HSO - News & Press Releases

2012 Ontario Electrical Safety Code effective May 1

An updated version of the Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC) comes into effect May 1.

February 14, 2012

U.S. workplace injuries and illness cost as much as cancer

A U.S. expert in health economics has concluded that the economic burden of workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities — estimated at US$250 billion annually — equals the economic burden of cancer.1 The analysis takes into account medical and productivity costs.

February 14, 2012

Our sincere condolences and deepest sympathies

Our sincere condolences and deepest sympathies go out to all of the family members and loved ones of those who were killed in yesterday’s tragic motor vehicle incident. We ask that you keep in your prayers those who have been hospitalized, the first responders to the scene and the community which has been so deeply affected.

February 07, 2012

OECD report: prevalence makes mental illness a workplace issue

Between 55% and 70% of people with a mental disorder have jobs, says the report. This makes promoting mental well-being a workplace issue, says the report.

January 24, 2012

US bans handheld cell phones for commercial drivers

Effective January 3, the US Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration prohibits commercial vehicle drivers who travel in the United States from using handheld cell phones while driving.

January 24, 2012

HSO, WSPS websites now “talk” to visitors

To help visitors who have difficulty reading information online, the websites for Health & Safety Ontario (HSO) and Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) now offer BrowseAloud, an assistive technology.

January 24, 2012

MOL announces two new health and safety tools for employers and workers

The Ministry of Labour is seeking feedback on two new health and safety tools designed for employers and workers: "Prevention Starts Here" Poster and Worker Awareness Workbook.

December 16, 2011

Look Who's Talking Now

Health and Safety Ontario (HSO) and the four health and safety associations operating under the HSO banner have teamed up with BrowseAloud to provide an online text-to-speech solution to ensure that its websites are accessible to all online visitors.

December 14, 2011

CSA to release 2nd edition of workplace electrical safety standard

In early January 2012, CSA will release a second version of CSA Z462, Workplace Electrical Safety. It contains practices that would enable workers to work safely around electrical equipment as it is being installed, operated and maintained.

December 09, 2011

Have a cold or flu? Do everyone a favour…

A recent study conducted by Queen’s University concludes that employees who come to work sick cost employers twice as much in productivity losses than employees who stay home. Taking into consideration both indirect (lost productivity) and direct (doctor visits and medicine) costs of colds, the researchers estimate the annual productivity loss at US$40 billion.

December 07, 2011

WSPS Achieves ISO 9001:2008 Certification

On November 22 WSPS received a certificate from SAI Global in acknowledgment of our ISO 9001:2008 Certification achievement.

November 24, 2011

Flu Prevention in Your Workplace

With the cold and flu season in full effect, employers have the chance to educate and make their employees aware of the preventative measures available to them.

November 24, 2011

Join a 5,000 firms study and compare your performance

Help develop health and safety leading indicators in Ontario by participating in the Institute for Work & Health (IWH) and Health & Safety Ontario 5,000 Firms Study.

November 17, 2011

Public review: Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace (CSA Z1003)

The first edition of the CSA Z1003 standard has been posted on the CSA website for public review. Deadline for comments: December 31, 2011.

November 16, 2011

Blue Mountain Resorts granted leave to appeal reporting decision

On October 4, Ontario’s Court of Appeal granted Blue Mountain Resorts Ltd. the right to appeal an earlier decision determining that all fatal and critical injuries occurring at a workplace – whether involving a worker or someone else – should be reported to the Ministry of Labour.

November 16, 2011

2 WSPS firms win silver excellence, innovation, and wellness awards

Baxter Corporation (Mississauga, ON) and Ceridian Canada (Markham, ON) have each earned silver recognition under the Canada Awards for Excellence program.

October 07, 2011

MOL sector enforcement plans: put them to work for you

The Ministry of Labour (MOL) has released it's annual sector-specific enforcement plans, based on its fatality and critical injury data, as well as the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board's lost-time injury (LTI) data. The plans describe and outline what inspectors will be looking for in the industrial, health care, construction, and mining sectors during an inspection.

July 28, 2011

CSA honours PPE expert

CSA Standards has issued an award of merit to Eva F. Gudgin, an adjunct associate professor at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, and defence scientist for Defence Research and Development Canada. The award recognizes Dickson's expertise and commitment to developing and advancing standards for personal protective equipment.

July 28, 2011

Using social media to encourage road safety

Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 183 and the Ontario Road Builders' Association (ORBA) are promoting road safety with Safety: A Two Way Street campaign.

June 29, 2011

Be part of a 5,000 firms study

Help develop a culture of health and safety standards across Ontario by participating in the Institute for Work and Health (IWH) and Health & Safety Ontario 5000 Firms Study. This online questionnaire, which takes only 20 minutes to complete, will establish best practices in preventing workplace injury and illness and inform future studies.

June 29, 2011

"WSPS president Elizabeth Mills discusses 2011 PIP show, Bill 160" - Canadian Occupational Safety Magazine

Elizabeth Mills, President and CEO of Workplace Safety & Prevention Services, sat down with Canadian Occupational Safety during the Partners in Prevention 2011 Health & Safety Conference and Trade Show, to discuss the evolving health & safety system and provide her view for what's on the horizon for Health & Safety Ontario.

June 23, 2011

Habitat for Humanity's 360 Built Smart Program

Workplace Safety & Prevention Services has a long-standing history of supporting the efforts of Habitat for Humanity to build safe, decent and affordable housing for low-income families. In this video, Elizabeth Mills, President & CEO of Workplace Safety & Prevention Services, encourages Habitat for Humanity associates to be safety leaders in the communities where they build. She encourages Canadians and Canadian companies to donate to the 360 Built Smart Program, placing special emphasis on the safety pillar component.

June 23, 2011

Bill 160 passes third reading

The Occupational Health and Safety Statute Law Amendment Act, 2011 (Bill 160), which introduces dramatic changes to Ontario's prevention system, is one step closer to becoming law. After passing third reading on May 19, the bill will now be presented to the Lieutenant Governor for Royal Assent.

May 19, 2011

MOL consolidates confined spaces regulatory requirements

The Ministry of Labour has approved amendments to consolidate all regulatory requirements respecting confined spaces under the Occupational Health and Safety Act into one regulation, Confined Spaces (O. Reg. 632/05).

May 18, 2011

Making Ontario accessible: compliance deadline approaches

A series of Ontario regulations now in development aims to break down barriers faced by people with disabilities in everyday life.

May 18, 2011

A Message of Encouragement and Hope for Japan

As Japan confronts the devastation and ongoing challenges inflicted by the recent earthquake and tsunami, we extend our deepest sympathy and hope, symbolized by this origami crane, to its citizens and families in Japan and across Canada.

Japan is a world leader on many counts, including achieving enviable standards of health and safety performance through systematic workplace safety management.

March 18, 2011

EAC/CME Workplace Safety Insurance Symposium

Risk, Opportunity, Investment (ROI) - What You Need to Know About Workplace ROI
Thursday, March 24, 2011 (7:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.)
Mississauga Grand, 35 Brunel Road, Mississauga

March 07, 2011

A Health and Safety Program for New Small Businesses

This new Small Business Health and Safety Program is a partnership between the WSIB and the health and safety associations (HSAs). The purpose of this program is to provide critical health and safety information to small businesses as they start-up their operations and to help them learn how to effectively and easily integrate health and safety practices into daily work activities.

January 24, 2011

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