It's almost the end of 2021 - now is a great time for a safety check-in. Improve your OHS program with easy-to-use tips in this 'mini-episode'.

Note: This episode was recorded on December 7, 2021. 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

Ontario Passes the Working for Workers Act – Mathews Dinsdale

6 tips to launch a "disconnect" policy now – WSPS.ca

Safety Road Maps – WSPS.ca – select your business size and these road maps will help you navigate your responsibilities under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Health and Safety Representative (HSR) Basic Training – WSPS.ca

Small Business Centre – 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 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]

Learn how the proposed Working for Workers Act could impact your business (1:07). Then, we welcome a special guest from Ottawa Public Health to discuss the upcoming flu season (8:42) and highlight the importance of ‘off the job’ safety (16:39).

RESOURCES

IN THE NEWS: Working for Workers Act 2021 & HSR Training

• Working for Workers Act, 2021 - Ontario Newsroom
• The Right to Disconnect - The Financial Post
• Ontario Government Tables Bill 27, the Working for Workers Act, 2021 - Emond Harden Law
• 6 tips to launch a "disconnect" policy now – WSPS.ca
• Health and Safety Representative (HSR) Basic Training – WSPS.ca
• Ontario Keeping Workers Safe As Province Reopens - Free health and safety training now available for small businesses – Ontario Newsroom
• Health and safety for small businesses – Ontario.ca

SPOTLIGHT: Staying Safe During the Flu Season

• The flu - Ontario.ca
• Influenza (Flu) - Ottawa Public Health
• Flu season is coming: what can you do now? - WSPS.ca
• Experts Predict an Extreme Flu Season: Encouraging Employees to Stay Healthy - Occupational Health & Safety (ohsonline.com)
• 'It's not a question of either/or': Tory encourages residents to get both flu shot, COVID-19 vaccine - CityNews Toronto
• Ontario launches flu shot campaign during COVID-19 4th wave - CityNews Toronto

THE LAST WORD/EXTRO: Off-the-Job Safety

• Safety Doesn’t Just Apply at Work, Off-the-job Safety is Just as Important - HSI.com
• 10 Ways to Promote Off-the-Job Safety with Workplace Digital Signage - themarlincompany.com
• Repro Off-The-Job Safety Article.pdf - safetytimes.com
• At-Home Exercise Injuries Are Skyrocketing. Here’s How to Stay Safe - WSJ.com
• Youth sports injuries on the rise: COVID connection - wkyc.com
• Consumer Product Safety Commission finds mix of product injuries changed during pandemic - The Washington Post

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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• LinkedIn
• YouTube

Find out how the next steps in Ontario’s reopening plan will impact your business (1:15). Then, learn how to protect your employees from COVID-related harassment and de-escalate situations that may turn violent (9:20).

Note: This episode was recorded on October 25, 2021. 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: Enhanced Vaccine Certificates & Reopening Long Term

• Ontario to Require Proof of Vaccination in Select Settings | Ontario Newsroom
• Proof of Vaccination Guidance for Businesses and Organizations under the Reopening Ontario Act
• Download Your Enhanced Vaccine Certificate with QR Code
• Ontario Releases Plan to Safely Reopen Ontario and Manage COVID-19 for the Long-Term

SPOTLIGHT: Guard against COVID-related violence

• Reduce the risk of renewed COVID violence with these 5 steps (WSPS.ca)
• Workplace Violence and COVID-19: What Employers in the Retail/Service Sector Need to Know (WSPS.ca) 
• Proof of Vaccination: New Scripts and Scenarios on How To Deal with Challenging Situations - go2HR

THE LAST WORD/EXTRO: Finding Empathy Again

• How to Be More Empathetic - A Year of Living Better Guides - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

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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• LinkedIn
• YouTube

In this special Small Business Week episode, guest host Lori Shepherd chats with Candace Campbell from London, Ontario based small business Nuts for Cheese. Get inspired by their success and hear tips to refresh your safety program.

Note: This episode was recorded on October 15, 2021. 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

• Nuts for Cheese Official Website
• Follow Nuts for Cheese on social media
• • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

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

• Twitter
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

Episode #11: Ontario’s Enhanced COVID-19 Vaccine Certificate

Find out how Ontario’s new Enhanced COVID-19 Vaccine Certificate system will impact your business (1:01), and learn about a new tool to build your safety plan in 3 easy steps (2:35). Then, get tips on cleaning and disinfecting your workplace (3:53).

Note: This episode was recorded on September 16, 2021. 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

Vaccine Certificates

• What you need to know about vaccination passport and policy requirements
• Ontario News Release – Ontario to Require Proof of Vaccination in Select Settings
• Ontario.ca - Proof of Vaccination Guidance for Businesses and Organizations under the Reopening Ontario Act
• Reduce the risk of renewed COVID violence with these 5 steps
• Workplace Violence and Covid-19: What Employers in the Retail/Service Sector Need To Know
• Canadian Federation for Independent Business (CFIB) Q&A, Vaccines and your business: what you need to know

COVID-19 Safety Plan Builder

• Ontario.ca – Workplace Safety Plan Builder
• Ontario.ca - Develop your COVID-19 workplace safety plan

SPOTLIGHT: The Latest on Sanitizing Workplaces

• The latest on sanitizing workplaces: 7 best practices
• Decontamination Checklist
• COVID-19 and WHMIS: 7 Disinfection Dos and Donts

THE LAST WORD: The new WSPS.CA

• The new WSPS.ca - Workplace Safety & Prevention Services

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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• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

Episode #10: Free safety training, a new Digital Main St. grant and reopening tips

Does your small business qualify for free health and safety representative (HSR) training and new Digital Main St. funding (1:25)? Find out! Next, you’ll hear tips on keeping your COVID protocols strong throughout Ontario’s reopening (4:30). Then, as kids go back to school and more people take to the roads, remember road safety (11:59).

Note: This episode was recorded on August 5, 2021. 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: eHSR training & Digital Main Street Grant

Small Business Health & Safety Training Program

• Ontario Press Release - Ontario Keeping Workers Safe As Province Reopens - Free health and safety training now available for small businesses
• Ontario.ca - Health and safety for small businesses

Digital Main Street Program

• Digital Main Street Grant announcement

SPOTLIGHT: Things to consider as you reopen the office

• 7 tips to consider as Ontario reopens
• Why workplace screening is more essential than ever
• Twitter: 4 reasons to get vaccinated - @ScienceFirst

COVID-19 Safety Plan Resources:

• Develop your COVID-19 workplace safety plan | Ontario.ca
• COVID-19 | Safety for the Workplace | WSPS
• Small Biz Safety: episode 8 - Rapid Testing and Vaccination

THE LAST WORD/EXTRO: Driving Safety Reminder as traffic increases

• WSPS.ca Resource on Motor Vehicle Incidents

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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• LinkedIn
• YouTube

#9 – Free Health and Safety Training for Your HSR

Learn how businesses with 6-19 employees can access free training for their health and safety representative (HSR) with a reimbursement from the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skill Development (2:15). Also, get the latest from the Public Health Agency of Canada on what activities are recommended for fully vaccinated Canadians (4:21). You’ll also hear tips on chemical safety and get 5 questions you should ask about every chemical in your business (9:49). Then, hear how your business’ HSR or JHSC can assist with building inspections and maintenance in the context of the recent condo collapse in Florida. (23:12).

Note: This episode was recorded on July 13, 2021. 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

Intro

• Reopening Ontario – Ontario.ca
• Backgrounder: Roadmap to Reopen – Ontario.ca
• WSIB Small Business Health & Safety Leadership Awards

In the News:  Small Business Health & Safety Training program / Fully Vaccinated Recommendations

Small Business Health & Safety Training Program

• Ontario Press Release - Ontario Keeping Workers Safe As Province Reopens - Free health and safety training now available for small businesses
• Ontario.ca - Health and safety for small businesses

Vaccination Resources

• What being vaccinated against COVID-19 means for me - Canada.ca
• Using masks in the workplace - Ontario.ca
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for COVID-19 Prevention - Public Health Ontario
• IPAC Recommendations for Use of Personal Protective Equipment for Care of Individuals - Public Health Ontario

Spotlight: Chemical Management – it’s more than just WHMIS

• COVID-19 and WHMIS: 7 Disinfectant Do's and Don'ts
• How to engage your employees in chemical exposure prevention
• Review pathogen decontamination measures in the WSPS  Post-Pandemic Business Playbook, pg. 15, and download a decontamination checklist
• Hazardous Materials resources, training, eCourses and more
• Chemical Handling – videos, training, eCourses, resources and more
• Workbook for Designated Substance Assessments
• Animated video - Napo in... danger: chemicals! | NAPO (napofilm.net)
• Chemicals | Topics and Publications | Ministry of Labour

The Last Word: Building inspections

• Ontario eLaws (refer to 25(2)(n)) - Ontario.ca
• Report of the Elliot Lake Commission of Inquiry – Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General
• Surfside Florida Building Collapse news article – CBS News

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

• Twitter
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

Learn more about Ontario’s new Roadmap to Reopen and how to apply for a WSIB Small Business H&S Leadership Award (0:41). Also get the latest on rapid testing in workplaces and how to register for a free test kit (4:25). And it’s finally summer! Safety expert Kirstin Onorato has tips on keeping workers safe from heat stress, especially while wearing PPE (12:34). Then, hear how vaccination rates will affect reopening and get tips on vaccinations and the workplace (20:12).

Note: This episode was recorded on June 14, 2021. 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

Intro

• Reopening Ontario
• Backgrounder: Roadmap to Reopen
• WSIB Small Business Health & Safety Leadership Awards

In the News: Rapid Testing and Eye Protection

• Provincial Rapid Testing Portal
• Ontario Chamber of Commerce - COVID-19 Rapid Screening Initiative
• Could on-site COVID testing be an option for your workplace?
• Ontario News: Update on Rapid Testing (June 9)
• Ministry of Health COVID-19 Variant of Concern Guidance Document
• IHSA Eye Protection Recommendation

Spotlight: Heat Stress

• Heat Stress Safety Connection Webinar
• COVID-19, PPE & Heat Stress
• Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act, R.S.O. c.0.1 (1990). Retrieved from:  https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90o01?search=occupational+health.  
• Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD). (2019). Managing Heat Stress at Work.  Retrieved from: https://ontario.ca/page/managing-heat-stress-work#plan
• American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists.  (2020).  Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents & Biological Exposure Indices.  Cincinnati, OH: ACGIH.
• Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers Inc. (OHCOW).(2017) Retrieved from: https://ohcow.on.ca/heat-stress-resources.html.
• Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. (CCOHS). (2020). Temperature Conditions-Hot. Retrieved from: https://ccohs.ca/oshanswers/phys_agents/max_temp.html
• (2020). Heat Stress. Retrieved from: https://www.worksafebc.com/en/health-safety/hazards-exposures/heat-stress

The Last Word

• Guidance for COVID-19 Vaccines and Workplace Health & Safety
• What you need to know about on-site COVID vaccinations

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

• Twitter
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• LinkedIn
• YouTube

We welcome special guest Sheldon Kennedy, former NHL player and crusader for victims of abuse. As co-founder of Respect Group, Sheldon shares what small businesses can do to prevent bullying and harassment in the workplace.

Note: This episode was recorded on May 5, 2021. 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

Intro

• Ontario COVID-19 Worker Income Protection Benefit (3 days paid leave if they miss work for reasons related to COVID-19)
• Ontario News Release - Mobile Vaccine Units in Hot Spot Workplaces
• COVID-19 Safety Plan Requirements
  • Develop your COVID-19 workplace safety plan
  • Understanding COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plans

Sheldon Kennedy Interview

• Respect Group Inc.
• Respect in the Workplace eCourse listing on WSPS.ca
• Sheldon Kennedy Podcast “The Sheldon Kennedy Show”
• Sheldon Kennedy on Twitter

Closing

• WSPS Mental Health Webinar Series, including a topic on Civility and Respect

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

• Twitter
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

Learn from the results of COVID-19-related workplace inspections. Find out where to get guidance on vaccinations and the workplace (2:41). And, just in time for seasonal hiring, get some tips on hiring and getting through to young workers (6:14).

Note: This episode was recorded on April 8, 2021. 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

Intro

• Ontario News Release: Ontario's Action Plan Doubles Ontario Small Business Support Grant
• Ontario News Release: Ontario Enacts Provincial Emergency and Stay-at-Home Order

Segment 1: COVID Workplace Inspection Results/Vaccination info

• Ontario News Release: Ontario Businesses Making Workplaces Safer - Inspectors See Increase in Compliance with COVID-19 Safety Requirements
• Article: 4 reasons to remain vigilant as vaccinations begin

Segment 2 & 3: Young Worker Resources

• MLTSD Website: It’s Your Job – Young Workers
• Article: 4 ways to support new and young workers
• Article: Why young workers’ mental health deserves our attention
• Article: What we can all do to keep young and new workers safe by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
• Safety Say What? – site for young workers to learn about OHS
• New and Young Workers Infographic Poster
• Job Aid: Deep Fryer
• Job Aid: Lawn Mower/Golf Course Mower
• Job Aid: Working in Hot Environments
• Job Aid: Cannabis & Impairment in the Workplace
• Info Sheet - Orientation and Training General Information
• Video: Effective Supervisor
• Supervisor Competencies: The Key to Building a Strong Safety Culture
• eCourse - Health and Safety Awareness for Ontario Workers (English) (1 hour)

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
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube