Sessions & Workshops
Tuesday May 17 – 8:00 am
Build the Optimal Environment for Success – The WestJet Story
Don Bell, Founder and Former Executive Vice President, WestJet
Don Bell, one of the four founders of WestJet, is widely considered the company’s spiritual leader, a “culture guru” who champions teamwork while emphasizing an upbeat mood. The recently retired Executive Vice-President was known for a unique style that personified the WestJet values and became the team’s model of inspiration and emotional commitment. Bell’s ideas and leadership were instrumental in taking a start-up airline in 1996 to become one of the few airlines in the world to enjoy quarter after quarter of profitability and sustained doubledigit business growth. In particular, he was credited for bringing WestJet to the forefront of corporate culture and customer service. During his tenure, the company exemplified the optimal environment for success, winning various business awards including ‘The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year’ for Canada, and an International Entrepreneurship Award for Outstanding Teamwork in 2001. Today, WestJet is not only a household name in Canada but it is one of the most successful Airlines in North America. Bell has compelling messages about people and creating a culture that can help any organization. Charismatic, powerful and real, he will inspire leaders to see the value their people bring to the job every day.
Tuesday 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
CEO Panel
Amanda Lang, Senior Business Correspondent, CBC News, Panel Moderator
Join us for a provocative discussion featuring a panel of leading CEO’s recognized for their organizations’ commitment to health and safety. What is the difference between a CEO who “gets it” and one who doesn’t? Just how much does the CEO influence the culture of an organization? How should the CEO be engaged in health and safety and the organization’s culture? What are the challenges and consequences of complacency? What scares CEO’s about Bill C-45? Is there a health and safety “prize” at the end of the rainbow? Join other leaders to hear the discussion and the answers.
Tuesday 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Due Diligence Documentation for Electrical Supervisors
Mike Doherty, Consultant, Infrastructure Health & Safety Association
Andy Kerr, Safety Manager, Horizon Utilities
Electrical supervisors have very important accountabilities to ensure the safety of the workers on their crews. They are on the front line when it comes to due diligence in all safety aspects of the job. More often than not they provide the company with the last opportunity to ensure that everything reasonable for safety has been done. Well completed documentation is one of the best ways to establish safe work and prove that all best safety business practices have been instituted on behalf of the company. Often this is not the case. A comprehensive suite of practical documentation can be used to accomplish leading edge safety principles while keeping work programs on schedule, the best of both worlds. This presentation will detail in visual and written representations the electrical safety workflow using existing, new and other innovative document strategies. Be prepared to participate in an interactive way with the presenters.
Implementing Guarding Minds @ Work: A Workplace Guide to Psychological Safety and Health
Dr. Merv Gilbert and Dr. Dan Bilsker, Simon Fraser University
Ann Morgan, Disability Solution Specialist, Working for Health
Employers are increasingly aware of the financial, productivity and human costs associated with compromised employee psychological health. GM@W (www.guardingmindsatwork.ca) is a freely available, uniquely Canadian resource designed to help any organization create and sustain a psychologically safe and healthy work environment. GM@W consists of a set of practical tools in order to understand, assess and enhance those workplace factors that affect employee psychological health. This interactive session, conducted by two of the authors, will provide participants with the knowledge, skills and practice necessary for successful implementation.
Tuesday 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Workplace Violence: Case Study
Patti Boucher, Public Services Health and Safety Association
Louise Moyer, Ontario Women’s Directorate
Violence in the workplace is a growing issue in the health and community care sector. Recently, domestic violence has been identified as a new area of focus in this sector. Domestic violence has traditionally been handled as a personal issue and gone unrecognized by employers. This type of violence is now classified as workplace violence as soon as it enters the workplace. Employers are obligated to take actions to prevent and mitigate domestic violence for the protection of their workers. This presentation will review a new set of tools to raise awareness of this type of violence and guide workers, managers and occupational health experts in the development of strategies.
MSD Forum – Networking
Anne Duffy, Provincial Ergonomist, Ministry of Labour
Ivan Szlapetis and Don Patten, Ergonomists, WSPS
Sandra Excellent, Ergonomist, PSHSA
Having difficulty understanding musculoskeletal disorders? Not sure where to start, how to improve or what to do? Please join us for this interactive networking session and speak to representatives from the MOL, WSIB and Health and Safety Ontario. Small table groups will be set up to discuss topics such as MSDs for beginners, business of ergonomics, managing MSD claims, MSD prevention and MSD inspection priorities. This is your chance to speak to those who know in an intimate setting to help start, improve or tweak your MSD prevention and ergonomics program.
Living With Shiftwork
Jerry Traer, CRSP Program/Training Specialist, Workplace Safety North
It’s natural to think of shiftwork as a product of modern life but some types of work have been around for centuries. This presentation will look at the health effects of shiftwork, how the body’s temperature will fluctuate throughout the day, known as the Circadian Rhythm, and how this change goes against everything a shiftworker is doing. We will examine the science of sleep and look at ways we can fool our bodies into thinking it is night time during the day. We will also examine things a shiftworker can do to help make it easier to cope with working shiftwork.
Young Canadians at Work – How the New Generations are Changing the Workplace
Max Valiquette, Youth Culture Expert
Forget “Generation X,” “Generation Y,” and “Millennials,” – if you’re looking to connect to young Canadians you need to know about all of them, and attending this session is the way to do it. This presentation will help you get a handle on the under-35 age group, the generation that is changing today’s workplace and who, as the boomers retire, will make up the largest segment of the working population. With a combination of Youthography and StatsCan statistics, primary research, insight and anecdotes, Max will talk about how best to connect to young Canadians. You will hear about demographics and psychographics, values, social networks, youth culture in transition, and implications for your organization. Learn about attraction and retention, managing the intergenerational workforce and your workplace as a brand.
Flammable and Combustible Liquids
Melinda Hurd, P. Eng., Associate, Leber/Rubes Inc.
This session provides a preliminary introduction to the requirements of Part 4 of the Ontario Fire Code for storage, handling, and use of flammable and combustible liquids. The value of planning for fire and life safety in the workplace to mitigate the hazard of fires and/or explosions is emphasized. Attendees will discuss typical building conditions and Fire Code compliance issues using case studies and will be given materials for application in the workplace.
Proctor & Gamble: A Success Story
Neil Turner, Proctor & Gamble
Establishing and maintaining a healthy and safe workplace is one core aspect of an overall winning organizational culture. Developing such a culture requires strong management commitment, active employee participation, high expectations and excellent communication. Listen to the story of this journey from a senior leader with Proctor and Gamble, and their successes to date.
New CPR and First Aid Guidelines – What do they Mean for Business
Don Marantette, National Manager, First Aid, Canadian Red Cross
The international cardiac care and first aid community has just released new guidelines covering both the “how” and “why” we train Canadians first aid and CPR. Media instantly picked up on “compression-only CPR”. Employers need clear information on what these changes are, and how they affect employee health and safety. Attend this session to hear how these changes affect employee training; strategies to keep employees current between training recertification; and how a blended training approach may fit some workplace requirements.
Tuesday 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Bill C-45 Update: Where Are We Now?
Ryan Conlin, Partner, Stringer Brisbin Humphrey
After many years of inactivity, it has finally become more common for the Bill C-45 amendments to the Criminal Code to be used to prosecute employers and supervisors for criminal negligence in the context of serious workplace accidents. This session will review the Bill C-45 provisions, provide an update on the latest OH&S criminal prosecutions across the country and provide guidance for employers on how to respond to the very real threat of criminal prosecution.
The “How To” of Workplace Violence & Harassment Investigations
Chris Hinkle, President, Firm Foundations
In this session we will review the investigation process from start to finish including what the incident reporting form should include; who should receive a copy of the initial incident report; determining if a full investigation is warranted; going ahead with a full investigation and what we need to consider. Upon completion of this session, participants will be prepared for an investigation and will be equipped for the ‘fair and impartial’ responsibilities of the investigative team/investigator.
MSD Forum – Low Cost Ergonomic Solutions
Don Patten, B.HK., CCPE, Egonomist, WSPS
Ergonomics has a reputation of being expensive but in fact a lot of solutions can cost less than $500 but save you thousands in MSD injury costs as well as possibly increasing efficiency and productivity. In this session, you will learn different strategies on how to arrive at those low-cost solutions by determining the root cause of the problem ensuring high impact and success while ensuring low cost. Real life case studies of low-cost solutions from Ontario businesses will be discussed. With this knowledge, you can assess your options and make informed decisions that reduce MSD hazards and injury risks and promote health and safety.
Fit for Duty: The Truth about Drug & Alcohol Testing
Dan Demers, Operations Manager, CanAmm Occupational Testing
An overview of why employers today are turning to more comprehensive drug and alcohol testing programs that include accommodation to address employee fitness in safety sensitive roles. The presentation covers the key requirements of implementing and running a viable program with regard to Human Rights, union work environments, client requirements and due diligence. The benefits and drawbacks of the existing technologies will also be covered along with a strong focus on tangible outcomes to expect from a Fit for Duty Program. Employers who suspect or have encountered substance abuse issues in the workplace are strongly encouraged to attend.
Workplace Hazards & Associated Protection
Chris Scott, Regulatory Affairs and Technical Services Division, 3M Canada
Workplaces have many hazards. Ideally, these should be engineered out, or have administrative controls applied to eliminate or reduce them. Sometimes this is not possible and we must rely on personal protective equipment to protect ourselves from these hazards. In this session we will look at hazards in the workplace, the protection offered for head, eye, face, hearing and respiratory protection, the regulations around the protective equipment and also how behaviours are essential to keeping us safe in the workplace.
The Communication Toolbox: Strategies for Communicating Effectively, Assertively and Clearly
Michael Lewis, President Michael Lewis Training, Motivation & Development
There can be no doubt how counterproductive miscommunication and misunderstandings can cost us both personally and professionally. Discover common sense solutions to ensuring you minimize communication problems and build the basis of better interpersonal communication. This comprehensive look at communication will inspire you to assess your effectiveness as a communicator and have you applying these valuable tips and techniques right away!
Tuesday 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Expert Advisory Panel on Occupational Health and Safety
John Vander Doelen, Director, Review Project Secretariat
In January 2010, the Minister of Labour appointed Tony Dean as Chair of the Expert Advisory Panel to lead a review of Ontario’s OHS Prevention and Enforcement system. The report which was released in December includes a wide range of recommendations related to aligning prevention more closely with the Ministry of Labour, awareness and high hazard training, protection for vulnerable workers and support for small business in health and safety. This session will provide an overview of the process, insight into the recommendations and an update on implementation.
Cell Phone Safety: Meeting the Due Diligence Challenge
Ryan Conlin, Partner, Brisbin Stringer Humphrey
The use of wireless devices while driving has emerged as one of the most serious traffic safety issues of our time. Jurisdictions across North America have restricted or banned the use of handheld wireless devices while operating a vehicle. Most jurisdictions require drivers to use “hands free” devices for wireless communication while driving. This session will discuss the legal obligations of employers to protect the safety of workers and the public, examine potential liability risks and discuss best practices for wireless communication policies.
“... and other duties as assigned.”
Michael Lewis, President Michael Lewis Training, Motivation & Development
It’s not how many years we live, but the life we put into our years. All too often we are called on to wear many hats and fulfill many new responsibilities - professionally and personally. This motivational and often humorous session presents a wide palette of practical time/life management solutions, insights on effective living, and “food for thought” as we tackle our increasingly more complex lives.
MSD Forum – Prescription for Success
Don Patten, B.HK., CCPE, Ergonomist, WSPS
Gary Gibson, Health and Safety Manager, Durham District School Board
Paul O’Conner, Kumi Canada
Downloading information, reading books and listening to speakers talk about MSD prevention programs is a good way of gathering information to make an informed decision on how to proceed. Learning from companies that are actually going through the process is an excellent way of taking that information and finding ways to apply it in your workplace. Hear from several companies about their MSD prevention programs, their challenges, their process and their successes.
Reducing Harm to Electrical Workers
Peter Marcucci, Chief Public Safety Officer, ESA
In order to reduce electrical worker fatalities and incidents we need to understand the harm itself. In this session, ESA will review data and examine potential harms that result in worker incidents. With 66% of electrical worker incidents resulting from improper procedures and/or human error ESA continues its safety awareness campaigns to modify behaviour in targeted areas by reminding workers to check for overhead powerlines and reinforcing the requirements for electrical workers to follow safe work practices.
Implementing Pandemic Plans at Bell Mobility: Lessons Learned
Chuck Mule, Manager of Health and Safety, Bell Mobility
Health and safety professionals often find themselves front and centre when it comes to managing a serious emergency or workplace disruption caused by external threats such as pandemic, violence or other criminal acts, environmental disasters, power and energy disruptions, etc. This session will review the basics of business continuity planning, a proactive process that ensures critical services or products are identified and managed to ensure they can be delivered during a serious disruption. Pandemic planning will be used as an example threat and Bell Mobility will share how they planned, prepared, resourced and implemented their program that resulted in minimal employee absence during the H1N1 pandemic of 2009.
Literacy in the Workplace
Anne Ramsay, Executive Director, Project READ
Did you know that 1 out of 3 Canadian employers experience basic skills-related problems with their workforce, yet less than 1 out of 10 employers are involved in literacy programs or referrals to programs? (Source: International Adult Literacy Survey, Statistics Canada, 1994). When 600 managers from a broad spectrum of Canadian industry were surveyed in 1992, about 1/3 of them reported that poor literacy caused serious difficulty with introducing new technology, overall product quality, and productivity. In this session you will learn how to assist your employees who may have difficulty with the written word, and how you can provide basic skills learning at your workplace to provide an opportunity for staff to enhance their skill-sets, resulting in better performance, lower absenteeism, and a better health and safety record, which can significantly impact your bottom line!
Nanotechnology – Good Science or Bad Science
Renzo Dalla Via, Senior Research Specialist, WSPS
Nanotechnology is the understanding and control of matter at dimensions between 1 and 100 nanometers. Consider that one nanometer is a billionth of a metre. This session will provide an overview of the state of nanotechnology in the manufacturing industry with an emphasis on current health, safety and environment issues. You will hear from the Chair of the Health, Safety and Environment Working Group of the ISO/CAC Technical Committee on Nanotechnology. Nanotechnology offers great potential for benefit to humankind, but also brings some considerable concerns. Attend this session to learn more from an expert in the field.
WSIB’s New Work Reintegration Program
Judy Geary, Vice President Work Reintegration, WSIB
Starting soon, the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) plans to integrate its Labour Market Re-entry and Return-to-Work progrms into a new Work Reintegration Program. The new program will maintain the worker/ original employer relationship, provide direct WSIB oversight for retraining, increase worker input and choice, make greater use of Ontario’s public education system for injured worker re-training, and provide workers with marketable skills and valid credentials. Attend this session to learn more about the goals of the Work Reintegration program and what the changes will mean to you as a health and safety professional responsible for disability management and return to work, or an injured worker.
Emergency First Responders: Bringing Stability to Unstable Environments
Joe Watkins, Mark Urquhart & John Parish, PSHSA
Emergency First Responders are continuously deployed to unstable, hazardous situations and environments. They are not there because something went “right”. These professionals have limited advanced knowledge of the key aspects of who, what, where, why and how events have or may occur. While others have the option of leaving uncontrolled hazards, Sec. 43 of the O.H.S.A. limits that right for these professionals. At the same time, even in an emergency, supervisors and employers are not relieved of their obligation to “take every precaution reasonable”. You will learn how other legislation, codes and standards apply in all workplace environments, including emergencies. You will also be provided with practical examples and strategies to bring stability to unstable and, at times, chaotic environments.
Tuesday 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm
MOL Priorities for 2011
Sophie Dennis, Assistant Deputy Minister, Operations Division, MOL
Learn about the Ministry of Labour’s role in workplace safety and the Safe at Work Ontario compliance strategy. Attend this session to hear about the Ministry’s priorities for 2011-12, the dates for upcoming enforcement blitzes and highlights from Ministry sector plans. Find out about new online compliance tools.
JHSC’s – From Chaos to Clarity
Dina Meunier, University of Waterloo
During this session, we will review the basic legal requirements around joint health and safety committees in Ontario but we’ll take it one step further and explore how committees define success, the things committees can do to both work effectively as a team and to create a healthy workplace culture in their organization. This will be an interactive session, so be prepared to participate and share your experience!
Social Networking and Workplace Harassment
Kevin MacNeill, Associate, Heenan Blaikie
Social networking sites, like Facebook and Twitter, provide new ways for employees to connect and interact inside and outside the workplace. They also provide a new means for employees to bully or harass co-workers – a means which is faster and easier for the harasser to use and more likely to go undetected by employers. In order to be able to effectively and lawfully respond to online harassment, employers need to understand their rights and obligations. In this session, we will discuss employee and employer rights and obligations in relation to workplace harassment; whether employers can and should monitor online interactions between employees; how to respond to a complaint of online harassment; and steps employers can take to minimize the risks from online harassment.
MSD Forum – Jumpstart your MSD Program
Tanya Muller, BSc., CCPE, Ergonomist, WSPS
MSD prevention does not have to be difficult or complex! The MSD Prevention Guideline for Ontario describes a recommended framework to follow. This presentation will review the framework of the Guideline in addition to providing various resources including an MSD check-up tool that helps guide you through the process. Practical approaches are also discussed to assist you with building your MSD Prevention program.
Tweaking your Confined Space Procedures
Tim Morrison, President, Safety Scope Inc.
Are you still having discussions about what is or is not a confined space? Does the job take longer because your people had to figure out how to complete the paperwork or set up the protective equipment? Do you discover your gas detector isn’t working just as you’re about to start the job? Or that the protective equipment won’t do the job you thought it would? Does a skilled trades person have to sit at the entry point watching the job when you need him elsewhere? This session will address those questions and others. The new CSA Z1006 Standard Managing Work in Confined Spaces will also be referenced. Plan to attend this session and leave with tips on steps necessary to implement the best practices set out in Z1006.
Thriving in the Age of Chronic Illness
Jason Reid, High Performance Chronic Illness Coach, Sick with Success
Chronic disease now affects more than a third of the workforce and presents unique challenges to organizations. From asthma and arthritis to diabetes and other diseases, professional coach and chronic illness expert Jason Reid looks at how illness has changed and why it is now one of the biggest threats to global productivity. He also provides positive strategies to help organizations engage workers who suffer from unpredictable, invisible and longterm health conditions.
Multilingual Hazmat Compliance
Isaac Powell, Product Manager, 3E
Companies who expand their operations into foreign markets encounter a myriad of issues including EH&S and HazMat regulatory compliance requirements. There are several complex issues that go far beyond just simple language translation. These issues range from researching the various regulations and understanding each country’s level of enforcement, the complexity of international phone numbers and providing emergency response, dealing with unique waste disposal requirements, the complexity of training and also accommodating MSDS’s for products whose ingredients vary from country to country. This session will address the multiple layers of issues companies face and the steps they need to be taking and considering when addressing multilingual issues.
Domestic Assault and How It Can Affect Your Workplace
Alfredo Marroquin, Provincial Coordinator, Neighbours, Friends and Families Campaign, Centre for Research and Education on Violence against Women and Children, The University of Western Ontario
Launched in 2006, Neighbours, Friends and Families (NFF) is designed to raise awareness of the warning signs of domestic violence so that those who are close to the people at risk can take appropriate action. The NFF Workplace Champion Program provides comprehensive education and training for all levels of an organization. NFF is also the public education campaign of the Ontario Government’s Domestic Violence Action Plan. In 2010 Make it Our Business (MIOB) was specifically created for workplaces and provides important resources and information for employers to develop the necessary policies and procedures that will allow them to deal with domestic violence situations
Accessibility Directorate of Ontario (ADO) and Business Takes Action
Alf Spencer, Accessibility Directorate of Ontario
Elaine Austin, Program Director, Business Takes Action, CME
About 1.85 million people in Ontario have a disability. That’s one in seven people. The first part of this session will answer the questions: What is Ontario doing to take down barriers and make the province accessible to people with disabilities? What do we need to do to get started? What does accessible customer service look like? Where can we find the tools and information to be successful? The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act was passed in June 2005. The goal is to make Ontario more accessible by 2025. Come find out what an accessible Ontario means to organization, businesses and all Ontarians.
The second part of the session will tell you about “Business Takes Action”, a project funded by the Ministry of Community and Social Services in conjunction with Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters. Business Takes Action assist organizations in removing the physical and attitudinal barriers associated with hiring persons with disabilities. Learn more about the partnership created between employers, job candidates and support service providers.
NEW! Workwell Audit for Small Businesses
Ken Langer, Assistant Director, Workwell, WSIB
Recognizing the unique challenges faced by small business in Ontario, the Workwell Program has developed a Small Business Audit tool to more effectively help small businesses create and implement sustainable health and safety management systems. This will help small businesses in the Workwell program increase health and safety, save money, mitigate risk, and become compliant with occupational health and safety legislation.
Health & Safety E-Course
Available All Day
Visit the e-learning room and take a one-hour health and safety e-course at no charge. Each course is for one hour and you get a certificate when you are done. Limit one course per participant during the conference. Seating is first come, first served. Find out how easy e-learning can be.
Wednesday May 18 – 8:00 am
Changing My Mind
Margaret Trudeau, Celebrated Canadian and Mental Health Advocate
In 1971, at age 22, Margaret Trudeau became the youngest Prime Minister’s wife in Canadian history. Her official role led her on a continuous round of state visits, political campaigns and grand parties for world leaders. But the red tape and unrelenting security stultified her free spirit and by the time she mastered the fine art of protocol, she no longer wanted to live by the rules. She has attracted more publicity and more criticism than any woman in Canadian history. Throughout, she has kept her sense of humour and spontaneity. For all her adult life, Trudeau has suffered from the debilitating effects of her bipolar condition. Now, after seeking medical treatment that has given her life balance and happiness, she advocates strongly on mental health issues, helping people overcome the stigma of mental illness that often prevents sufferers from getting help. In her latest book, Changing My Mind, Margaret shares her journey of recovery, acceptance and hope with the wish that others suffering will reach out and get the help they need. In her candid keynote, Margaret speaks about her life experiences, the challenges she faced being in the public eye and how she came to overcome bipolar disorder. Margaret has wonderful stories to tell and a strong, clear message on the importance of finding balance of mind, body and spirit. Her message is one of strength, resilience and redefining one’s goals.
Wednesday 9:30 am – 12:00 noon
Ministry of Labour Mock Trial
Cheryl A. Edwards, Partner, Heenan Blaikie LLP
Jeremy Warning, Senior Associate, Heenan Blaikie LLP
Counsel: TBA Legal Services Branch, Ministry of Labour
Have you ever wondered what could happen if you had a serious injury or fatality at your workplace and the Ministry laid charges? What would it take to defend yourself and your company’s actions? This is your opportunity to see it first hand. A Judge, Crown Prosecutor, Defence Lawyers and supporting cast will actually stage a full trial. Come and see what due diligence really is and what it means in the courtroom.
Red Cross CPR Level A
If you hold a valid CPR certification certificate, we are pleased to offer FREE recertification training. Participants will receive a copy of the new Red Cross CPR/AED manual as an added value for attending. In October 2010, the international liaison Committee on resuscitation (ILCOR) released revised guidelines for teaching and performing CPR. The Canadian Red Cross has revamped its program to include the new guidelines. This workshop will cover basic CPR skills needed to respond to life threatening situations with adults. It is designed for workplace professionals.
Accomodating Complex Return to Work Issues
Nancy Gowan, Gowan & Associates
This workshop will focus on providing a better understanding to the participants on the duty to accommodate legislation and legal precedents; complex return to work issues such as mental health, chronic pain and MSD; employer concerns about accommodation and how to address them; ways that employers can facilitate return to work plans; and practical strategies to improve success of return to work. This workshop will be an interactive process that will allow for discussion of the issues through case studies and practical application of the strategies.
Wednesday 9:30 am – 10:30 am
Technology and Work Life Balance – the Electronic Leash
Nora Spinks, President, Work-Life Harmony Enterprises
Employees across all sectors, industries and professions and at all organization levels say that their workloads are increasing, becoming unmanageable and out of control. It is increasingly difficult to turn work off and work-life balance on. A renowned speaker, author and recognized thought leader, Nora has provided strong leadership in the work-life field across Canada and around the world. Building on her experience, while staying abreast of the trends and providing critical analysis and strategic thinking, Nora has added tremendous value to work-life and wellness committees, executive teams, human resource professionals and practitioners, board of directors and research organizations.
Inside Out – Totally Rethinking Safety Management Paradigms
Larry Wilson and Gary Higbee, Electrolab
Realizing that “They couldn’t get there from here…” so to speak, many leading edge companies have changed their paradigms and have adopted an “inside-out” approach. Instead of trying to control or influence employee behaviour externally, they have realized that since no one was ever trying to get hurt in the first place, the real name of the game is, was, and always has been, teaching the employees how to control themselves, so they don’t make critical errors that can put them into contact with different forms of potentially hazardous energy.
Supervisor Competency
Bob Deline, Health and Safety Manager, Niagara Parks Commission
As a supervisor, you have important legal responsibilities to protect the health and safety of your employees. Managers and supervisors represent the employer in the workplace and are responsible to carry out the duties of the employer in the work areas that they manage. Are YOU a competent supervisor, as defined under the Occupational Health and Act?
Machine Safety
Panel Presentation
Is your machinery compliant with safety regulations? As the government continues to beef up OHS enforcement with focused inspections and heavy fines, how do you ensure that your machines stay safe for your workers and your bottom line? Canadian Occupational Safety and Manufacturing AUTOMATION magazines present a comprehensive discussion on machine guarding featuring cross-industry thought leaders, including both legal and technology experts, offering their insights to help you keep your workplace and your machinery safe.
Hazard Manager for JHSC’s
Chris McLeod, Vice-President, APPinspect Inc.
Managing a workplace hazard with a spatial inspection app can provide the framework through which the committee can identify, understand, create control strategies, implement, and do aftercare. The useful deliverables produced under this discipline include those five required by WSIB, as well as many more. Learn how to use the latest in spatial inspection apps so straightforward that the new kid with the iPod in his pocket and the white earphone in his ear can do it, and yet so deep that reams of information, checklists, photographs and other documents can be organized and mined to inform the management of the hazard in question.
Standards, Legislation, Regulations & Codes of Practice – Solving the Puzzle
Kathleen Therriault, Acting Manager, Regulation Development Unit, MOL
Elizabeth Rankin, Project Manager, CSA Standards Association
Legal Representative, TBA
This expert panel will help you to understand how voluntary standards are applied within a OHS regulatory system. This interactive session will provide an overview of CSA OHS standards development, the OHS regulatory system in Ontario, how decisions are made with respect to adopting or referencing a standard and guidelines, and how compliance with standards is enforced. There will also be an opportunity to hear about the application of standards and decisions by courts and tribunals, including Coroner’s Jury recommendations. Case studies and examples will be used and participants will be encouraged to ask questions for clarification.
What will Electronic Stability Controls do for Driver Safety?
Doug Annet, Director of Operations, Skid Control School
In 2012, Electronic Stability Control systems will be mandated for automobiles sold in North America. This session is a must for fleet managers, training and human resources specialists. We will sort through the alphabet soup of acronyms (ABS, ECS, TCS, ESP, etc.) and examine how electronics affect the interfaces we have with our vehicles. The topic demands a discussion of how drivers, driving and driver training have evolved since the advent of electronic interventions in the 1980’s and how our approaches must change in the coming decade.
Calming Conflict – 7 Steps to Resolution
Lori Lane, Workplace Training Specialist, WSPS
Do you find that workplace communication misunderstandings, interfere with getting things done? This session will demonstrate a straight forward and positive approach to address and calm the common conflicts that arise every day. Discover common sources of workplace conflict, and learn how to use a seven step model, by practicing positive strategies that can be used to resolve conflict.
Wednesday 11:00 am – 12:00 noon
7 Delusions in Disaster Prone Organizations
Corrie Pitzer, CEO, Safemap
Organizations are like the Titanic: our delusions let us enter dangerous waters at full speed, ignoring obvious signs of impending catastrophe. This presentation analyses 7 delusions in disaster-prone organizations, such as BP Texas, Bhopal, Piper Alpha - and possibly yours.
Are YOUR Loading Docks Safe?
Jennifer Lennon, Health, Safety and Wellness Specialist, Loblaws Canada
For colleagues operating on and around loading docks, trailer movement and premature trailer departure become inherent risks of the job. Dock safety incidents occur as a result of uncontrolled environmental factors, equipment failure and/or simple human error, but have the potential of detrimental consequences including property damage, personal injury, and even death. Learn more about maintaining safe loading dock environments and how one national company chose to put an end to the risks through a program that not only reached every colleague employed, but the transportation community as well.
Best Practices for New Worker Orientation and Training
Sandra Bello, Technical Specialist, CCOHS
Young, new and migrant workers need special attention because it has been shown that they are at more risk of injury than their older or more experienced counterparts, especially in the first four to six months of employment. We’ll discuss how experience has shown that a successful training or outreach program will cover the overall training needs (health and safety rights and responsibilities, hazard recognition and control, preparing for emergencies); recognize the difference between education and training; incorporate a best practice approach for reaching young, new or migrant workers and acknowledge the differences between these groups; and discover how tailored, audience-specific approaches that match the needs of the workers are best at achieving higher awareness for health and safety, and fewer accidents or incidents.
Responding to Violence
Greg Haag, Analyst, Crisis Prevention Institute
When an employee finds himself in physical danger or in a situation in which another person is in danger of harm, he needs to initiate Violence Response Procedures. Such procedures represent an organizational plan to regain control of a situation in which a person has become physically violent. The emphasis here is on safety for all involved.
Maintaining OH&S in Tough Economic Times
Kurshed Kutky, Certification Manager, QMI-SAI Global
In a tough economic climate, workplace resources are stretched, critical OH&S knowledge and skills may be re-allocated or lost, and worker stress levels can be high due to the uncertain conditions. All of these factors can contribute to an elevated risk of an OH&S incident occurring, particularly if the changes are not managed effectively. This presentation will look at some of the possible consequences of budget cuts and staff reductions on OH&S performance and will highlight the importance of management and worker collaboration and the use of a risk-based approach to determine solutions that can help to maintain the effectiveness of your OH&S programs.
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro – From Fat to Fit
Joan Burton, Joan Burton & Associates, Workplace Wellness
Ever heard the term “B-HAG”? Big Hairy Audacious Goal! This presentation is about a B-HAG to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in September 2011, set in September last year by Joan Burton, a self-described “out of shape senior.” The presentation will outline how Joan is getting from fat to fit, using this process as an example of health behaviour change, goal-setting, and project planning – all with a link to the workplace as an initiator of positive change. The presentation will intersperse photos of the planned hike up Kilimanjaro with information and principles that are applicable to workplace change as well as personal change. These include: how to set SMART goals, the process of change with respect to health behaviours, how to set measureable objectives, and how to achieve and maintain motivation. The presentation will also show how you as participants in Partners In Prevention 2011 can make a difference in your workplaces by inspiring and encouraging others to improve their health.
Hazardous Hooks in the Retail Sector
Featuring speakers from HBC and the Gap
This session will document how one father got more than 10 million dangerous display hooks changed in Canada and internationally after his 18-month-old daughter was attracted to and injured when she tripped into a sharp display in 1991. You will learn how a determined public awareness campaign and a CBC report helped to engage HBC, the GAP and Sony to lead the way in protecting children, adults and store employees. Linda Mercadante (HBC) and Joel Rabideau (the Gap) will share how they changed their hazardous hooks to safer versions, and how the culture of safety in their organizations has changed so that store hazards are proactively identified, assessed and controlled to manage risks to clients and employees.
Wednesday – 12:15 pm
Lunch & Keynote
Included with your conference registration fee
Changing the Way We Think About Motor Vehicle Incidents – The Science of the Positive
Dr. Jeff Linkenbach, Director, Centre for Health and Safety Culture, Montana State University
Most of us change our behaviour to fit in with the crowd, regardless of whether our perception is correct. If we think a behaviour is acceptable, we gravitate to it because we think everybody else is doing it. This premise, known as “social norms” is a factor in our approach to driving. If you thought most people were good drivers that didn’t speed, would that change your driving habits? Jeff Linkenbach is a pioneer in the area of the social norms approach to prevention. Jeff will discuss the science of the positive and transforming cultural norms as related to improving driver safety. You will hear about the need to change your paradigm if you want to see change, and realize that there will be different results depending on whether the message is positive or negative. And he will tell you that the Science of the Positive is the only way! Through stories, data and examples of successful prevention campaigns, Jeff will show why we need to combine spirit, science and action in ways that empower communities to achieve sustained positive results in lowering motor vehicle incidents and other health issues
Wednesday 2:45 pm – 4:00 pm
The Rules of Contracting: Avoiding OHS Liability When Contracting For Work
Jeremy Warning, Associate, Heenan Blaikie LLP
Managing OHS risks when using contractors can be complex and confusing. OHS responsibilities may not be clear and the unwary can attract unintentional liability. However, by following some important rules, organizations can minimize the risks that arise when engaging contractors. In this session, a former Ministry of Labour prosecutor will discuss the rules associated with hiring others to do work and address issues including the differences between a construction project and other work; the extent of potential liability and how it can arise; contracting away your OHS duties; and best practices for managing your contractor.
Teaching Supervisors to be H&S Coaches
Shawn Galloway, President, Proact Safety
Supervisors influence worker behaviour perhaps more than any other level in an organization. Yet most supervisors have not received formal training on coaching and effective performance feedback skills. Providing such training has proven to be a very effective measure to reduce incidents in many organizations. For safety values to become established in an organization, they must be reinforced by leaders at or near the point of decision. Supervisors are in a unique position to facilitate the creation of a culture that focuses on safety excellence. Discover steps to take supervisors from cops to coaches, identify how to transfer these strategies throughout the workplace; ensuring more effective safety supervision methodologies
Falls Prevention
Enzo Garritano, Manager, Technical Services, IHSA
Falls are the second largest cause of workplace death in North America. This session will give you an overview of the main causes of fall injuries in various industry sectors across Ontario, how to recognize and evaluate fall hazards, legislation, standards and guidelines that apply to fall hazards, and the controls. You will receive tools to create a plan of action to reduce injuries from falls in your workplace.
Medical Fitness – How Employers Today are Saving Lives!
Dan Demers, Operations Manager, CanAmm Occupational Testing
An overview of why employers today, who are not required to, are turning to medical testing to address employee fitness in safety sensitive roles. The presentation will cover a wide variety of topics such as the purpose and scope of medical testing, managing confidential medical information and what happens when medical problems are discovered. This presentation is geared toward employers who are interested in the short and long term health of their workforce, have legislative requirements for medical testing and are unsure about the confidentiality level of their existing program.
Punch and Brake Press: NEW CSA Standard!
Cory Newton, Tekpress Solutions, Chair – Z142 Press Safety Committee
In March 2010 the new criteria for CSA Z142 Power Press Standard was released. Attend this session and learn more about this new standard including: large press requirements, servo press/direct drive press requirements, addition of slide locking criteria, harmonizing safety performance criteria, maintenance safety and recognition of AOPD’s for use as press brake safeguarding devices.
Participative Ergonomics: Case Study
Derek Morgan and Frances Zeismann, PSHSA
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) and slips, trips, and falls (STF) are the primary causes of lost time injury in workplaces across Ontario. The Ergonomics Program Implementation Continuum (EPIC) is an innovative and participatory approach to reduce these types of lost time injuries using a continuum of ergonomic services. The continuum moves from proactive to reactive strategies and service can be initiated at any stage along the continuum. However, the goal is to implement proactive ergonomic intervention. This presentation will introduce the EPIC program and describe the results of a 12-month process evaluation to review the programs implementation and sustainability in 6 health and community care organizations in Ontario.
An Olympic Health & Safety Challenge
Janet Sellery, CRSP, Sellery Health and Safety
Imagine the unique health and safety challenges presented when a huge number of artists, workers, contractors and volunteers present the largest live performance events in British Columbia history.. Janet Sellery, Sellery Health and Safety, will share her experiences from the Opening, Closing and Victory Ceremonies at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. Janet is one of Canada’s leading experts in health and safety and the arts. She pioneered the health and safety program at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival and, in 2007, she was selected by Canadian Occupational Safety Magazine as “Canada’s Safety Manager of the Year”.
Cancer Care Ontario
Lyle Palmer, Executive Scientific Director, Ontario Health Study
The Ontario Health Study is a large, long-term study aimed a understanding the causes, prevention, and treatment of chronic disease. With a goal of recruiting two million adults across the province t is the largest study of its kind that has ever been attempted. To engage such a vast community, working with employer groups is a high priority.
Ladder Safety
John VanLenthe, Consultant, WSPS
This session provides practical information for working safely with ladders (step, extension, and fixed ladders). We will focus on the duties of the Ontario-based employee when using a ladder – inspection before use, proper set up of ladder, and how to work safely while on the ladder. A review on the importance of following the Industrial Establishments regulation 851, Standard N/CSA-Z11-M81 (R2005) – Portable Ladders, and your own internal Standards of Practice will also be presented.
Healthy Living Stage in the Trade Show
Developing a Corporate Wellness Program: from Theory to Practice
Dr. Dwight Chapin, B.Sc.H., D.C., ACO, ART™, Clinic Director, High Point Wellness Centre
There is a strong link between healthy work environments, individual employee health and well-being and improved bottom line results for businesses. Successful Corporate Wellness programming requires a top-down, bottom-up approach. This session reviews the key steps to launching an effective, evidence-based program corporate wellness program.
Look for other short presentations at the Healthy Living Stage - Life-Work Balance, Stress Resilience, Eating for Health and more. Check the website and the final Show Guide for details.