Be Careful Around Giant Hogweed If your work takes you outside this summer near roadsides, streams, vacant lots, conservation lands, parks, transfer stations or landfill sites, be aware of the dangers of giant hogweed. Parts of this plant release a clear watery sap that can cause painful swelling, itching and blistering that can last for weeks. If the sap gets into your eyes, it can cause permanent blindness. Read more to learn how to control this hazard. August 5th, 2010 Partners in Prevention 2010 Conferences Welcome to the all-new Partners in Prevention 2010 Conference Series for Ontario Workplaces – your trusted source for timely, relevant health and safety knowledge in a community convenient to you. To learn more, please visit the 'Partners In Prevention' website. Exhibitor Brochure (PDF) All Conferences Delegate Brochure (PDF) July 21st, 2010  (Edited August 19th, 2010) WSIB announces changes to Labour Market Re-entry The WSIB is making significant changes to the Labour Market Re-entry (LMR) program. WSIB announces changes to Labour Market Re-entry New program focuses on quality training and sustainable jobs for injured workers Read More July 7th, 2010 Expert Advisory Panel on Occupational Health and Safety As you are aware, an Expert Advisory Panel has been established to conduct a comprehensive review of the province’s occupational health and safety system. The Expert Advisory Panel home page has recently been updated to include: • “An Update from the Chair” (scroll down to “Panel News”) • A link to the Institute for Work and Health Reports (scroll down to   “Resources”) Read More - English Read More - French July 7th, 2010 Revised Workplace Violence DVD Now Available! The Workplace Violence Prevention in the Health and Community Care Sector DVD has been updated to include information on the amendments to the OHS Act that came into effect on June 15, 2010. The DVD also includes a more detailed section on domestic violence in the workplace. As well, there are specific modules for acute care, long-term care, and community care. Many new downloadable tools are available on the DVD including the new OHSCO Workplace Violence Prevention Series Tools. Price: Members $30 CAD; Non-members $400 CAD To purchase Click Here Price: Members $30 CAD; Non-members $400 CAD To purchase Click Here July 4th, 2010 2010 Pocket Ontario OHS Act and Regulations Prepared by Carswell, this consolidated edition of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations is a handy reference tool for any workplace. It has been revised to reflect all amendments made up to January 9, 2010, including: Violence and Harassment in the Workplace: Bill 168 (S.O. 2009, c. 23) Exposure Limits: O. Reg. 491/09 Construction: O. Reg. 443/09 amends O. Reg. 213/91 Needle Safety: O. Reg. 439/09 amends O. Reg. 474/07 Price $23.00 CAD To purchase Click Here June 28, 2010 Expert Advisory Panel on Occupational Health and Safety As you are aware, an Expert Advisory Panel has been established to conduct a comprehensive review of the province’s occupational health and safety system. The Panel will hold regional consultation meetings in May and June 2010 in different locations throughout the province. Click here to view more info. June 2, 2010   H1N1 Recovery Phase Announced In Ontario the status has changed to Recovery, and pandemic influenza H1N1 guidance documents are no longer in effect. Health care providers should refer to the Routine Practice and Additional Precautions in all Health Care Settings document from the Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee. Click here to view additional H1N1 resources and to learn more. April 29, 2010 Ontario Prevention System Review – An Update  Members of the expert advisory panel were appointed on March 18, 2010 and met for the first time on March 29, 2010. This is the panel that will review the province’s occupational health and safety (OHS) prevention and enforcement programs. A consultation paper is now available at http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/eap/index.php. This paper provides background information on the occupational health and safety system and outlines the issues being examined by the expert panel. Associated with each issue is a series of questions inviting stakeholder input. As a stakeholder, you may respond to the questions or submit comments electronically through online feedback forms. You may also send submissions by e-mail, fax or regular mail, as outlined at the end of the consultation paper. Responses and submissions are requested by June 30, 2010. We hope that you will participate in the review. April 28, 2010 Day of Mourning—April 28,2010 On April 28, 1984, the Canadian Labour Congress proclaimed the first Day of Mourning. The date coincided with the 70th anniversary of the day the first Ontario Worker’s Compensation Act was approved by government. In 1991, the Day of Mourning was enshrined in national legislation. Since then, Ontario recognizes the Day of Mourning on April 28 and remembers those who have lost their lives while working, as well as those whose lives changed forever because of a workplace injury or illness. The Day of Mourning is a time to remember all these workers, but it’s also a time to renew our commitment to preventing workplace injury, illness, and death. For more information on the Day of Mourning and to download a free poster, visit the WSIB website – click here. April 27, 2010 New and Young Worker Safety On April 16, 2010, the Ministry of Labour announced a Heightened Enforcement Campaign (aka Blitz) targeting young and new worker safety (read more here). In Ontario, any new worker, of any age on the job, is up to four times more likely to be injured during that month than any other time performing that job (Institute for Work and Health). New workers include: Any new hire – permanent or temporary, including supervisors, with or without experience in your sector Your current workers who are assigned new jobs/tasks Student workers, co-op placements or apprentices Contractors and/or subcontractors Visitors to your workplace who need to know the general rules New workers need special attention to ensure they understand how to do the assigned tasks safely. Take time with your new workers. To learn how PSHSA can help you, speak to your PSHSA field representative (click here for a listing of PSHSA field staff).Also, click here for resources on the Ministry of Labour website. April 27, 2010 (Modified June 14,2010) MOL Compliance Guideline for Workplace Violence The Ministry of Labour has recently released a compliance guideline for workplace violence and harassment. This guideline explains what every worker, supervisor, employer and constructor needs to know about workplace violence and workplace harassment requirements in the Occupational Health and Safety Act. It describes everyone's rights and responsibilities and answers, in plain language, the questions that are most commonly asked about these requirements. View the English version here  View the French version here As well, the MOL offers a two page Fact Sheet on the Bill 168 amendments to the OHS Act. View the English version here  View the French version here HSAGS offers in-person workshops as well as webinars on this topic, to assist clients in implementing steps to satisfy the amendments. To view current offerings, visit our websites or contact your local consultant. April 01, 2010 Clean Your Hands Day - May 5th The Canadian Patient Safety Institute and Accreditation Canada invite you to participate in "STOP! Clean Your Hands Day on Wednesday, May 5, 2010". This national event coincides with the World Health Organization's 2nd Annual Global Save Lives, Clean Your Hands Day. Get involved and your results could be showcased and prizes will be awarded for participation: National Hand Hygiene Observation Day National Peer to Peer Review Day National Patient /Family Observation Day National Healthcare Worker and Volunteer Hand Hygiene Training Day To Join the Canadian Clean Hands Campaign, sign up as a participant and receive new tools and information by clicking HERE. To Join the World Health Organization’s Campaign for Improved Hand Hygiene World register online or at their website. All facilities registering will receive a commendation letter from Professor Didier Pittet, leader of the First Global Patient Safety Challenge. March 25, 2010 Leadership Summit - May 3, 2010 As part of the Partners in Prevention Conference, attend the Leadership Summit on May 3rd. Now in its fifth year, the summit brings together business leaders from across Canada to network and exchange best practices for healthy workplaces. It’s your best opportunity to learn from companies pursuing excellence in their health, safety, wellness and environment systems – activities synonymous with sustainability and profitability. Click here for more information and to register. March 24, 2010 Small Business Forum – May 3, 2010 As part of the Partners in Prevention Conference, attend the Small Business Forum on May 3rd 8:30-11:30, a special pre-conference event designed exclusively for small business. Click here for more information and to register. March 23, 2010 Listeriosis: Important Health Notice Click here to read more! March 19, 2010 Workplace Violence Legislation effective June 15, 2010 We, along with our system partners, are ready to support your implementation of Bill 168 and the amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act. For a better understanding of the changes to the legislation, review our Fast Facts titled Workplace Violence: Complying with Amendments to the OHS Act. We also have a number of resources that are free to download. Check it out here! March 18, 2010 MOL to review OHS prevention and enforcement programs Expert advisory panel to make recommendations this fall Click here to read more! March 16, 2010 Health and Safety Management Systems Updated Fast Fact OSACH’s Health and Safety Management Systems (HSMS) is designed specifically for Ontario’s health and community care sectors. Its purpose is to help employers achieve organizational health, safety and wellness through two key steps; 1. Integrate health, safety and wellness into an organization’s core business 2. Motivate an organization to achieve employee health, safety and wellness, provide quality care and embrace public safety. Simply click here to download this fast fact for free! March 11, 2010 New OHSCO Domestic Violence Resources Domestic violence in the workplace has been identified as the fastest growing type of workplace violence in Canada.” (Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters 2008) The Occupational Health and Safety Council of Ontario in partnership with the Ontario Women’s Directorate has recently produced two pamphlets for addressing domestic violence in the workplace: Domestic Violence Doesn’t Stop When Your Worker Arrives at Work: What Employers Need to Know to Help Click HERE   Domestic Violence Doesn’t Stop When Your Worker Arrives at Work: How to get Help or Support a Colleague who may Need Help Click HERE   These pamphlets are free to download from our website, to distribute widely at your organization. To print as a pamphlet – select “Booklet Printing” from the Page Scaling option in the Print menu box. February 23, 2010 HealthForceOntario Funded Projects HealthForceOntario recently announced eighteen successful applicants who submitted proposals in September 2009 and are receiving funding through the Healthy Work Environments Innovation Fund Grant Program. OSACH is partnering in three of the projects: The development and piloting of a 3-tier Community Risk Assessment Tool, that will profile ten common hazards found in the community and provide suggested control measures at the system, service provider and the worker level. This project is being completed in partnership with the Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) and St Clair West Services for Seniors (SCWSS). The update of the OSACH DVD titled Workplace Violence Prevention in the Health and Community Care Sector, to include information on the upcoming amendments to the OHS Act. This project is being completed in partnership with Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital in Windsor. The development of a workplace violence risk assessment tool to assist in improved communication between emergency departments, police and EMS. The project is being completed in partnership with Lakeridge Health Corporation. For more details about the newly funded projects as well as other HWE information, please visit the HealthForceOntario website at http://www.healthforceontario.ca/WhatIsHFO/hwe.aspx February 18, 2010 Fast Fact- Workplace Violence: Complying with the Occupational Health and Safety Act As of June 15, 2010, the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act include employer responsibilities for addressing violence, harassment and domestic violence in the workplace. This Fast Facts provides organizations with guidance on complying with the changes. Click here to access this Fast Fact free to download from our Website.  Click here to purchase this Fast Fact in packages of 20 from our online store February 16, 2010 MOHLTC funds Violence and SEMS sessions! The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has just announced that they will support the upcoming Workplace Violence Prevention and Safety Engineered Medical Sharps education sessions being offered by the HSAGS Community and Healthcare Team. This means that we can now offer these sessions at no cost! The workplace violence prevention sessions: Provide an overview of upcoming amendments to the OHS Act as they relate to workplace violence, as well as outline the elements of an effective workplace violence prevention program Provide sample tools and program elements Assist organizations in understanding how to address horizontal violence (bullying) and domestic violence in the workplace Our free webinars are now closed! Thank you to all who attended our sessions! Attend the Safety Engineered Medical Sharps (SEMS) session to learn about: Definitions of safety engineered medical sharps (SEMS) and safety engineered needles. Available statistics and research related to sharps and injuries. How to implement a sharps safety program · The Needle Safety Regulation (O.Reg 474/07) under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) Our free webinars are now closed! Thank you to all who attended our sessions! February 9, 2010 New Product! Addressing Domestic Violence in the Workplace Effective June 15, 2010, the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act will require employers who are aware, or who should reasonably be aware, that domestic violence may occur in the workplace to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to protect a worker at risk of physical injury. This newly revised booklet, "Addressing Domestic Violence in the Workplace: A handbook" provides information and suggestions on how to meet these requirements. This new edition replaces the former booklet "Personal Relationship Violence". Free to download, click here to access this valuable workplace resource. January 28 2010 Ministry of Labour - Focus on Falls Ontario Ministry of Labour inspectors will check for hazards involving suspended platforms at construction sites during an enforcement blitz starting in mid-January. Ministry inspectors will have zero tolerance for non-compliance. The review will be completed within 90 days. Your organization might also use suspended platforms during window cleaning. Click here to learn more about the Focus on Falls. Click here for a MOL Q&A on Falls. January 21 2010 Ministry of Labour Alert: Suspended Work Platform Click here for more information! January 7 2010 Workplace Violence Prevention becomes law June 15, 2009 Bill 168 received Royal Assent on December 15, 2009. This means that the proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act to include violence and harassment in the workplace will come into force on June 15, 2010. Be prepared. Attend an OSACH education workshop to learn about these amendments and the steps you can take to satisfy the new legislative requirements. December 17 2009 Amendments to the Needle Safety Regulation (Phase 3) On July 1, 2010 the Needle Safety Regulation will be extended to community work environments where workers use hollow-bore needles on persons for a therapeutic, preventive, palliative, diagnostic or cosmetic purpose: Doctors’ and dentists’ offices, community health centres, family health teams and independent health facilities.   Other workplaces where health-related services are provided, including home care services, ambulance services, public health programs, health support services to students in schools, and healthcare/first aid services to workers or individuals in industrial and other workplaces. Under this regulation, employers are required to provide workers with a safety-engineered needle for work that requires the use of a hollow-bore needle. Employers should conduct a risk assessment on the use of hollow-bore needles in the workplace and document the findings. To view the Needle Safety Regulation, click here. To assist clients in preparing for the upcoming changes, OSACH will be offering education sessions across the province in February and March of 2010. All sessions have expired! December 17 2009 Amendments to the OHSA to include workplace violence … The proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (known as Bill 168) passed Third Reading in the Legislature on December 9, 2009. Once the Bill receives Royal Assent from the legislature, it will become law six months following. To view the proposed amendment, click here! To assist clients in preparing for the upcoming changes, OSACH will be offering education sessions across the province in February and March of 2010. December 15 2009 Safety Groups Registration Deadline Extended! We have extended the registration deadline to December 23, 2009. Don’t miss this opportunity to network with other organizations while reducing workplace injuries and illnesses at your workplace. Register for the 2010 Safety Group (print the application form and fax back to OSACH) December 9 2009 Effective Leadership Series hosted by OHA The Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) and the Ontario Safety Association for Community and Healthcare (OSACH) offer this very informative three day course. Participants will acquire the tools to create a culture of health and safety in their organization through effective leadership skills. Click here for more information and the registration form. December 8 2009 Safety Groups Advantage Programs Q & A The Safety Groups Advantage Program (SGAP) is a temporary program developed for firms who have successfully completed 5 years in the general Safety Group Program and want to strive towards the proposed WSIB Accreditation Program. If you have already completed five or more years in Safety Group, you may continue for an additional year – review the Safety Groups Advantage Program Q & A here or speak to your OSACH Consultant. December 3 2009 2009 OSACH Special Meeting of the Members December 3rd, 2009 Download file for more details (3.3mb) November 23 2009 OSACH Safety Group Rebate Over Half a Million Dollars! Congratulations to our 2008 Safety Group members! Their efforts in 2008 resulted in a 92% WSIB achievement score and as a result, they are sharing a WSIB rebate of $508,131.96! Even more importantly, their excellent work brought many enhancements to their health and safety programs, and a healthier and safer workplace! It’s not too late to take advantage of the many benefits of Safety Group. Sign up before December 4th for the 2010 Safety Group – chapter meetings will be held across the province, in Toronto, London, Hamilton, Eastern Ontario, and possibly Northern Ontario. Learn more about the 2010 Safety Group Register for the 2010 Safety Group (print the application form and fax back to OSACH) If you have already completed five years in Safety Group, you may continue for a sixth year – review the eligibility requirement here. November 23 2009 JOIN the 2010 OSACH Safety Group! In 2007, members of the OSACH Safety Group shared a WSIB rebate of $372,567! Although we don’t yet know the actual rebate for 2008, it will be significantly higher as the OSACH Safety Group achievement score was 92% and our rebate is based on this score. But beyond the rebate, there are so many additional benefits to joining our safety group including: networking with similar organizations presentations on timely topics guidance on health and safety program improvement and applying a system structure to components As well, in 2010 we will be offering chapter meetings in Toronto, London, Hamilton, Eastern Ontario, and possibly Northern Ontario. Register for the 2010 OSACH Safety Group before December 4th. Learn more about the 2010 Safety Group Register for the 2010 Safety Group (print the application form and fax back to OSACH) If you have already completed five years in Safety Group, you may continue for a sixth year – review the eligibility requirement here. October 8 2009 OSACH Launches Ergonomic Services Download flyer October 1 2009 Effective Leadership Series session hosted by OHA Download brochure from OHA website October 1 2009 The new HSAGS announces CEO appointment Louise Logan has been appointed as the inaugural CEO of the Health and Safety Association for Government Services (HSAGS). All three HSA boards (OSACH, ESAO & MHSA) will be holding a special meeting of their members to approve the amalgamation. The OSACH meeting will take place on December 3rd 2009. In January 2010, the HSAGS will be assuming all designated sector and governance responsibilities of the three legacy associations. Click here to read the full announcement October 1 2009