Regina, Sask., May 26, 2021 – The second and final day of the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) Compensation Institute today provides attendees with important information on preventing injuries at work and at home. This 23rd annual event, which was postponed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is being held entirely online this year to maintain health, safety and social distancing protocols.
Today’s keynote speaker, Lee Shelby, came in contact with over 13,200 volts of electricity while on the job, causing the loss of both hands and legs. Shelby will share his very personal experience and how he never lost the will to live an inspired life.
"Don't let your limitations define you. The only limitations we possess are the limitations in our mind. My mission is to bring inspiration to the world through the balance of a healthy mind, body and spirit," says Shelby.
As an injured worker with a permanent disability, Shelby is one of the most sought after international motivational safety speakers today and empowers people around the world through his safety education and heartfelt conviction. With his unique ability to combine humour, compassion and authority, he conveys the importance of staying focused, eliminating distractions, not taking shortcuts and that safety is an absolute priority.
Lee relates his own occupational injury, his recovery to work and the challenges he has faced in such a way that works to change hearts and minds about safety in the workplace. As a two-time Amazon best-selling author, Lee has been featured on ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, The Word Network, The Impact Network and other networks across the globe as one of the leading voices on safety.
In addition, this afternoon’s featured presentations include:
- Back injury and safety prevention in your workplace.
- Preventing occupational disease: perspectives from an occupational medicine specialist.
Dr. Doug Pattison from the Chiropractors’ Association of Saskatchewan will discuss why back safety is important, how injuries occur, prevention tips (including stretches, strengthening exercises and proper lifting techniques) and what to do if you get injured. It is estimated that 85 per cent of workers will experience back pain in their lifetime. This is especially important as more employees continue working from home or begin returning to the office as a result of the pandemic.
To close out the day, Dr. Niels Koehncke, a specialist in occupational medicine at the University of Saskatchewan and the director of the Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture, will share his perspective on the importance of recognizing the risk of occupational disease in the workplace and the impact these diseases can have. Dr. Koehncke will discuss steps and approaches employers and workers can take to anticipate, identify and control such risks. Occupational diseases can cause significant impacts on workers and employers, and are often under-recognized as causes of illness, injury and death in society.
Today’s event is open to all Saskatchewan workers, employers, safety organizations, WCB partners, key stakeholders and members of the media. There is no charge to attend.
View a complete agenda here. All presentations are open to the media. Please contact Lisa Goudy at the phone number or email below if you plan to (virtually) attend any or all of day two of Compensation Institute.