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 Industry Compliance Campaigns
From April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025, MLITSD Construction inspectors will be focusing on falls from heights in single family residential and multi-family residential construction, as well as struck-by material, equipment and vehicles.
To assist stakeholders with achieving compliance during the year-long MLITSD campaigns, IHSA is highlighting the following resources this month:
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2024-2025 Specialized Professional Service Campaign
From April 1, 2024, to March 31. 2025, the MLITSD will have two on-going compliance campaigns:
- Worker exposures to chemical agents in the workplace, and
- WHMIS training based on the amended Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR)
Under the Worker exposures to chemical agents in the workplace campaign, there will be a sub-focus on silica (specific to the Silica Control Tool), especially in small businesses with less than 50 workers.
Under the WHMS compliance campaign, key focus areas include the proper labeling of hazardous products, and determining if the labels and safety data sheets are compliance with the amended HPR.
To assist stakeholders with achieving compliance during the year-long campaigns, IHSA is highlighting the following resources this month:
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Proposed amendments to the Electrical Safety Code regulation (O.Reg. 164/99)
The Electrical Safety Code regulation (O. Reg. 164/99) under Part VIII of the Electricity Act, 1998 provides for the adoption of the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) together with Ontario specific amendments, as the Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC). The CEC is amended every three years by the Canadian Standards Association, which requires the OESC to also be updated. If approved, the Electrical Safety Code regulation would be amended to adopt the updated OESC. Comments are due May 3, 2024.
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Release of the 2024 Edition of Ontario's Building Code
Ontario has released a new Building Code to reduce regulatory burdens for the construction industry, increase the safety and quality of buildings, and make it easier to build housing. The 2024 Building Code streamlines processes for the building sector and increases harmonization with the National Construction Codes by eliminating at least 1,730 technical variations between the provincial and national requirements.
This latest edition of the Building Code was developed in consultation with our partners in the sector - including building officials, fire prevention officials, architects, engineers, builders, and the construction industry - to help ensure that Ontario continues to promote high standards of public health and safety, and performance in new and renovated buildings.
The links to the 2020 National Building Code and the Ontario Amendment document that constitutes the entire new 2024 Ontario's Building Code can be found as follows:
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Falls Awareness Week:
May 6-10 2024
In the first week of May, IHSA will join workplaces across Ontario to promote Falls Awareness Week (FAW).
FAW is part of a campaign to prevent falls, which is one of the leading causes of death and critical injuries in the construction industry. Fall Injuries by the numbers:
- 21% of all lost-time injury claims in construction were due to falls
- Falls from ladders were the leading cause of falls-related deaths in construction
- 29% of fatal falls from heights were among self-employed workers/business owners.
In support of this event, IHSA has developed resources such as safety talks, forms, checklists, articles, advisories, and posters. These resources can help employers develop site-specific WAH training and educate their workers on how to protect themselves from fall hazards.
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Proposed amendments: Section 3 of O. Reg. 213/91 Alternate Methods and Materials
The Construction Legislative Review Committee (CLRC) & Provincial Labour-Management Health and Safety Committee (PLMHSC) consisting of industry stakeholders, Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) and the IHSA, reached consensus on circulating proposed amendments to Section 3 – Alternate Methods and Materials of the Construction Regulation (O. Reg. 213/91).
You can participate in the network review by:
- Review the CLRC proposed amendments to Section 3.
- Acknowledge your committee has been provided an opportunity to review the proposal by signing page 3.
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Your committee may submit comments in the box provided on page 3; however, comments should include clarification and resolution to your concern.
Please complete the attached form and submit it to Peter Vi by July 8, 2024.
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IHSA's AGM and Awards
Save the Date! IHSA's Annual General Meeting is being held on October 2, 2024, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Toronto Airport West, 5444 Dixie Road, Mississauga.
Join us to celebrate Award Recipients!
More information coming soon!
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New videos highlight IHSA member hazards
IHSA's YouTube channel features short and insightful videos on a variety of hazards that IHSA members may face. The most recent videos include:
- IHSA marks National Day of Mourning
- Signaller vs. Traffic Control Person
- Traffic control during roadside work
IHSA updates this channel regularly so don't forget to visit often to see what's new.
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New Temporary Bracing for Long-span Wood Trusses
Erecting roof trusses is a high-risk activity. The work is typically carried out above the ground and trusses themselves are not stable until they are sufficiently braced.
This document offers best practices for the temporary bracing of long-span wood trusses. In addition to referring to the
methods outlined below, it is always important to follow your truss manufacturer’s installation guidelines, use quality materials
when bracing, and consult a licensed engineer when necessary.
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New Working on Live Electrical Equipment
IHSA has released a new health & safety advisory on the requirements for working on live electrical equipment.
The Occupational Health and Safety Act requires
employers to take every precaution reasonable in
the circumstances to protect the health and safety
of workers. This includes situations where working on or near energized equipment.
The advisory outlines circumstances in which working on or near exposed energized parts of electrical equipment is permitted, under O.Reg. 213-97 s.191.
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FREE 15 events have been scheduled between June and Dec 2024. To see the dates and sessions available please click on "Pre-Register Now".
Course will run from 8 AM to 4 PM via ZOOM.
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New Mental health training: The Working Mind for the Trades
The Working Mind (TWM) is an evidence-based training designed to initiate a shift in the way you think, feel and act with respect to mental health.
IHSA is partnering with the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) to adapt The Working Mind specifically for workers and supervisors in the trades.
The course is led by a facilitator and delivered live via ZOOM, using discussions, breakout activities, videos and polls.
Module 1: Mental Health and Stigma
Module 2: Mental Health in the Workplace
Module 3: Stress and Resilience
Module 4: Supporting your Team
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New Opioid Harm Prevention Resources
Get access to the on-demand webinar "Call to Action for Leaders in the Trades". Join Kathy Martin as she walks through key items including:
- Opioids in the trades
- Workplace challenges
- Solutions & Actions to take
This FREE Webinar is 45 minutes in duration.
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Latest podcast episodes available
The IHSA Safety Podcast is a free podcast that seeks to improve the lives of workers in Ontario. The latest episodes include:
Episode 81: Remembering Dean Maguire: A Story of Workplace Tragedy
Episode 80: Women in Construction Health and Safety
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Mental Health Week | May 6 - 12 2024 | |
The Canadian Mental Health Association's (CMHA) Mental Health Week is taking place from May 6 to May 12, 2024.
Over the last decade, there has been an impressive surge in research supporting the multitude of mental health benefits associated with compassion. Compassion was shown to increase happiness, improve emotional resilience, and reduce stress, anxiety and loneliness. Visit here for a Compassion Tool Kit.
Aligning with this theme of compassion, check out IHSA's Workplace Mental Health & Wellness Supporter Toolkit and connect with others through Safety Talks.
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ESA's Powerline Safety Campaign | |
The Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) has rolled out their Powerline Safety Campaign.
If you are working on a job site, take note of overhead powerlines and do not go near them. You do not have to touch a powerline to receive a deadly shock
Learn more at ESAsafe.com/construction
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Support the families of workers through Steps for Life
Each year across Canada, Walks take place to raise funds for the Threads of Life organization. Walkers take part to walk in support of families affected by life-altering workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths, and help increase awareness of workplace health and safety.
Upcoming events include:
All funds raised go to Threads of Life's family support programs and services.
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Supervisor facing criminal charge in death of worker
The supervisor of a hedge trimming company in Ottawa is facing a criminal charge for the death of a worker back in 2023. Tragically, the worker was electrocuted when he made contact with a hydro line.
The incident happened on May 5, when 20-year-old Nicholas Chenier was working at a residential property for the hedge-trimming Best Green Hedges Inc.
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Central Ontario Regional Truck Driving Championship | |
After a long pause, the Central Ontario Regional Truck Driving Championships are returning! This one day event takes place on Saturday, June 8th, 2024, at Kitchener Memorial Auditorium.
Competition Categories include: Straight Truck, Single-Single, Single-Tandem, Tandem-Tandem and B-Trains.
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Ontario MSD Prevention Guideline Website Relaunched – User centered and expanded resources
Are you experiencing back, shoulder, neck, or wrist pain at work?
Combat the most frequent injury claim in Ontario, musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). The redeveloped Ontario MSD Prevention Guideline supports you in identifying and preventing MSD in the workplace with new interactive and accessible features. Based on research and best practices the Guideline was redeveloped in partnership with Ontario’s health and safety system. The new Guideline provides the most common resources for your role, whether you’re a small business owner, part of a large organization, a manager, employee, or ergonomics practitioner, the revised Guideline provides you with practical strategies to prevent MSD and create a healthier work environment.
Explore and download resources - transform your workplace into a safer, healthier place.
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WSIB's new Health and Safety Resources | |
WSIB has made it easier than ever to understand workplace health and safety and find relevant resources to keep your employees safe on the job.
WSIB's new health and safety resources page can help you learn more about:
- your health and safety responsibilities
- how investing in health and safety is good for your bottom line
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how to access services available to you, including your Health and Safety Association that you receive free membership to as part of your WSIB coverage
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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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