September 27, 2006

 Workplace Health and Safety Innovation Award
Three Quebec Companies Are Named Recipients!

Quebec City, September 27, 2006 – It is possible to prevent accidents and illnesses in the workplace and, in doing so, protect workers and even save lives!  By implementing innovative solutions in order to reduce risks in the workplace, 22 companies and public organizations in the regions of Portneuf and Quebec City have proven it.  Workers and employers from three of these companies particularly stood out in their efforts, which earned them each a Workplace Health and Safety Innovation Award.  Organized by the Workplace Health and Safety Board (Commission de la santé et de la sécurité du travail), this contest is aimed at rewarding prevention initiatives and spreading awareness about them.  Ingenious, effective, and easy to implement, these bright ideas can be borrowed by other companies in Quebec!

At Congébec, we have eliminated odours from ammonia!

The company Congébec, specialized in the refrigeration and freezing of food products, was named the winner in the Small and Medium Business category.  The cooling systems in its warehouses run on ammonia, and maintenance employees must regularly drain the used oils from these systems.  In doing so, they were exposed to ammonia fumes and were at risk of suffering severe mucous membrane irritation.  Two ingenious employees concerned about health and safety designed a simple and effective system.  It consists of a closed drainage circuit that uses a transparent plastic reservoir to catch the used oils containing ammonia and a reservoir of cold water; the two being connected with a tube.  Because the water has the effect of neutralizing the ammonia fumes, the workers can now drain the refrigeration system without being bothered by the strong odours from the ammonia. 

For additional information,  please contact Mr. Nicholas-P. Pedneault at

 

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