JOINT HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE CERTIFICATION TRAINING |
Wilkens Health and Safety Solutions (WHSS) is the only Chief Prevention Officer (CPO) approved Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) Certification training provider located in Kingston.
As most workplaces with twenty (20) or more workers must have a JHSC established, we regularly hold training sessions. At least one (1) worker and one (1) management representative of this committee must be certified by completing the prescribed training standards set by the MOL.
Part One Basic Certification Training
Part One Basic Certification training provides an overall knowledge of the Health and Safety Legislation that applies to most workplaces.
Part Two Workplace Specific Training
Part Two Workplace Specific Certification training focuses on the significant hazards in your workplace and how to assess, control and/or eliminate them.
Refresher Certification Training
This course is designed to include all sectors and reviews the essentials of the Part 1 and 2 Certification training as well as highlight any legislative changes that have occurred within the last three years.
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Northern exposure: Employment law challenges in Canada's remote regions
October 4, 2023
Jeffery R. Smith – 'The scope of what you have to provide in terms of service is well beyond what you would for a normal employer'.
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Where does Canada rank globally when it comes to work-life balance?
October 3, 2023
Jim Wilson – Report cites country as 'most LGBTQ+-friendly country in which to live and work'.
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November is Fall Prevention Month! |
Did you know? November is Fall Prevention Month? Fall Prevention Month was designed around the vision that all Canadians play a pivotal role in preventing falls. The mission is to equip everyone, from practitioners and service providers, to businesses and post-secondary institutions, with the evidence-informed resources to raise awareness and engage their communities in preventing falls and fall-related injuries.
We need Fall Prevention Month because:
- Falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations among Canadian older adults. 20-30% of older adults fall each year*
- Falls are the leading cause for hospital admissions from injuries for children ages 0 to 14**
Over the course of November, we are going to share important information on Fall Prevention with tips around keeping our most vulnerable loved ones, children and seniors, safe from injuries associated with falls. For more information please visit: www.fallpreventionmonth.ca
* Government of Canada (2015). Seniors Falls in Canada – Infographic. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/aging-seniors/publications/publications-general-public/seniors-falls-canada-second-report/seniors-falls-canada-infographic.html
**Parachute. Retrieved from: http://www.parachutecanada.org/child-injury-prevention/item/fall-prevention
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Book your Standard First Aid Training! December 12-13, 2023 |
A few months ago, we happily announced that we’re now able to offer on-demand first aid training at Wilkens Health and Safety Solutions. Steve Day is our Instructor for Emergency First Aid as well as Standard First Aid, available in both public and private sessions formats. To book a private onsite course you must have a minimum of six (6) people or more participating in the courses. We could not be more excited to have him on board!
Our next Standard First Aid Training course is taking place from December 12 to 13, 2023! It is a comprehensive two-day course that offers first aid and CPR skills for those who need training due to work requirements, or just want more knowledge to respond to emergencies at home. This course meets the legislative requirements for provincial/territorial worker safety and insurance boards and includes the latest first aid and CPR guidelines. Those who successfully complete the course will become Red Cross Certified in Standard First-Aid, CPR Level A or C, and AED.
Please reach out for more information.
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Ontario Expands Pharmacists’ Scope of Work |
The Ontario government has further expanded the scope of work for pharmacists. Pharmacists are now able to treat and prescribe medications for six more common medical ailments, in addition to the 13 added at the beginning of 2023.
As of October 1, pharmacists can now attend to:
- acne
- canker sores
- diaper rash
- yeast infections
- parasitic worms (pinworms and threadworms), and
- nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.
This makes local pharmacies a one-stop resource for 19 common ailments in Ontario. This is to ensure Ontario workers have an easier time accessing the treatment they need.
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Opioids in the Trades –
You Can Make a Difference!
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Opioid overdoses and the related deaths are a public health crisis affecting many working Canadians. It’s been shown that workers in construction trades are particularly vulnerable to opioid addiction. There’s a lot of complex reasoning behind this that includes the need for pain management and social stigma as significant factors.
In 2020, of the approx. 2,500 working Ontarians who died of drug overdoses, 30% worked in construction, making it by far the most impacted industry. Here are a couple of great steps in identifying controls for opioid overdose in construction trades and help individuals in need of treatment.
Reduce Stigma – Stigma is a large barrier in addictions that can impact someone reaching out for help:
- Remember that addiction is a treatable medical condition, and it is deserving of care just like any other medical condition.
- Ask yourself if your attitudes and behaviours have been influenced by negative stereotypes or stories surrounding drug users.
- Do not define any person by their drug use.
- Be respectful, compassionate and caring.
Support Your At-Risk Coworkers:
- Be a bridge between your co-worker and professional help.
- Act quickly. The earlier a problem is found and treated, the better.
- You don’t need to play the role of counsellor. Your support may be enough to motivate an individual to seek professional help.
Did you know? The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety offers a free, 30-minute virtual course to help you address the stigma surrounding substance use in the workplace. Visit CCOHS.ca to learn more and don’t hesitate to contact the team at Wilkens Health and Safety Solutions.
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Join our next Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) Part I- Basic course
There are still a few seats available! Join us from November 13 to 15, for our next Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) Part I-Basic course. This course applies to all workplaces with 20 or more workers where a Joint Health and Safety Committee must be established. At least one worker and one management representative of this committee must be certified members. The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) enforces this requirement in Ontario for all provincially regulated workplaces. The Part One Basic Certification provides an overall knowledge of the health and safety legislation that applies and is the same for all employment sectors.
This course is CPO-approved, is presented in person to allow for maximum learning and information sharing in the classroom and is three days in duration.
Looking for more information? Just visit whss.ca or call us at 613-546-9814.
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We wanted to take this moment to remind you of the importance of safety talks in the workplace. Safety talks are a crucial step towards ensuring the safety of your employees. A safety talk is a hands-on way to remind workers that health and safety are important on the job and what steps they should be taking. Safety talks can take just five minutes and help workers better recognize and control hazards on the job.
What’s more is that these talks demonstrate the commitment of employers and workers to a safe, healthy workplace. Here are two great resources to get you started.
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Order or download the entire Safety Talks Manual (V005) from IHSA.ca.
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Order the Safety Talk Report Form (RF023) logbook from IHSA,ca to keep a permanent record of each safety talk delivered.
Please don't hesitate to contact the team at Wilkens Health and Safety Solutions if you require further resources.
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Be Prepared for Winter Driving |
Before you know it, the snow will be falling, and the roads will become more challenging to navigate once again. Wilkens Health and Safety Solutions would like to remind you some important Winter Driving Safety tips.
Prepare Your Vehicle. On top of your annual maintenance, winterize your car by doing the following:
- Ensure you have good-quality winter tires with deep, flexible tread.
- Test your battery.
- Make sure your cooling system is working properly.
- Always keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid your gas line freezing.
- Check the tire pressure.
- Check your wiper blades and replace them if they are damaged, and be sure to use wiper fluid rated for -30 degrees.
- Keep a fully stocked emergency preparedness kit in your vehicle.
We also ask to you adjust your driving for the road conditions. This means choosing to accelerate and decelerate slowly, increase your following distance behind other vehicles, try not to stop when driving up hill and if you happen to get caught in a skid, steer in the direction of the skid for more success when you regain traction.
Stay safe out there!
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Upcoming WHSS Courses
Register Your Employees Today!
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All courses scheduled are offered following safe distancing protocols, as well as all other mandated safety protocols- this means fewer people being allowed to register for each course - allowing for safe participation.
Private on-site courses can also be arranged for groups of six (6) or more. Please contact Danielle Charlebois at 613.546.9814 ext. 2223 for more details.
WHSS continues to be a training partner for Working at Heights with the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA). Contact us today to arrange your full or refresher course. Courses are scheduled on an as needed basis and can be held at your site or at a suitable training location.
For a complete listing of upcoming courses, click here or contact Danielle Charlebois at dcharlebois@whss.ca by email or 613.546.9814 ext. 2223 for more details.
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