Get up to speed on the province’s new small business education campaign and how you can prepare to reopen safely (2:21). Also, if a work refusal happened in your business what would you do? (11:21) And ace your virtual training with our 5 tips! (17:23)

Note: This episode was recorded on March 4, 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

Download the new WSPS COVID at Work app for workers! Access free health and safety information at your fingertips. Available on:

• The App Store
• Google Play

IN THE NEWS: Reopening Safely

• Health and safety education campaigns focused on helping small businesses re-open safely

Supports provided in the campaign:

• COVID-19: Help for businesses in Ontario
• Free webinars on how to operate a business safely
• A free 30-minute online course on infection control
• Contact the Provincial Employment standards call centre at [email protected] and the Occupational Health and Safety Contact Centre at [email protected]

Some things you should consider as you re-open:

• Latest guidance in the COVID-19 Response Framework
• WSPS Post-Pandemic Business Resumption checklist
• WSPS article on evaluating your Safety Plan
• Article: 5 Steps to keep up with evolving COVID-19 requirements
• If you have questions, please contact the WSPS Duty Consultant by email [email protected] or call 1-877-494-WSPS (9777).

SPOTLIGHT: Work Refusals

• Ontario.ca - Part V: Right to refuse or to stop work where health and safety in danger
• Article: 9 suggestions to help avoid work refusals
• Williams HR Law – Ontario COVID Related Work Refusals

THE LAST WORD/EXTRO: Virtual Training Tips

• WSPS Virtual Training Overview

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

There are COVID-19 variants lurking – what do they mean for you, your business and the masks you use? Safety experts Kirsi Henry and Jack Minacs get the scoop from WSPS’ “mask guru” Wagish Yajaman.

Note: This episode was recorded on February 9, 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

• WSPS Article: 5 steps to keep up with evolving COVID-19 requirements
• Ontario Small Business Support Grant
• Ontario support grant to small businesses to assist with the costs of PPE

Masks: the Next Frontier Segment

• WSPS article on current mask recommendations
• WSPS article on how to safely use, handle and dispose of face coverings
• WSPS Fact Sheet: Filtering Face Pieces, Masks and Fabric Face coverings
• WSPS Poster: Using the Hierarchy of Controls to fight COVID-19
• Ontario.ca: Using Masks in the Workplace
• New York Times animation on how masks work
• Toronto Star article: One mask or two? As other countries explore new options, Canada sticks to its COVID-19 advice
• Washington Post opinion article on premium masks

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

Download the free WSPS COVID at Work App 

• This new app gives workers access to helpful health and safety information and resources on the go. Download from The App Store and Google Play

In this episode, you’ll learn what the Ontario government’s expanded enforcement initiatives and the current State of Emergency mean for your business and what you need to do to prepare (2:02). Kirsi Henry and Jack Minacs will also reveal a secret ingredient for improving health and safety that’s right there in your workplace – the health and safety representative (9:09). And it’s time for your New Year’s safety resolutions! Learn some tips on setting annual health and safety goals for your business (14:44).

This episode was recorded on January 21, 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 FOR THIS WEEK’S TOPICS

Declaration of Emergency (January 12), Workplace Enforcement Campaigns Expanded (January 20), and COVID-19 Safety Resources

Ontario Declares Second Provincial Emergency to Address COVID-19 Crisis and Save Lives (News Release, January 12)

Ontario Expands Workplace Enforcement Campaigns (News Release, January 20)

Resources for COVID-19 (200+ Guidance Documents, Tip Sheets, Posters, Videos, etc.)

WSPS COVID-19 Hub

Develop your COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan

Health and Safety Representative (HSR) Resources

Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development - Overview of Health and Safety Representative (HSRs)

Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development - Guide for health and safety committees and representatives

WSPS Guide for Health and Safety Representatives

eLearning Program - WSPS Health and Safety Representative (HSR) Basic Training

VIDEO: WSPS Small Business, Big Impact – Health and Safety Representative

Setting Annual Health & Safety Goals

WSPS Small Business Centre Safety Road Map

WSPS Health and Safety Excellence Program Provider Information

Contact Workplace Safety & Prevention Services

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

Ontario workplaces are preparing for COVID-related education and enforcement visits from provincial offences officers. What are these visits all about and how can you prepare? Then, get ready to be inspired! Kirsi Henry and Jack Minacs speak to Alisia Williams, of Ron H. Williams Inc. – bronze winners of WSIB’s Small Business Health and Safety Leadership Awards. And ‘tis the season to take care of YOU – hear about some steps you can take to protect your mental health.

This episode was recorded on December 8, 2020. 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 FOR THIS WEEK’S TOPICS

WORKPLACE EDUCATION AND ENFORCEMENT CAMPAIGNS

Ontario Launches Workplace Education and Enforcement Campaigns (Media Release)  

Resources for COVID-19 (200+ Guidance Documents, Tip Sheets, Posters, Videos, etc.) 

WSPS COVID-19 Resource Hub

Develop your COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan 

COVID-19 Response Framework

INTERVIEW WITH ALISIA WILLIAMS OF RON H. WILLIAMS DRAINAGE INC. (Winner of Bronze Small Business Health & Safety Leadership Award)

Williams Drainage Inc. 

WSIB Health and Safety Excellence Program 

WSPS Small Business Centre Safety Road Map

WSPS Health and Safety Excellence Program Provider Information

WSIB Small Business Health and Safety Leadership Awards

PROTECTING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

In Praise of Walking – book by Shane O’Mara 

Research on Loneliness  

Effects of lack of sleep  

Websites for information and tips on personal care:

Ontario Ministry of Health “Healthy Choices”  

Health Canada’s Healthy Living

CCOHS Health & Wellness  

ThinkMentalHealth.ca  

Suicide Prevention Line:  Call 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645 

Survey report from the Canadian Mental Health Association (conducted in September 2020) - reported that 1 in 10 Canadians had experienced suicidal thoughts

Follow WSPS on social media:

Twitter:  @WSPS_News

Facebook: Workplace Safety & Prevention Services

LinkedIn: Workplace Safety & Prevention Services

YouTube: Workplace Safety & Prevention Services

Kirsi Henry and Jack Minacs discuss Ontario’s new COVID-19 Framework and steps you can take to create a safety plan. They also discuss the province’s screening requirement - how can you make it work at your business? Finally, what can you do if one of your employees or customers breaks your COVID-19 safety rules?

RESOURCES FOR THIS WEEK’S TOPICS

COVID-19 Response Framework: Keeping Ontario Safe and Open

Safety Plans

Develop your COVID-19 Safety Plan

Recorded Webinar: Ontario Safe and Open – Building your Safety Plan

Video: Safety Plan

Article: New COVID-19 Response Framework: How to create your safety plan

Sample safety plans available on the WSPS COVID-19 Resource Hub – just type “sample safety plan” into the search

Screening

COVID-19 Screening Tool for Workplaces

5 best practices for bringing visitors safely into your workplace (article)

What should you do when people (staff, customers) break your safety rules?

Video: Small Business, Big Impact: Violence/Harassment

Article: Are your employees prepared to handle COVID-linked violence?

For free health and safety resources for small businesses, drop by the WSPS Small Business Centre. https://www.wsps.ca/Small-Business-Centre/Home.aspx

Visit the WSPS COVID-19 RESOURCE HUB for health and safety resources related to COVID-19. Whether your business is open, you have staff now working from home, or you’re closed and looking to reopen in the future, can find useful tools, checklists and more.  https://covid19.wsps.ca/

Have questions, comments or a story idea? Email us at [email protected].

 Follow WSPS on social media:

Twitter:  @WSPS_News

Facebook: Workplace Safety & Prevention Services

LinkedIn: Workplace Safety & Prevention Services

YouTube: Workplace Safety & Prevention Services