This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses IHSA’s 5-part video series "Ask a Construction Health and Safety Expert" and features series host Ken Rayner and industry experts Deb Moskal and Dave Dametto.

Ken states that the series is designed to support small business owners, especially those in their first year, by providing easy, accessible health and safety resources and helping them achieve compliance. With over 10,000 new construction businesses joining IHSA each year, the series addresses common questions and misconceptions about health and safety compliance.

Deb Moskal highlights how crucial it is for new construction businesses in Ontario to have basic health and safety guidance. The number of requirements and responsibilities they face can feel daunting; however, with the right guidance and tools, they don’t have to be. As these businesses face initial start-up challenges, keeping their workers safe is critical, so it's essential that they create strong health and safety practices from the beginning.

Dave explains that the series covers a plethora of health and safety topics for construction workers, such as mandatory training, legislation, hazard assessments, incident response plans, and competent supervision. The episodes are free and available on IHSA's website and YouTube, as well as on a dedicated landing page designed for easy access to additional resources.

Free resources

Ask a Construction Health and Safety Expert landing page

IHSA’s free health and safety resources

Safety talks

IHSA’s 5-episode series on construction health and safety (YouTube)

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This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses COR®’s Maintenance Action Plan (MAP) and features Peter Smith, Lead COR® Auditor at IHSA, and Margaret Hart, health and safety program administrator at Hart-Well Electrical.

The MAP, which was introduced in Alberta in 2016 to improve health and safety standards, is a new option for mature COR®-certified organizations in Ontario to enhance health and safety without the burden of repetitive internal audits.

Peter explains that following a recertification audit a company has the option to participate in a MAP instead of completing an internal maintenance audit. The company would submit a MAP proposal to IHSA that outlines five objectives for continuous improvement. Once IHSA approves, the company has nine to 10 months to address the outlined objectives and provide evidence to IHSA 60 days before their certification anniversary date. Once IHSA signs off, the MAP effectively replaces the internal maintenance audit for that recertification year, and a letter of good standing is issued to the company.

Margaret discusses her team’s experience with MAP, and she and Peter offer tips on the MAP process for companies that may be considering taking the MAP approach.

Free resources

What is COR®?  

COR® – Getting Started

The Benefits of COR®

Debunking Seven Myths about the COR® Program

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This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses the new COR® Combined Audit program and features Peter Smith, Lead COR® Auditor at IHSA.

Peter states that the COR® Combined Audit allows organizations with many accounts to undergo one comprehensive COR® audit rather than multiple audits throughout the year. The key benefit of the program is to enhance efficiency during the COR® certification process, so that instead ofreviewing the same health and safety management system with various accounts multiple times, the review can be completed in a single audit of all accounts. 

The combined audit program isn’t mandatory but rather optional, and it doesn’t change the COR® standards or audit expectations. Each account is still expected to be in compliance withthe COR® 2020 standard, and each account still gets its own individual certification.

Peter also highlights other benefits of the program, such as saving time and money. It cuts down on the time spent writing several audit reports for each account and also lowers the cost of auditing each account.

Free resources

What is COR®?  

COR® – Getting Started

The Benefits of COR®

Debunking Seven Myths about the COR® Program

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This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses the hierarchy of controls as a fundamental tool in workplace health and safety and features Scott Laing.

Scott explains that the hierarchy of controls is a framework that helps to reduce or eliminate hazards, starting with the most effective methods such as elimination and substitution and moving down to less effective measures such as personal protective equipment (PPE).

The hierarchy of controls helps manage workplace risks effectively, particularly on construction sites. Because construction sites are dynamic with conditions changing frequently, it’s always critical to identify hazards before they lead to incidents. Scott emphasizes that workers' involvement in hazard identification and safety discussions is necessary, as they can best identify risks that may not be obvious to supervisors or health and safety committee members.

Scott discusses the ways technology is improving the ability to recognize and control hazards in construction, such as the use of drones for site inspections and the Building Information Modeling (BIM) equipment, which visualizes a project before the construction begins. Scott also shares additional safety tips for workers and safety professionals when using the hierarchy of controls.

Free resources

Hierarchy of Controls to Ensure Workers’ Safety

Basics of Supervising Training

Training Requirements Chart

Safety Talks

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This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses mental health and self-care within the construction industry and features construction supervisor Andy Fournier. 

Andy discusses areas of supervising that can lead to stress, such as tight schedules and deadlines. One way he manages stress is to set realistic expectations and understand that deadlines can change due to unforeseen factors. It’s better if a project is delayed than to cut corners and put lives at risk. It's also important to be open and honest with clients about deadlines and adjusting their expectations.

Andy states that prioritizing self-care is vital and should include actions like focusing on the most important tasks and setting boundaries to prevent burnout. He makes it a point to disconnect from work outside of work hours, which has been good for his mental health.

Although the stigma around mental health remains, more individuals are starting to talk more openly and freely about stress and emotional challenges with coworkers or those who have experienced similar struggles and can relate. Andy highlights his practice of incorporating mental health discussions into safety meetings, encouraging workers to talk about their challenges and support one another.

Free resources

Mental Health at Work - A Mental Health Guide for Construction Small Businesses

Mental Health Safety Talks: Facilitator's Guide

The Role of a Supervisor

What Supervisors Need to Know

The Working Minds for the Trades - Manager

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This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses the legal responsibilities, safety standards, and regulatory framework that every construction supervisor needs to know and features construction supervisor Andy Fournier.

Andy discusses the most important supervisory responsibilities on a construction project, one of which is prioritizing safety above all else. He speaks against a culture that puts schedule and deadlines over safety, stating that while no one may remember how quickly a project is completed, everyone will always remember the impact of safety oversights, such as incidents that result in serious injuries or fatalities. Jobsites should promote a culture in which taking the extra time to do things correctly is valued, even if it means the project takes longer than planned.

Another responsibility Andy prioritizes as a supervisor is proper planning. Poor planning can lead to frustration and chaos on jobsites, which makes it crucial that supervisors stay ahead of potential issues with adequate planning.

Andy further discusses some tips on being able to handle different types of personalities and also shares some tools and resources that have improved his understanding of the different construction regulations.

Free resources

The Role of a Supervisor

The Competent Supervisor

What Supervisors Need to Know

The Working Minds for the Trades - Manager

Basics of Supervising

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This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses personal protective equipment (PPE) and features Ryan Smith, health and safety consultant at IHSA.

Ryan highlights the necessity of having the appropriate PPE fit and proper training on how to use them. The right fit, the right gear, and the right training could mean the difference between going home safe and not going home at all.

Ryan identifies common PPE mistakes on construction sites, such as not wearing hard hats at all times when on site, not wearing appropriate eye protection where there's a risk to the worker's eye, and not using fall prevention or fall protection as required. He also mentions comfort as one of the key factors employers should consider when it comes to PPE use. Investing in high-quality PPE appropriate for a specific task is critical, as it encourages and promotes regular use and proper maintenance, both of which enhance safety on the job.

Ryan also emphasizes the need for consistent enforcement from leadership in following the primary safety measures on jobsites so that workers don’t have to rely solely on PPE to stay safe. Any positive change in site culture should begin at the top and spread downward; hence, employers must put in the effort to ensure their workplace safety culture is high-standard and compliant.

Free resources

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Construction Health & Safety Manual

Safety Talks

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This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses the importance of mental health training in the workplace and features Enzo Garritano, IHSA’s President and CEO.

Enzo highlights the necessity of understanding mental health and its impact in the workplace. Everyone in the workplace plays a part in mental health, and it should be treated like any other workplace risk, with a focus on raising awareness and understanding the support roles and resources available.

Enzo discusses ‘Opening the Door to Support,’ one of IHSA’s eLearning programs designed to equip learners with essential skills and tools to support mental health in the workplace. This interactive, six-module program covers essential topics such as breaking down stigma, identifying red flags, leading by example, communicating supportively, and supporting others.

Enzo emphasizes the critical need for both management and workers to participate in mental health training to increase their awareness and understanding of mental health. Getting training is a starting point that provides opportunities for growth in the subject matter, and leaders should invest in getting their workers and teams involved.

Free resources

Opening the Door to Support

The Working Mind for the Trades - Manager

The Working Mind for the Trades – Worker

2026 National Conference: The Power of Peer Support

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This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses IHSA’s Associate COR® Consulting Program and features IHSA’s Chris McKean along with health and safety consultants Mike Russo, Abe Khalil, and Chris Ring.

Chris McKean explains that the Associate COR® Consulting Program was developed to help Ontario workplaces achieve COR® certification and to promote collaboration and continuous improvement in health and safety practices among IHSA members. He states that COR®-certified companies are statistically safer than non-certified ones, and the program aims to extend that strong safety culture across more workplaces.

Mike, Abe, and Chris Ring share their motivations for joining the program, emphasizing the desire to support companies in navigating the COR® certification process, which can often feel overwhelming for some companies. They note that many organizations are already implementing effective safety practices; they just need help documenting and refining them, which is the purpose of the program.

They also discuss how the program helps close gaps in audit quality and member satisfaction, ensuring that companies receive consistent, competent guidance throughout their certification journey.

Free resources

IHSA – Certificate of Recognition (COR®)

Maple Safety Consulting

Occupational Health & Safety Prevention Services

WorkBright

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This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses the essential elements of building a strong safety culture in the construction industry and features Tracy O'Brien, health and safety manager at Tomlinson.

Tracy defines a positive safety culture as a self-sustaining and supportive environment where safety is ingrained in everyday practices, encouraging open communication and allowing all employees to voice concerns without fear of penalty.

An effective safety culture impacts not only the physical safety of workers but also the overall productivity and success of construction projects. Signs of a strong safety culture include visually clean sites, proper PPE use, maintained housekeeping, and active engagement from supervisors and workers who feel heard and valued.

Tracy discusses the stigma surrounding near-miss reporting and how creating a supportive environment for sharing incidents can help identify potential risks and prevent future occurrences. She also shares real-life incidents that reinforce the importance of safety culture during emergencies and the need for continuous improvement in safety practices.

Free resources

IHSA - Certificate of Recognition (COR®)

Basics of Supervising Training

JHSC Training Part 1

JHSC Training Part 2

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