OSSA Support Line:
1-888-478-OSSA (6772)
Elizabeth Mills, President & CEO of the Ontario Service Safety Alliance (OSSA) has been appointed the CEO of SWPSO, the organization being formed to amalgamate the FSA (Farm Safety Association), IAPA (Industrial Accident Prevention Association), and OSSA. The appointment becomes effective June 15, 2009.
Violence and harassment have no place in the workplace. That's the message Ontario is sending by introducing legislative amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act that would, if passed, help protect workers from workplace violence and harassment.
As part of the Ontario Ministry of Labour's ongoing programs, MOL inspectors will be “blitzing” industrial workplaces during the rest of 2009 as follows:
June - New and Young Workers
September - Slips, Trips & Falls
November - Hazardous Material
Visit Safe at Work Ontario for more information.
Ontario's Liberal government is looking at restricting the use of cellphones, BlackBerries and other electronic devices by drivers. The proposed legislation would include regulations to require Ontario drivers to use hands-free equipment when making calls and specifically ban text-messaging and emailing while driving. For more information please go to http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/topics/cellular.htm
- No Sector News posted at this time -
Awarded the Gold Canadian Award for Training Excellence in the External Training Category by the CSTD (Canadian Society for Training and Development), OSSA's new Safe Lifting for Employees and Safe Lifting for Supervisors provides a two hour session for employees and a three-hour session for supervisors. The training course provides information on:
For more information please go to http://www.ossa.com/content/services/SafeLifting.cfm.
As of June 11, 2009 the World Health Organization has declared an influenza pandemic brought about by the H1N1 virus by upgrading the alert level from phase 5 to phase 6. For more information please visit www.who.int or www.who.int or http://www.ossa.com/content/resources/PandemicResources.cfm
The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) has announced the 2009 premium rates for Schedule 1 employers. The decision to keep the 2009 average premium rate at $2.26 – unchanged from 2007 and 2008 – is based on careful financial analysis, and an expectation that improvements will occur in health and safety and return to work outcomes consistent with the WSIB’s Road to Zero and Prevention Strategies. WSIB Releases Average Premium Rate for 2009 (92k, pdf)
This glossary provides a quick reference to common health and safety terms used throughout the Six Step Guide to Health and Safety.
You should never store flammable chemicals near any source of heat.
