Workers Health & Safety Centre

New Ontario COVID-19 data shows that the test positivity rate is higher in low-income neighbourhoods where workers are often precariously employed. An area in Brampton, in particular, has a COVID-19 test positivity rate five times higher than the rest of Ontario https://bit.ly/38RJTQg A well-trained JHSC can give a voice to workers by investigating their health and safety complaints.

The most common reported exposures included diesel fumes/fuels, coal/oil/gas by-products and solvents. Properly-trained joint health and safety committees can help improve workplace prevention efforts. In addition to GHS WHMIS training, we recently released a new Chemical Hazards program offered through our JHSC Certification Part Two training https://bit.ly/2LWlyfb

When does your region enter strengthened restrictions under Ontario's new colour-coded COVID system? When the weekly incidence rate is 10 to 24.9 per 100,000 and the percent of positive tests is 0.5% to 1.2% or above https://bit.ly/3ph1uXC Though your region's colour code may change in the coming weeks or months, what remains the same is that workplaces in most cases must have a written safety plan that is available to all upon request.

Peel is going to fine employers up to $5,000 per day for failing to act to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace https://bit.ly/36Fey0f Among other things, Peel employers will be required to implement COVID prevention measures. A certified JHSC can help with this.

Experts say Canada could have fared better if it followed the precautionary principle early in the pandemic. How can you help ensure your workplace is erring on the side of caution when it comes to COVID prevention? Ensure your JHSC is properly trained.

Between Sept. 1st and Nov. 13th, Peel had 116 workplace COVID-19 outbreaks mostly in manufacturing and industrial settings, food processing, distribution and transportation. One thing workplaces can do to keep workers safe and avoid fines during the pandemic? Ensure their joint health and safety committees (JHSCs) are well-trained and involved, as is their right. Certified JHSCs can help develop and implement COVID-19 prevention plans and ensure they are effective.

Update: The U.S.-based CDC now says multi-layer, non-medical masks *do* protect the wearer as well as those around them. This is especially the case when masks are well fitted and constructed of effective materials (i.e. polypropylene outer layer and densely woven cotton inner layers) https://bit.ly/2UnGLTx

Not only do healthcare workers risk contracting #COVID19 but they continue to experience high levels of violence on the job https://bit.ly/3cSIvNc The issue of violence in healthcare pre-dates COVID. Systemic issues require a systemic response: a robust occupational health and safety program developed by a fully-trained JHSC can help.

#CAREday20: Healthcare and education workers around the world are mobilizing for better working conditions, including action on occupational health and safety prevention and training opportunities https://bit.ly/3e3SrE9 In Ontario, quality training for joint health and safety committees is an important first step. #InvestInCare ITUC

Ontario could soon hit 1,000 daily COVID-19 cases, according to modelling https://bit.ly/3lbANAv Community spread is occurring, which increases the risk for workers in all workplaces and sectors.

Our health and safety documentation tools were designed with joint health and safety committees and certified reps in mind. Our JHSC Certification training covers how to use these tools effectively.

Joint health and safety committee members: Sign up for our newsletter to get weekly updates on relevant research, changes to health and safety laws and new and updated training resources.

The Ministry of Labour received 3 complaints about the company 3 years in a row before the incident. Our Working at Heights Quick Reference Guide can help joint health and safety committees, worker trades committees and certified reps perform inspections https://bit.ly/2SYUwrm

ICYMI Finally, Canada’s top public health official says it may be time to revise federal guidance to provinces on how to prevent airborne COVID-19 infections. Most experts arrived at this conclusion months ago https://bit.ly/3kcvYXD Want to consider enhanced ventilation for your workplace? A certified JHSC can help make recommendations.

With a second wave of #COVID19 upon us, up-to-date precautions must be in place in Ontario workplaces. Has your workplace kept pace?

This could be helpful tool for safeguarding workplaces. If work-related illness is identified, employers must notify joint health and safety committees (JHSC) or worker health and safety reps and the union, if any, within four days. Learn more in JHSC Certification training https://bit.ly/3bsl7ns

Why is ergonomic training so important? Most musculoskeletal injuries or disorders start in the workplace https://bit.ly/3nceGvJ #ErgonomicsMonth

Quality COVID-19 training essential for helping to safeguard workers. It is also critical for employers needing to achieve legal compliance, as they are required to provide information and instruction about a significant workplace hazard like COVID-19. . Sign up for our $10, 3-hour, virtual classroom training throughout October.

Our COVID-19 workplace inspection tool, and others covered in our JHSC Certification training, can help in efforts to create safer, healthier work environments https://bit.ly/2EULDM3 #WorldTeachersDay #TeachersDay Elementary Educators OECTA - Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association AEFO Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF)

Ontario long-term care homes are on the verge of another catastrophe, warn advocates and medical professionals. The number of COVID-19 cases in homes is similar to numbers seen in April https://bit.ly/31izokg The need for well-trained JHSCs has never been greater.

Frontline health care workers are not only at greater risk of infection during #COVID19, but they also face increased workloads, inadequate workplace precautions and constant fear of infecting loved ones, according to a new study. Now more than ever, workplaces need properly-trained joint health and safety committees to protect workers' mental and physical health.

The key lesson from SARS that Canada failed to heed when COVID-19 hit, according to the experts involved in the 2007 SARS Commission? Not following the precautionary principle https://bit.ly/3dRpjA5 The Public Health Agency of Canada often assured Canadians it was using the best guidance available, but declined to cite the specific scientific evidence behind its decisions.

As our understanding of #COVID19 changes, necessary precautions to protect workers must also change. We've updated our COVID training to highlight: New insights into sources of transmission, including the evidence confirming airborne transmission Related legislation and amended public health directives ... How to use our COVID workplace inspection tool Improved COVID-specific control measures for both the workplace and community (including schools and other public spaces) See more

World Health Organization (WHO)’s Health Worker Safety Charter is a step towards ensuring health workers have the safe working conditions, the training, the pay and the respect they deserve. In Ontario, training must include quality, mandatory Certification training for at least two members of joint health and safety committee. WHSC can help with this requirement and many others too, including training to control workplace COVID-19 exposures!

Some parents are pulling their kids out of Ontario schools over concerns about COVID disinfectant usage https://bit.ly/375ol1H Disinfectant use at work has been linked to a range of acute and chronic worker health effects from skin and lung irritation, to reproductive harm. With the proper training, JHSC members can play an important role in protecting education workers and students by making recommendations about safer disinfectants.

Survey: 50% of employers say they can't guarantee workers a safe return to the workplace. With the proper training, a certified #JHSC can work through issues and help ensure a safe return to work for all workers.

We put workers first in all we do. Now more than ever, essential to the pursuit of safer, healthier workplaces are properly trained joint health and safety committees.

Though immigrants and refugees make up just 25% of the Ontario population, they are overrepresented in essential businesses where physical distancing is often difficult and COVID-19 outbreaks have occurred, according to a new report. Among other things, the report recommends better training and workplace safety enforcement measures to protect precariously employed, racialized and low-income workers. A well-trained JHSC would be a good start.

"Horrifying, disheartening and infuriating": Ontario Nurses' Association's president calls the fine a slap on the wrist for a hospital with a history of violent incidents https://bit.ly/2HgFRoH Well-trained JHSCs can help improve workplace safety by making recommendations to improve H&S programs.

Most workplace hazards that give rise to musculoskeletal injuries or disorders can be identified and eliminated. Our ergonomics training programs are designed to prepare workers and workplace representatives in their pursuit of MSD prevention https://bit.ly/3nceGvJ #ErgonomicsMonth

As schools reopen in Ontario, teachers are likely learning kids often aren't wearing masks properly and safe social distancing isn't possible without smaller class sizes, according to a principal investigator of a Sickkids Hospital study. #SafeSeptember