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The REGIONAL
Health & Safety News, Events & Information
February 2010
Forklift trucks - Versatile material movers or potential accident?
Did Wiarton Willie see his shadow? Either way winter will be gone in a couple of months. What doesn't seem to be going away, however, are workplace hazards presented by forklifts and lift trucks. How can employers ensure that these machines continue to serve as efficient material movers rather than a source of workplace injuries and fatalities?
The February issue of The REGIONAL provides insights into the Ministry of Labour's forklift blitz this month; reminds you of the need to have an effective strategy in place to prevent workplace violence - June 15 is when the amendments to the OH&S Act go into effect; gives you the opportunity to have your questions answered by a Ministry of Labour inspector; and lists out OSSA training courses across Ontario for February and March.
Ministry of Labour News
Forklifts and lifting devices will undergo scrutiny this February
How similar or different will this year's blitz be compared to last year's?
The industry sectors that the Ministry of Labour will be targeting are pretty much the same - retail and wholesale operations (including warehouses), food and beverage establishments, automotive, office and related services (including staffing firms that supply non-clerical labour), manufacturing, transportation and farming operations..
What's different, however, is that this year inspectors will be conducting visits even after hours (evening) and during weekends too. In addition to ensuring that training and education is provided to workers and supervisors involved in forklift operations and that all equipment is maintained in good condition, inspectors will seek to ensure that employers provide a safe work environment - this includes pedestrian traffic, walkways, appropriate access and egress to and from work areas, barriers and warning signs, and the provision of signallers where required.
Click here to access resources that OSSA and its partners have in place to help you keep your workplace safe.
The countdown to compliance has begun
Ontario workplaces have just over four months to comply with new violence and harassment requirements under Bill 168, which take effect June 15, 2010.
Among the requirements, employers must
- employee reporting
- incident and complaint investigation
- emergency response for violence incidents
The legislation would also expand workers' rights to refuse unsafe work to include situations of violence, and require employers who are aware or ought to be aware that domestic violence may erupt at work to take every reasonable precaution to protect the worker.
If you are a business owner, senior manager, human resources or health & safety manager, or office or store manager, here's a piece of good news. Our partners, the Industrial Accident Prevention Association (IAPA) has scheduled Management Briefings that highlight the implications of Bill 168. IAPA has also scheduled half-day workshops Preventing Violence and Harassment at Work that will help managers, H&S professionals, supervisors and others to develop practical, time-saving solutions for complying with Bill 168. Click on the links above to know where and when these sessions are being held.
Over the past two issues The REGIONAL ran a two-part interview with Neil Martin, Health and Safety Inspector, Ministry of Labour. While the interview sought to discuss some of the most frequently asked questions we realize you may have a few more unanswered ones.We are happy to introduce this new feature 'Q & A with the Ministry of Labour' that will attempt to address precisely those questions. Here is a sample but relevant question.
Q & A with the Ministry of Labour Q. A firm reports a critical injury or workplace illness to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). Does it also need to report it to the Ministry of Labour? A. Yes. The critical injury needs to be reported immediately while a report has to be made within four days of being informed of the illness. (Editor's note: A hospital in Burlington was recently fined $10,000 for a similar violation. Please see http://www.news.ontario.ca/mol/en/2009/12/hospital-fined-10000-after-workersbecame-ill.html) |
Got a question on workplace health and safety? Need clarification on the OHS Act? This Q & A section seeks to answer readers' questions. Send in your query to safety@ossa.com for a response from Neil Martin, Health and Safety Inspector, Ministry of Labour.
Please note:
1. Only questions on workplace health and safety or the OHS Act will be answered.
2. Questions seeking justification of Ministry of Labour inspectors' actions will not be featured or answered.
3. Answers are of an advisory nature only and may not be used or cited under legal circumstances.
4. Questions will be answered in upcoming issues of The REGIONAL.
Partners in Prevention 2010 - Ontario Health & Safety Conference & Trade Show
Delegates attending the upcoming health and safety conference and trade show will be able to tap into the collective expertise and resources of Ontario's entire prevention system.
All of Ontario's health and safety organizations are collaborating on the conference program, and will be represented at the trade show. The Ministry of Labour and Workplace Safety and Insurance Board will also be participating.
The event, Partners in Prevention 2010: Ontario Health & Safety Conference & Trade Show, will take place May 4-5 at the International Centre in Mississauga, ON. More than 60 conference sessions and 400+ exhibitors will bring delegates the latest health and safety information, resources and tools to help eliminate workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities. To facilitate the learning, all speakers have been asked to deliver interactive sessions that delegates can take back and implement within their organizations or use to evaluate their own programs and practices.
Register today. Please visit www.partnersinpreventionontario.com for further details.
OSSA Training Course Schedule by Region
Be sure to check out OSSA's free Risk Assessment and Hazard & Compliance Workshops below! You can find more information here.
Greater Toronto Area and Central Ontario
Course Title |
City |
Date |
| Certification Part 1 | Toronto / Mississauga | February 8-10 |
| Certification Part 1 | Markham | February 9-11 |
| Certification Part 2 - Retail & Wholesale | Toronto / Mississauga | February 11 |
| Certification Part 2 - Restaurant and Food Service | Toronto / Mississauga | February 18 |
| Certification Part 1 | Toronto / Mississauga | February 22-24 |
| Free! Hazard & Compliance Assessment Workshop | Ajax | February 23 |
| Certification Part 2 | Barrie | February 25 |
| Certification Part 2 - Office and Related Services | Toronto / Mississauga | February 25 |
| Certification Part 1 | Ajax | March 2-4 |
| Certification Part 2 - Vehicle sales & service | Toronto / Mississauga | March 4 |
| Certification Part 1 | Toronto / Mississauga | March 8-10 |
| Free! Risk Assessment Workshop | Newmarket | March 9 |
| Certification Part 2 | Markham | March 10 |
| Free! Hazard & Compliance Assessment Workshop | Toronto / Mississauga | March 10 |
| Certification Part 2 - Tourism & hospitality | Toronto / Mississauga | March 11 |
| Certification Part 2 - Retail & wholesale | Toronto / Mississauga | March 18 |
| Certification Part 1 | Toronto / Mississauga | March 22-24 |
| Certification Part 1 | Toronto | March 29-31 |
Golden Horseshoe Region
| Certification Part 1 | Hamilton | March 10-12 |
| Certification Part 2 | St. Catherines | March 31 |
Eastern Ontario
| Certification Part 2 | Kingston | March 3 |
| Safe Lifting -Employees | Ottawa | March 4 |
| Safe Lifting -Supervisors | Ottawa | March 4 |
| Certification Part 2 | Ottawa | March 10 |
| Free! Risk Assessment Workshop | Ottawa | March 24 |
| Safe Lifting -Employees | Kingston | March 31 |
| Safe Lifting -Supervisors | Kingston | March 31 |
Northern Ontario
| Certification Part 1 | Sudbury | March 23-25 |
| Free! Risk Assessment Workshop | Sudbury | March 30 |
South Western Ontario
| Certification Part 1 | London | February 10-12 |
| Certification Part 2 | London | March 18 |
| Certification Part 2 | Windsor | March 24 |
| Certification Part 1 | Kitchener | March 30-April 1 |
Click here for details on course venue, pricing and courses taking place after February.
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.
You are responsible for ensuring that contractors have sufficient personal liability/compensation insurance.
