Health and Safety in Canadian Workplaces

Reviewed by Lisa Hillyard, Associate Faculty, Clackamas Community College on 12/27/21

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

For the 11 separate topics this book covers, the comprehensiveness for each topic is excellent.
As with all workplace safety materials, a comprehensive introduction must, by necessity, be limited. There are too many workplace hazards to cover.
The authors did a fine job of offering specific information and zooming the discussion to a broader discussion. It makes the concepts broadly applicable to widespread workplace hazards.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

Canadian and U.S. North American occupational safety and health systems are parallel in many ways. This book is based on the system within Alberta, Canada. I cannot speak to the accuracy of the government references.
The general discussion about profits and the interplay with workplace safety is spot on.
As a summary reader, I found no overt bias.
The material is written well.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

The tenets of workplace safety are standard. The discussion allows for applicability to specific scenarios which will be useful for a long time and for many different industries.
The scope of each chapter can allow for ease of revision.

Clarity rating: 5

At times, the intended audience appears to waver. Some of the writing clearly addresses front line and/or entry level workers.
In other sections, the writing appeals to decision makers.
This shift is implicit. Nonetheless, I see this change in audience as an interesting tool to create awareness with the emergent and/or incumbent workforce to understand how decision makers may be viewing the competing forces of the employer and the employees.

Consistency rating: 5

The framework is excellent.
The text does a sound job of introducing the nuances of "safety language".

Modularity rating: 5

The text refers to different parts within itself to direct readers for deeper analysis of a given topic.
Some editing would need to occur to account for these references.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The outline for this material flows steadily from basic knowledge to more nuanced points.

Interface rating: 5

The text has no graphics. The text blocks are easy to read. The navigation is operable.
I found no confusing or confounding elements.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

Canada uses the British spelling system.
For use in the United States, students may appreciate a note about the spelling.
Grammatically, the text read smoothly.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

The case studies at the beginning of each chapter offer a representation of workers and environments. I perceived that book to be culturally neutral in its discussion of workplace safety.

Comments

This would be a fine book to adapt for a United States focus with the notable exception of Chapter 2 because the U.S. does not have similar legislation.

Reviewed by Susan Murray, Chair & Professor, Missouri University of Science and Technology on 10/30/18

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

It has 11 chapters. No book can "cover all areas and ideas" in health and safety.
Chapter 3 only use one risk technique, HRAC. Some textbooks have multiple techniques and more detail.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

I found no errors or bias in the book.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 4

The most likely thing to go out of date is associated laws. Since this book based on Candian laws and I'm in the U.S., I have no idea how much of an issue this would be.

Clarity rating: 5

It is written in a way that is easy for an undergraduate or novice to read.

Consistency rating: 5

I found no issues on this.

Modularity rating: 5

It is organized like a textbook. Each chapter starts with a story about the topic of the chapter, such as an accident caused by that particular hazard. This will be helpful for some learning styles and could add motivation to learn about the topic for some students. Each chapter has some homework and discussion questions. They are not overly rigorous but could be useful in a classroom discussion or assignment.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

I will pick and choose chapters to use but I do not have an issue with the organization of the book.

Interface rating: 5

I found none of these

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

The text uses British English which might be odd to a U.S. student. For example, "black mould" vs. "black mold".

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

It is Candian and refers to Candian agencies rather than American agencies such as OSHA or NIOSH. However, it is clearly written for a Candian reader.

Comments

I'm sure I sound like an ugly American in this review. The book is well written and I am looking forward to using portions of it. I just want non-Canadians to realize that adjustments might be needed for your readers. I do think it is useful for students to consider there are laws in other countries.