IHSA Safety Podcast

On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Jasmine Kalsi, IHSA’s occupational hygienist, discusses the importance of air quality testing and exposure assessments in Ontario's construction, transportation, and electrical utility sectors. These industries often expose workers to various airborne dusts and contaminants, which can have both short-term and long-term health effects.

Ontario Regulation 833 regulates the control of exposure to biological or chemical agents, including steps for assessing and determining airborne concentrations. Jasmine highlights that air quality testing is crucial in identifying workplace exposure levels, as this information helps compare with regulatory limits, determine if workers are overexposed, and determine if controls are needed. Air quality testing can be done proactively by employers or requested from the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) based on observations.

Jasmine explains that employers can determine what needs to be assessed by reviewing the company’s safety data sheets, previous claims data, past exposure assessments, as well as utilizing relevant resources such as IHSA's occupational health risk toolkit. Another recommended resource is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s (NIOSH) online tool, The NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, which provides key data on various hazardous agents, including exposure limits, testing methods, and more.

It is critical for employers to understand the importance of air quality testing and implement appropriate controls to protect their workers and reduce the risk of exposure to hazardous chemical and biological agents in their workplaces.

Free Resources

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards

Regulation 833: Control of exposure to biological or chemical agents

Current occupational exposure limits for Ontario workplaces under Regulation 833

IHSA.ca - Diagnostic Toolkit: Occupational Health Risks

IHSA.ca - Occupational Health

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast features Bothwell-Accurate, a construction firm established in 1927, and discusses its successful transition to the COR® 2020 standard and recent recognition by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) under the Ontario Safe Employers Program.

Bothwell-Accurate's Corporate Health and Safety Manager, Carlo Colozza, shares the story of the company’s recent transition to COR® 2020 standard. Carlo’s strong background in COR® and previous experience with WSIB’s Health & Safety Excellence program (HSEp) helped prepare Bothwell-Accurate on certain topics and eased the transition to COR® 2020.

Carlo emphasizes the importance of having a certified occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS), as it creates trust in the workplace and ensures workers return home healthy and safe. Since transitioning to COR® 2020, Bothwell-Accurate's reputation has improved due to better organization and better solutions to issues, increasing their confidence and ability to bid on projects and maintain a good reputation in the construction sector.

Carlo states that the audit process may appear daunting at first, especially when hearing the word ‘audit’, but it does not have to be. The audit process simply evaluates a company’s current OHSMS system to see where gaps exist and how to improve. Carlo also shares some tips to help in the transition process, such as joining the HSEp, thoroughly understanding the audit guidelines, and, most importantly, reaching out to an IHSA consultant to assist with the transition.

Free Resources

COR® – Getting Started

IHSA COR® Podcast

WSIB's Health and Safety Excellence Program

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses the importance of documentation in an occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS) and features IHSA’s Adam Carruthers, who shares his experience in writing policies, procedures, and processes.

Adam discusses the critical need to have documentation in an OHSMS, particularly for small businesses. Smaller companies often face a higher risk of injuries due to insufficient knowledge, training, and experience in health and safety. It is this concern that led to the legislation that requires an employer with more than 5 employees to prepare a health and safety policy.

Documentation provides structure, supports compliance through consistent application, enhances communication, and facilitates continual improvement, ultimately contributing to a safer, healthier, and more effective workplace. Preparing documentation does not have to be complicated; Adam emphasizes that it’s essential to keep its development process simple and easy to understand. A health and safety policy should include the purpose, scope, definitions, responsibilities, procedure or practice, training requirements, associated documents, and any applicable legislation.  

For small businesses that are expanding and unsure about where to start with documentation and policies, Adam recommends starting with a certification standard for health and safety systems, such as the Certificate of Recognition (COR®), as more municipalities, constructors, clients, and organizations require such systems. This not only prepares the business for future contracts, but also lays the foundation for safe work behaviours and attitudes.

Free Resources

Policy and Program Templates

COR® – Getting Started

Hazard Assessment, Analysis, and Control (COR® Podcast – Episode 6)

Construction Health & Safety Manual

NCSO® and NHSA™ Certifications

WSIB's Health and Safety Excellence Program

Road Safety Solutions

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses the impact of workplace injuries and features Amber Hiuser, occupational health and safety coordinator, who shares her experience with workplace injury and the impact it has had on both her personal and professional life.

Amber’s interest in workplace health and safety began the moment her life changed when, as an 18-year old new on a job, she accidentally entangled her fingers with a blade while operating a CNC machine lathe. A few years later, she had another injury to her face at a job that didn't have any safety policies or proper reporting procedures in place. Amber shares her journey through the pain of multiple surgeries and dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Amber discusses her role as a speaker for Threads of Life, advocating for safer workspaces and the necessity of working for a company that has a COR-certified occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS). Having an effective OHSMS helps workers feel confident that there are protective measures in place that go beyond just following regulations.

Amber also mentions the impact of senior management on the performance of an OHSMS. A company with a strong safety culture, as well as support and involvement from senior management, can have a significant impact on workers, instilling confidence and contributing to a safer work environment.

Free Resources

Workplace Inspections

Safety Talks

Tools and Resources

Topics and Hazards

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses mental health in high-risk workplaces, as well as the partnership between IHSA and Opening Minds, a division of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, to deliver a new training program, The Working Mind for the Trades. Joining in the conversation are Charles Boyer and Derek Baranowski from the Mental Health Commission of Canada and IHSA's Kathy Martin, as they emphasize the importance of addressing mental health in the workplace.

The Working Mind program focuses on raising awareness and encouraging dialogue about mental health to reduce stigma, as well as equipping employees with coping skills when faced with challenges. The program was adapted from the original program by Opening Minds and customized to resonate more with the industries IHSA serves—construction, transportation, and electrical utilities.

There are two versions of the program: one for workers and the other for management. Both versions have identical first three modules, which address barriers to having conversations on mental health, monitoring and managing mental health in the workplace, and resilience strategies. The management version has a fourth module dedicated to the leadership team to help them incorporate the learning goals from previous modules into their leadership style.

Kathy highlights that the program is for everyone, and the real learning takes place during group discussions and interaction throughout the course. Derek discusses the benefits of the program, emphasizing that maintaining our mental health should be a normal part of our life that should be treated with the same priority as other areas.

Free Resources

The Working Mind for the Trades - Manager

The Working Mind for the Trades - Worker

Workplace Mental Health & Related Topics

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, IHSA’s Maren Gamble discusses the impact of senior management on the performance of an occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS). A senior manager’s level of commitment towards their OHSMS is a critical factor to its success. For example, a senior manager's involvement, such as attending meetings, having knowledge of the system, and having a good understanding of the internal audit process, can significantly impact the success of the system.

Maren emphasizes that senior management should lead by example, as their actions send a message that health and safety is important and worth their time. When they visit a construction site, for instance, a senior manager should not only adhere to mandatory personal protective equipment (PPE) and other safety measures, but they should also insist that these rules apply to everyone, demonstrating that there are no exceptions to these rules. If a senior manager or president of a construction project were to be seen wearing dress shoes on the jobsite instead of the proper PPE, it sends the wrong message that PPE is optional and the rules are not applicable to everyone.

To ensure that they keep the promise and commitment they made to their workers to support them in making it home safely, senior management should regularly review the proactive controls being developed within their OHSMS to ensure they are comfortable with them and confident in their ability to meet their health and safety obligations.

Free Resources

The Working Mind for the Trades – Manager (Virtual Training)

The Role of a Supervisor

The Competent Supervisor

What Supervisors Need to Know

Property or Facility Manager

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, IHSA’s Maren Gamble discusses the distinction between two concepts that are often confused in health and safety: corrective action and preventative action.

Corrective actions are taken in response to existing hazards or incidents in the workplace. Preventative actions, on the other hand, take a more proactive approach with the aim to minimize or eliminate hazards and prevent incidents from reoccurring. The difference between the two is that one focuses on dealing with an incident as it happens, while the other focuses on how to stop the incident from happening again.

Maren shares some real-life examples of what a corrective action may look like versus a preventative action. If a fire were to break out, for example, a corrective action would be to put out the fire. A preventative action would be to eliminate the root cause of the fire to prevent future outbreaks.

Maren also emphasizes the importance of considering both corrective and preventative action plans when building an occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS). If we focus solely on corrective action, there’ll be an increased number of incidents to address in future because of the lack of a preventative action plan in place. If we focus solely on preventative action and an incident occurs that calls for corrective action, we will find ourselves unprepared. Both action plans are necessary for maximizing efficiency and maintaining worker health and safety.

Free resources 

Hazards, Risks, Assessment, and Control (IHSA Podcast – Episode 75)

Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems: The Plan, Do, Check, Act Model (IHSA Podcast – Episode 66)

The Plan, Do, Check, Act (PDCA) Model: A Deeper Dive (IHSA Podcast – Episode 67)

IHSA Magazine: Plan, Do, Check, Act

Occupational Health and Safety: The Physical Work Environment

Hierarchy of Controls (YouTube)

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For some people, the idea of a "diet" can be unpleasant and misleading. However, a diet has more to do with the choices we make when it comes to what we eat and drink. On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, IHSA’s Holly Baril discusses practical diet and nutrition tips for food and beverages.

Holly explains the differences between carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, the three main energy sources for the body, and how they contribute to overall health. Carbohydrates are made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, and are found in grains, vegetables, peas, and fruits. Proteins are found in various foods, including meats, dairy products, legumes, and vegetables. Lipids (fats) are found in fats, oils, naturally occurring fats in meats and dairy products, and less obvious plant sources like coconut, olives, and avocado.

Holly discusses what makes up an adequate and balanced diet, as well as how the food we eat affects our overall health and energy levels. Bad food habits, such as eating while watching TV, skipping breakfast, or eating too quickly, are hard to break; however, being aware of these habits can help in making positive changes. Being active also plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy and balanced living. Any level of physical activity is better than none, and strongly recommended. To develop a more active lifestyle, Holly suggests the following:

·      Avoid sitting for more than 30 minutes at a time

·      Incorporate extra steps everyday

·      Incorporate a variety of food choices

·      Limit sugar intake

Free resources 

MyPlate

Canada’s Food Guide

Myths about Alcohol

Stretching to prevent injury

Stretching exercises

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses the Ontario Ministry of Transportation’s (MTO) Driver Certification Program (DCP), and features Brad Bird, Manager of Health & Safety Education and Accredited Programs at IHSA. The Driver Certification Program is a voluntary program that gives an organization authority from the Ministry of Transportation to train and test their employees for the purpose of upgrading or renewing classified licences and endorsements. Employees who successfully complete the training and testing under the DCP program will obtain an upgraded Commercial Driver’s Licence.  

Brad discusses the types of organizations eligible to participate in the DCP, as well as the process of registering for the program, one of which is that a company is required to complete an online application through the MTO’s DCP office. He also discusses the benefits of the DCP program to companies in Ontario, particularly the training of drivers to meet or exceed MTO testing standards. 

Brad highlights IHSA’s training programs, all recognized and approved by MTO’s DCP standards: 

• 10-day Fleet Signing Authority program

• Fleet Signing Authority Recertification program

• Air Brake Instructor program

Graduates of the 10-day Fleet Signing Authority program and the Air Brake Instructor program are eligible to become a Signing Authority—a ministry-approved trainer and tester—for the purpose of upgrading or renewing classified licences and endorsements.

Free resources 

Fleet Signing Authority program

Fleet Signing Authority Recertification program

Air Brake Instructor program

MTO DCP Information package

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Summer in Ontario is typically hot and dry, which can cause heat stress for outdoor workers who work long hours. With Environment Canada predicting warmer-than-usual temperatures this summer in Ontario, it’s critical to take adequate measures to prevent heat stress. Heat stress is a seasonal hazard that can occur when the body's core temperature rises, causing severe dehydration that can be harmful if left untreated. We invite you to listen to a re-launch of Episode 60 of the IHSA Safety Podcast, which discusses heat stress, the different types of heat stress disorders, risks, symptoms, controls, and actions to take when experiencing symptoms.

The Heat Stress Calculator from the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW) is a calculator that provides three methods of calculation: Humidex-based Method, WBGT Estimate Method, and Detailed WBGT Method. It’s an efficient tool for assessing heat stress and to reference when working in extreme heat conditions.

IHSA offers a range of free resources on heat stress, such as safety talks, manuals, bulletins, and advisories.

Free Resources:

Episode 60—Heat Stress: Understanding the risks, symptoms, and controls

Heat Stress Calculator (OHCOW)

Heat Stress Resources (IHSA.ca)

Heat Stress Awareness Wheel Tool – OHCOW

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.