January 2026

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers Inc. looks forward to another year of serving Ontario workplaces, as we work together towards a goal of eliminating occupational injuries and illnesses. Best wishes for a safe and healthy 2026!

Musculoskeletal Disorder and Injury Prevention

Repetitive Strain Injury Day Webinar Series starts on February 6!

We’re excited to announce the return of our free, international event dedicated to Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) and their prevention. For 27 years, OHCOW’s RSI Day has brought together experts, advocates, and workplaces from around the world to share practical knowledge, real-world experiences, and innovative strategies to prevent MSDs.

This year’s program will once again be held virtually — as a four-week webinar series throughout February on Fridays at 10 am - 12 pm EST.

Join us online, connect with professionals and peers, and take part in conversations that can help make every workplace safer and healthier.

For agenda, registration and more, see the Event Calendar Landing Page.

INFO AND REGISTER

Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month

In 2024, January was designated as “Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month” throughout Canada. Firefighters are at heightened risk for injury and illness, particularly cancer. In fact, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified firefighting as a known human carcinogen.

See OHCOW’s page with information about advocacy, legislation and research surrounding the work of Firefighters, including 2026 updates.

See the OHCOW Page

World Cancer Day Webinar

Silica dust is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen of the lung by the International Agency for the Research on Cancer. In Canada, around 570 lung cancers are linked to workplace silica exposure each year, which amounts to 2.5% of all lung cancers diagnosed annually. Protect yourself from silica dust by signing up for the Silica Control Tool today.

WEBINAR

February 4, 2026, at 11:30 AM

Join OHCOW and the Occupational Cancer Research Centre (OCRC) this World Cancer Day, to explore occupational co-exposures and cancer risk through both research and clinical perspectives. OCRC will present findings from their co-exposures project on lung and bladder cancer, while OHCOW will follow with clinical work and case studies that illustrate the real-world impacts of multiple workplace exposures, linking research findings to practice.

From Our Partners

January 23, 2026

Free to attend! The Annual Conference of the Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH). This important event will feature seminars on respiration hazards in mining and other sectors, occupational exposures to silica and poor air quality, supporting worker mental health and wellbeing, and more topics.

Download a pdf of the full schedule here.