Importance of workplace health and safety

June 8th, 2011

Accidents have no apparent or deliberate cause and they can happen anytime, whether we like it or not. It can happen inside our homes, outside our houses, or even in our workplace. There are reports that there is an increase in percentage of people who suffer from workplace accidents. Some workers are badly wounded, injured, amputated or worse, died.

Workplace health and safety is one of the most important factors that employers should ensure for his employees. In fact, it is actually a responsibility of the owner or of the management to make sure that everyone who works in the company are given enough security. This will not just be beneficial for the employees, but also for the company. If an employee is working in a safe and healthy workplace, it will reflect on their work and their efficiency. If their employees work efficiently, it is suffice to say that company growth and success will come in no time.

A company should be able to provide his employees with the right compensation insurance. Take for an instance the case of one of our OALASA members. He worked as a coal miner and unfortunately, he was amputated from an accident that occurred in his workplace few months ago. The doctors had to cut both of his legs off, making this hard for him to work again. His company paid for his medical bills and gave him the correct amount of compensation that he needs to start over in his life.

Of course, prevention is still better than cure, that is why companies are advised to require their employees to attend training courses on emergency preparedness, emergency rescues and other preventative measures. This will able the employees to know the right thing to do when they are in such kind of situation.

It is also good to take note for employees or applicants to make sure that their company provides insurance, especially when your job description includes accident-prone activities. They should always think about their workplace health and safety because it is for their benefit too.

Amputee veterans take the Kilimanjaro challenge

August 25th, 2010

For amputee veterans US Army Sgt. Neil Duncan, who lost his legs in the highlands of Afghanistan; former Army sergeants Dan Nevins, who lost his legs in Iraq; and Kirk Bauer who lost one leg in Vietnam, being alive is one to those things they celebrate every single day. Because they were given another chance to live, life should be explored and be lived to the fullest. To attain this, the three decided to take on the challenge of climbing the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa.

Climbing the 19,349-foot mountain is just part of the Warfighter Sports Challenge, a series of extreme events for permanently disabled war veterans, such as a 26-mile desert run, a 100-mile bike ride and a 90-mile downhill skiing, kayaking and mountain biking. This is under the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project, a program that focuses on the welfare of the permanently disabled veterans from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and is run by Disabled Sports USA, a non-profit organization that offers therapy programs for soldiers and civilians all over America through sports.

The amputee veterans had a difficult time going up Kilimanjaro’s summit even though its peak is not that technical. It can be reached by walking and holding on to the boulders of the mountain. Most of the amputee veterans’ prosthetic body parts froze as they climbed up. But these challenges have motivated them—they did it for themselves and also for the memorials of the other soldiers who gave their life for their country.

The Warfighters group also participate in the annual Bataan Memorials Death March, a 26-mile marathon trail of rocks and sand in New Mexico done every March to commemorate the sacrifices and the sufferings of the American and Filipino soldiers during the World War II. This is also considered as America’s largest military memorial march.

You’re all invited to Gary Wembley’s Wedding!

August 25th, 2010

After 5 long years of engagement, our favourite one-armed accountant is finally going to tie the knot! I hope you’ve all received your wedding invitations, because this threatens to be one of the biggest events on OALASA’s calendar this year! We all know Gary’s gone through some tough times over the years, which is why we’re all so happy for him. He’s found himself a lovely bride-to-be in Maria, and things are finally starting to look bright for the both of them.

For those of you who don’t know, Gary and Maria are being married at the beautiful Hope Christian Church on the 26 September this year, and if for some reason you haven’t been invited don’t worry, Gary and Maria told me to let you all know that everyone from the OALASA community is welcome! Just get in contact with them so that they can organise some more invitations to be printed off, thanks to Magnet Invitations in Sydney.

We wish Gary and Mary all the best, both for their wedding day and for their future. Well done Gary, you’ve done us proud!

Oalasa Charters Coach to Sydney’s Annual Amputee Games

August 25th, 2010

On June 12th 2010, the annual amputee games kicked off again for the eighth consecutive season. Hosted for the first time in Sydney, this year’s event took place over three competitive weeks, and five state-of-the-art arenas throughout the capital. A total of 31 events were catered for, including swimming, sprinting, basketball, hockey, long jump, and shot-put.

Oalasa’s entry at this year’s event consisted of 16 eager competitors, specialising in 4 of the various sports; the 100 metre sprint, the 200 metre sprint, women’s basketball, and men’s basketball. All in all this team threatened to be one of the most successful ever put together by the Oalasa organisation, and their results are proof that this team was indeed worthy of such high praise:

100 metre sprint results: 4th place

200 metre sprint results: silver

Women’s basketball: runner up (silver)

Men’s basketball: gold

A special congratulations to the 5 members of the men’s basketball team who managed to overcome injuries to beat the 5 competing teams, and take out the first place gold medal.

A special thanks also to the crew at Eagle Tours, who were kind enough to provide their Sydney bus hire services free of charge, after American company Charter Bus America pulled out of their contract at the last minute. Without their help we may never have been able to afford the trip, and our bright young stars would have been denied their outstanding achievements.

Welcome to the Ontario Amputee & Les Autres Sports Association>

August 25th, 2010

Upcoming Events:
Paralympics Ontario events in 2007

Winter Sports Regional Championships

Jan. 13th, 2007
Wheelchair Curling, Collingwood, Ontario

Feb. 2nd-4th, 2007
Alpine Skiing, Caledon, Ontario

March 3rd or 4th, 2007
Cross Country Skiing, Duntroon, Ontario

April 13th-15th, 2007
Sledge Hockey, Kitchener, Ontario

June 21st, 2007
Doon Valley Golf Tournament.
Kitchener, Ontario
SignUp/Registration Form

Ontario Paralympics Summer Championships
June 22nd-24th, 2007
Sarnia, Ontario
Athletics, Boccia, Goalball, Powerlifting, Wheelchair Tennis, plus another sport to be announced
.

Ontario Golf Championship
Sept. 16th & 17th
, 2007
Carlisle Golf Course
Carlisle, Ontario
SignUp/Registration Form

Athlete Eligibility Criteria
Ontario Athlete Agreement
Ontario Nomination & Appeal Document

Events/Schedules
2007 St. Patrick’s Day Race
OALASA 2007 Bingo Schedule
OALASA 2007 Golf Schedule
OALASA 2007 Ontario/US Golf Tournaments

Event Summaries:
Results from the 2006 St Patricks Day 5 Km Race: March 12, 2006

Results from the 2005 St Patricks Day 5 Km Race: March 13, 2005

Adaptive Rowing:
A Step in the Right Direction: Introduction to Adaptive Rowing
Adaptive Rowing Initiative:Background Information
Adaptive Rowing : 2003 Argonaut Rowing Club Program