To build an effective occupational health and safety management system, it is crucial to adopt a proactive approach to risk prevention rather than a reactive one. This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses the basics of hazards, risks, assessment, and controls within an occupational health and safety management system and features Maren Gamble, Manager of Strategic Programs at IHSA.

Maren discusses the proactive approach in depth, which focuses on predicting and foreseeing potential risks before the job starts. Maren compares this to baby-proofing or pet-proofing a house by identifying potential hazards to an infant or a new pet and putting control measures in place.

Maren further emphasizes the importance of understanding the distinction between hazard, risk, assessment, and control. The hazard in a workplace is what causes harm, while the risk is the type of harm it can cause. It’s important to consider the hazard that existed to cause that risk, as this helps identify other risks associated with the same hazard.

Maren also discusses the best way to address risks, which is to implement controls. Some types of controls are better than others, leading to the control hierarchy as follows: Elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Free Resources

Hazard Identification and Control Awareness in Construction (eLearning)

Intro to Hazard and Risk Management (eLearning)

Hierarchy of Controls (YouTube)

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

Trauma Management in the Workplace (IHSA Podcast – Episode 70)

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On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, we celebrate the career of an occupational health and safety professional, Tom Nicolls. Tom started his career in the Electrical Utility industry 38 years ago with Hydro One, and has been a significant contributor to occupational health and safety in Ontario through various channels and roles.

Tom shares his experiences over the length of his extensive career, including his inspiration to pursue a career in health and safety after witnessing severe accidents as a lineman at Ontario Hydro and recognizing the critical need for safety protocols. He went on to become an Occupational Health and Safety Specialist with the Power Workers Union, which represents 90% of electrical workers in distribution, transmission, and generation of power across Ontario.

One memorable moment from Tom’s career was his involvement in standardizing the Utility Work Protection Code across the province after an ice storm in Toronto. The code ensures the safety of workers in distribution and transmission systems in Ontario, and its standardization has had a long-lasting effect across the province.

Tom has dedicated a lot of his time to volunteer activities, committees, and boards, including serving as chair of Section 21 Utility Provincial Labour Management Committee, as well as co-chair on the Board of IHSA.

Free Resources

Learn about the dangers of working around electrical hazards (ihsa.ca)

Occupational Health and Safety: The Physical Work Environment

IHSA COR® Podcast

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Worker misclassification can have ramifications for all parties involved. When a worker is misclassified, it prevents them from receiving the full benefits and protections they are entitled to under the Canada Labour Code. This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast (the final in a three-part series) discusses worker misclassification in transportation and features Liz Tavares, Occupational Health and Safety Officer, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)—Labour Program/Government of Canada, and Michelle Roberts, Vice President, Stakeholder and Public Relations at IHSA.

Worker misclassification, as explained by Liz, is the improper designation of an employee and occurs when an employer intentionally treats a worker who meets the criteria to be an employee as someone other than an employee. As a result, the worker or driver is not afforded the same rights and protections as other employees in the industry.

Liz and Michelle further highlight the risks associated with misclassification for both workers and employers, as well as the steps by which misclassification can be addressed. The first is through guidance and counselling, followed by other compliance measures such as Assurance of Voluntary Compliance (AVC), Compliance Order, and more.

Free Resources

Reporting requirements for federally regulated firms

Legislative Requirements and Best Practices

Transportation: Links & Resources

What supervisors need to know

Misclassification in the Trucking Industry - Government of Canada

ESDC Tool Kit:  https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/portfolio/labour/programs/labour-standards/reports/misclassification-trucking.html

ESDC Video: Misclassification Know your Rights:  https://youtu.be/HdQdNTcvvVA?si=rDDM4ZCWlt1zYHmh

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A federally regulated small business must have an occupational health and safety (OHS) program with components that promote a workplace safety culture. This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast (the second in a three-part series) discusses the first steps a federally regulated business should consider when building their OHS system and features Liz Tavares, Occupational Health and Safety Officer, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)—Labour Program/Government of Canada, and Michelle Roberts, Vice President, Stakeholder and Public Relations at IHSA.

Liz explains the necessary steps to establish a federal occupational health and safety program, which include finding a health and safety expert who is well-versed in the Canada Labour Code Part II, developing a comprehensive OHS program that incorporates a hazard prevention program, and reviewing the program every three years or whenever necessary.

Liz and Michelle also emphasize the importance of training as another necessary step. Employers have the duty to train managers and supervisors in health and safety, while employees must be informed and trained on workplace hazards, the use of personal protective equipment, and reporting hazards.

IHSA offers customized training programs and a number of free resources for federally regulated small businesses to assist them in identifying and addressing their most critical workplace hazards, developing a successful OHS program, and ensuring a healthy and safe working environment.

Free Resources

Reporting requirements for federally regulated firms

Legislative Requirements and Best Practices

Road Safety Solutions (ihsa.ca)

What supervisors need to know

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It is vital for small businesses to understand which jurisdiction governs them and what legislation they must follow. This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast (the first in a three-part series) discusses jurisdiction and features Liz Tavares, Occupational Health and Safety Officer, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) – Labour Program / Government of Canada, and Michelle Roberts, Vice-President, Stakeholder and Public Relations at IHSA.

Liz and Michelle discuss federal occupational health and safety—specifically for the transportation industry—and the differences between Canada Labour Code Part II and the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act. Transportation services fall under federal jurisdiction, including trucks and buses that cross provincial borders or international borders on a regular and continued basis.

Liz also highlights the importance of understanding the circumstances and requirements of each jurisdiction, as well as the steps an owner of a transportation company can take to determine which legislation applies to them.

IHSA has resources available at IHSA.ca that can assist an owner of a transportation company comply with legislation under their applicable jurisdiction. Employers can also connect with ESDC at labour.gc.ca or 1-800-641-4049 for more information.

Free Resources

Reporting requirements for federally regulated firms

Legislative Requirements and Best Practices

Transportation: Links & Resources

What supervisors need to know

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Traumatic events may occur suddenly and without warning. Depending on the severity, the level of exposure, and personal history and coping abilities, trauma can be problematic in the long term for some individuals, but can also affect most in the short term. On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Kathy Martin, IHSA's Mental Health and Wellness Specialist, discusses trauma management in the workplace.

Kathy highlights the essential need for employers to be prepared to manage and respond to traumatic events and provide support to affected employees. It is critical for all businesses, regardless of size, to develop an Incident/Emergency Response Plan, which should include a Worker Trauma Response Plan. Kathy also discusses:

• The first steps to take when responding to a worker who has experienced trauma
• The four phases of Crisis Management—Prevention, Preparedness, Response (incident management), and Recovery
• Activities that workplaces can get involved in to prepare to respond to trauma, such as education and training, preparing resources, and setting up policies in place
• The importance of keeping trauma management simple. Interventions should be simple, and interactions should be short.

IHSA offers a wide range of free resources at IHSA.ca to help employers recognize when someone might be struggling with their mental wellbeing and how to support them.

Free Resources

Workplace Mental Health

Workplace Mental Health: Supporter Toolkit

Workplace Mental Health: Employer Toolkit

IHSA Safety Talks: Mental Health

How to Talk About Mental Health at Your Workplace

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Silica is a primary component of many construction materials. CAREX Canada estimates that approximately 380,000 Canadians are occupationally exposed to silica, and approximately 570 lung cancers are due to exposure to crystalline silica each year. Exposure to silica dust, produced during work processes such as digging, grinding, and drilling, can lead to serious health issues including lung cancer, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and chronic kidney disease.

On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Jasmine Kalsi, IHSA’s Occupational Hygienist, and Shirly Yan, Occupational Hygienist at the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW)—Toronto Clinic, discuss the hazards posed by silica in construction, addressing topics such as:

·      How a worker can get exposed to silica

·      Legal limits to which a worker can be exposed to silica

·      The responsibilities of workplace parties to ensure the health and safety of workers

·      The Silica Control Tool™ (SCT), a new tool from Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety System that collects details about a company, the jobsite, and planned work activity, estimating and analyzing the risk of silica dust exposure

Beginning in November 2023, workers and employers in the Ontario Construction Industry will receive full access to the Silica Control Tool™ to help assess silica exposure levels in the workplace.

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Noise is a significant hazard in the construction, transportation, and utility sectors, and extended exposure can be harmful at levels that workers may not notice or consider disruptive, resulting in gradual hearing loss. Noise-induced hearing loss continues to be the leading cause of non-fatal occupational disease claims in Ontario. On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, we are joined once again by Jasmine Kalsi, IHSA's Occupational Hygienist, and Blair Allin, Canada's National Health and Safety Representative for the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers.

Jasmine and Blair discuss in detail noise exposure in the workplace and the need for audiometric testing. Audiometric testing is a non-invasive and painless hearing test that assesses an individual's ability to hear sounds at different intensities. Audiometric tests are beneficial in the workplace, as they allow both employers and workers to have a record of hearing function and determine the effectiveness of existing noise control measures.

Jasmine and Blair also speak on the process of getting and conducting audiometric testing in a workplace, emphasizing the necessity for employers to consider audiometric testing as a best practice.

Free Resources

IHSA Podcast Episode #63: Noise Exposure in the Workplace

Noise control tool

Noise assessment tool

Doing something about noise

Controlling noise exposure in construction

Basics of hearing protection for workers (eLearning)

Basics of hearing protection for employers, JHSC, and H&S reps

The leading causes of occupational illness in Ontario

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The Plan, Do, Check, Act (PDCA) model, also known as the four stages of continuous improvement, is crucial for an organization's health and safety goals. On Episode 66 of the IHSA Safety podcast, Maren Gamble, Manager of Strategic Programs at IHSA, walked through the PDCA model as a fundamental framework for developing and implementing an effective Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS). On this episode of the IHSA Safety podcast, Maren delves deeper into the practical application of the PDCA model, breaking it down as follows:

·      During the Plan stage, having a well-developed plan is critical, which involves carefully outlining each step and considering all possible scenarios to ensure everything is covered

·      The Do stage involves assigning roles to individuals and ensuring everyone understands their roles in order to carry out the plan effectively

·      The Check stage involves assessing the outcome of the event and identifying areas for improvement

·      The Act stage involves celebrating the successes and small victories, as well as making necessary adjustments to improve the overall OHSMS process

Every step of the PDCA model is important for continuous improvement and maintaining a safe work environment.

Free resources:

IHSA Magazine: Plan, Do, Check, Act

Steps to building your Road Safety Program using PDCA

Downloadable Template (click here)

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The Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) model is a fundamental framework for developing and implementing an effective Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS). This approach allows organizations to continuously improve their safety performance, encourages employee engagement, and can be applied consistently across a variety of management systems.

On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Maren Gamble, Manager of Strategic Programs at IHSA, compares the planning phase of building an OHSMS to planning a boat ride to your favourite restaurant across the lake: in both cases, careful planning ensures that everyone involved stays safe and has fun.

Building an OHSMS can certainly be complex -- the PDCA model can help firms focus on the basics and create a solid foundation, so that their plan can be applied universally across each of their jobsites.

The PDCA is also a critical component of COR® and a requirement of participants in the WSIB’s Health and Safety Excellence program (HSEp).

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