Safety Books & Tapes


"A Cat Has Nine Lives, But You Don't"
Nine Tips That Can Keep You Alive, Healthy And Productive


Working as a firefighter/paramedic for the past seventeen years has taught me a lot. For example, most of the injuries and medical emergencies my co-workers and I have responded to have not been to work sites for work related injuries, but to people's homes, or areas where they have been participating in recreational activities.

After training thousands of people in work related safety programs and seeing the stringent rules and regulations that most employees follow on the Job, it's no surprise that for many organizations, work related injuries have been reduced. But, I have also noticed that the person who might refuse to use a ladder at the workplace because of its poor condition would be the same person who would go home, drink four beers, fire up the chain-saw, stand on a three-legged stool and attempt to cut down branches from his backyard tree. It seems that no matter how safe workers are on the job, it doesn't mean they will work safely once they leave the work place. But, the employer still has to pay for these injuries-no matter where they happen.

It is because of the experiences I have encountered as a paramedic/firefighter that I wrote this booklet. Horrible injuries have happened to people that could have been prevented. Often the results of these injuries will affect the injured person and their families for as long as they live.

Your employer may have given you this booklet. Please don't think that the only reason they gave it to you is help reduce their benefit costs. Some of you may already have experienced the pain and suffering that follows a serious injury. Fortunately, most of you have not. It is not only good for business for your employer to help promote off the job safety, but it is also the right thing to do.


The Ripple Effect of Injuries

As you are aware, company benefits are an expensive privilege. If you have them you are fortunate and should protect them in every way possible. Injuries, or delays in treating medical emergencies not only affect families and employers in obvious ways, there are also many hidden costs that many people fail to realize. The following are examples of the problems that can follow a serious injury.


How Injuries Can Affect the Worker

We were called by the police to a house where a man had committed suicide. We were familiar with this man because we had attended him many times. One and a half years ago he had fallen from the roof of his house while doing some repair work. His injuries were very serious: a broken pelvis, two broken legs and a broken back with some spinal cord damage. The constant pain caused him to become addicted to painkillers. He became angry at the world because of his injury. This put a lot of stress on his wife and two small children. The financial situation for the family was affected and his wife returned to work. Not contributing to the family caused him to go into a deep depression that he tried to cure by drinking. Finally his wife left him, taking the children with her. This was too much for him and he chose to take his own life.

This may be extreme, but situations like this do happen.

  • Injuries cause pain and suffering to the injured person
  • Injuries add stress to the people close to the injured worker
  • Financial difficulties may result
  • Substance abuse may result
  • Lowered self esteem and a sense of worthlessness may result

If you can prevent injuries, or recognize medical emergencies early and have them treated, you can help avoid the ripple effects.


How Off the Job Injuries Affect Your Employer


When a worker is injured, either on or off the job, a tremendous ripple effect can occur. There are just a few of the potential added costs.

  • The worker has to be replaced, sometimes at overtime wages.
  • Replacement workers may have to be trained, causing lost productivity.
  • Managers have to devote more time to the training of the replacement worker.
  • Added administration costs.
  • When an employee is off work for an extended period, it is often more difficult for him or her to return to work.
  • Disability insurance rates will rise.
  • Morale problems. When someone is seriously injured or killed, everyone who was close to that person is affected.
  • Holidays may have to be turned down for other employees in order to maintain staffing levels.

As you can see, there are many hidden costs. This added cost can make it more difficult for your employer to compete in the marketplace. As a result, everyone's job security could be affected. We should all try to reduce injuries and the severity of medical emergencies whether we are at home, work or play. If we can do this, it's a win-win situation for everyone involved. Your employer reduces pay out for needless injuries, and you live a longer, happier and safer life.


ISBN: 0-9698989-2-4

Price $6.95 Canadian Funds (includes GST and Shipping and Handling)
Send Cheque or money order to:

Inter Provincial Safety Resources Ltd.
Unit 432
15403 Deer Run Drive S.E.
Calgary, Alberta
T2J 6B8, Canada


Fax orders to (403) 225-3215

For more information call 1-888-278-8964 or (403) 225-2011

Ask about our volume discount

Martin Lesperance is a fire fighter/paramedic and is the author of the best selling book, "I Won't be in to Work Today-Preventing Injuries at Home, Work and Play" and Kids for Keeps - Preventing Injuries to Children". Martin delivers keynote presentations and seminars dealing with injury prevention and wellness. To order the books or for more information on his speeches, call 1-888-278-8964 or (403) 225-2011 or email safete@telusplanet.net.

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Martin Lesperance
(403) 225 - 2011 or 1-888-278-8964

safete@telusplanet.net