Statistics show that large vehicle crashes account for 21% of fatalities, with occupants of the smaller vehicles more likely to suffer. Large commercial vehicles are not like cars—they require extra skill and training to drive. Their size and weight can inhibit the drivers’ ability to react quickly to unexpected moves by other road users, and drivers of smaller vehicles may feel intimidated and react inappropriately when they perceive a large vehicle approaching. This episode of the IHSA Safety ...
Apr 18, 2023•31 min•Ep. 53
Truck yard safety does not get as much attention as road safety, yet hazards in yards are just as significant. Anywhere trucks are on the move 24 hours a day, the risk is heightened and constant. This episode covers a number of important points related to truck yard hazards and safety measures: · IHSA held a workshop where industry experts identified systemic weaknesses and areas of greatest concern for yard safety. · Systemic weaknesses were identified in five areas: establishing yard safety pr...
Apr 03, 2023•34 min•Ep. 52
Small businesses are an integral part of Ontario’s economy. They also make up the majority of IHSA member firms. 90% of our member firms have fewer than 20 FTEs (full-time equivalent employees). IHSA recognizes the challenges faced by small businesses when it comes to investing in health and safety. We provide free tools and resources to help them protect their workers and meet their legal obligations under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act. This is the fourth, in a series of podcasts...
Mar 13, 2023•20 min•Ep. 51
Small businesses are an integral part of Ontario’s economy. They also make up the majority of IHSA member firms. 90% of our member firms have fewer than 20 FTEs (full-time equivalent employees). IHSA recognizes the challenges faced by small businesses when it comes to investing in health and safety. We provide free tools and resources to help them protect their workers and meet their legal obligations under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act. This is the third, in a series of podcasts,...
Feb 27, 2023•19 min•Ep. 50
Small businesses are an integral part of Ontario’s economy. They also make up the majority of IHSA member firms. 90% of our member firms have fewer than 20 FTEs (full-time equivalent employees). IHSA recognizes the challenges faced by small businesses when it comes to investing in health and safety. We provide free tools and resources to help them protect their workers and meet their legal obligations under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act. This is the second, in a series of podcasts...
Feb 14, 2023•13 min•Ep. 49
Small businesses are an integral part of Ontario’s economy. They also make up the majority of IHSA member firms. 90% of our member firms have fewer than 20 FTEs (full-time equivalent employees). IHSA recognizes the challenges faced by small businesses when it comes to investing in health and safety. We provide free tools and resources to help them protect their workers and meet their legal obligations under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act. This is the first, in a series of podcasts,...
Jan 30, 2023•15 min•Ep. 48
The Fleet Safety Council (FSC) is an association of driver trainers and safety professionals working to promote safety within the transportation, transport, bus, and coach industries. The Council encourages the improvement of driver behavior through increased awareness and training. Working with government agencies and private organizations, the Council strives for a uniform system of safety requirements for drivers in Ontario. The Fleet Safety Council, and it 8 chapters (Cambridge, Durham, Otta...
Dec 06, 2022•13 min•Ep. 47
Whether you drive a commercial vehicle or a passenger vehicle, it’s always important to be fully aware of the hazardous road conditions created by winter weather. In this podcast, IHSA’s Ken Rayner and Michelle Roberts discuss winter driving tips and break them down into four basic principles: preparation, planning, patience, and practice. You can find additional winter driving resources at IHSA.ca: Planning, preparation, and patience: the keys to safe winter driving Your guide to safe, efficien...
Nov 15, 2022•32 min•Ep. 46
Everyone has the right to return home healthy at the end of each day. In the same way that we need protection from hazards such as falls, we need protection from work-related illnesses such as lung cancer. These illnesses can range from acute to fatal. In some cases, symptoms can be reduced or reversed. But too often they become something people have to live with for the rest of their lives. The most important thing to know is that they are all preventable. 1. Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards | ...
Oct 31, 2022•15 min•Ep. 45
Host Ken Rayner and guest, Maren Gamble, IHSA’s Manager, Strategic Programs discuss WSIB’s “Health and Safety Excellence Program”, a performance-based rewards program. It integrates the strengths of the previous WSIB Small Business, Safety Groups, and Workwell programs into a new improved model. This new Excellence Program is designed to provide businesses with a clear road map to improving their health and safety processes and systems. Participants create safer workplaces and can earn both fina...
Oct 13, 2022•24 min•Ep. 44
Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, including oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, and morphine. Opioid overdoses and deaths are a public health crisis affecting many working Canadians. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Oct 03, 2022•21 min•Ep. 43
Everyone has mental health concerns from time to time. But what some may consider “normal” challenges can develop into a mental illness if left unaddressed. A mental illness is a medically diagnosed disorder that affects how a person thinks, behaves, and interacts with others. It can have a prolonged, negative effect on quality of life. • By age 40, about 50% of people will have—or will have had—a mental illness. • Approximately 11 Canadians die by suicide each day—about 4,000 people annually. C...
Sep 19, 2022•25 min•Ep. 42
Mental health and physical health are similar concepts: they both refer to states of well-being. Mental health includes your thoughts and emotions, feelings of connection to others, and ability to manage life’s highs and lows. We all have mental health challenges, just as we all have physical health challenges, from time to time. It’s important to monitor your mental health and seek help and support if you are concerned. Resources mentioned during the podcast can be located below, and within IHS...
Sep 05, 2022•38 min•Ep. 41
Sam Pitaro, Lead COR™ Auditor, brings his experience with the external audit process to this episode as he outlines what to expect during the audit as well as how to achieve a smooth and successful experience. Sam and Stacey also talk about important timelines and administration associated with an external audit. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Aug 22, 2022•19 min•Ep. 40
In this episode, Stacey Blea, HSMS Consultant, discusses what to expect during your internal audit results debrief. Sam Pitaro, Lead auditor, provides insight into this experience and how to maximize its benefits for the organization See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Aug 08, 2022•14 min•Ep. 39
The Occupational Health and Safety Act (Ontario) has been amended to require employers to provide naloxone kits and comply with related requirements if the employer becomes aware, or ought reasonably to be aware, that there may be a risk of a worker having an opioid overdose at a workplace where that worker performs work for the employer, or where the prescribed circumstances exist. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-...
Jul 25, 2022•21 min•Ep. 38
UBC’s Dr. Chris McLeod describes the methodology he and his team utilized in conducting their research on how the Certificate of Recognition (COR™) program affected lost-time and high-impact injury rates in Ontario. In this discussion, IHSA’s Paul Casey also shares what prompted IHSA to engage with Dr. McLeod and the University of British Columbia. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Jul 11, 2022•19 min•Ep. 37
Toxic masculinity is a cultural norm that involves pressures on men to behave in a certain way—often based on outdated and unrealistic stereotypes of “manliness.” This does not mean that men are toxic. However, the pressures we place on men to live up to masculine ideals have been shown to be harmful to both men and women. According to some researchers, toxic masculinity has three core components*: 1. Toughness: The notion that men should be physically strong, behaviourally aggressive, and unemo...
Jun 27, 2022•30 min•Ep. 36
Stigma is a set of negative beliefs and prejudices about a person or group of people. It is often based on myths and outdated social norms, and can lead to discrimination—unjust treatment and behaviours directed toward a person or group. Many people are stigmatized or discriminated against for more than one reason, including sexual orientation, gender, culture, or physical disability. Experiencing stigma and/or discrimination can: • Lead to mental health or substance-use problems—or make existin...
Jun 15, 2022•26 min•Ep. 35
Working in the trades comes with certain risks. Every day on the job, ironworkers, powerline technicians, long-haul truckers, and all other tradespeople face hazards that can affect their health and safety. We have long understood the need to control physical hazards. Less, however, has been done about the mental health risks that workers face. On average, workers in construction and related industries have a greater risk of experiencing mental health challenges. This is due to a number of job-r...
May 31, 2022•25 min•Ep. 34
In the past, employers may have viewed mental health as a personal issue and not one to discuss with employees. But the topic should not be ignored at work. Employers and supervisors should find a way to connect with workers, as they can play an important role in identifying early signs and symptoms of mental health issues. Starting a conversation about mental health is a simple way to begin building mental wellness into your workplace health and safety culture. But simple does not always mean e...
May 15, 2022•18 min•Ep. 33
Each worker and family member who has been affected by a workplace tragedy is a thread in the quilt of life. The Association for Workplace Tragedy Family Support, known as Threads of Life, is a Canadian registered charity dedicated to supporting families after a workplace fatality, life-altering injury or occupational disease. Their network of family members and corporate partners believes traumatic workplace injuries, occupational diseases and deaths are preventable. See Privacy Policy at https...
Apr 25, 2022•25 min•Ep. 32
In this episode we are joined by Juanita Martin, Provincial Specialist of the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD) to get a better understanding of what the MLTSD is looking for as they kick off their first education and enforcement blitz of 2022 – focusing on Motor Vehicle Incident, Mobile Equipment and Struck by hazards. The initiative is running from April 1 to June 30 2022. In conversation with Juanita she shares the “why, when & what” of the initiative and in part...
Apr 18, 2022•26 min•Ep. 31
The objective of the National Construction Safety Officer (NCSO™) Certificate is to combine practical construction experience with a range of health and safety training. A certified NCSO™ is a valuable resource for construction firms when implementing health and safety measures, recognizing, assessing, controlling, and evaluating hazards or working toward building a strong health and safety culture. They can oversee others and provide support and advice specific to the industry and work. See Pri...
Apr 11, 2022•20 min•Ep. 30
Driving in Northern Ontario presents a unique set of driving related hazards and some not so obvious differences than driving in Southern Ontario and many road users don’t understand and or fail to consider the uniqueness and are unprepared for safe traveling. Whether you drive a commercial motor vehicle or a passenger vehicle, it’s important to be aware of the driving hazards and unique road conditions in Northern Ontario. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy N...
Mar 28, 2022•27 min•Ep. 29
Our multi-part series on supervisors in a federally regulated workplace continues with IHSA’s Doug Heintz. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Mar 14, 2022•25 min•Ep. 28
Our multi-part series on Supervisors kicks-off with a discussion with Federal Labour Program Ontario Regional Director, Bruce Christianson. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Feb 28, 2022•14 min•Ep. 27
Our multi-part series on Supervisors continues with a discussion on “Training Requirements” with IHSA Health and Safety Consultant, Alex Hernandez. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Feb 14, 2022•15 min•Ep. 26
Our multi-part series on Supervisors continues with a discussion on “Documentation and Communication” with IHSA’s Regional Manager North and East Operations, Jennifer McKenzie. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Jan 31, 2022•13 min•Ep. 25
Our multi-part series on Supervisors continues with a discussion on “Duties of a Supervisor” with between host Ken Rayner and Alain Leger, IHSA’s Manager, Powerline Apprenticeship and Training. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Jan 18, 2022•15 min•Ep. 24
