you know?  

Did you know?

Medical standards for commercial drivers in Canada and the US are similar with the exception that in the US, drivers are unable to hold a commercial licence if they are insulin-dependent diabetics, have monocular vision, hearing impaired or epileptic on anti-convulsive medication. Effective March 30, 1999, Canadian drivers with these medical conditions are not permitted to drive a commercial motor vehicle in the US under a new reciprocal agreement.
Ontario Ministry of Transportation notice, March 8, 1999

Every day in the United States, 17 workers go to work and never return home. Yet only about 30 per cent of US employers have workplace safety and health programs in place.
US Newswire/US Labor Secretary Statement on Worker Memorial Day, April 26, 1999

Statistics recently released by the Department of Justice show that progressive gun control measures over the last few decades have made a difference. The overall firearm death rate in Canada dropped to 3.8 per 100,000 in 1996, compared to 5.2 in 1970. (The US has the highest firearm death rate in the developed world, at 13.7.) Firearm suicides dropped from 911 in 1995 to 881 in 1996. Firearms deaths reached a peak of 1,716 in 1978, compared to a low of 1,131 in 1996.
Statistics Canada, Causes of Death, Firearms Deaths, 1970-1996

An electronic sensor system, developed by General Motors, which will automatically open the trunk of a car if it detects the presence of a person trapped inside will be made standard equipment on the 2000 model year Chevrolet Impala. The system is expected to become standard equipment on all GM cars by model year 2002.
General Motors of Canada Limited announcement, June 8, 1999

Sunscreens have not been proven to prevent melanoma, the deadliest skin cancer. But they do prevent sunburn and therefore some of the damage that is linked to skin cancers. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with avobenzone (also called Parsol 1789) and an SPF of 15, and apply it half an hour before going into the sun. The most effective protection against skin cancers is to stay out of the sun.
The Globe and Mail, May 25, 1999

The safest city in Canada is St. John's, Newfoundland, according to a survey by Dr. Evelyn Vingilis of the Population and Community Health Unit at the University of Western Ontario. St. John's had the lowest rates of intentional and unintentional (injury) deaths and the second lowest crime rate out of 24 cities. Canada's second safest city? Toronto.
Chatelaine magazine, April 1999

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