Occupational Health Nurse's Week

Occupational Health Nurses (OHNs) Week 
April 5–11, 2026

OHCOW joins the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN) in this national observance to recognize occupational and environmental health nurses who protect and promote the health, safety, and well-being of workers in Ontario and beyond.

2026 Health and Safety Forum

Saturday, April 18, 2026 •. 8:30am – 1:00pm EST

Be sure to catch this free annual event, in-person in Kanata, Ontario or online. Certificates are available for those who attend both at the location or virtually. Please register in advance. Includes sessions on:

• Accidents and Occupational Illness in Construction
• Ergonomic Risk Factors in Occupational Driving and the Role of Participatory Ergonomics
• The Psychosocial Hazards for Working Drivers

& more!

Parkinson's Awareness Month

Parkinson's and the Workplace

It is proven that some workplace exposures and conditions can increase the risk for Parkinson’s Disease. Chemical exposure, vibration and head injury can be factors in the onset of Parkinson's, dementia and other neurological diseases. 

New Book to be Published in April 2027!

OHCOW Occupational Health Coordinator Janice Hobbs Martell is publishing a book about former mine workers who were required to take McIntyre Powder. The book will closely profile four miners, including Martell's own father, Jim Hobbs, who died in 2017 (pictured). Published by Dundurn Press, it will be called  “Dusted: The Men of the McIntyre Powder Experiment.” 

Workplace Mental Health Webinar Series

Cancer Awareness Month

In February on World Cancer Day, OHCOW partnered with the Occupational Cancer Research Centre (OCRC) to create a video about the ongoing research linking occupational exposures with cancer. If you didn't see it in February you can visit our Youtube page to see it today! OHCOW features extensive information on work-related cancer on our website.

Day of Mourning

April 28

OHCOW will be commemorating the 2026 Day of Mourning, a day for special remembrance of workers killed or injured on the job. Stay tuned to our web site and social media channels for information on events across Ontario, tributes and updates.

Silica Control Tool Updates

OHCOW Hygienist's article published

Rock to Road online magazine featured an article by OHCOW Occupational Hygienist Meghan Friesen informing readers of the Silica Control Tool, a free online risk assessment tool that protects workers from the dangers of respirable crystalline silica exposure. It is now available for surface mining operations. See OHCOW website to register.

French Silica Control Tool Video 


An informative video on using the Silica Control Tool is now available in French.

Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals

BCRSP Conference

May 10-12, 2026


OHCOW Occupational Hygienist Shirly (Wenxiao) Yan, CRSP, CIH, from OHCOW, is a speaker at the BCRSP 50th Anniversary Celebration Conference. Shirly will be part of a lightning session presentation on "Workplace Exposure & Safety Smarts." Register for the conference through the link below. Registration fees apply.