Articles

Be Careful Around Giant Hogweed - August 5, 2010

Partners in Prevention 2010 Conferences - July 20, 2010

WSIB Announces Changes to Labour Market Re-entry - July 8, 2010

Expert Advisory Panel on Occupational Health and Safety - July 8, 2010

2010 Pocket Ontario OHS Act Now Available! - June 29, 2010

Preventing Heat Stress Disorders - June 18, 2010

MoL New and Young Worker Safety Blitz - April 20, 2010

MoL Compliance Guideline for Workplace Violence - April 5, 2010

Head Injuries in Sports - February 35, 2010

Review Of Workplace Safety System In Ontario - January 29, 2010

Misleading Advertising from Private Training Companies - November 13, 2009

Be Careful Around Giant Hogweed

If your work takes you outside this summer near roadsides, streams, vacant lots, conservation lands, parks, transfer stations or landfill sites, be aware of the dangers of giant hogweed. Parts of this plant release a clear watery sap that can cause painful swelling, itching and blistering that can last for weeks. If the sap gets into your eyes, it can cause permanent blindness.

Read more to learn how to control this hazard.

Partners in Prevention 2010 Conferences

Welcome to the all-new Partners in Prevention 2010 Conference Series for Ontario Workplaces –
your trusted source for timely, relevant health and safety knowledge in a community convenient to you.


Ajax Conference Postcard (PDF)
Kitchener Conference Postcard (PDF)
Rama Conference Postcard (PDF)
Sudbury Conference Postcard (PDF)

Ottawa Conference Postcard (PDF)

Burlington Conference Postcard (PDF)


Read More

WSIB Announces Changes to Labour Market Re-entry

The WSIB is making significant changes to the Labour Market Re-entry (LMR) program.

Read more (use the link below)

http://www.wsib.on.ca/wsib/wsibsite.nsf/public/NewsWorkReintegration

Expert Advisory Panel on Occupational Health and Safety

As you are aware, an Expert Advisory Panel has been established to conduct a comprehensive review of the province’s occupational health and safety system. The Expert Advisory Panel home page has recently been updated to include: 

·         “An Update from the Chair” (scroll down to “Panel News”)

·         A link to the Institute for Work and Health Reports (scroll down to “Resources”)

En: http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/eap/index.php

Fr: http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/french/hs/eap/index.php

2010 Pocket Ontario OHS Act Now Available!

New and Young Worker Safety

On April 16, 2010, the Ministry of Labour announced a Heightened Enforcement Campaign (aka Blitz) targeting young and new worker safety (read more here). In Ontario, any new worker, of any age on the job, is up to four times more likely to be injured during that month than any other time performing that job (Institute for Work and Health). 

 New workers include:

• Any new hire - permanent or temporary, including supervisors, with or without experience in your sector
• Your current workers who are assigned new jobs/tasks
• Student workers, co-op placements or apprentices
• Contractors and/or subcontractors
• Visitors to your workplace who need to know the general rules

New workers need special attention to ensure they understand how to do the assigned tasks safely. Take time with your new workers.

To learn how HSAGS can help you, speak to your HSAGS field representative (click here for a listing of HSAGS field staff).

Also, click here for resources on the Ministry of Labour website.

MOL Compliance Guideline for Workplace Violence

The Ministry of Labour has recently released a compliance guideline for workplace violence and harassment. This guideline explains what every worker, supervisor, employer and constructor needs to know about workplace violence and workplace harassment requirements in the Occupational Health and Safety Act. It describes everyone's rights and responsibilities and answers, in plain language, the questions that are most commonly asked about these requirements.

View the English version here                 View the French version here 

As well, the MOL offers a two page Fact Sheet on the Bill 168 amendments to the OHS Act.

View the English version here                  View the French version here 

HSAGS offers in-person workshops as well as webinars on this topic, to assist clients in implementing steps to satisfy the amendments. To view current offerings, visit our websites or contact your local consultant.