Small Biz Safety

In our final Small Business Week mini episode, we share how the Health and Safety Excellence program can help improve your safety program and provide WSIB rebates! Learn how Orillia-based small business Simcoe Sewer & Water Ltd. got started – and how you can too. Then, get an update on how you can DOUBLE your rebates!

Note: This episode was recorded on September 28, 2022. All information presented was in effect at that time.

SHOW NOTES

Simcoe Sewer & Water Ltd | simcoesewer.ca

Get Involved: WSIB Health and Safety Excellence Program | WSPS

Health and Safety Excellence program| WSIB

Contact Workplace Safety & Prevention Services

• Looking for Small Biz resources and more information? Visit the WSPS Small Business Centre
• Have health and safety questions? Contact the WSPS Duty Consultant by emailing [email protected] or calling 1-877-494-WSPS (9777).
• Have questions about this podcast or show ideas? We'd love to hear from you! Contact [email protected]

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#22.2 - Small Business Week Mini Episode – Save time and money with workplace ergonomics

Small Business Week falls in October, but did you know October is also Ergonomics Month? In this mini episode, we're joined by Ergonomics Specialist Don Patten. Find out why ergonomics is important for the safety of workers - and how it can save you time and money! Then, get 3 tips on how to easily implement ergonomics in your workplace.

Note: This episode was recorded on October 3, 2022. All information presented was in effect at that time.

SHOW NOTES

Ergonomics checklists, articles and resources | WSPS.CA

Contact Workplace Safety & Prevention Services

• Looking for Small Biz resources and more information? Visit the WSPS Small Business Centre
• Have health and safety questions? Contact the WSPS Duty Consultant by emailing [email protected] or calling 1-877-494-WSPS (9777).
• Have questions about this podcast or show ideas? We'd love to hear from you! Contact us at [email protected]

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Host Meron Samuel chats with Dr. Bill Howatt, an international expert in workplace mental health, about a new resource called the Mental Harm Prevention Roadmap. Learn how this free resource can support workers' mental health and prevent mental harm – no matter where you are on your journey!

Note: This episode was recorded on October 5, 2022. All information presented was in effect at that time.

SHOW NOTES

Mental Harm Prevention Roadmap | mentalhealthroadmap.wsps.ca

Dr. Bill Howatt – Howatt HR Consulting | howatthr.com

Psychologically Healthy and Safe Workplaces Video | WSPS.CA

If a Ministry inspector knocked on your door today – would your business be ready? We welcome Adina from the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development (MLITSD) to share tips so you'll be ready for a possible inspection (2:43). Also, get updates on new COVID guidelines (:58) and how you can train your health and safety rep for free (1:25)! Then, learn how quality sleep can improve your physical and mental health (16:23).

Show Notes

• New COVID guidelines, plus 6 tips to stop the spread of respiratory illness | WSPS.CA
• MLITSD and WSPS - Masking Webinar - With recent changes to the ministry's workplace masking guidance, MLITSD worked in collaboration with WSPS to develop a free, online webinar. Find out how employers and employees can better assess the effectiveness of fit and filtration for different types of masks.
• Health and Safety Representative (HSR) training: reimbursements available for your small business | WSPS.CA
• NEW: Fall Harvest Strategy | WSPS.CA
• Occupational health and safety inspections and investigations | ontario.ca
• Health and safety for small businesses | ontario.ca

Contact Workplace Safety & Prevention Services

• Looking for Small Biz resources and more information? Visit the WSPS Small Business Centre
• Have health and safety questions? Contact the WSPS Duty Consultant by emailing [email protected] or calling 1-877-494-WSPS (9777).
• Have questions about this podcast or show ideas? We'd love to hear from you! Contact [email protected]

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It's almost Healthy Workplace Month - find out how Canada's Healthy Workplace Challenge can benefit your business (2:12). Then, what's the connection between nutrition and health and safety? We welcome Toronto-based nutritionist Stephanie Kay to share how better eating can improve your wellbeing – and your workplace (4:22).

SHOW NOTES

October is Canada's Healthy Workplace Month:

• Canada's Healthy Workplace Month – Official Site
• Canada's Healthy Workplace Month - "Mile a Day Challenge"
• Creating a Healthy Workplace Nutrition Environment

More Healthy Workplace Resources

• WSPS Mental Health & Employee Wellbeing Resources

Guest - Stephanie Kay:

• Website: https://kaynutrition.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephaniekaynutrition/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StephanieKayNutrition

Contact Workplace Safety & Prevention Services

• Looking for Small Biz resources and more information? Visit the WSPS Small Business Centre
• Have health and safety questions? Contact the WSPS Duty Consultant by email [email protected] or call 1-877-494-WSPS (9777).
• Have questions about this podcast or show ideas? We'd love to hear from you! Contact [email protected]

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#20 – Rebates, free resources & 3 things to do right now!

Learn 3 things you can do right now to protect your business and employees (5:00) – and how to double your WSIB rebates and receive $1,000 towards your health and safety program (1:29). Hiring Ukrainian workers? We have translated resources (25:20)! Last up, be sure to apply for WSIB's Small Business Health and Safety Leadership Awards (26:55).

Note: This episode was recorded on June 28, 2022. All information presented was in effect at that time. Please check with your local Public Health unit to confirm up-to-date prevention measures that are in place in your area.

RESOURCES

In the News: Health & Safety Excellence Program (HSEP)

• Get Involved: WSIB Health and Safety Excellence Program | WSPS
• Health and Safety Excellence program: Webinars | WSIB

3 things you should know

• HSR Information
  • Health and Safety Representative (HSR) Basic Training | WSPS

• Small Biz Centre: Safety Checks
  • Small Business Centre | WSPS | WSPS Safety Checks for Workers (wsps.ca)

• Mental Health
  • Research conducted by Canada Life and Workplace Strategies for Mental Health; retention and staffing in the retail industry; A Deloitte study from 2019 on companies with mental health programs
• Ukrainian Health and Safety Resources:
  • Prevention Starts Here, Health and Safety at Work Poster
  • Employment Standards materials in Ukrainian:
    • Hours of work and overtime pay
    • Temporary help agency assignment employees
    • Employment Standards Act (ESA) for foreign nationals
    • Employment Protections for Foreign Nationals Act (EPFNA)
  • The Worker and Supervisor Health and Safety Awareness Workbooks have been translated into Ukrainian. To access a copy please email [email protected].

Closing

• Elizabeth Witmer Small Business Health and Safety Leadership Awards | WSIB

Contact Workplace Safety & Prevention Services

• Looking for Small Biz resources and more information? Visit the WSPS Small Business Centre
• Have health and safety questions? Contact the WSPS Duty Consultant by email [email protected] or call 1-877-494-WSPS (9777).
• Have questions about this podcast or show ideas? We'd love to hear from you! Contact [email protected]

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The summer season means many young workers are beginning new jobs. But is your business taking the steps needed to ensure their safety? Learn about the importance of health and safety training for young workers and get tips to make sure it's engaging and memorable (16:30). Also, we welcome Elisa Kilbourne, a volunteer from Threads of Life, who shares her heartbreaking story about losing her son during a preventable workplace incident (1:50).

Note: This episode was recorded June 16, 2022. All information presented was in effect at that time. Please check with your local Public Health unit to confirm up-to-date prevention measures that are in place in your area.

RESOURCES

• Threads of Life - is a Canadian registered charity dedicated to supporting families after a workplace fatality, life-altering injury or occupational disease. Our network of family members and corporate partners believes traumatic workplace injuries, occupational diseases and deaths are preventable.

Young Worker Resources

• Survey spotlights failure to provide young workers with safety programs and training - Almost half of the respondents said they don't have safety programs for young workers. Strengthen your orientation and training with this 5-step plan.
• Small Business Job Aids – safety information on common hazards in the workplaces.
• Parents, supervisors and co-workers among greatest interpersonal influences in reducing young worker injuries - A national study examined for the first time who influences the safety behavior of young workers.

• What we can all do to keep young and new workers safe - By the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
• Orientation and General Training Information - Orientation and general training information including, who needs training, when and what it should cover.
• Ontario.ca - Health and safety training
• Video: Keep Young Workers Safe - This short, animated video pinpoints the most frequent hazards for young workers and what you can do to keep them safe.
• Safe for Work – aimed at young workers, the Safe for Work TikTok and Instagram channels promote young worker safety using short, fun videos.

Health & Safety Excellence Program (HSEP)

• Improve Safety. Double your Rebates. - The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) is offering financial incentives to small to medium-sized businesses with 1 – 99 full-time employees, who are enrolled in its Health & Safety Excellence program.

Contact Workplace Safety & Prevention Services

• Looking for Small Biz resources and more information? Visit the WSPS Small Business Centre
• Have health and safety questions? Contact the WSPS Duty Consultant by email [email protected] or call 1-877-494-WSPS (9777).

• Have questions about this podcast or show ideas? We'd love to hear from you! Contact [email protected]

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We open up the mailbag to answer your questions! Safety experts Kirsi Henry, Jack Minacs, Pam Patry and Lori Shepherd discuss returning to the office, tips on becoming an HSR, seasonal workers and more.

Note: This episode was recorded on April 6, 2022. All information presented was in effect at that time. Please check with your local Public Health unit to confirm up-to-date prevention measures that are in place in your area.

RESOURCES

WHMIS – Do all employees need training every year?

• Chemicals, Hazardous Materials & WHMIS | WSPS.ca

Seasonal employees and JHSC requirements

• Guide for health and safety committees and representatives | ontario.ca

Health and safety representative (HSR)

• Health & Safety Representative | WSPS.ca
• Health and Safety Representative (HSR) Basic Training | WSPS.ca

How can businesses deal with the dropping of mandates if some employees and customers are not quite ready?

• COVID-19 information and resources
• Should you keep some COVID controls in place? | WSPS.ca

Return to office

• Prepare for emergency situations including COVID-19 | WSPS.ca
• How to apply your COVID-19 safety plan to other hazards | WSPS.ca
• 6 tips for preventing MSDs in the post-pandemic office | WSPS.ca

Other Resources

• Disconnecting from Work Poster
• MLTSD initiatives 2022-2023: inspection schedule

Contact Workplace Safety & Prevention Services

• Looking for Small Biz resources and more information? Visit the WSPS Small Business Centre
• Have health and safety questions? Contact the WSPS Duty Consultant by email [email protected] or call 1-877-494-WSPS (9777).
• Have questions about this podcast or show ideas? We'd love to hear from you! Contact [email protected]

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Is your business experiencing increased customer aggression? Safety expert Kristy Cork shares tips on managing angry or agitated customers. Then, Drea Mulligan from Sleeping Giant Brewery offers insights on creating a culture of caring for employees. Note: This episode was recorded on March 1, 2022. All information presented was in effect at that time. Please check with your local Public Health unit to confirm up-to-date prevention measures that are in place in your area. RESOURCES

Workplace Violence and Harassment Prevention and De-escalation

• 5 de-escalation tips when responding to agitated customers
• Workplace Violence and Harassment Toolbox
• Workplace Harassment Policy Checklist
• Reduce the risk of renewed COVID violence with these 5 steps
• Reporting Workplace Violence and Harassment Procedures Checklist
• Workplace Harassment Investigations in Small Businesses: Tips for Employers
• Violence and Harassment Prevention: Situational Awareness and De-escalation(half-day virtual workshop)
• Harassment and Violence Prevention for Managers and Committees/Representatives(2-hour eCourse)
• Partners in Prevention Health & Safety Conference & Trade Show 2022 Attend the conference session Violence and Harassment Prevention: De-escalation and Situational Awareness on May 3rd

Creating a Culture of Caring with Sleeping Giant Brewery

• Sleeping Giant Brewery
• Thunder Bay brewery eyes child-care expansion to help community (CBC.ca)

Contact Workplace Safety & Prevention Services

• Looking for Small Biz resources and more information? Visit the WSPS Small Business Centre
• Have health and safety questions? Contact the WSPS Duty Consultant by email [email protected] or call 1-877-494-WSPS (9777).
• Have questions about this podcast or show ideas? We'd love to hear from you! Contact [email protected]

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As the Omicron variant continues to spread, we welcome back WSPS 'mask guru' Wagish Yajaman to help us better understand current masking recommendations.

Note: This episode was recorded on January 19, 2022. All information presented was in effect at that time. Please check with your local Public Health unit to confirm up-to-date prevention measures that are in place in your area.

RESOURCES

Remember Wagish's 'mask guru' mantra: fit, filtration, and comfort!

• N95, medical or cloth face masks: Which is best against the Omicron COVID-19 variant? Canada's latest guidance explained - The Globe and Mail
• CDC urges Americans to wear most-protective mask or respirator that fits well and that they'll wear consistently - CNN
• Types of Masks and Respirators - CDC
• N95, KN95 or KF94? How to Find the Right Covid Mask - The New York Times
• Time to upgrade from cloth and surgical masks to respirators? Your questions answered - TheConversation.com
• COVID mask guide: As omicron surges, N95 and KN95 are safer than cloth - USAToday.com
• Why You Should Upgrade Your Face Mask to an N95 - nymag.com
• Get the Most Out of Masking - California Department of Public Health
• Colorado State University professor: How to perform leak test on masks - Coloradoan.com
• N95 Fit Testing FAQs – can you do it yourself? – Safety First Training -
• The Evolution of Masking - The Agenda (YouTube)
• 3M 9205+ N95 Made in Canada - YouTube
• 3M™ FT-10 and 3M™ FT-30 Qualitative Fit Testing Kits - YouTube
• Ontario Providing Supports for Small Businesses, Workers and Families – Ontario.ca Newsroom

Contact Workplace Safety & Prevention Services

• Looking for Small Biz resources and more information? Visit the WSPS Small Business Centre
• Have health and safety questions? Contact the WSPS Duty Consultant by email [email protected] or call 1-877-494-WSPS (9777).
• Have questions about this podcast or show ideas? We'd love to hear from you! Contact [email protected]

Follow WSPS on social media

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