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Safety Mosaic Magazine Summer 2009
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Questions & Answers: FSA/IAPA/OSSA Amalgamation
On January 1, 2010 Farm Safety Association (FSA), Industrial Accident Prevention Association (IAPA) and Ontario Service Safety Alliance (OSSA) will amalgamate to form a new health and safety organization focused on the industrial/manufacturing sectors, the service sector and the farming and agricultural sectors.
Ontario’s health and safety system has undergone a critical assessment and restructuring so it can better meet the needs of Ontario businesses. This restructuring decision will amalgamate twelve existing health and safety associations into four new organizations. The system realignment is aimed at:
Everyone in Ontario is affected by workplace health and safety. Far too many people are being injured or killed on the job. It costs us all emotionally and costs Ontario businesses millions of dollars in lost productivity and revenue. By working to improve the health and safety system in Ontario, we can reduce costs, lower premiums, and build more effective programs to reduce workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities. A safer workplace is good for everyone’s business.
The new organization will continue to be partially funded through the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). The remaining funds are revenue-based from for-fee products, training and services. These revenues are rolled back into the organization to help provide further products and services to assist Ontario businesses. The new organization will continue to operate as a not-for-profit entity.
The brand for the health and safety system is currently under development. Until the new brand and the new name are announced, please continue to contact us as FSA, IAPA, or OSSA respectively.
At this time, none of the associations will be changing locations so we can be reached at the same telephone and fax numbers and web and email addresses as before. We will be moving to a single point of contact –one phone number, one website – in the near future.
The Ontario health and safety system will be unifying under a single brand and a single web point of contact so this will result in a new website eventually. However until the new brand is released, please continue to access our current websites for all your health and safety information and other requirements.
Your current health and safety association isn’t going anywhere! It is joining forces with two partner associations under a new name and a new brand. Consulting services, training, conferences, products and programs will all continue as before. The amalgamation will result in a wider selection of products and services, and a stronger, more robust front line presence across the province.
Product orders and course registrations placed both prior to and after January 1, 2010 will be completely fulfilled. Services from your health and safety association will continue as before and may expand to include the services being offered by our partner associations.
The amalgamation officially takes place on January 1, 2010. However the work of cementing three health and safety associations into one organization will be ongoing throughout 2010. All the parties involved have committed to the amalgamation and to ensuring that client requirements and services come first and foremost – making certain that you will continue to receive access to all our products and services in a seamless and ongoing commitment.
This glossary provides a quick reference to common health and safety terms used throughout the Six Step Guide to Health and Safety.
You should label all containers in your workplace, even water. There has been several accidents due to mistaken contents!
