April 2023
"NCA Health & Safety News" provides you with valuable information and assists in your quest to achieve a world-class safety culture. We believe that developing a safe work ethic is a never-ending process that must be part of every business's professional development.
Please do not hesitate to contact the office with your input, suggestions or safety questions.
We value your feedback!
Naloxone in the Workplace
 
Starting June 1, 2023, employers must provide naloxone in the workplace if certain circumstances described in the Occupational Health and Safety Act apply. Read More
WHAT IS DIG SAFE MONTH?
Source: https://www.digsafe.ca/what-is-dig-safe-month/

April 1st marks the official start of Dig Safe Month!
The Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance (ORCGA) and its members have designated April as Dig Safe Month in Ontario.
This month is dedicated to raising awareness of safe digging practices across the province to improve safety and reduce damage to underground infrastructure.

Dig Safe Month is designed to coincide with the unofficial start of spring digging season and to serve as a reminder to homeowners and contractors that they need to call or click before they start digging.

Ensuring the safety of those who work or live in the vicinity of underground facilities and protecting vital services is everyone’s responsibility.

The ORCGA and its members are encouraging homeowners and contractors to call for locates before they dig to prevent injuries, property damage and inconvenient outages. Throughout April, ORCGA members and Geographic Councils will be leading local campaigns across the province to spread awareness about safe digging practices and “Call or Click Before You Dig”.
Here are some ways you can participate:
  • Support Dig Safe initiatives by calling for locates before beginning any outdoor digging project, large or small.
  • If a neighbour is planning a digging project, remind them to call or click for locates before they break ground. Read More
The 2023 NCA Safety Awareness Day Tradeshow will now be combined with the popular MEMBERSHIP APPRECIATION DAY barbecue on September 28, 2023 at Club Roma.
Vendor and sponsorship opportunities are available - sign up today!
ALSO FEATURING:
  • Speakers
  • Safety Product Demo's
  • Member & Safety Tradeshow
  • Complimentary Barbecue Lunch
About Safety and Health Week
Source: https://www.safetyandhealthweek.ca/english/
Safety and Health Week, which takes place this year from May 1-6, is an ideal time for employers, employees, partners, and the public to focus on the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace, at home, and in the community.

Starting on May 1, you're invited to join our virtual activities to celebrate Safety and Health Week - Click Here
Safety and Health Week National Launch
Join our national partners from across the country as we kick off Safety and Health Week 2023. Hear inspiring stories, watch the finalist videos from the Focus on Safety National Youth Video Contest, and share in the excitement as the winner is announced - Click Here
April is distracted driving awareness month - Take the National Safety Council (NSC) Just Drive Pledge and commit to driving distraction-free!
Source: https://www.nsc.org/pledge
At least eight people a day are killed in distracted driving crashes. Handheld and hands-free phone calls and texts, emails, social media, passengers, snacks and even built-in vehicle touchscreens are just some of the distractions fighting for your attention on the road.
Here’s a simple way to think about it: if something requires your hands, your eyes or your attention while you’re driving, it’s a distraction. Distracted driving isn’t just risky for you, it can be deadly for every nearby driver, pedestrian, bicyclist and worker.

Pledge to avoid distracted driving and help everyone around you get home safe.

Take the Pledge
  • I will make our roads safer for everyone by avoiding all forms of distracted driving. 
  • I will speak up when others are distracted to protect myself and all other road users.
All of us want to drive, bike or walk across roads free of distracted drivers. Help us spread the message that when you’re behind the wheel, your only job is to drive.

Share the Pledge
National Day of Mourning – April 28
Source: https://www.wsib.ca/en/day-of-mourning
About: In 1984, the Canadian Labour Congress established April 28th as the National Day of Mourning in Canada to remember and honour those who have died, been injured or suffered illness in the workplace.

The date was chosen in 1984, when the Canadian Labour Congress proclaimed the Day to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the day the first Ontario Worker's Compensation Act was approved by the government (1914). The Day of Mourning was enshrined in national legislation by an Act of Parliament on February 1, 1991.

The Day of Mourning, also known as Workers' Memorial Day, is officially recognized in about 100 countries worldwide.
Canadian flags on Parliament Hill and at Queen's Park fly at half-mast on April 28th. The day is traditionally marked in many ways including holding public ceremonies, wearing black and yellow ribbons, lighting candles, observing a moment of silence at 11:00 a.m. and sharing stories about how workplace tragedies have touched peoples' lives - Read More.
Are you looking for registration for the following courses?

  • Working at Heights - Full Course or Refresher
  • Elevated Work Platform - EWP
  • Joint Health and Safety Certification Refresher Training
  • Joint Health and Safety Certification (Part 1 & 2 and Refresher training)
  • First Aid Standard
  • First Aid Recertification
  • Confined Space

To register: Please call our training partner: Langlois Safety Training and Consulting Services at 289-271-8623.
Healthy Minds at Work
Source: CCOHS.CA

Ever feel mentally exhausted after a busy work day?

Here are some tips to stay mentally healthy at work: it’s a good idea to get up and get outside for a quick break and fresh air, try and keep work tasks in perspective and remember when work ends, and your home life begins.
WSIB Health and Safety Excellence program
 
IF YOU ARE A SMALL BUSINESS (99 or fewer employees), YOU'LL WANT TO FIND OUT MORE! 
 
The WSIB is offering an extra financial incentive to small businesses, in addition to the regular Rebate!
 
You may have received a phone call or email from the WSIB informing you about the WSIB H & S Excellence program. We are pleased to bring this to our members in partnership with Safety Works Consulting Inc., as the WSIB-approved Provider.
 
If you would like more information on another WSIB Rebate, please CONTACT US for information on the WSIB H & S Excellence program.
GAIN THE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE OF GOLD SEAL CERTIFICATION
Gold Seal Webinars

The Gold Seal Certification program has been the industry’s most trusted, valued, and reliable certification for those in the management of construction. Gold Seal Certified (GSC) credentials demonstrate your commitment to the profession and your expertise through certifying education, experience, and competency.

Ever wonder what it takes to get Gold Seal Certified?
Find out the answers to these questions and more:
• Do I qualify to write the Gold Seal exam?
• Do I need more experience or training?
• What information do I need to apply?
• What is the application process through the online portal?

Please register for the date and time that works best for you:
To Be forewarned is to be Forearmed - Hygiene on Construction Sites, Inspection Blitz
As part of an inspection blitz, ministry inspectors are visiting washrooms at construction work sites to ensure they are correctly serviced and sanitized.
 
 
Workers may have to deal with unsanitary toilets and clean-up facilities on construction sites. Maintaining proper hygiene procedures and facilities on a worksite is an important way to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. It is also required under Ontario health and safety law.
 
An advisory developed by IHSA in collaboration with the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council and COCA reviews the risks of having poor sanitary conditions, suggests ways to prevent or control those risks, and outlines the legal requirements and workplace responsibilities for having proper hygiene practices and clean-up facilities on a construction site. Read the Advisory.
 
The IHSA suggests that a safety talk be delivered as a reminder to workplace parties of the hazards and, more importantly, re-establish safe practices and procedures. In addition to the above Advisory, The IHSA has additional tools that are FREE to download to help you take action:
 
Struck-By Hazards
Source: https://www.cpwr.com/research/research-to-practice-r2p/r2p-library/other-resources-for-stakeholders/struck-by-hazards/

Struck-by incidents are the 2nd leading cause of death among construction workers, and the leading cause of nonfatal injuries in the construction industry. 
The National Stand-Down to Prevent Struck-by Incidents is a voluntary event for employers to talk directly to employees about safety. Any workplace can hold a stand-down by taking a break to focus on “Struck-by Hazards” and reinforcing the importance of training and prevention. Learn more from this “What is the Struck-by Stand-Down” flyer, and this NIOSH Feature “Join the National Stand-Down to Prevent Struck-by Incidents”.
MLTSD Labour-Management Report for:

Click above for full reports (critical injuries, fatalities,
Provincial Coordinator's Comment, incidence details and codes, news)
What's New is published by The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development.

March 2023 issue - Click Here
H&S Training at the NCA
NCA Training Courses
(membership discounts)

♦ Live Webinars

♦ Online

Safety courses created to enhance health and safety awareness and help prevent injures to workers, e.g. Confined Space Safety Awareness, Pipeline Construction Safety Training and more - safety and management courses. Click HERE for available courses.
Helpful H&S Resources and Information
PARTNERS ALIGNED TOGETHER FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY
NCA has made safety awareness a primary initiative for our Association.
We have launched our PATHS initiative, Partners Aligned Together for Health and Safety, formally making a stronger commitment to safety awareness and training.