Monthly News & Updates

November | 2023

MLITSD News and Events

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.

Learn more

2023-2024 Industry compliance campaigns: Construction inspectors will be focusing on struck-by equipment hazards in specific settings and falls from heights in the single-family residential sector. Learn more

 

To assist stakeholders with achieving compliance during the year-long MLITSD campaigns, IHSA is highlighting the following resources this month:

 

2023-2024 Specialized Professional Services Compliance Plan:

The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD), through its Specialized Professional Services team, will be focusing on ergonomics, respiratory protection, and asbestos in building structures.

 

To assist stakeholders with achieving compliance during the year-long MLITSD campaigns, IHSA is highlighting the following resources this month:


Stay tuned for further resources being released throughout the year through the IHSA website

Alert

Working at heights in construction using self-retracting lifelines — leading edge (SRL-LE) locking mechanisms


Earlier this year, the MLITSD issued an alert regarding working at heights in construction, specifically focusing on the use of self-retracting lifelines.

 

As the temperatures drop, it's essential for us to be aware of the potential effects on fall protection equipment. Cold weather can impact the flexibility and performance of materials used in PPE, including self-retracting lifelines. Below are a few key points to consider.

Read the alert

Legislative Updates

Ontario to Release Occupational Exposure Registry


The Ontario government is protecting and supporting workers by committing to create Canada’s first-ever Occupational Exposure Registry to track harmful exposure levels, help diagnose workplace diseases faster, improve worker compensation, and reduce costs to the healthcare system. The registry will help address many of the 41 recommendations resulting from the province’s first-ever review of the occupational illness landscape, released in a report recently.

Learn more

IHSA News and Events

2023 IHSA Annual General Meeting and Co-Chair Session


There was a full house at this year's Annual General Meeting and Co-Chair Session. The annual event is an opportunity to reflect on the challenges and successes for IHSA, and renew focus for the next year ahead. Part of the day also includes recognizing some of the special achievements made by the Board of Directors, member firms, individuals, and labour-management committees. This year's award winners included:


  • Gil Samson Award - North Bay Labour Management Health & Safety Committee
  • John M. Beck Award - BNA Constructors Canada
  • Electrical Utility Safety Excellence and Innovation Award - OPG Confined Space App Team
  • Roy A. Phinnemore Award - Jack Oliveira
  • Ken Hellawell Transportation Safety Award - Dave MacDonald
  • Maria (Filice) Mason Memorial Award of Excellence - Carrie-Lynn Carpenter
Register

Register Now:

Occupational Disease Health and Safety Day


The Occupational Disease and Research Labour Management Health and Safety Committee will be holding an Occupational Health and Safety Day on November 30, 2023, at 21 Voyager Ct, Etobicoke.


This in-person-only event will have presentations on a variety of topics related to occupational disease health and safety.

Learn more

Members sought for hydrovac working group


The Provincial Labour-Management Safety Committee - Electrical Utilities is looking for members with knowledge of hydrovacs from the Labour-Management Network to join a working group to redevelop the Excavating with Hydrovac in the Vicinity of Underground Electrical Plant Safe Practice Guide.

Learn more and  participate

IHSA seeks insight on workplace mental health through province-wide focus group sessions


IHSA is teaming up with Mental Health Innovations to provide a series of focus groups across Ontario to learn more about the mental health challenges faced by those working in IHSA member industries. During the session, we'll engage in discussions and hands-on activities to identify the support and educational needs required to effectively manage these issues.


Featured IHSA Resources

Learn more

New - Driver Fatigue eLearning


Road safety authorities in Ontario and across North America, agree that fatigue is a leading cause of motor vehicle incidents. This eLearning program from IHSA provides information on how to recognize and respond to driver fatigue and offers practical prevention solutions for the workplace.

Learn more

eLearning courses available for free for a limited time


High-quality workplace health and safety training is now more accessible than ever.


Until March 31, 2024, Ontario businesses in the construction, transportation, and electrical utilities industries can access more than two dozen of IHSA’s online training programs for free.

Watch now

New winter driving video series now available on YouTube


IHSA's new winter driving series, now available on YouTube, consists of five micro-learning videos with reminders for all road users.


Topics include an introduction to winter driving, being alert and prepared, inspecting your vehicle, maximizing traction and seeing and being seen.

Silica Control Tool now accessible

On November 3, workers and employers in the Ontario construction industry will receive full access to the Silica Control Tool, its associated data, and outputs.

Learn more

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 67 - The Plan, Do, Check, Act (PDCA) Model: A Deeper Dive

Episode 68 - Noise Exposure in the Workplace 2: Audiometric Testing

Listen now

Industry News and Events

Learn more

988 launches November 30


The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has announced that it will adopt 9-8-8 as the number to call or text for Canadians who are in need of immediate mental health crisis and suicide prevention intervention.

Learn more

Industry association announces name change

The Scaffold Industry Association of Canada (SIAC) has announced that, effective immediately, SIAC will be known as the Access Association of Canada, or "AAC".

 

AAC can now be found at the a new website as well.

Fleet safety and transportation news

Access monthly updates, news, and events from the Fleet Safety Council and the transportation industry that IHSA supports.

Visit the Fleet Safety Council website

Industry Dates

November 1

Project Red Ribbon Day - MADD Canada


November 14-Jan 2

Festive R.I.D.E. Campaign - Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police


November 16

2023 Conference on Mesothelioma - Canadian Mesothelioma Foundation


November 20

National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims - Transport Canada


November 20-26

National Addictions Awareness Week


November 22-28

​Addictions Awareness Week

Watch here for a list of upcoming industry events and dates throughout the year. Have an important date to include? Email Ariel White with details.

Twitter  Instagram  LinkedIn  YouTube  Web  Facebook