How compliant are you really?
The goal of your local Health and Safety Inspector is to reduce the number of accidents in your workplace by ensuring your health and safety policies, programs, procedures, maintenance of equipment and...
View ArticleOccupational Health and Safety Sector Plans
Ontario Ministry of Labour has posted their annual sector-specific enforcement plans for 2011-2012 identifying hazards specific to workplaces in different sectors – industrial, health care,...
View ArticleMinistry of Labour Blitz on Violence & Harassment
Earlier this summer, the Ministry of Labour (MOL) issued their new Safe at Work Ontario Sector Plans for their 2011-2012 year. Each year, Inspectors promote compliance areas across the province which...
View ArticleAODA – What is it and why do we have to comply?
Health and Safety plays a role in the AODA standards requirements. In this blog I have provided a brief overview of the act requirements as it applies to Health and Safety and Emergency Planning as...
View ArticleHealth and Safety Inspectors!
Don’t get fooled by the Ministry of Labour Inspection Blitz’s. Because they have certain industries and certain target areas, does not mean you are relieved of an inspector entering your workplace for...
View ArticleRetrun to Work Programs
As Business Owners, Supervisors, HR Managers and Health and Safety Managers or any other Business Managers – knowing the resources that are available to you are key to the success of any business....
View ArticleHealth and Safety – Case Law Review for November 2011
From the changes made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act over the past couple of years, case law is now appearing. A year and a half after the legislation was passed for Bill 168 – Violence...
View ArticleBill 130 – NEW Family Caregiver Leave for Ontario
Ontario Government Introduces a new bill, Bill 30, the Family Caregiver Leave Act (Employment Standards Amendment), 2011 in addition to the existing Family Medical Leave and Emergency Leave. This new...
View ArticleBe Prepared for Any Emergency!
Be Prepared! Do you have an Emergency Plan at work and at home? Winter is here; extreme cold weather and winter storms kill more Canadians than tornadoes, lightning, floods, hurricanes and heat waves...
View ArticleDisability Management of Mental Illness in the Workplace
Disability, Injury, Occupational Illness and Disease are areas as employers, managers and supervisors we are best to be on top of in our workplaces. This is not only because it makes good business...
View ArticleChanges to Employer and Worker Advisors roles for reprisal complaints.
Ontario has undergone many changes in regards to the Ministry of Labour (MoL) and Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) with many more to come. The regulations under OHSA concerning reprisal...
View ArticleEmergecny Preparedness Week: May 6-12, 2012
This is an especially memorable week for me, as my grandfather George Moon started the Emergency Measures Organization in Guelph Ontario back in 1957; known to many of us as the EMO. My grandfather was...
View ArticleChanges to Ontario’s Health & Safety
The landscape of Health and Safety is changing drastically in Ontario with more changes to come over the years ahead. As of June 1, 2012 the Ministry of Labour has posted a new health and safety poster...
View ArticleLIghtning Safety Week
Did you know more Canadians die from lightening stikes then from hurricanes, tornadoes or flooding. Up to 10 Canadians die and up to 160 are seriously injured per year. Why make such a big deal about...
View ArticleMandatory Immunization
Does your province or workplace have mandatory immunization requirements when working in a healthcare environment? Across Canada, approximately 40 and 60 per cent of health-care workers opt for a flu...
View ArticleThe Call for Comprehensive Strategies to Address Exposure to Asbestos
Has the call for comprehensive strategies to address the exposure to asbestos and the request to close asbestos mining operations and the manufacturing of asbestos products been ignored by Quebecs...
View ArticleWhen is a homeowner the constructor on a construction project?
Something most people do not consider are the risks and liability associated with construction on our homes. The question to ask oneself is: Am I the constructor on the project and therefore...
View ArticleCase Law in HR & Safety – Employee Privacy on Company Electronic Devices
Employers should review their computer and electronic device policies to ensure they include the following case law findings and rulings in their policies. A recent criminal case R.v. Cole, 2012 SCC53...
View ArticleAlberta Introduces New Bill 6
New Penalties for health, safety and trade violations introduced in Alberta will mean a significant increase in fines. Safety violators both employees and employers alike, who violate safety rules will...
View ArticleIt is Emergency Management Week – Are you prepared?
It is particularly important that all businesses have an Emergency Management Plan in place. Legislatively some things must be in place for organizations dependant on the number of employees they have...
View ArticleSafety Blitz for New and Young Workers
Ministry of Labour New Young Workers Safety Blitz – Effective Sunday May 1st It is that time of year again, when we think about hiring new and young workers. Take the time to ensure that your training...
View ArticleHeat Stress
Warmer weather is coming our way. It is time to review your company policies and procedures on heat stress. Overexposure to heat can stress the body’s cooling system. When the heat is combined with...
View ArticleBusiness Case for Ergonomics Programs
MSD’s (Musculoskeletal disorders) are the number one type of work-related lost time injury in the province of Ontario making up over 40% of all injuries. Workplace MSD claims cost employers millions of...
View ArticleHealth and Safety Corporate Responsibility
With the changes to the Health and Safety Act in Ontario and the ever changing/review of the legislation across the country, Organizations need to reevaluate their Health and Safety Programs to ensure...
View ArticleOne Year since Bill 168 Passed in Ontario
It has been just over a year since Bill 168 – Violence and Harassment Legislation was passed in Ontario. The Ministry of Labour is still active in the province of Ontario enforcing this piece of...
View ArticleUnderstanding the Training Requirements Under WHMIS Regulation
By law, every employer is solely responsible for ensuring their employees are adequately trained in WHMIS. This includes identifying if the workplace requires WHMIS training or not. Under Regulation...
View ArticleMinistry of Labour targets Small Shops in Ontario
In Ontario there have been a rash of Ministry of Labour orders for Noise Studies targeting small auto shops and small manufacturing shops with around 5-19 employees. These are shops that have never had...
View ArticleConfined Space
Confined Space July 14th, Canadian Press released the story of a 35 year old Niagara Region man who was trapped inside a machine in a warehouse and died. Although this is one of the most recent in...
View ArticleCreating a Healthy Workplace
In developing a health and safety and wellness program fro you workplaces, go beyond your provincial safety association and CCOHS to Health Canada to find out how to setup your Emergency Management...
View ArticleSafe Employees are good for Business
There are three employees injured every hour in Ontario and some lose their lives. Young and new workers of any age are often eager to learn and can bring new and young ideas and energy to any...
View ArticleVoluntary WSIB Coverage – OR NOT!
In Canada, all forms of employment are not covered by workers’ compensation; Ontario has the lowest level of coverage. A total of 30% of the Ontario workforce is not covered on either a compulsory or...
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Driving Truck Ache Free and Feeling Good
Truck driving takes its toll on the driver. It is one of the hardest jobs on the body. Long hours sitting and many other jobs associated with being a truck driver contribute to aches, pains and...
View ArticleFall From Heights
In Canada, over 42,000 workers get injured annually due to fall accidents. This number represents about 17% of the “time-loss injuries” accepted by workers’ compensation boards or commissions across...
View ArticleHelping a co-worker who’s being abused at home
Abuse comes in many forms, and many frightening statistics. A staggering 74% of employed abuse victims are harassed by their abusers while on the job. This means you are more than likely to encounter...
View ArticleHazards of ice and snow
Spring is finally here, with its slightly warmer weather, beautiful scenery, and health hazards. During spring the weather warms up, which we’re all grateful for, however this poses a serious health...
View ArticleInjury and Illness/WSIB
One of the employer’s most important jobs is to make sure that their employees are working in a safe work environment. This is critical to the success of the business and is one of the best ways to...
View ArticleAllergies in the Workplace
Many people across Ontario face allergies that have an effect in every aspect of their lives including the workplace. These allergies can make doing their job much more difficult than it should be. Now...
View ArticleNAOSH Week!
North American Occupational Safety and Health week is a continent wide event which includes Canada, the United States and Mexico, where employers, workers and all partners in OHS collaborate to raise...
View ArticleSick Leave
In Ontario there is no such thing as a “sick day”. However under the Employment Safety Act (ESA) there are “personal emergency leave” days, and “family medical leave” days. In order for an employee to...
View ArticleMental Health and Addiction
Under the OHRC (The Code) a person is protected from discrimination based on mental health disabilities. These grounds also cover mental illnesses and addictions. The Code states that people with...
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