Construction Health and Safety Program Report
The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) puts together a report for the Provincial Labour 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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Occupational Health and Safety in Ontario: 2022-23 Annual Report
In December 2024, the Chief Prevention Officer (CPO) released the 2022-23 Annual report. The report outlines the collective work done in 2022-2023 across Ontario’s occupational health and safety (OHS) system to improve the health and safety of Ontario’s workers. The CPO's priority is to reduce workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. Prevention Works, Ontario’s five-year OHS system strategy, is the roadmap to get there.
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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. There is additional information available on the MLITSD website. | | |
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 and 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 passes Working for Workers Six Act, 2024
On December 19th, 2024, the Working for Workers Six Act, received Royal Assent which builds on the previous five Working for Workers acts with a suite of 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 changes to the Employment Standards Act, Highway Traffic Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, and Workplace Safety and Insurance Act.
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Menstrual product requirements take effect
On January 1, 2025, the requirements for making menstrual products available on construction projects under O. Reg 213/91, section 28.1 took effect.
IHSA, in partnership with the MLITSD, has created a FAQ document to help employers and contractors understand the new requirements.
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MLITSD memos on crane requirements
Following discussions with industry members regarding load test requirements and frequency for tower cranes the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) has developed a regulatory compliance memo to address sections 161 and 161.1. of O. Reg. 213/91 for construction projects.
Additionally, various sections of the regulation are coming into force on January 1, 2025. A second memo is being released to remind crane owners and suppliers of these requirements. Anti-collision device requirements are being reviewed by the technical committee of Z-248. The Ministry will continue to work with the industry on this item.
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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 (MLITSD) 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 the Ministry handles privacy and data collection, feel free to ask.
If you are interested in participating, please contact Leo Chen.
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Stay informed and empowered with our upcoming NCSO®/NHSA™ Webinars
IHSA is announcing a series of sessions that will focus on the latest updates to the NCSO®/NHSA™ program, including:
- Navigating the new NCSO® Portal
- Understanding COR® Audit requirements
- Step-by-step guidance on completing applications
In addition to these webinars, IHSA is excited to offer a series of seminars throughout the year. These events are designed to help NCSO®s/NHSA™s stay up-to-date on legislative changes and to develop key skills in essential areas.
Whether you're looking to enhance your knowledge or refine your expertise, these events are tailored to support your professional growth.
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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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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.ca Health and Safety Magazine
Subscribe to IHSA's free Health and Safety Magazine to improve hazard awareness at your workplace. It highlights requirements and best practices for tasks your employees perform daily—with advice from experts at IHSA, the MLITSD, and companies like yours.
Volume 24, Issue 2 includes articles on leading edge protection, preventing complacency, winter driving and cold stress, diversity and inclusion in the workplace along with many more impactful topics.
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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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CSA Group: Inclusive Industrial Protective Headwear Workshop
Join the Worker and Public Safety team at CSA Group on Wednesday, January 15 at 1 pm, ET, for a virtual workshop to support CSA Group work on Inclusive Industrial Protective Headwear.
This workshop is designed to complement activities underway in the Federal IIPH Innovation Challenge and will support the development of a CSA Group Technical Specification on Inclusive Industrial Protective Headwear.
The workshop will explore the challenges faced by workers who wear head coverings and industrial protective headwear, or who may not be wearing PPE due to religious reasons. Participants will gain insights from the current environment scan and enable participants from a variety of sectors to share in their experiences.
For more information on eligibility requirements and to register for the Workshop, click here.
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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 are open until January 24
The leadership and expertise of CSA Group’s committee members are critical to helping 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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