Construction Health and Safety Program Report
The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) puts together a report for the Provincial Labor Management Health and Safety Committee each month with an overview of events, court bulletins, and statistics. This report is generally available the first week of the month and is posted on the IHSA website.
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2024-2025 Compliance Campaign | | |
From April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025, MLITSD inspectors will be focusing on several areas, sector specific. Please take a look below for more information on your particular sector's compliance campaign initiatives and available resources through IHSA. You can also find more information on the campaigns here. | | |
Construction
MLITSD Construction inspectors will conduct two enforcement campaigns; Falls from heights in single-family residential and multi-family residential including residential re-roofing and struck by material, equipment and vehicles.
To assist stakeholders with achieving compliance IHSA is highlighting the following resources this month:
Falls
Struck-by
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Surface Mining & Aggregates
Mining inspectors will check that employers are:
- meeting the new requirements set out in section 182 of Regulation 854 for developing and maintaining an airborne hazards management program that came into force of Sept. 1, 2023
Visit IHSA's Aggregate page to watch a joint webinar on the requirements of this campaign and locate other supporting resources.
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Specialized Professional Service
Worker exposure to chemical agents in the workplace, and WHMIS training based on the amended Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR).
To assist stakeholders with achieving compliance during the year-long campaigns, IHSA is highlighting the following resources this month:
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Legislative Updates and Alerts | |
Ontario introduces Working for Workers Six Act, 2024
On November 27, 2024, the Ontario government introduced the Working for Workers Six Act, 2024 which would build on the previous five Working for Workers acts with a suite of proposed measures to protect the health and wellbeing of workers, bring more people into the skilled trades and keep costs down for Ontario workers.
There are many key proposals, which if passed would result in changes to the Employment Standards Act, Highway Traffic Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, and Workplace Safety and Insurance Act.
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Comment period open for Safer Streets, Stronger Communities Act
The Ontario government has recently introduced the Safer Streets, Stronger Communities Act, 2024. The proposed Act includes six initiatives related to the Ministry of Transportation’s mandate to enhance road safety across the province. A detailed summary of these proposals is available on Ontario’s Regulatory Registry.
The government is seeking feedback on this proposal. The consultation period will be open to December 18, 2024.
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Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development’s online notices research session announced
The Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development is updating the portal where the public can submit notices required by the Occupational Health and Safety Act. As part of this process we are reaching out to the users of this portal to speak to them about the process and want to know more about their experiences.
If you are interested in participating in our study, here are some additional details:
- This will be a casual session, conducted online through web conferencing.
- They will be approximately 60 minutes in length and will occur between December 2024 and January 2025.
- Any personal information (such as your name) will not be tied to the feedback you give during the session. We will also anonymize our notes.
If you have any concerns on how we handle privacy and data collection, feel free to ask.
If you are interested in participating, please contact Leo Chen.
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Fire Marshal launches new website on lithium-ion battery safety
The Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) has launched a new website as part of an ongoing effort to reduce the risk of lithium‐ion battery fires throughout Ontario.
This new resource provides a centralized hub of critical information, practical safety tips, and expert guidance to help Ontarians understand and mitigate the risks associated with lithium‐ion batteries.
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Resources from the NCSO®/NHSA™ Educational Conference are now available
The NCSO®/NHSA™ Educational Conference was well received on November 21, with more than 225 in attendance with many great questions and comprehensive discussion. If you missed out, IHSA has released copies of the presentations for your reference.
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IHSA's Labour-Management network is waiting for you
With 11 training facilities and dozens of consultants across the province, we are able to offer training and resources to members no matter where they are. This is made possible by input and outreach of the 16 regional committees of our Labour-Management Network.
Made up of dedicated volunteers from the industries IHSA serves, the committees focus their efforts on local outreach campaigns and events, reminding everyone of the importance of workplace health and safety. These events range from hazard-specific workshops to large symposiums.
From Windsor to Thunder Bay—and more than a dozen regions in between— the committees collaborate with colleges, unions, and trade associations, and engage with local businesses—particularly those who may employ newer and/or younger workers, as well as companies whose workers are engaged in high-hazard activities. To learn more, watch our Labour-Management Network video on YouTube.
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Collaborating with Threads of Life, IHSA has launched a new Keep Your Promise Campaign: See Something, Say Something.
Working safely is a daily promise that you make to yourself and to those who care about you. Safety is also your legal responsibility in the workplace. When you see a health and safety hazard and report it to your supervisor, you can prevent someone from being injured or killed on the job.
Do your part, and understand the campaign to lead by example!
- Implement and support the campaign at your workplace
- Share/promote the campaign
- Share your efforts on social media
- Make it part of your regular discussions/safety talks
- Order and adopt the supporting resources
- Have your workers make a pledge and wear the stickers
- Share it with your sub-contractors
- Make it part of your orientation program
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Winter is on its way: be prepared
The cold temperatures and icy conditions that are often a part of Canadian winters can cause hazards at the workplace. IHSA's winter hazard topic page has details on safe driving, working, and other important information.
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Menstrual Product Requirements: FAQ
IHSA, in partnership with the MLITSD, has created a FAQ document to help employers and contractors understand the updates to Section 28.1 of O. Reg 213/91, effective January 1, 2025.
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New eLearning course: Opening the Door to Support
IHSA is excited to introduce a new eLearning mental health course, ‘Opening the Door to Support’, designed to equip supervisors, managers, and leaders with essential skills and tools to support mental health in the workplace. This course created collaboratively with the Mental Health Innovations (MHI), is currently offered at no charge, is accessible to a broad audience, and delivers a self-paced learning experience.
Opening the Door to Support takes an interactive, story-based approach that immerses learners in real-life scenarios from the trades. Participants will work through six modules, covering topics such as breaking down stigma, recognizing signs of mental distress, communicating supportively, and many more.
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Register Now: The Working Mind For the Trades
IHSA is partnering with Opening Minds, a
division of the Mental Health Commission
of Canada (MHCC) to pilot a new training
program designed to reduce stigma
surrounding mental illness in trade-sector
workplaces.
The courses have been adapted for trades
sectors from Opening Minds' The Working
Mind, an evidence-based learning program
developed to help Ontario workplaces better
understand mental illness and foster
psychologically healthy and safe working
environments.
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IHSA safety talks now on YouTube
A safety talk is a hands-on way to remind workers that health and safety matter everyday onsite. You might be familiar with our PDF safety talks or our Safety Talks Manual (V005), but did you know we also have a variety of safety talk videos on our YouTube channel? Take a moment to explore our Safety Talks playlist.
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Stop use/recall notice: 3M DBI-SALA Sealed-Blok self-retracting lifelines
IHSA wishes to alert its members to an important product recall specific to 3M fall protection equipment.
3M has identified an “aging effect” that may impact the safe performance of its DBI-SALA Sealed-Blok self-retracting lifelines (SRLs). In the event of a fall, these SRLs may fail to lock up as designed, exposing users to serious injury or death.
This issue affects various models of 3M DBI-SALA Sealed-Blok SRLs manufactured between January 2022 and October 2024, as well as devices repaired by 3M or an authorized service centre during that time period. So far, there have been no reports of injuries related to this issue.
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IHSA, OHCOW survey open
Workplace mental stressors—such as working alone, shiftwork, driving, trauma exposure, poor ergonomics, or exposure to hazards—are health and safety hazards that can affect workers’ mental and physical wellbeing and lead to illness or injury.
IHSA is inviting workers in the construction and transportation industries across Ontario to participate in a survey that is the first of its kind in Ontario. Developed by IHSA and Occupational Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW), the survey aims to identify mental stressors at workplaces so they can be eliminated or reduced, thus improving overall mental wellness.
Addressing and minimizing causes of mental distress at work is essential for maintaining workers’ safety and wellbeing. As an employer, you can help us do this by promoting this survey to your workforce. Reach out to IHSA for more information.
Anyone who completes and submits the survey could enter to win one of three Visa gift cards valued at $50, $150, or $250. All responses will be anonymous and confidential. You can learn more about the survey at StressAssess.ca.
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CSA award nominations now open
The leadership and expertise of CSA Group’s committee members are critical to helping us create a better, safer, and more sustainable world. Each year, CSA honors members whose contributions and commitment are especially noteworthy by presenting the John Jenkins Award, the Award of Merit, and the Young Professional Award.
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What's new
Stay updated on current news from the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
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Fleet Safety Council and transportation-related news
Access monthly updates, news, and events from the Fleet Safety Council and the transportation industry that IHSA supports.
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