News and Updates

Ontario workplaces are invited to take part in the 5,000 Firms Study, an exciting research project that is developing health and safety leading indicators.

District mine rescue competitions took place across Ontario, May 10 to 13, with the top team and top technician of each district securing a spot at this year’s provincial competition.

In 2010, the Expert Advisory Panel on Occupational Health and Safety recommended the development of health and safety awareness materials for Ontario workplaces.  In the winter of 2011/12, a draft awareness poster, and worker workbook with employer guide were developed and posted on the Ministry website for public consultation. We appreciated your feedback.

Minister of Labour Linda Jeffrey released a statement responding to Professor Harry Arthurs' report on the WSIB. The report includes a series of recommendations aimed at improving the financial health of the system.

Two catastrophic fires at sawmills in B.C. have occurred in the last three months. Early reports suggest dust and dust collection systems had an impact on these incidents.

Source: CBC News
An explosion took place at the Lakeland Mills in Prince George B.C. at 9:45 p.m. last night. All 50 people on the job have been accounted for, but initial reports suggest more than 20 workers were treated in hospital.

Source: Sudbury Star

A Ministry of Labour inspector issued a stop-work order for First Nickel's Lockerby Mine on Monday after a random inspection showed there were problems with the No. 2 shaft.

WSN regrets to inform its clients that a miner was fatally injured on Monday, April 2^nd while working underground at Lake Shore Gold mine in Timmins.

The Northern Region of the Ministry of Labour has implemented a new procedure to help employers to report incidents of occupational illness required by section 52 (2) and 52 (3) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Applications for membership on the multi-stakeholder Prevention Council are now being accepted until March 21, 2012.

Beginning March 1, inspectors from the Ministry of Labour will visit construction projects employing workers in high-rise formwork, low-rise formwork and masonry, siding and built-up roofing work.

The Ministry of Labour (MOL) will hold a consultation on its Safe at Work Ontario compliance strategy on March 21 in Sudbury.

One of the largest workplace prevention studies ever undertaken in Ontario is underway. Four health and safety associations (HSAs) have joined forces with the Institute for Work & Health (IWH), a research organization, to recruit 5,000 organizations to participate.

The Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers is hosting its 13^th annual Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) day at Cambrian College in Sudbury. The event is free and can be accessed by anyone with a high speed internet connection and Microsoft Live Meeting.

WSN is pleased to bring together leaders of Ontario's mining industry to discuss the effects of rapid growth on health and safety programs.

Mining Health and Safety innovations came to CBC’s TV show the Dragon’s Den last week.

MSDs continue to be the number one cause of lost-time injuries in Ontario. This February, the Ministry of Labour will conduct a month-long inspection blitz on musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This MSD blitz will concentrate on manual material handling, especially in the industrial, construction, mining, and health care sectors.

WSN regrets to inform its clients a 47-year-old miner was fatally injured at Vale’s Coleman Mine in Sudbury, Ontario. The fatal incident took place on January 29, 2012.

Looking for a list of this year’s legislative changes? Crawford, Chondon and Partners LLP have compiled a list of the top legislative changes of 2011.

WSN is pleased to announce Dr. James B. Maas will be the luncheon keynote speaker at this year’s mining conference. Dr. Maas will be addressing the impact of fatigue on decision-making and how this relates to working safely.

This Wednesday, all you need to know to prepare for the Ministry of Labour’s February MSD blitz will be covered in WSN’s ‘MSDs: Preventing the Pain' Webinar.

The Ministry of Labour is proposing a new regulation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) that would enable the Office of the Worker Adviser and the Office of the Employer Adviser  to provide support for workers and small business involved in reprisal complaints

WSN is pleased to announce that Dr. J.P Pawliw-Fry will be the opening keynote at WSN’s Mining Health and Safety Conference. The conference takes place April 17-19, 2012 in Sudbury, Ontario.

Complete our registration form online today. Forms can also be faxed to 705. 472. 5800