This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses reporting and notification responsibilities for asbestos on construction projects in Ontario and features Michele Beckstead-Jackson, Provincial Specialist with the Construction Health and Safety Program of the Occupational Health and Safety Branch, at the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD).

On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, the Maguire family shares their story of the tragic passing of Dean Maguire, a devoted father, brother, and husband in a workplace tragedy. Tune in now and find out why prioritizing safety in the workplace is crucial.

This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses women in construction health and safety and features three members of IHSA's management team. Listen now and learn more about the importance of addressing gender diversity in the workplace.

This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses the Utility Work Protection Code (UWPC), a set of rules and regulations that ensures consistency in rules, tags, forms, and communication for workers working on or above 750 volts. Listen now and learn more about the UWPC.

This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses training and competency, highlighting the importance of differentiating between the two concepts when building an occupational health and safety management system. Listen now and learn more.

This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses the Electrical Utility Safety Rules (EUSR), which have been the foundation of health and safety education in the electrical utilities industry since 1914, and features Jeff Ellery, a member of IHSA's Power Line Apprenticeship and training team. The EUSR, initially created by the Electrical Employers Association of Ontario, laid down a set of rules for safe work for electrical workers who work on or near electrical distribution or transmission...

Jasmine explains that extended exposures to cold can occur in locations such as roofs, unheated cabs, bridges, projects near large bodies of water, high buildings open to the wind, and working in refrigerated rooms, vessels, and containers. Cold stress can result in two major illnesses: hypothermia and frostbite. Hypothermia occurs when the body cannot maintain its core temperature due to constricting blood vessels, while frostbite is caused by exposure to severe cold or contact with...

Maren discusses the proactive approach in depth, which focuses on predicting and foreseeing potential risks before the job starts. Maren compares this to baby-proofing or pet-proofing a house by identifying potential hazards to an infant or a new pet and putting control measures in place.

On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, we celebrate the career of an occupational health and safety professional, Tom Nicolls. Tom started his career in the Electrical Utility industry 38 years ago with Hydro One, and has been a significant contributor to occupational health and safety in Ontario through various channels and roles.

Worker misclassification, as explained by Liz, is the improper designation of an employee and occurs when an employer intentionally treats a worker who meets the criteria to be an employee as someone other than an employee. As a result, the worker or driver is not afforded the same rights and protections as other employees in the industry.

Liz explains the necessary steps to establish a federal occupational health and safety program, which include finding a health and safety expert who is well-versed in the Canada Labour Code Part II, developing a comprehensive OHS program that incorporates a hazard prevention program, and reviewing the program every three years or whenever necessary.

Liz and Michelle discuss federal occupational health and safety—specifically for the transportation industry—and the differences between Canada Labour Code Part II and the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act. Transportation services fall under federal jurisdiction, including trucks and buses that cross provincial borders or international borders on a regular and continued basis.

Traumatic events may occur suddenly and without warning. Depending on the severity, the level of exposure, and personal history and coping abilities, trauma can be problematic in the long term for some individuals, but can also affect most in the short term. On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Kathy Martin, IHSA's Mental Health and Wellness Specialist, discusses trauma management in the workplace.

Silica is a primary component of many construction materials. CAREX Canada estimates that approximately 380,000 Canadians are occupationally exposed to silica, and approximately 570 lung cancers are due to exposure to crystalline silica each year. Exposure to silica dust, produced during work processes such as digging, grinding, and drilling, can lead to serious health issues including lung cancer, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and chronic kidney diseas

Jasmine and Blair discuss in detail noise exposure in the workplace and the need for audiometric testing. Audiometric testing is a non-invasive and painless hearing test that assesses an individual's ability to hear sounds at different intensities. Audiometric tests are beneficial in the workplace, as they allow both employers and workers to have a record of hearing function and determine the effectiveness of existing noise control measures.

The Plan, Do, Check, Act (PDCA) model, also known as the four stages of continuous improvement, is crucial for an organization's health and safety goals. On Episode 66 of the IHSA Safety podcast, Maren Gamble, Manager of Strategic Programs at IHSA, walked through the PDCA model as a fundamental framework for developing and implementing an effective Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS). On this episode of the IHSA Safety podcast, Maren delves deeper into the practical...

The Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) model is a fundamental framework for developing and implementing an effective Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS). This approach allows organizations to continuously improve their safety performance, encourages employee engagement, and can be applied consistently across a variety of management systems. On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Maren Gamble, Manager of Strategic Programs at IHSA, compares the planning phase of building an...

Implementing an occupational health and safety management system in an organization is crucial for both employees and employers, as it helps to address and control hazards in a safe and consistent manner. Ontario's Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development recognizes two systems: COR® 2020 and ISO 45001:2018. On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Carson Powell and Cameron Mitchell from AudEng International discuss the value of, and differences between, both...

As back-to-school season approaches, school bus operators and drivers must be ready and equipped to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for their passengers. On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Doug Heintz, Vice President of High Risk Activity Training and Operations at IHSA, shares valuable tips on school bus safety and passenger management.

In this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Jasmine Kalsi discusses the importance of raising awareness about the potential risks associated with noise in the workplace.

Standards impact many aspects of our professional and private lives. In the province of Ontario, within occupational health and safety, we have begun leveraging training standards such as Working at Heights and Joint Health and Safety Committee training, as well as management system standards such as COR® and ISO 45001, to help establish a high level of consistency. In this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, we are joined by Elias Rafoul, Vice-President of Accreditation Services at the...

When a worker has suffered a work-related injury or illness, it can be challenging and overwhelming to think about returning to work. To encourage a successful return to work, it is essential for injured workers to receive proper support and guidance throughout their recovery process.

Summer in Ontario is typically hot and dry, which can cause heat stress for outdoor workers who work long hours. Heat stress is a seasonal hazard that can occur when the body's core temperature rises, causing severe dehydration that can be harmful if left untreated.

The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), one of the largest insurance organizations in North America, offers various supports and benefits to injured workers, including income replacement benefits, medical coverage, and assistance with returning to work or recovery. In this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Suzanne McClelland, Manager, Stakeholder Relations at WSIB, provides a step-by-step process for addressing and reporting workplace injuries, illnesses, and possible exposure.