The Honourable Lisa Raitt, Canada’s Labour Minister, will host a round table with stakeholders to discuss occupational health and safety in the workplace. Minister Raitt will be available for a photo op and to answer questions from the media following the round table. Please note that all details are subject to change. All times are local. … Continue reading
In Canada each year, nearly 100 people are killed, and 1,499 others are seriously injured in farm-related incidents. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) says now more than ever, there’s a greater need to ensure safer working conditions and better protection for agricultural and farm workers. One of the most common causes … Continue reading
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) announced that it would host a national forum to discuss how workplaces can collaborate on integrated, comprehensive approaches to total health and wellness at work. CCOHS’ Forum IV: Better Together will be held October 29 to 30, 2012, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. CCOHS’ Forum IV brings together representatives from … Continue reading
By Adrian Miedema In an unusual case, the Ontario Ministry of Labour has charged a small town’s volunteer fire department with safety offences under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The case is of interest because it involves the Ministry of Labour using safety laws to scrutinize, through the courts, the actions of emergency response professionals who are … Continue reading
Well-functioning smoke alarms and a good evacuation plan can save your life. Too often, we hear about fire tragedies that could have been lessened had the proper safety measures been put in place. Early smoke alarms were battery operated, but people often failed to replace dead batteries, or remove them, making the alarms ineffective. Then … Continue reading
By: Angela Stelmakowich Ontario’s labour ministry has a message for construction projects engaging in high-risk construction trades: ensure everything is in safe working order. The point will likely be repeated often — with the goal of having that message stick long term — as part of the Ministry of Labour’s (MOL) month-long inspection blitz, which … Continue reading
by Jason Townsell As a former occupational safety training vendor, I have observed the disinterested and confused faces of students who probably should not have been in attendance. For example, I have been hired to provide excavation awareness training to a receptionist, fall protection training to an accountant and confined space awareness training to a group … Continue reading
A construction site worker written up by WorkSafeBC for wearing a high visibility safety vest that was black. WorkSafeBC is very clear about the safety apparel approved for wear in every situation. In every case, the colour choices are clear: G8.24 High Visibility Apparel Issued August 1, 1999; Editorial Revision April 2005 Type 1 – Vest, shirt … Continue reading
Although former premier Gordon Campbell disagrees with a WorkSafeBC ruling concerning the death of a roofer at his vacation home, he said Tuesday he will not appeal it. Now Canada’s high commissioner to the United Kingdom, Campbell said he’s more worried about the family of David Lesko, the roofer who died after falling through an … Continue reading
Most workers have limited knowledge about exposure to harmful materials John Ackermann How well do you know about the deadly materials you’re exposed to at work? A one-day workshop is hoping to answer that question. A recent study has found almost half of all workplace deaths in Canada are because of harmful exposure and that … Continue reading
by correspondent Peter Caulfield A Vancouver construction safety expert says the industry needs to change the way it manages workplace safety if owners and contractors are to increase the return on investment (ROI) from their safety programs. Jeffery Lyth, director of corporate health and safety for ITC Construction Group and regional safety co-ordinator with the … Continue reading
McGuinty Government Committed To Preventing Workplace Injuries Ontario is working to improve safety in high-risk construction trades with a targeted, month-long blitz to protect workers from preventable workplace injuries. Beginning March 1, inspectors from the Ministry of Labour will visit construction projects employing workers in high-rise formwork, low-rise formwork and masonry, siding and built-up roofing … Continue reading
Invest in a good first aid kit and know what to do if the smoke detector goes off The new home is lovely, the neighbours are great, and you want it all to stay that way. There are a few things you can do. Think about safety, for starters. Everyone in the household can contribute … Continue reading