The Ontario Working at Heights Training Program Standard is set to undergo significant updates effective April 1, 2024. These changes aim to enhance the safety and efficacy of the training programs, ensuring workers are well-equipped to handle the dangers associated with working at heights.
Do you remember becoming a supervisor for the first time thinking, “Here it comes… more money, responsibility… getting to tell people what to do and how to do it.” Then the day comes, and it actually happens. You take over the position and gradually begin to realize that along with the responsibility that you thought you were going to have came all sorts of other accountabilities; those legal responsibilities in Occupational Health and Safety, Wellness, Employment Standards, budgets, not to mention just getting workers to get along and do the work on time.
When it comes to ensuring the safety and well-being of workers in Ontario, the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act stands as a cornerstone of regulation. This vital piece of legislation finds its roots in a philosophy known as the Internal Responsible System (IRS) (Ontario, 2022). In 4S, the consultants are here to help companies who might be struggling to keep track on their IRS. For example, the WSIB Excellence Program allows companies to implement or improve their health and safety procedures while earning financial rebates as an incentive (4SConsult,2023). In this blog, we will explore the significance of IRS in the context of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, understanding how it empowers individuals to take ownership of health and safety, and ultimately serves as the foundation for creating a safer workplace.
Workplace safety is of paramount importance, especially when dealing with hazardous materials such as designated substances. In Ontario, stringent regulations are in place to safeguard the health and well-being of workers. Designated substances, also known as hazardous materials, can pose significant risks to human health. In this comprehensive article, we will explore what designated substances are, the potential health hazards they pose, the legal obligations of employers, risk assessment strategies, control measures, and the importance of training when dealing with designated substances in an Ontario workplace.
Safety is our responsibility! Imagine a work site - all policies and procedures in place, all equipment functional and maintained and all protective gear ready and in place for use. Everyone comes, carries out their task and is done for the day. A perfect work scenario. However, this is not always the case. Worksites possess certain potential hazards and Occupational Health Safety Act makes it apparently clear that employers, supervisors, and workers need to make constant efforts to mitigate any hazards through proactive measures and reasonable caution.
As we combat the continuous surge in temperatures due to climate change, the risk of heat-related illnesses in the workplace are a growing concern. Our bodies will naturally maintain a temperature between 36°C and 38°C and sweating cools the bodies down. However, if you work in a hot environment, the body’s natural cooling mechanisms are sometimes unable to maintain a healthy body temperature, leading to an increase in the core body temperature and in turn to potential heat stress and injury. This article aims to explore the causes, symptoms, and potential solutions for managing and preventing heat stress.
Working at heights can be a dangerous job if proper safety measures are not taken. This is why it is essential for workers who are working at heights to have proper training and certification. In this article, we will discuss the importance of working at heights certification and the statistics on injuries related to working at heights in Ontario, Canada.
