The REGIONAL
Health & Safety News, Events & Information
July 2009
Quick, can you identify these hazard symbols?
If there ever was a good time to learn more about chemical hazards, it's now!
The July issue of The Regional gives you a heads up to the Ministry of Labour's forthcoming chemical hazardous material inspection blitz; provides tips on preventing heat stress at the workplace; welcomes Elizabeth Mills as the new CEO of a merged and larger health & safety association; and much more.
MOL News
The Ministry of Labour has brought forward its scheduled inspection blitz on chemical hazardous materials from November to September 2009. Inspectors will expect to be shown evidence that your staff have received training on recognizing, assessing and controlling hazards related to the safe storage and handling of chemicals at your workplace. As an employer, it is your responsibility to ensure that your workplace has conducted a hazard assessment of your chemical hazards.
Contact OSSA to learn how your staff could complete the chemical hazard module as part of their Certification Part 2 training. Call 1-888-478-6772 or get more information at www.ossa.com
Prevention System News
Can a temperature of 49 degrees be fatal to human beings? It was in the case of a bakery worker a few years ago. However, temperatures don't need to climb nearly that high for heat stress to take its toll on people's health. Our bodies try to rid themselves of excess heat through the evaporation of sweat, with an escalating series of symptoms. When body temperature gets above 38 or 39 degrees, the brain starts to overheat and sweating stops -- leading quickly to heat stroke and possibly death.
Employers have a duty under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (section 25 (2) (h) to develop hot environment policies and procedures to protect workers from hot processes (bakeries, kitchens, furnaces) or hot weather (golf courses, landscaping sites, camp grounds). Click here to understand the symptoms of heat stress and how you could prevent it. It could save a life.
OSSA consultants can help you deal with this and other workplace hazards. Contact us to find out how you can work with OSSA to make your health & safety program work better
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Effective June 15, Elizabeth Mills, President and CEO of the Ontario Service Safety Alliance (OSSA) has been appointed the inaugural CEO of Safe Workplace Promotion Services Ontario, the organization formed to amalgamate the FSA (Farm Safety Association), IAPA (Industrial Accident Prevention Association), and OSSA. Read more |
Course Title |
City |
Date |
| Certification Part 2 - Retail & Wholesale | Toronto / Mississauga | July 9 |
| Certification Part 1 | Toronto / Mississauga | July 13-15 |
| Certification Part 2 - Restaurant & Food Service | Toronto / Mississauga | July 23 |
| Certification Part 1 | Toronto / Mississauga | July 29-31 |
| Certification Part 1 | Toronto / Mississauga | August 10-12 |
| Certification Part 2 - Retail & Wholesale | Toronto / Mississauga | August 13 |
| Certification Part 1 | Toronto / Mississauga | August 24-26 |
| Certification Part 2 - Office & Related Services | Toronto / Mississauga | August 27 |
Golden Horseshoe Region
| Certification Part 2 | Welland | July 16 |
| Certification Part 1 | Burlington | August 17-19 |
South & Western Ontario
| Certification Part 2 | Kitchener | July 29 |
Eastern Ontario
| Certification Part 1 | Ottawa | July 13-15 |
| Certification Part 2 | Kingston | July 20 |
Click here for details on course venue and pricing.
To register for any of the above courses, please call OSSA at 1-888-478-6772.
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It's amazing how a few swings on the greens could make a whole lot of difference to Safe Kids Canada. Register for the IAPA 7th Annual Charity Golf Tournament before August 7 for an early-bird discount. Click here for details. |
Click here to know more about OSSA's health and safety products. Call our client services line at 1-888-478-6772 to order products or for more information on our products and services.
This glossary provides a quick reference to common health and safety terms used throughout the Six Step Guide to Health and Safety.
It's time to change your organic vapour cartridge on your respirator if you can smell or taste the vapour.