FSC Special December Meetings
Several of the FSC Chapters are hosting special December meetings to close out 2024. Click on the links below to learn more about these meetings and to register:
FSC Southern Chapter Lunch Meeting:
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Date: Wednesday, December 11th
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Speakers: Jeremy Kulwartian (OPP) and Matt Michell (MTO)
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Cost: Free
FSC Annual Central and Southwestern Chapters Joint Lunch Meeting:
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Date: Wednesday, December 18th
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Speakers: Heather Devine (Traffix) and Roy DeSousa (Old Republic Insurance)
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Cost: Meeting is Free or $40 with Lunch
FSC Toronto Chapter Annual Breakfast Meeting:
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Date: Thursday, December 18th
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Speakers: Geoff Wood (OTA and CTA) and Kerri Wirachowsky (CVSA)
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Cost: $45 (before December 6) or $50 after December 6th
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Save the Date: 34th Annual FSC Educational Conference
Mark your calendars! The FSC Conference Planning Committee is excited to announce the date of the 34th Annual FSC Educational Conference. The annual event will be taking place once again at Millennium Gardens Banquet Centre in Brampton Ontario on Friday October 24th, 2025. More details will be released in the new year!
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FSC Bus Chapter: First Meeting Recap
The new FSC Bus Chapter hosted their first meeting on Wednesday October 30th and had over 50 people in attendance both in-person and virtually.
Richard Curado, Ministry of Transportation, was the first guest speaker and provided attendees with a detailed update on the Bus Inspection Program and BITS.
Click here for more information on the Bus Chapter.
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See Something, Say Something Campaign
The IHSA in partnership with Threads of Life, have released a series of videos to help drive home the importance of speaking up about unsafe work conditions to make sure that everyone goes home safely to their loved ones each day.
Additionally, IHSA has released some resources to support the See Something, Say Something Campaign:
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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 and the 9 chapters of the Fleet Safety Council.
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:
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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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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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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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Legislative Updates and Alerts | |
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.
The website includes downloadable resources, such as printable materials and social media assets, developed in collaboration with the City of Toronto and Toronto Fire Services as part of their lithium‐ion battery safety campaign. These resources can support your fire department’s community education initiatives and ensure the fire service is aligned in promoting clear, consistent messaging that reflects best practices in lithium‐ion battery safety.
The OFM will continue to collaborate with fire departments, stakeholders, industry experts, and community organizations, and the Charged for LiFE website will be updated regularly to address emerging safety concerns related to lithium‐ion batteries. The goal is to ensure that every Ontarian has access to the knowledge and resources needed to prevent fire incidents and stay safe.
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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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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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Regulatory News & Press Releases | |
What's new
Stay updated on current news from the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
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Network News
Stay up-to-date on all of the latest news from IHSA's Labour Management Network!
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