May 2024 OHSA amendments: have your say On May 6, the Ontario government introduced Bill 190, the Working for Workers Five Act, which will amend aspects of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). The proposed amendments deal with the definition of harassment, jobsite “posting requirements,” joint health and safety committees, and more. Ontarians are invited to review and comment on the Bill until June 10, 2024. Barrie workplace mental health seminar IHSA and the Barrie Regional Labour-Management Health and Safety Committee invite you to a morning of presentations and discussion on improving mental health and well-being at Ontario workplaces. The free seminar on June 12 will feature insights about starting the mental health conversation at work, harm reduction, resilience, and more. Reserve your spot now. Working on live electrical equipment IHSA’s newest health and safety advisory outlines the circumstances in which working on or near exposed energized parts of electrical equipment is permitted—and what employers must do in these situations to protect their workers. Download the advisory now. MLITSD compliance campaigns The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development (MLITSD) recently launched two new occupational hygiene campaigns for 2024 and 2025. The campaigns aim to improve workplace compliance through education, outreach, and ultimately, enforcement, with regard to: Worker exposures to chemical agents in the workplace (with a sub-focus on silica) WHMIS training based on the amended Hazardous Products Regulations Learn more about these important campaigns. Showcasing the trades at Skills Ontario Earlier in May, IHSA proudly sponsored the 2024 Skills Ontario competition. The event featured friendly, skills-focused challenges for young tradespeople in dozens of industries. IHSA’s training consultants judged powerline technician apprentices and arborists on their safe-work knowledge and skills, and gave thousands of Ontario elementary and secondary school students an inside look at skilled trades as a rewarding (and safe) career path. Check out photos from the event. IHSA’s latest safety talk videos IHSA’s expert-led video safety talks offer crucial information on workplace best practices and the safe use of common equipment. Our latest videos look at the safe use of stepladders, housekeeping on construction projects, and the differences between a competent person and a competent worker. Watch these and many other videos on our YouTube channel. New IHSA Safety Podcast episodes The IHSA Safety Podcast is a free podcast that explores best practices, resources, and training to control and eliminate health and safety hazards in the industries that IHSA serves. Episode 82 discusses reporting and notification responsibilities for asbestos on construction projects in Ontario. Listen now. Episode 83 looks at the ways construction workers can build and maintain a healthy lifestyle to help prevent injuries due to physically demanding work. Listen now. Access the IHSA Safety Podcast online, or find it using your preferred podcast app. |