Hey team!

Have you ever wondered who’s got your back when it comes to workplace safety? Who’s behind the scenes making sure your office chair isn’t trying to sabotage your posture, or that your workspace isn’t secretly a tripping hazard?

Introducing… 🥁

The Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee – or JOHSC for short!

The JOHSC is a team of employees and management working together to make sure our workplace stays safe, healthy, and hazard-free. Think of them as the Avengers of Accident Prevention — only instead of capes, they wear high-vis vests (and occasionally wield clipboards).

Their mission:

Identify potential hazards

Promote health & safety awareness

Recommend improvements

Review incidents and near-misses

Foster a culture of “safety first, always”

Whether it’s preventing slips, trips, or ergonomic mishaps, the JOHSC is all over it!

The committee is made up of:

Employee representatives (like you!)

Management reps

Safety-minded superheroes with a passion for wellness

Together, they meet regularly to discuss workplace concerns, conduct inspections, and help make sure we all go home in one piece — preferably not limping.

Awesome! We’re always looking for enthusiastic team members who:

Care about their coworkers’ well-being

Have a keen eye for detail (bonus points if you notice when the coffee pot’s empty)

Enjoy collaboration and problem-solving

How to join:

Reach out to operations@therootcellar.ca and let them know you’re interested. Don’t worry — no previous safety experience is needed. Just bring your curiosity and a desire to make a difference.

Taking care of your mental health is just as important as your physical safety at work. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or not quite yourself, don’t hesitate to reach out to your manager or a trusted team member. We are here to support you, and you don’t have to navigate it alone.

COMMUNITY AND CRISIS RESOURCES 

Vancouver Island Crisis Line : 1-888-494-3888 24/7 Text support: 250-800-3806

Emergency Services: Call 911 if you are in immediate danger

Here2Talk BC students 1-877-857-3397 or here2talk.ca

BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services bcmhsus.ca

WHEN TO SEEK IMMEDIATE HELP

Thoughts of harming yourself or others

Feeling unsafe

Experiencing severe panic, distress, or disorientation

SMALL STEPS THAT CAN HELP

Talk to someone you trust

Take a short break

Focus on one manageable task

Practice slow breathing inhale 4 hold 4 exhale 6

Most workplace accidents come from the simplest things — like that sneaky box in the hallway or a forgotten spill in the break room. Take a few seconds to:

Keep walkways clear

Report spills right away

Tuck in cords and push in chairs

A few seconds of awareness can prevent a whole lot of ow. 🩹

When it comes to workplace injuries, lifting and bending the wrong way is one of the most common culprits — but the good news is, it’s also one of the easiest to prevent!

Whether you’re moving a box of produce, restocking a shelf, or just picking something up off the floor, using proper technique protects your back and prevents long-term strain.

🛠️ Here’s how to lift and bend safely:

Bend your knees, not your back – Let your legs do the heavy lifting.

Keep the load close to your body – This reduces strain and helps you stay balanced.

Avoid twisting while lifting – Turn with your feet, not your torso.

Know your limits – If it’s too heavy or awkward, ask for help or use a cart.

✅ Quick Reminder:

Taking a few extra seconds to lift properly can save you from days — or even weeks — of pain. Let’s keep safety top of mind and our backs strong!

Do you know what to do in an emergency? Here in Victoria, fires 🔥 and earthquakes 🌍 are the most common!

🔥 Fire Procedure:

1. Stay calm

2. Exit the building

3. Meet at the muster point

🌎 Earthquake Procedure:

1. Drop to the ground

2. Get under something stable

3. Hold on and protect the back of your neck

4. Once the shaking stops, count to 60 (to let debris settle)

5. Carefully go to the muster point

❓ But where is my muster point?

McKenzie – at the electronic sign out front

Oxford – at the back of the customer parking lot

WHMIS or Workplace Hazardous Material Information System (try saying that 10 times fast) is a Canadian system that informs us about the hazardous materials in our workplace!

Notice any pictograms on the chemicals around the store that indicate different hazards? 

Or need to look up first aid or chemical ingredient information with the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) available on our computers, tablets, and through your leaders? That’s part of WHMIS too!

SDS also has important safety information on how to use chemicals safely, what to do in a first aid situation, and even how to put out a fire involving the chemical!

Lastly, WHMIS covers two types of labels – the original supplier label, and a workplace label (applied by us if the supplier label is damaged). Below is an example of a supplier label. 

February is our Slip and Trip awareness month! Make sure you are avoiding a wipe out on the floor by:

👟 Wearing appropriate footwear,

👁️ Watching out for any tripping hazards, and

🌊 Wiping up any spills

Also remember to remove any tripping hazards you see (even if it wasn’t you) to keep our workplace slip and trip free!

March is Spreadable Disease Awareness month! 🤒 Remember to wash your hands, cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue, and get your flu shot at your local pharmacy! This helps us keep a safe, non-germy workplace.

April is First Aid month! Remember if you get hurt on the job, go see a first aider. From a small cut, to a burn, our First Aiders are ready to help you get better (and fill out the required paperwork)! 🩹

If something happens at work that impacts your safety or well-being, please tell your supervisor or manager right away. Timely reporting helps us respond quickly, provide the right support, and prevent similar situations in the future. ⚠️

Sure, safety might not be the flashiest topic… but it’s essential, and it can actually be pretty fun. Think safety trivia, hazard hunts, themed awareness days, and more! 🎉

So, next time you hear “JOHSC,” remember: it’s not just another acronym — it’s your friendly neighborhood safety squad. And who knows? You could be their next great recruit.

Stay safe & stay awesome,

– The JOHSC Team

Got a tip or safety concern? Chat with your JOHSC rep — we’re here to help!