Health & Wellness
 

Tips To Reduce Tax-Time Tension ASQ Quarterly Quality Report Offers Tools to Assist Tax Procrastinators MILWAUKEE, February 28 /CNW/ - Nearly 14 million Americans will wait until the very last minute to submit their income tax returns, according to the IRS. For many of these tax filers, completing returns is a nail-biting exercise in frustration. The latest Quarterly Quality Report released by the American Society for Quality (ASQ), focuses on how quality tools typically used by businesses can help individuals make tax filing less traumatic. "For years businesses have applied quality strategies to meet deadlines, avoid errors and increase revenue," says Debra Owens, an ASQ course instructor and spokesperson. "It just makes sense for you and me to use some of these same basic tools to accurately prepare our taxes." Taxpayers who have the greatest angst this time of year are usually the least disciplined when it comes to organizing. The Quality Report offers a detailed checklist of quality tools that can help make tax preparation easier: 1) Think of tax filing as a process - not something you cram for at the last minute like that dreaded college paper. Use a well-known quality process called PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act) - to create simple steps that can help get taxes done more efficiently: -- PLAN - Gather all of the necessary information, read up on the recent changes and set aside the appropriate amount of time to make the deadline. -- DO - Make the process a family affair so everyone has an understanding of what it takes to run a household - a great education for the kids. Chart your tax return items and then decide if you will prepare the forms yourself or select a tax preparer. -- CHECK - Double-check your work and think about filing electronically. The software has built-in safeguards that may relieve sleepless nights. -- ACT - Quality is a lifestyle. Incorporate what you learned from this year's PDCA cycle to put you in control of next year's tax filing. 2) Benchmark to avoid errors and audits. Concerned the IRS might single out your return for scrutiny? A common quality practice called benchmarking can signal if you are more likely to be audited. Benchmarking involves comparing your own situation to that of others. For example, tax experts advise that some audit triggers include high income (frequency of audits increases with incomes exceeding $100,000), claiming many credits, deductions that are atypical for your income range and careless errors. "To figure out your own chances of being audited, you can look at statistics that the IRS makes available on some of these triggers and determine where you land in the mix," says Owens. This might help you to avoid the same mistakes others have made." Owens notes that benchmarking can also help you avoid common tax errors. For example, it is well-documented that the most common mistakes filers make include not signing their returns, math errors, inputting wrong information, e.g. Social Security number, not attaching necessary documents, incorrect filing status or omitting income items. Working against a checklist of these common errors will help you to avoid the same fate and perhaps get you that refund a little sooner. Please visit http://www.asq.org/quality-report/reports/200703.html  to view the complete Quality Report. The American Society for Quality www.asq.org is the world's leading authority on quality. With more than 90,000 individual and organizational members, the professional association advances learning, quality improvement and knowledge exchange to improve business results, and to create better workplaces and communities worldwide. As champion of the quality movement, ASQ offers technologies, concepts, tools and training to quality professionals, quality practitioners and everyday consumers, encouraging all to Make Good Great(R). ASQ has been the sole administrator of the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award since 1991. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., the 60-year-old organization is a founding partner of the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), a prominent quarterly economic indicator, and also produces the Quarterly Quality Report. For further information: American Society for Quality Christel Henke, 414-332-2933 chenke@hansondodge.com  or Megan Coulomb, 800-248-1946 mcoulomb@asq.org
The Forgotten Disease Comes Back to Haunt Survivors TORONTO, Feb. 28 /CNW/ - A forgotten disease little understood by most Canadians continues to cause disability today. For most Canadians, polio is merely another part of routine immunization. Most believe that the havoc wreaked by the polio virus across Canada in the mid-half of the twentieth century is safely in the past. But for tens of thousands of Canadians who survived polio, there is tragedy still to come. It is estimated that the majority of the over 125,000 polio survivors in Canada are unaware that their bodies are like ticking time-bombs that at any moment could suddenly unleash post-polio syndrome. Little understood by most doctors, in the 1980's medical researchers confirmed that many survivors of polio would develop post-polio syndrome later in life, a condition with symptoms that include weakness, fatigue, breathing and swallowing problems and muscle atrophy. In fact, it is estimated that up to 50 to 70 percent of polio survivors may experience the disabling effects of post-polio syndrome 25 to 45 years after their initial recovery from polio. Unfortunately, an estimated 50,000 Canadians do not know they contracted the virus in the 40's and 50's as the symptoms of mild or "non-paralytic" polio are similar to a bad case of the flu. "Anyone who has been dealing with mysterious medical issues involving fatigue, weakness and pain should speak to their family doctor about the possibility of their symptoms being caused by post-polio syndrome," says Kimberley Dowds, Associate Director of March of Dimes Canada. There is no readily available test to confirm a past poliovirus infection however, "if your sibling, friend, cousin or kid down the street had polio and you were around them, it is possible that you also contracted polio," says Marcia Falconer, PhD, Virologist and Researcher into post-polio syndrome. If you suspect that your symptoms could be caused by a forgotten or missed childhood case of polio, call 1-800-480-5903 or visit the Polio Canada(R) Web site at www.poliocanada.com Polio Canada and hundreds of local volunteers across the country are working to raise awareness of the late effects of polio and post-polio syndrome. With March designated as Polio Awareness Month, Polio Canada has increased its efforts to educate the public about post-polio syndrome. Polio Canada(R), a program of March of Dimes Canada, is the leading service provider of education, information and peer support to polio survivors across Canada. March of Dimes Canada is a nationally registered charitable organization providing support services to people with disabilities, their families and caregivers across Canada.
Attention News Editors: Ontario Government Working to Reduce Workplace Pains and Strains New Musculoskeletal Disorder Prevention Guideline Will Help Reduce Workplace Injuries TORONTO, Feb. 28 /CNW/ - Ontarians now have a new resource to help protect themselves against painful and costly ergonomic-related workplace injuries, Labour Minister Steve Peters announced today. "Ergonomic-related injuries, or musculoskeletal disorders, account for over 40 per cent of all lost-time injuries," said Peters, speaking at Ryerson University's George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre, "We are making progress in our fight against pains and strains by arming workers and employers with this new resource." The Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD) Prevention Guideline for Ontario offers employers and workers in-depth information about MSD hazards in the workplace so that they can be addressed and controlled. The guideline is available through the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) website at: http://www.wsib.on.ca/wsib/wsibsite.nsf/public/PreventMSD. "Direct costs due to lost-time MSDs totalled over $3.3 billion from 1996 to 2004," said Steve Mahoney, Chair of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, "Having an MSD prevention program will significantly reduce these costs." "MSDs are a significant hazard for all sectors of business," said Steve Will, General Manager of the Pulp and Paper Health and Safety Association, "Focusing on prevention not only keeps workers safe, but it's good for business too." The guideline was written by health and safety professionals from the Occupational Health and Safety Council of Ontario's members, which includes the Ministry of Labour, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, the Institute for Work and Health and Health and Safety Associations and was provided with valuable input from employer and labour stakeholders. The Ontario government is committed to reducing workplace injuries by 20 per cent by 2008. Through the Pains and Strains campaign, the ministry has implemented six specific recommendations made by the Minister of Labour's Ergonomics Advisory Panel, which deal with areas such as awareness, education and prevention, as well as improved training, more resource materials, increased expertise and better tracking of ergonomic-related inspections. "We want to make Ontario workplaces the safest in the world," said Peters, "And we can do it by building a culture of prevention amongst Ontario's workers and employers." Disponible en français www.labour.gov.on.ca Backgrounder THE MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDER (MSD) PREVENTION GUIDELINE FOR ONTARIO The Occupational Health and Safety Council for Ontario's (OHSCO) MSD Prevention Guideline for Ontario and the Resource Manual for the MSD Prevention Guideline are now available. The guideline and resource manual are the first documents to be released from OHSCO's MSD Prevention Series. The MSD Prevention Guideline provides a framework for MSD prevention. For a health and safety program to be successful, employers and workers must be committed to MSD prevention. Establishing this foundation for success is the first step outlined in the guideline. The resource manual contains information on implementing the process described in the guideline. It also contains information on understanding and recognizing MSD hazards, risk assessment and hazard controls. The guideline and resource manual outline the primary MSD hazards of force, repetition and awkward or fixed postures. It also deals with the secondary hazards of contact stress, vibration, cold temperatures, hot environments and work organization and methods. Both documents also emphasize that workplaces should look for hazards before they become a problem. Workplaces can look for potential hazards by reviewing existing data sources such as WSIB claims, employee reports of discomfort and absenteeism. Once hazards are identified, workplaces can prevent potential MSDs by actively seeking input from workers, incorporating MSD hazard identification into regular workplace inspections and using hazard identification tools on existing jobs. The resource manual points out that an MSD risk assessment can be done simply by the workplace parties jointly identifying the existence of MSD hazards and determining the root causes of these hazards. There will be times however, when a more detailed assessment will be required. In these cases, in-house staff or external consultants with experience, knowledge and training in MSD mechanisms and prevention may be required. Importantly, the guideline and resource manual state that whenever there is an elevated risk of workers developing an MSD, suitable controls should be implemented. Controls may be in the form of workstation modifications, equipment design/availability, environmental adjustments and/or job design/organization. The importance of controls is stressed by emphasizing the necessity of evaluating the short-term and long-term impacts of the control. The next document to be released under the MSD Prevention Series will be the MSD Prevention Toolbox. Its release is anticipated later in 2007. It will contain worksheets, surveys, hazard identification tools and guidance on risk assessment methods. MSDs have been a significant workplace disorder for many years. Preventing these disorders has been an ongoing challenge. With a provincial guideline and supporting resource manual, Ontario employers and workers now have a solid framework to refer to while addressing these disorders. English and French electronic copies of the MSD Prevention Guideline and the Resource Manual for MSD Prevention for Ontario are available for free download from the WSIB (http://www.wsib.on.ca/wsib/wsibsite.nsf/public/PreventMSD)  and Ontario's Health and Safety Associations. Contact: Belinda Sutton Ministry of Labour 416-326-7405 Disponible en français www.labour.gov.on.ca Backgrounder THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY COUNCIL OF ONTARIO (OHSCO): ONTARIO'S OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY SYSTEM The Occupational Health and Safety Council of Ontario (OHSCO) is comprised of senior decision-makers from Ontario's occupational health and safety prevention system. The system is comprised of the Ministry of Labour, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), the Institute for Work and Health and the Health and Safety Associations. OHSCO sets priorities and develops strategies for improving the occupational health and safety system in Ontario. Their goal is to create healthy and safe workplaces and prevent all workplace injuries and fatalities. The OHSCO partners have distinct roles within the system. Ministry of Labour The Ministry of Labour is responsible for overseeing and enforcing provincial legislation and regulations with respect to occupational health and safety.  Specifically, the ministry's role is to: - Set, communicate and enforce occupational health and safety standards - Motivate, influence and regulate workplaces to reduce or eliminate   injury or illness - Create an environment in workplaces where safety, productivity and   competitiveness are     inter-connected. Workplace Safety and Insurance Board The WSIB oversees Ontario's workplace safety education and training system. It also administers the province's no-fault workplace insurance system for employers and their workers. As part of this system, the WSIB provides disability benefits, monitors the quality of health care, and assists in the early and safe return to work for workers who are injured on the job or contract an occupational disease. The WSIB is paid for entirely by employer premiums and receives no funding from the Ontario government. The WSIB's vision is to eliminate all workplace injuries and illnesses in Ontario. The WSIB is also responsible for promoting, educating and fostering workplace health and safety, and for funding health and safety associations.  In addition, the WSIB: - Develops prevention plans and works with the health and safety associations to set prevention   targets and objectives - Motivates and influences workplaces to implement good health and safety programs and   practices - Raises awareness of the importance of health and safety, in workplaces and the community - Provides information that will help workplaces achieve successful health and safety programs - Conducts research, analysis, and policy work to support strategic and operational functions - Administers legislated training programs (e.g. First Aid,Certification). Institute for Work & Health The Institute for Work & Health is an independent, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to conduct and share research with workers, labour, employers, clinicians and policy-makers to promote, protect and improve the health of working people. The Institute has been providing research and evidence-based practical tools for clinicians, policy-makers, workers, labour and managers since 1990. It operates with the support of the WSIB. Health and Safety Associations Health and Safety Associations are designated under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997, as safe workplace associations specializing in occupational health and safety matters. These associations work to improve health and safety performance of their clients and communities with the aim of making Ontario workplaces the safest in the world. They are funded by the WSIB. Health and Safety Associations establish prevention strategies for their sectors, pursuant to standards set by the WSIB. As well, they: - Lead in the development and delivery of injury and illness prevention education, training   programs, products and services - Provide audit, consultation and technical services - Raise awareness and provide prevention information - Sponsor conferences - Provide operational expertise to clients - Identify, motivate and influence workplaces to implement good health and safety programs    and practices - Develop risk-based prevention plans. Health and Safety Associations who are members of OHSCO and who consulted on the MSD Prevention Guideline include: - Construction Safety Association of Ontario - Education Safety Association of Ontario - Electrical & Utilities Safety Association - Farm Safety Association - Industrial Accident Prevention Association - Mines and Aggregates Safety and Health Association - Municipal Health and Safety Association - Ontario Forestry Safe Workplace Association - Ontario Service Safety Alliance - Ontario Safety Association for Community and Healthcare - Pulp and Paper Health and Safety Association - Transportation Health and Safety Association of Ontario - Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW) - Workers Health and Safety Centre (WHSC). Contact: Belinda Sutton Ministry of Labour 416-326-7405 Disponible en français www.labour.gov.on.ca Backgrounder MINISTRY OF LABOUR PAINS AND STRAINS CAMPAIGN: REDUCING WORKPLACE ERGONOMIC-RELATED INJURIES Workplace ergonomic-related injuries are responsible for roughly over 40 per cent of all lost-time injuries, causing serious pain and suffering for Ontario workers and economic loss for employers. Direct costs due to lost-time ergonomic-related injuries totaled more than $3 billion from 1996 to 2004. Workplace ergonomic-related injuries are also known as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD) and Repetitive Motion Injury (RMI). These are umbrella terms for a number of injuries and disorders of the muscles, tendons and nerves, etc. These types of injuries can develop as a result of the cumulative effects of repetitive, stressful or awkward movements on bones, joints, ligaments and other soft tissues. Ergonomics (the science of fitting the work to the worker) is considered a key to injury prevention. As part of the government's plan to reduce workplace injuries by 20 per cent by 2008, the Ministry of Labour is working with its health and safety partners to reduce workplace ergonomic-related injuries. Initial steps to address ergonomic-related injuries began with the creation of the Minister of Labour's Ergonomics Advisory Panel - consisting of employer and labour representatives - to study ergonomic issues and recommend preventive strategies. In 2005, the Ergonomics Advisory Panel presented a preliminary report to the Minister, with recommendations and preventive strategies. In January 2006, the Pains and Strains Campaign was launched to implement six recommendations: Increase education and awareness of MSDs and prevention - The ministry worked with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) and the Health   and Safety Associations to create a resource sheet to help workers and employers identify   and prevent ergonomic- related injuries in the workplace. The sheet is available at   http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/ergonomics/is_ergonomics.html. - In spring 2006, the Pains and Strains website was launched. This website contains extensive   resources and tools for employers and workers. The website is available at   http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/pains/index.html. Focus on MSD prevention in the high-risk initiative - The ministry is focused on raising employer and worker awareness of ergonomic-related   injuries and risk factors by providing information and discussing ergonomic hazards during   visits with high-risk workplaces in the industrial and health-care sectors only. - By spring 2007, MSD enforcement activities will move beyond high-risk workplaces in the   industrial and health care sector, to all workplaces. Enhanced training for inspectors on MSD prevention - Industrial and health care sector inspectors responsible for high- risk inspections received     basic ergonomics training in spring 2006. - Ergonomics/MSD training is currently underway for all health and safety inspectors. This will   allow all inspectors to identify ergonomic hazards as part of an inspection and take   appropriate action.  New Resource Materials - The ministry has worked with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), the   Institute for Work and Health and Health and Safety Associations, as part of the Occupational   Health and Safety Council of Ontario (OHSCO) to develop the MSD Prevention Guideline for   Ontario and the Resource Manual for the MSD Prevention Guideline for Ontario - The MSD Prevention Toolbox to accompany the guideline is currently under development and   will be released in late 2007. The Toolbox will contain information sheets, sample surveys,   hazard identification tools and control strategies. - Sector-specific guidelines will be developed in conjunction with various health and safety   associations.  Improved tracking of ergonomic-related inspections - The ministry has created and implemented new mechanisms to track inspection activities. Increased ergonomic expertise - Anne Duffy joined the ministry in October 2006 as the new Provincial Ergonomist. - As Provincial Ergonomist, Anne leads the Pains and Strains campaign and acts as the senior  ministry expert on ergonomics. She has over 20 years of experience dealing with health and  safety in the workplace, and she has authored and developed various guidelines and other  tools on ergonomics for workplaces. She is a Canadian Certified Professional Ergonomist and   a Canadian Registered Safety Professional. Contact: Belinda Sutton Ministry of Labour 416-326-7405 Disponible en français www.labour.gov.on.ca
For further information: Susan McConnell, Minister's Office, (416) 326-7710; Belinda Sutton, Ministry of Labour, (416) 326-7405
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Attention News Editors: Canadian Diabetes Association needs your support to collect 1 million kilograms of clothing to make up for winter season shortfall OTTAWA, Feb. 28 /CNW/ - With the 'spring cleaning season' around the corner, the Canadian Diabetes Association needs help from the local community to reach a goal of collecting 1 million kilograms of clothing across the country this spring through its Clothesline(R) program. Clothing donations to Clothesline(R) are accepted through a number of channels. Individuals can call 1-800-505-5525 to schedule a free pick-up; donate clothing and linens at any one of the programs red drop boxes located throughout communities across Canada or donate items by visiting their nearest donation centre. In 2006, through the program, more than 40 million kilograms of clothing was diverted from landfills. "The winter months are a tough time for us to obtain clothing donations. We really depend on the public's generosity to ensure funds are raised for the over two million Canadians with diabetes," says Peter Goral, Vice President of Business Operations, Canadian Diabetes Association. "The donation of clothing and linens is an easy way for the public to help the Association accomplish its goals." The Association has dedicated millions of dollars towards diabetes research and forming new research partnerships to better understand the complexities of diabetes and ultimately provide a cure. Ongoing advocacy successes have provided improved care both provincially and federally. The Association additionally operates 14 camps, serving over 1,600 children and families across Canada. All of which rely heavily on the proceeds raised through Clothesline(R). "We are very grateful to our donors and are hopeful with the assistance of the community that we can attain our goal," says Goral. The Canadian Diabetes Association works to prevent diabetes and improve the quality of life for those affected, through research, education, service and advocacy. With a presence in more than 150 communities, the Canadian Diabetes Association's strong network of assistance includes volunteers, employees, healthcare professionals and partners. To learn more about Clothesline(R) and the other environmental programs offered by the Association, please call 1-800-505-5525 or visit www.diabetes.ca. Dear Editor: The Canadian Diabetes Association has recently fallen short in obtaining clothing donations through its Clothesline(R) program and requires the public's assistance in reaching a goal of collecting 1 million kilograms of clothing nationally for a drive being held this spring. Proceeds from donations support diabetes research, education, service and advocacy. In 2006, the Association was able to divert over 40 million kilograms of clothing that may have otherwise ended up in our landfills. Help us spread the message to reduce our nation's waste. Please consider producing the below PSA and adding it to your PSA rotation to let donors in your community know that there is a simple and convenient way for them to help. Public Service Announcement With the 'spring cleaning season' just around the corner, the Canadian Diabetes Association needs your help to reach a goal of collecting 1 million kilograms of clothing across the country. Donors can call 1-8-0-0-5-0-5-5-5-2-5 to schedule a free pick-up or donate clothing to any one of our red drop boxes located around the city. All proceeds support diabetes research, education, service and advocacy. For information, call 1-8-0-0-5-0-5-5-5-2-5 today.
For further information: Randi Garcha, Associate, Marketing & Communications, Canadian Diabetes Association, Phone: (416) 408-7113, Email: randi.garcha@diabetes.ca
CANADIAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION - More on this organization
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