The REGIONAL
Health & Safety News, Events & Information
May 2010
Don't let this happen at your workplace
Ontario's Ministry of Labour has its strategy mapped out with regard to enforcing the new workplace violence legislation. We would know.We were invited to attend an information session. The REGIONAL shares some reasons why you should act now, as well as some free resources.
In addition, we highlight the role that supervisors play in ensuring young worker safety and arm you with a tool to assess the effectiveness of your supervisors, invite you to a free webinar on the MOL's Falls Blitz, and list out our upcoming training courses.
Ministry of Labour News
OTS - The new mantra for young worker safety
And they're off! Ministry of Labour inspectors have commenced a four month long inspection blitz of workplaces employing new and young workers. What does that mean for you? How do you ensure you've got a robust young worker safety program? Here's a simple mantra - OTS. Or Orientation, Training, Supervision.
Inspectors generally weigh your young worker safety program against these three criteria. While you're aware of your responsibilities as an employer, you realize that your supervisors play an important role in effectively implementing the program. Supervisors manage workers that report to them. But how competent are your supervisors? Do you have a system in place to assess how well they supervise young workers? If you don't, this would be a good time to start.
OSSA has put together a simple assessment tool for you to use in assessing how the job your supervisors do in ensuring young and new workers are safe on the job. Click here for the assessment tool. Please let us know what you think of the tool, your feedback is very helpful. Email us at safety@ossa.com
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 with these or any other health & safety concerns.
Free webinar on the MOL's Falls blitz
Sign up for a free 30-minute webinar to learn more about the MOL's approach to its ongoing Falls Blitz and what proactive steps you could take to ensure your firm is not hit with compliance orders or fines.
Date: May 18, 2010 Time: 10.00 a.m.
Simply register on-line at www.iapa.ca/falls (Spots are limited, so if the session fills up before you can register please call 1-888-478-6772 and a representative will assist you)
Workplace Violence - Know what the Ministry's approach will be
During the first week of May, The REGIONAL had the opportunity to attend a webinar to learn more about the Ministry of Labour's approach to enforcing the new workplace violence legislation. The interactive session was attended by health and safety professionals from the different HSAs and the main presenter was an individual from the Ministry of Labour who was an integral part of the group that actually drafted the legislation. Here is a gist of what we learned:
We realize you would have lots of questions for which you need answers. Feel free to send them in to The REGIONAL and we will coordinate with our in-house experts and with the MOL to try to provide you some answers. Please send in your questions via email to safety@ossa.com.
In addition, we've also made available new downloadable resources on our web site. Here's what you'll find:
Click here to access these free resources.
OSSA Training Course Schedule by Region
Click here for a complete schedule of OSSA training courses up to October 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 |
| 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 |
| Certificatioin Part 2 | Markham | June 2 |
| Certificatiion Part 2 - Vehicle Sales & Service | Toronto / Mississauga | June 3 |
| Certification Part 1 | Toronto / Mississauga | June 7-9 |
| Certification Part 2 - Tourism & Hospitality | Toronto / Mississauga | June 10 |
| Certification Part 1 | Toronto | June 14-16 |
| Certification Part 2 - Retail & Wholesale | Toronto / Mississauga | June 17 |
| Certification Part 1 | Toronto / Mississauga | June 23-25 |
Golden Horseshoe Region
| Certification Part 1 | Burlington | June 8-10 |
| Certification Part 2 | Hamilton | June 18 |
Eastern Ontario
| Certification Part 2 | Ottawa | May 19 |
| Safe Lifting for Employees | Ottawa | May 20 |
| Safe Lifting for Supervisors | Ottawa | May 20 |
| Accident Investigation Training | Ottawa | June 8 |
| Safe Lifting for Employees / Supervisors | Kingston | June 16 |
| Certification Part 2 | Kingston | June 17 |
| Certification Part 1 | Ottawa | June 22-24 |
Northern Ontario
| Certification Part 2 | Thunder Bay | June 2-3 |
| Certification Part 2 | Chapleau | June 3-4 |
| Free! Hazard & Compliance Assessment Workshop | North Bay | June 9 |
| Certification Part 2 | North Bay | June 10 |
South Western Ontario
| Certification Part 2 | London | May 13 |
| Certification Part 2 | Windsor | May 26 |
| Certificatiion Part 1 | Windsor | June 1-3 |
| Certification Part 1 | Kitchener | June 8-10 |
| Certification Part 1 | London | June 15-17 |
| Certification Part 2 | Windsor | June 22 |
| Certification Part 2 | Kitchener | June 30 |
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.
Bonding & grounding is essential when decanting a flammable liquid into another container to prevent a static discharge igniting the vapour.