Your Complete Guide to Health and Safety in the Workplace

November 2025

Today, we remember and honour the heroes who gave their lives for our freedom. Their sacrifice is a lasting reminder of the courage and strength that keeps us safe.

Please check our website for our 2025 course dates!

Fall Prevention Month

November 2025 marks Fall Prevention Month, underscoring the shared responsibility of all individuals and organizations in reducing fall-related risks.

Falls remain the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations among Canadian older adults, with 20–30% experiencing a fall each year, and they are also the primary cause of injury-related hospital admissions for children ages 0–14. This month encourages coordinated, evidence-based initiatives to maximize impact across workplaces and communities.

For resources and guidance, visit https://www.fallpreventionmonth.ca

Tips For Cleaning During Respiratory Disease Season

Respiratory virus season is here. Cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces at work helps reduce the spread of infection—but some products can trigger allergies, asthma, dermatitis, or even chemical burns.

Share these safe-use tips with your team:

Know the hazards before you start.
Read labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for handling, dilution, and first-aid information.
Follow instructions and training for use, storage, and disposal—no shortcuts.
Inspect containers for leaks or damage; keep products in their original, labeled containers according to manufacturer guidance.
Never mix chemicals. (Bleach + ammonia = toxic gas.)
Ventilate the area and wear appropriate PPE such as gloves and goggles.
Target high-touch surfaces like light switches, door handles, and railings with the right disinfectant and contact time.
Use tools, not hands—scrubbers or mops that prevent direct contact; wash hands thoroughly with soap and water afterward.
Don’t assume “green” means risk-free—review hazards first.
Know your spill and emergency procedures and where supplies are kept.
Prevent secondary risks by reducing slips, trips, and falls, and practicing proper ergonomics while cleaning.

National Addictions Awareness Week

National Addictions Awareness Week (NAAW), led by the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, takes place November 16–22, 2025.

In our community and across Canada, substance use and addiction remain pressing concerns. This year’s theme, Anchoring Hope, calls on individuals, organizations, and communities to ground their efforts in compassion, evidence, and practical support—working together to reduce harms related to alcohol and other drugs and to strengthen pathways to prevention, treatment, recovery, and care.

Learn more at https://www.ccsa.ca/national-addictions-awareness-week

National Grief & Bereavement Day

November 18, 2025, marks National Grief and Bereavement Day in Canada—a day to recognize the universal experience of loss and the importance of compassion and understanding.

Grief touches everyone at some point, yet it’s often misunderstood or left unspoken. Many people find it difficult to talk about death, loss, or grief, and as a result, those who are grieving can feel isolated or unsupported—even by those who care deeply for them.

This year, Canadians are encouraged to help close the nation’s grief literacy gap by starting conversations, sharing resources, and learning how to better support one another through loss.

However your grief looks, it’s real, it’s valid, and you are not alone.

Upcoming Legislation

Ontario employers face new legislation under the Working for Workers Four Act, 2024, introducing key updates to recruitment and hiring.

Starting January 1, 2026:

• Job postings must include salary ranges.

• Employers cannot ask about past pay or require “Canadian work experience.”

• Postings must disclose if AI is used in hiring.

• Employers must update candidates on their application status within 45 days of the last interview.

• Employers with 25+ employees must provide basic terms of employment to new hires and share the ESA rights summary.

Stay compliant, support fair hiring, and build a stronger, more transparent workplace.

Cold Weather Safety Reminders

Canada’s winter can turn quickly—recalibrate now to avoid frostbite, hypothermia, and other cold-weather risks.

7 quick tips as temperatures drop:

1. Check the forecast. Review Environment Canada before heading out.

2. Make a plan. Set a cold-weather safety plan for extreme temps or high wind chill.

3. Dress in layers. Add a wind-resistant outer shell; choose warm, waterproof footwear.

4. Find shelter. In significant wind chill, limit exposure and take frequent warm-up breaks.

5. Stay dry. Wet clothing pulls heat from your body—swap it out fast.

6. Keep moving. Light activity helps maintain body heat.

7. Know the signs. Watch for frostbite and hypothermia—check on children, older adults, and anyone with circulation issues.

Bookmark the latest updates: https://weather.gc.ca/

Keep Your Workers Safe This Holiday Season

The year-end rush can amplify stress, fatigue, and distractions—three leading contributors to workplace incidents. Set your team up for a safe finish by reinforcing these seven talking points:

Stay Focused: Holiday excitement (and stress) can pull attention off critical tasks—especially in high-risk roles. Coach workers to slow down, do one thing at a time, and use checklists.
Don’t Rush: Hurrying to meet deadlines or get home increases errors. Reinforce “pace over speed” and stop-work authority when conditions aren’t safe.
Manage Fatigue: Extra shifts and late nights add up. Promote hydration, regular meals, and adequate sleep; review maximum hours and break policies.
Address Stress & Mental Health: Stress undermines judgment and reaction time. Encourage early conversations with supervisors/HR and share EAP or community supports.
Winter Hazards: Control slips, trips, and falls—clear ice/snow, dry entrances, improve lighting, and require proper winter footwear.
Impairment Awareness: Holiday celebrations, prescription changes, cannabis, or illness can impair performance. Reiterate your impairment policy and reporting procedures.
Safe Tasks & Tools: Prevent overexertion and strains from seasonal lifting—use carts/team lifts, inspect tools and ladders, and confirm PPE is in good condition.

By taking these steps now, you’re helping every worker finish the season safely—and get home to their families.

RELEVANT UPDATES

Survey finds fire safety careers still lack visibility

September 30, 2025 – Shane Mercer: A new national survey commissioned by Classic Fire + Life Safety reveals that while Canadians increasingly recognize the value of skilled trades, careers in fire protection—such as sprinkler fitters and fire alarm technicians—remain largely under the radar.