The OHS laws impose 2 kinds of safety training requirements. The first is a general requirement that employers provide whatever training workers need to do their jobs safely. The second
Refusing to perform assigned work is normally an act of insubordination for which a worker can be disciplined. But OHS laws create a special exemption that allows workers to refuse
It’s easy to get focused on immediate safety goals in your workplace, such as giving safety orientations to workers you’ve just hired, complying with new requirements in the OHS laws
Emergencies may be rare but when they occur, they can be catastrophic. Just look at the recent sawmill explosions and fires in BC and the shopping centre parking garage collapse
Avoid Incriminating yourself when reporting work incidents to OHS officials. Don’t use legally required incident reports to “tell the story of the accident.” OHS laws require employers to report serious
2022 is underway and it’s the perfect time to evaluate your Ergonomics Program to identify gaps to ensure risk reduction, as well as improved productivity, work quality, and overall job
The nature of work is changing at whirlwind speed. Perhaps now more than ever before, job stress poses a threat to the health of workers and, in turn, to the
It’s been nearly 3 years since Canada legalized recreational marihuana use. Since 2018, a new “legal” industry has emerged, tax revenues have grown - though not nearly at the pace
Can a safety infraction be a cause for progressive discipline? When you discipline a worker for violating a safety rule or for any other infraction, make sure to document it.
New regulations have taken effect regarding workplace safety, temporary layoffs, right to disconnect, privacy, and COVID-leave to name just a few. What’s more, the courts, although frustrated by COVID restrictions,
Bill 59 – The Background Quebec’s workplace safety regulations were pending overhaul for almost four decades, until Quebec Labor Minister John Boulet introduced ‘Bill 59’ on October 27, 2020, officially
Recognizing the Factors that Lead to Risk Tolerance Reducing accidents requires that companies recognize not just hazards in the workplace but also the factors that lead workers to incorrectly respond
A major concern for the healthcare community during a wide-scale, natural disaster or an infectious disease incident is patient care. However, emergency situations such as these require advance planning for
2020 OHS due diligence cases and the lessons to apply to your own OHS program. Sure, you’ve got an OHS program. But are you doing enough to comply with OHS
Employers won on a due diligence defence in only 2 of 19 OHS cases in 2020. EMPLOYER USED DUE DILIGENCE (2 cases) BC: Oil Well Operator’s Exposure Control Program Was
Telecommuting wasn't a thing when the OHS laws were first written several decades ago. As a result, they don't talk about telecommuting or say one way or another the various
Although social distancing is vital to prevent the spread of COVID-19, sometimes it’s simply not possible to maintain the necessary 2 meters/6 feet of separation. Close encounters are especially difficult
Heat stress is a condition that can take many forms, depending on the severity of external and internal factors and, of course, the condition of the individual. The heating and
Yukon Energy is the primary generator and transmitter of power to Yukoners. Because of this, we are also one of the agencies to respond when emergencies occur. Over the years,
A recent decision of the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (“the Tribunal”) has significantly expanded the scope of entitlement for workplace events that cause traumatic mental stress. Traditionally,
The oil and gas industry is one of the more hazardous sectors in Canada. For example, in 2010, there were 16 fatalities in the upstream oil and gas industry in
This guide from the International Lead Association provides information to help workers protect themselves & employers minimize the risk of occupational exposure to lead.
A safety talk from the IHSA on the multiple hazards when working on or around stockpiles of earth, clay, sand or gravel. Download the Safety Talk below.
Here’s a fact sheet for workers from the National Safety Council on small changes to improve your overall health. See also: Wellness Crossword Puzzle Wellness Quiz for Workers
The World Health Organization (“WHO”) has declared a pandemic as cases of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) continue to increase around the world and here in Canada. Canadian employers are increasingly dealing
Download this special report, which explains what the GHS is, how Canada has adopted the GHS in the form of WHMIS 2015 and the implications of the new system for
This book from WorkSafeBC contains general information about WHMIS 2015. It summarizes: Key changes from the original WHMIS program Describes the three main elements of WHMIS (labels, safety data sheets and
A look back at the Westray mining disaster 20 years later and its impact on Canadian workplace safety. Workplace safety isn’t usually a high profile topic. It’s typically just of interest
This Special Report will help you to protect these new and young workers by explaining how “newness” can impact workers’ health and safety; the legal protections for new and young workers under
Investigating accidents is a key part of a safety coordinator’s job. A primary purpose of the investigation is to determine not just what went wrong but why. Some accidents are
