Council News
The Canada Safety Council continuously identifies and addresses current and emerging safety issues.
Fire-safe Cigarettes
According to the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, during 1995-1999 at least 14,030 fires were started by smokers' materials. Those fires claimed 356 lives, injured 1,615 people and caused more than $200 million in property damage. To prevent these losses, the Canada Safety Council has long advocated regulations that require cigarettes to self-extinguish.
On October 1, 2005, Canada becomes the first country with a national standard to reduce the fire risk of cigarettes by enacting cigarette ignition propensity regulations. Bill C-260, An Act to amend the Hazardous Products Act (fire-safe cigarettes), requires all tobacco manufacturers to sell reduced ignition propensity (RIP) cigarettes.
Tasers
CSC’s president participated on the steering committee that provided advice and guidance to the Canadian Police Research Centre (CPRC) Board and Executive Director in the conduct of a taser safety study. A Review of Conducted Energy Devices was released in August 2005. The study supports the use of tasers/stun guns (conducted energy devices) and concludes their advantages far outweigh their dangers. It says the risks are low but manageable, but police and the public need to be more aware of these dangers.
The Canada Safety Council is now asking the CPRC to develop minimum national standards for their efficacy and safety. Relying completely on manufacturer’s specs, as is currently the case, is unaccepable.
Domestic Hot Water
In 2001, a Canadian Medical Association resolution urged that building and plumbing codes be amended to reduce settings on domestic hot water tanks to 49 C from the accepted 60 C standard, as a measure to prevent scald injuries. The Canada Safety Council expressed its concern that to minimize bacteria contamination, water must be stored at 60 C or higher.
In June 2005, the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes Standing Committee supported the recommendation of a task group to provide 49 C water to showers, baths and lavatories but maintain the hot water tank temperature at 60 C, noting, in line with CSC’s concern, that the risk of legionella exceeds that of scalding.
Hybrid Cars
Concerns have been expressed about the risks a collision involving a hybrid (gasoline-electric) vehicle may pose to first responders and emergency medical attendants. Possible hazards include the potential for electric shock and electrolyte spillage.
Transport Canada has tasked its network of university-based research teams to monitor collisions involving electric vehicles, including hybrids. The department is not aware of any injuries to first responders resulting from a hybrid vehicle crash, but is compiling relevant information from manufacturers, the fire service and others. The Canada Safety Council is tracking this issue.
Motor Vehicle Deaths and Injuries
Effective safety countermeasures are built on solid research and backed by valid statistics. The Canada Safety Council often challenges inaccurate information presented in the media. Misconceptions based on such reports can distort an issue and mislead the public, leading to demands for measures that are not justified when the facts are examined.
A Quebec report in July 2005 stated that fewer people are being killed but more are being crippled in road crashes: “Serious injuries are more and more becoming the staple of automotive carnage, despite fewer collisions and fatalities.” However, Transport Canada figures show serious injuries and fatalities did increase in 2002, but declined somewhat in 2003 while the number of collisions rose.
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