The REGIONAL
Health & Safety News, Events & Information
March 2010
Bill 168, an Act to amend the Occupational Health and Safety Act with respect to violence and harassment in the workplace and other matters, will significantly impact workplaces in the province of Ontario.
The amendments to the Act will come into force on June 15, 2010, at which time, workplaces in Ontario where more than five workers are regularly employed will be required to have the necessary policies, programs, measures and procedures in place.
The March issue of The REGIONAL shines a light on one aspect of the new Act - the obligation of organizations to protect workers at risk of domestic violence in the workplace. Employers are being required to take action that protects individuals at risk from this particular hazard. They are also being given the flexibility to identify and implement preventative measures appropriate to the situation and workplace culture.
In addition, The REGIONAL gives you an early heads up on two significant Ministry of Labour (MOL) blitzes; answers a reader question on forklift training; provides a window into Canada's largest health and safety conference; and provides you with a listing of OSSA training courses across Ontario for the coming months.
Ministry of Labour News
Bill 168 and domestic violence at the workplace
One critical sentence in the new violence and harassment legislation could surprise employers. It addresses the obligation of organizations to protect workers at risk of domestic violence in the workplace.
While the new requirement shares broad performance standards rather than specifics, the intent is clear. Employers are being required to take action that protects individuals at risk from a hazard many have not associated with the workplace. They are also being given the flexibility to identify and implement preventative measures appropriate to the situation and workplace culture.
Read more on this particular aspect of Bill 168 and see what other resources are available by visiting our Bill 168 information page or by checking out the helpful workshop sessions listed below.
MOL blitz to focus on young workers for three whole months
Grocery and retail stores, and restaurants can expect a visit from the Ministry of Labour this year as it conducts an inspection blitz that focuses on the health and safety of young workers. This year's blitz is different from last year's in one significant way - the blitz will last a whole three months and will run from June to August.
But what could have prompted a three-month long blitz this year? The answer probably lies in the results of the young worker blitz last year when 5,862 orders were issued, ninety per cent of which were issued to employers in retail, restaurant and food services, tourism, recreational and hospitality, and vehicle sales and service firms. Read more.
In addition to the young worker blitz, the MOL will be repeating its inspection blitz on fall hazards this May. More details to follow.
Q & A with the Ministry of Labour Q. Once an employee has been trained and receives the appropriate certification, is there any re-training or re-certification required? Is it true that forklift operators must be re-certified every 3 years? - Lindsay Scott, Arnst Topsoil, Pickering, ON A. The Occupational Health and Safety Act and regulations do not have specific requirements for how often training is required. The CSA standard relating to forklifts requires that workers be re-trained every 3 years. The standard also requires that a mid term practical evaluation be conducted at the 18 month period. This is one example of what may constitute reasonable precautions for the frequency of training. Training is always the responsibility of the employer. The employer needs to assess the particular situation to determine what they feel is reasonable and what training is required to have competent operators. CSA standard B335-04, Safety Standard for Lift trucks and the Ministry of Labour’s guidelines for lift truck operations can be of assistance to employers when they develop a program for the safe operation of forklifts in their workplaces. The standard can be viewed at http://ohsviewaccess.csa.ca/default.asp?lang=EN. The guideline can be viewed at http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/pubs/lifttrucks/index.php. Employers should seek assistance from their safe work association if they need to develop a lift truck safety program. |
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.
Canada's largest Health & Safety Conference has a new name!
For several decades, the Industrial Accident Prevention Association (IAPa) has brought experts in the fields of health & safety under one roof at the annual Health & Safety Canada conference. This year, besides having a new name - Partners in Prevention 2010 - the conference has a set of new hosts - Ontario's newly formed four health and safety associations. OSSA has been actively involved in the conference content and as a service sector firm you can expect to hear speakers address issues and hazards common to your industry.
Partners in Prevention 2010 also offers four trade shows and two pre-conference events. So, irrespective of the size of your organization, we're confident you will find something in there to assist you run your business safety and profitably.
Partners in Prevention 2010, May 4-5, International Centre, Mississauga, Ontario
OSSA Training Course Schedule by Region
Click here for a schedule of OSSA training courses up to July 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 - Vehicle sales & service | Toronto / Mississauga | March 4 |
| Certification Part 1 | Toronto / Mississauga | March 8-10 |
| 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 |
| Certification Part 2 - Retail & wholesale | Toronto / Mississauga | April 6 |
| Certification Part 1 | Barrie | April 13-15 |
| Certification Part 1 | Toronto / Mississauga | April 13-15 |
| Free! Risk Assessment Workshop | Toronto / Mississauga | April 14 |
| Free! Hazard & Compliance Assessment Workshop | Newmarket | April 20 |
| Certification Part 2 - Restaurant & Foodservice | Toronto / Mississauga | April 20 |
| Certification Part 1 | Toronto / Mississauga | April 27-29 |
| Certification Part 2 | Ajax | April 28 |
Golden Horseshoe Region
| Certification Part 1 | Hamilton | March 10-12 |
| Certification Part 2 | St. Catherines | March 31 |
| Certification Part 2 | Burlington | April 7 |
Eastern Ontario
| 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 |
| Certification Part 1 | Ottawa | April 13-15 |
Northern Ontario
| Certification Part 1 | Sudbury | March 23-25 |
| Free! Risk Assessment Workshop | Sudbury | March 30 |
| Certification Part 2 | Sudbury | April 6 |
| Free! Hazard & Compliance Assessment Workshop | Sudbury | April 20 |
| Free! Risk Assessment Workshop | Timmins | April 29 |
South Western Ontario
| Certification Part 2 | London | March 18 |
| Certification Part 1 | Kitchener | March 30-April 1 |
| Certification Part 1 | Windsor | April 13-15 |
| Certification Part 1 | London | April 20-22 |
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 have the right to refuse unsafe work, under the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act.