IHSA monthly news & updates | |
| Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development news and events | | |
Construction health and safety program report
The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development (MLITSD) puts together a report for the Provincial Labour-Management Health and Safety Committee every month with an overview of events, court bulletins, and statistics. This report is generally available the first week of the month and is posted on the IHSA website.
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2026–2027 compliance campaigns begin
The 2026–2027 MLITSD compliance campaigns are now underway. IHSA has a variety of tools that provide member firms with relevant resources.
Construction
Inspectors will review all activities at single-family and multi-family residential projects. They will give particular attention to high-risk issues, such as:
They will also check to ensure that these projects are providing adequate information, instruction, and supervision.
Mining
Specialized professional services (hygiene)
IHSA will provide resources that support these campaigns, where relevant. Read future issues of Network News for more details.
| | | Legislative updates and alerts | |
Read recent court bulletins related to health and safety
The MLITSD regularly releases court bulletins about health and safety issues, injuries, and fatalities. Visit its website to read the bulletins and find other news and information.
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New legislation to be introduced in 2027
Two legislative changes will occur in 2027:
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Latest Ontario Road Safety Annual Report now available
The Ontario Road Safety Annual Report shares detailed statistics about road safety. It uses data submitted by police services, health agencies, and others. Fatality numbers are checked against records from the Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario, which can take several years to confirm. The 2022 report, along with earlier reports, is available in English and French.
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Province introduces legislation to update WSIB benefits
The Ontario government has proposed an increase to the income replacement benefits that workers receive through the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) if they're injured on the job. The proposed changes would also update the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act to ensure workers who are planning to work past the age of 65 continue to receive supports.
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Changes coming to residency requirements for driver's licensing
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is changing Ontario’s driver licensing requirements to reduce fraud and better align Ontario with other Canadian jurisdictions as part of the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025.
Starting Monday, May 11, anyone who applies for a Class G/M driver’s licence (DL) or upgrades to a commercial class (A, B, C, D, E, or F) DL must answer specific questions about residency.
DL holders who apply for a commercial class DL upgrade must answer questions and provide supporting documents to verify residency, legal presence, and work eligibility.
| | | Featured IHSA resources and events | | |
Labour-Management committees host spring events
IHSA's Labour-Management Network has announced several regional health and safety events this spring.
Ottawa LMHSC mock trial
Join the Ottawa Regional Labour-Management Health and Safety Committee (LMHSC) on Monday, June 1 for an immersive mock trial exploring a fall incident and the statutory duty of a supervisor under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
This session places you at the centre of a real-world fall incident in which a worker fell from elevation during routine residential construction work. You'll analyze the circumstances surrounding the event, evaluate decision making on site, and assess potential liability.
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London - IHSA & 3M - Bridging the Gap: A Safety Symposium
The London Regional LMHSC, London & District Construction Association, and 3M present an exciting event that will foster collaboration and improve workplace safety practices. Join us on Tuesday, June 2 at the London & District Construction Association for insightful discussions, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities.
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Hamilton, Niagara, and Central Regional LMHSCs' joint committee meeting
The Hamilton Regional LMHSC is pleased to invite members and guests from the Niagara Regional LMHSC and the Central Regional LMHSC to a focused half‑day session on Thursday, June 4 about the growing influence of artificial intelligence in the construction industry and receiving timely updates from the MLITSD.
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IHSA Health and Safety Awards: Submit your nominations now!
IHSA is accepting nominations for the IHSA Health and Safety Awards until Tuesday, June 30. Don't miss the chance to nominate a deserving individual, team, or committee for the John M. Beck Award, Electrical Utility Safety Excellence & Innovation Award, Roy A. Phinnemore Award, Gil Samson Award, Ken Hellawell Transportation Safety Award, or the Maria (Filice) Mason Award of Excellence.
Join us to celebrate at IHSA's Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, October 7. More details coming soon!
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Latest IHSA YouTube video covers poisonous plants
There are several poisonous plants in Ontario that can cause severe allergic reactions or irritation if they touch your skin. If you work outside, you must take steps to avoid contact with hazardous plants. This safety talk video talks about how to identify poisonous plants and protect your skin from contact.
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Falls Awareness Week 2026
Falls remain one of the leading causes of injuries and fatalities in Ontario's construction industry, but they are preventable.
From May 4 to 8, IHSA is joining workplaces across the province for Falls Awareness Week. This event is a chance to share practical knowledge, strengthen safety culture, and keep fall prevention top of mind for all workers.
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Developing an airborne hazard management program guideline
An airborne hazard management program (AHMP) is a document that sets out the actual and potential airborne hazards that a risk assessment identifies at the workplace.
This guideline follows the structure of a typical AHMP document. It includes sample content for each section of a fictional mining company's AHMP. Companies should adapt this content to their unique hazards, working conditions, and health and safety objectives.
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Latest podcast episodes available
The IHSA Safety Podcast is a free podcast that seeks to improve the lives of workers in Ontario. Listen to the latest episodes now:
Episode 132: From Compliance to Culture: How WSIB’s HSEp Builds Stronger Safety Systems in Ontario
Episode 133: Understanding Commercial Diving Risks and Contractor Requirements
| | | Occupational health/ergonomics/mental health news | |
New IHSA mental health toolkits, resources, and webinar series now available
Discover IHSA's new workplace mental health toolkits, resources, and five-part webinar series to help leaders, employers, occupational health and safety professionals, and labour partners prevent harm before it becomes a crisis.
Designed for Ontario’s high-risk trades, these tools address mental health, substance use, opioid-related harm, and suicide prevention in practical, workplace-ready ways.
The five-part webinar series includes several key topics:
- Elimination and substitution (May 8, 8:00–9:30 a.m.)
- Redesign and administrative controls (May 22, 8:00–9:30 a.m.)
- Worker-level controls (June 5, 8:00–9:30 a.m.)
- Crisis response (June 12, 8:00–9:30 a.m.)
- Integrated controls and system leadership (June 19, 8:00–9:30 a.m.)
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IHSA’s six new mental health toolkits support a Total Worker Health and Well-being approach. They help high-risk workplaces integrate mental health and substance use awareness into everyday safety practices:
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Canada mark's Safety and Health Week 2026
Safety and Health Week is an annual opportunity for employers, workers, partners, and the public to focus on the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace, at home, and in the community.
To raise awareness during the week of May 4 to 9, Health and Safety Professionals Canada is partnering with the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety and Threads of Life to offer free nation-wide programming on various aspects of safety and health. These virtual and in-person events are open to everyone.
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CSA technical committee on equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in apprenticeship programs seeks members
The CSA technical committee on equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in apprenticeship programs is looking for members. The committee is responsible for developing and maintaining standards related to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in apprenticeship programs, with a focus on skilled trades.
There are several spots available:
- Employer Interest: six spots available
- Organizational Interest: four spots available
- Government/Regulatory Authority: three spots available
- User Interest: two spots available
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Safety news from here and abroad
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What's new
Stay updated on current news from the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development.
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Fleet Safety Council and transportation-related news
Access monthly updates, news, and events from the Fleet Safety Council and the transportation industry that IHSA supports.
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WSIB@WORK newsletter
Access the WSIB's quarterly email newsletter to get the latest information, or visit the archive page to read past issues.
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