The REGIONAL
Health & Safety News, Events & Information
April 2010
The reminder you've been waiting for is here!
Does it seem like the alarm clock didn't go off? Why didn't somebody remind you? Is it too late? Well, depending on when you read this communication, it may be two days or less to avail of the early bird pricing for registration to Canada's largest Health & Safety Conference.
The April issue of The REGIONAL would like to remind you of Partners in Prevention 2010 and the two events that precede it.
In addition, we point you to the various options for certification training; provide you with access to the MOL's new guidelines on Bill 168, offer up a small correction on an upcoming MOL blitz, and list out our upcoming training courses.
Prevention System News
Register early and save - Early bird deadline is April 9
For several decades, the Industrial Accident Prevention Association has brought experts in the field of health and safety under one roof at the annual Health & Safety Canada Conference. This year the conference has a new name and is hosted by all of Ontario's prevention system partners - OSSA included. The dates for Partners in Prevention 2010 are May 4 and 5 to be held at the International Centre, Mississauga. Go to Partners in Prevention to register.
In addition, you may want to set aside May 3 to attend either of the two pre-conference events - Small Business Forum 2010 and Leadership Summit 2010.
If your's is a business with less than 50 workers click here to know more about why Small Business Forum might be crucial to the success of your business.
Larger firms may want to also attend Leadership Summit to learn about building an organization with a winning culture. Click here.
It's spring and it's as good a time as any to review how the human capital at your firm may have changed over the past little while. Your firm undoubtedly would have welcomed new employees some of whom would have filled new positions while others filled positions left vacant by departing employees. New workers or workers in new roles always means there is need for orientation training and of course, health and safety training.
This is also a good time to review the membership of your Joint Health & Safety Committee to identify which members might require certification training. We've answered a few frequently asked questions about certification training to help you make decisions on health & safety training. Click here.
Ministry of Labour News
Workplace Violence - The new guidelines are out
The Ministry of Labour has released its guidelines to Bill 168, the latest legislation pertaining to workplace violence and harassment. Please visit our information page to access the new guidelines.
We also present the second part of our story on domestic violence at the workplace. Click here to read the story and also to download the two booklets for employers and co-workers of victims of domestic violence. These booklets have recently been compiled by the Occupational Health & Safety Council of Ontario (OHSCO) as a response to the passing of Bill 168.
Correction. Young Worker Blitz to last 4 months
Our story in the March issue mentioned that the Ministry of Labour has plans to conduct an inspection blitz focused on young workers for three whole months. We stand corrected. The blitz will last for four months and not three. And the blitz, running from May to August, will affect all firms that employ young workers and will focus on all workplace hazards. Young workers are defined as workers between the ages of 15 and 24.
In addition to the young worker blitz, the MOL will be repeating its inspection blitz on fall hazards this May. Call OSSA at 1-888-478-6772 for assistance.
Other News
This spring, Sara, Johanna and Joanne will walk. Sara will walk in memory of her dad who was killed in a mine while Johanna and Joanne will walk to honour the memories of their sons who died as a result of workplace incidents. Thousands of other families, friends, and co-workers will also walk in the Steps for Life - Walking for Victims of Workplace Tragedy. Will you? Go to www.stepsforlife.ca to know more about locations, dates and how to register.
OSSA Training Course Schedule by Region
Click here for a complete schedule of OSSA training courses up to July 2010. The schedule is updated regularly.
Be sure to check out OSSA's free Risk Assessment and Hazard & Compliance Workshops below! You can find more information here.
The table below lists courses scheduled for the current month as well as the following month.
Greater Toronto Area and Central Ontario
Course Title |
City |
Date |
| Free! Risk Assessment Workshop | Toronto / Mississauga | April 14 |
| Certification Part 2 - Restaurant & Foodservice | Toronto / Mississauga | April 20 |
| Certification Part 1 | Toronto / Mississauga | April 27-29 |
| Certification Part 2 | Ajax | April 28 |
| Certification Part 1 | Markham | May 4-6 |
| Certification Part 2 - Retail & Wholesale | Toronto / Mississauga | May 4 |
| Certification Part 1 | Toronto / Mississauga | May 10-12 |
| Certification Part 2 | Barrie | May 11 |
| Certification Part 2 - Office & Related Services | Toronto / Mississauga | May 18 |
| Free! Hazard & Compliance Assessment Workshop | Toronto / Mississauga | May 19 |
| Certification Part 1 | Toronto / Mississauga | May 26-28 |
Golden Horseshoe Region
| Certification Part 1 | St. Catherines | May 4-6 |
Eastern Ontario
| Free! Hazard & Compliance Assessment Workshop | Ottawa | May 4 |
| Accident Investigation Training | Ottawa | May 4 |
| Certification Part 2 | Ottawa | May 19 |
| Safe Lifting for Employees | Ottawa | May 20 |
| Safe Lifting for Supervisors | Ottawa | May 20 |
Northern Ontario
| Certification Part 2 | Hearst | April 13-14 |
| Free! Risk Assessment Workshop | Timmins | April 29 |
| Certification Part 2 | Fort Frances | May 11-12 |
| Free! Risk Assessment Workshop | North Bay | May 13 |
| Free! Hazard & Compliance Assessment Workshop | Timmins | May 19 |
| Certification Part 1 | North Bay | May 25-27 |
South Western Ontario
| Certification Part 1 | Windsor | April 13-15 |
| Certification Part 1 | London | April 20-22 |
| Certification Part 1 | Owen Sound | May 4-6 |
| Certification Part 2 | Kitchener | May 5 |
| Certification Part 2 | London | May 13 |
| Certification Part 2 | Windsor | May 26 |
To register for any of the above courses, please call OSSA at 1-888-478-6772.
This glossary provides a quick reference to common health and safety terms used throughout the Six Step Guide to Health and Safety.
That contractors you hire should provide you with a "WSIB Clearance Certificate" showing that their firm is registered with the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board, and their workers are covered under worker's compensation.