Health & Safety News

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. 

About 50 relatives, union members and politicians gathered in New Glasgow Wednesday morning for a vigil and march to mark the 20th anniversary of the Westray Mine explosion that killed 26 coal miners in Nova Scotia on May 9, 1992.

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. See the full report on the Ministry's web site.

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: 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.

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.

Under changes to Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act, the province’s Chief Prevention Officer (CPO) now has authority over the certification training of joint health and safety committee (JHSC) members. The authority officially passed from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) to the CPO on April 1.

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.

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.

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.

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 (OWA)  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 online registration form today. Forms can also be faxed to 705. 472. 5800

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.

WSN invites proposals for papers to be presented at its annual conference, to be held April 17-19, 2012, at the Holiday Inn in Sudbury, Ontario.

WSN regrets to inform its clients that a fatality has occurred in Ontario’s logging industry.

WSN clients and member firms can send their comments and feedback to the Ministry of Labour (MOL) regarding a draft copy of the province’s new mandatory health and safety awareness program.

The Ontario Ministry of Labour (MOL) is seeking input on the proposed changes to the occupational exposure limits (OELs) of 9 hazardous chemical substances that are set out in Regulation 883 – Control of Exposure to Biological or Chemical Agents.

The WSIB has announced that past members can sign up to Safety Groups again and continue to earn WSIB rebates while improving their health and safety programs.

The financial rebates from the 2010 calendar year have arrived, and WSN’s Safety Groups members will split a total of $535,208.13 in WSIB rebates amongst the 50 participating firms.

• Developing a provincial occupational health and safety strategy
• Coordinating and aligning Ontario’s workplace health and safety prevention system
• Providing advice on the prevention of workplace injuries and occupational diseases

Protection for workers in regard to underground diesel exhaust, hoisting, shaft sinking and wheel assemblies will be strengthened starting January 1 2012. The Ministry of Labour has announced amendments to the Regulations for Mines and Mining Plants (Regulation 854).

In a letter to the chair of the Interim Prevention Council, Minister of Labour Charles Sousa offered an update on the status of recommendations made by the Expert Advisory Panel (Tony Dean panel).

Workplace Safety North offers its heartfelt condolences to the families, co-workers and communities of the two miners killed recently at Vale's Stobie Mine in Sudbury.
Early reports from the company suggest the fatalities may have been due to a run of material. For information on preventing runs of material, please download the following resources.

Bill 160, aimed at amending the Occupational Health and Safety Act, has received Royal Assent.
More information

Bill 160, the Occupational Health and Safety Statute Law Amendment Act, 2011 passed third reading in the Ontario Legislature today.
 
Bill 160 will now be presented to the Lieutenant Governor for assent in the Queen’s name (Royal Assent). Most of the provisions in the Bill will come into force upon Royal Assent.  The other provisions in Bill 160 will come into force at different times.
 
For more information read the Ministry of Labour press release and Bill 160.

WSN is adding to the expertise and service it offers its clients, with the hiring of Dr. Philip Dirige as our new Ventilation Specialist. This newly-created position was identified as a priority by both WSN’s clients and our own field staff.

The Ontario Government announced today that it is proposing amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act.