The Collision Industry Information Assistance and its partnership with the Ontario Service Safety Alliance
The Hamilton District Autobody Repair Association (HARA) and the Collision Industry Information and Assistance (www.ciia.com) are the non-profit organizations that represent the collision repair, auto body and auto refinish industries in Ontario..
The Ontario Service Safety Alliance (OSSA) is the designated safe workplace association for Ontario's auto body repair industry. CIIA has partnered with OSSA to provide members with valuable health & safety resources to help them protect employees from illness and injury at the workplace.
Benefits to members
CIIA members can benefit immensely from helpful advice and health & safety expertise; practical resources and information; and discounted health & safety products from OSSA (members receive a 10% discount on OSSA products - see below)
Read about the Ministry of Labour's six month long blitz of auto collision and repair shops and what you can do to prepare for a visit from an Inspector. Click here The Ministry's web site now has a new video featuring a visit by an inspector to an auto body repair shop. View the video and other useful information. Important information for autobody shops: As per section 9(2)(c) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) you need to establish a Joint Health & Safety Committee (JHSC) if a designated substance is present in your workplace even if you employ less than 20 workers. At least two members of the JHSC (one worker member and one from management) must complete the two-part certification process. |
Free Resources
Small businesses need to keep their health and safety processes simple, informal and effective. Here are a few ways to do that:
1. OSSA's online guide walks you through six basic steps to set up and run an effective health and safety program
2. A Health and Safety Report Card will help you find out how your program measures up by answering quick, simple questions
3. Use OSSA's Health and Safety Map to take the guesswork out of finding help with health and safety resources
4. Access this unique Health and Safety Calculator to evaluate the total cost of an injury and the impact on your bottom line
5. Use this Monthly Inspection Checklist Form to identify what hazards might be present at your workplace
6. Check out these safe work guidelines customized by OSSA for auto body repair:
Health and Safety Products
CIIA members receive a 10% discount on OSSA products when you call OSSA's Client Services Line 1-877-494-9777 and quote your member discount code. Please contact CIIA to obtain your discount code.
WHMIS Digital
Get OSSA's Digital WHMIS where you could train all employees (current and new) for one whole year for as low as $2.50 depending on the number of employees you have. Click here for more information
CIIA members receive WHMIS Digital absolutely free on renewal of membership. Find out more
Contact Us
Collision Industry Information Assistance, Toll Free: (866) 309-4272, Fax 1-866-286-8160, www.ciia.com/provinces/ontario/hara.html
Ontario Service Safety Alliance, Toll Free: 1-877-494-9777, www.ossa.com
How Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) can assist collision shops preparing for upcoming visits from Ministry of Labour (MOL) inspectors.
WSPS can assist you with the five most common infractions that were issued for collision shops in 2009-2010. For assistance and to speak with a WSPS Health & Safety Consultant, call 1-877-494-9777.
Lifting devices (491 orders)
Download a free copy of the form “Are Your Lifting Devices in Good Condition?” and complete the survey questions. Contact WSPS for assistance from a consultant if you answer NO to any of the questions.
Posting a copy of the Ontario Health & Safety Act (209 orders)
Purchase a copy of the Customized 2010 OH&S Act from WSPS for $19.90. This is a comprehensive resource that includes selected regulations such as construction projects, control of exposure to biological or chemical agents, designated substances, health care, industrial establishments, WHMIS, First Aid Requirements plus a list of OH&S addresses for service sector clients. Post a copy in an area of your workplace that is accessible to all employees (e.g. lunchroom or lounge).
Supplier Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) (179 orders)
Workplace Hazardous Material Information System” is a Canada-wide regulation that affects all businesses (review this FAQ sheet on WHMIS), and is a critical component of your workplace-specific training program for staff. You need to have three elements in place to be in compliance with WHMIS:
Update your MSDS sheets every three years, or within 90 days of changes to a MSDS. Keep a paper version, just in case your computer system goes down. Make sure staff know where to find your MSDS binders. Contact your chemical supplier or visit their website to obtain current copies of MSDS sheets. Download a free copy of our resource tool “WHMIS Inventory Tool” to get started by listing all the controlled products in your workplace.
The condition of equipment, material and protection devices (151 orders)
Download a free copy of the Determining Significant Hazards Guide to document the condition and assess the potential hazards from equipment and materials in your workplace. Contact WSPS for assistance from a consultant to review and assist with your Hazard Assessment and mitigating risk.
Installation of eye-wash fountains (143 orders)
Do your employees know what to do in a chemical emergency such as a spill or a fire? In case of accidental exposure to chemicals in the eyes, an eye-wash fountain must be available and employees must know how to use them. Contact WSPS and speak to a consultant for advice about selecting a proper eye-wash fountain supplier. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety (CCOHS) provides an article on their website about specifications for eye-wash fountains.
You are responsible for ensuring that contractors have sufficient personal liability/compensation insurance.