Maintaining good health is crucial for workers, particularly those in the construction industry who face physical demands and potential hazards on a regular basis. This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses ways in which construction workers can build and maintain a healthy lifestyle and features Cori Toshack, CAT(C), BPHE, Certified Health Coach, and Scott Laing, Stakeholder Relations Coordinator at IHSA. Cori and Scott highlight the importance of taking care of one's body today, as it w...
May 19, 2024•23 min•Ep. 83
This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses reporting and notification responsibilities for asbestos on construction projects in Ontario and features Michele Beckstead-Jackson, Provincial Specialist with the Construction Health and Safety Program of the Occupational Health and Safety Branch, at the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD). Michele discusses the various reports and notifications required for submission to the Ministry, such as the Owner Repo...
May 06, 2024•22 min•Ep. 82
Disclaimer: This episode discusses a sensitive topic that may be challenging for some listeners. On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, we remember and honour Dean Maguire, a devoted father, brother, and husband who tragically lost his life during a construction project in Toronto on March 27th, 2018. The Maguire family—Heather, Connor, Mae, and Tim—joins this episode to share their personal experiences of the grief of losing Dean, describing him as a kind, gentle, and loving man. Dean’s pa...
Apr 22, 2024•46 min•Ep. 81
On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, three members of IHSA's management team discuss women in construction health and safety. Maren Gamble, manager of Strategic Programs, Deb Moskal, manager of Regional Operations North and East, and Jennifer McKenzie, director of Stakeholder and Client Engagement, address the long-standing gender disparity in the construction industry. Maren shares her experiences as a female in a largely male-dominated workplace, specifically in construction health and ...
Apr 08, 2024•40 min•Ep. 80
This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses the Utility Work Protection Code (UWPC), a set of rules and regulations that play a crucial role in worker safety across Ontario, and features Sandy Morrison, Utility Work Protection Code coordinator at IHSA. The UWPC, owned by Hydro One and updated every five years, ensures that rules, tags, forms, and communication are consistent. The UWPC helps create an environment where hazards are reduced or eliminated by providing rules for workers working...
Mar 25, 2024•23 min•Ep. 79
Employers often provide training to ensure workers are equipped for a job, with formal training requirements and courses being especially important. However, there are differences between training and competency, and it is essential to explore the distinction between the two terms when building an occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS). This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses training and competency and features Maren Gamble, Manager of Strategic Programs at IHSA. Mar...
Mar 11, 2024•41 min•Ep. 78
This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses the Electrical Utility Safety Rules (EUSR), which have been the foundation of health and safety education in the electrical utilities industry since 1914, and features Jeff Ellery, a member of IHSA's Power Line Apprenticeship and training team. The EUSR, initially created by the Electrical Employers Association of Ontario, laid down a set of rules for safe work for electrical workers who work on or near electrical distribution or transmission sys...
Feb 26, 2024•15 min•Ep. 77
During the winter months in Canada, the weather can get extremely cold, and workers in industries such as construction, transportation, and electrical utilities face the risk of experiencing cold stress. On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Jasmine Kalsi, IHSA’s Occupational Hygienist, discusses cold stress, which occurs when the human body's core temperature drops below 37 degrees Celsius. Cold stress can result in cold-related illnesses, tissue damage, and even death. Jasmine explains t...
Feb 12, 2024•13 min•Ep. 76
To build an effective occupational health and safety management system, it is crucial to adopt a proactive approach to risk prevention rather than a reactive one. This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses the basics of hazards, risks, assessment, and controls within an occupational health and safety management system and features Maren Gamble, Manager of Strategic Programs at IHSA. Maren discusses the proactive approach in depth, which focuses on predicting and foreseeing potential risks...
Jan 29, 2024•37 min•Ep. 75
On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, we celebrate the career of an occupational health and safety professional, Tom Nicolls. Tom started his career in the Electrical Utility industry 38 years ago with Hydro One, and has been a significant contributor to occupational health and safety in Ontario through various channels and roles. Tom shares his experiences over the length of his extensive career, including his inspiration to pursue a career in health and safety after witnessing severe acc...
Jan 16, 2024•29 min•Ep. 74
Worker misclassification can have ramifications for all parties involved. When a worker is misclassified, it prevents them from receiving the full benefits and protections they are entitled to under the Canada Labour Code. This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast (the final in a three-part series) discusses worker misclassification in transportation and features Liz Tavares, Occupational Health and Safety Officer, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)—Labour Program/Government of Canada...
Jan 02, 2024•14 min•Ep. 73
A federally regulated small business must have an occupational health and safety (OHS) program with components that promote a workplace safety culture. This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast (the second in a three-part series) discusses the first steps a federally regulated business should consider when building their OHS system and features Liz Tavares, Occupational Health and Safety Officer, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)—Labour Program/Government of Canada, and Michelle Robe...
Dec 11, 2023•19 min•Ep. 72
It is vital for small businesses to understand which jurisdiction governs them and what legislation they must follow. This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast (the first in a three-part series) discusses jurisdiction and features Liz Tavares, Occupational Health and Safety Officer, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) – Labour Program / Government of Canada, and Michelle Roberts, Vice-President, Stakeholder and Public Relations at IHSA. Liz and Michelle discuss federal occupational hea...
Nov 27, 2023•14 min•Ep. 71
Traumatic events may occur suddenly and without warning. Depending on the severity, the level of exposure, and personal history and coping abilities, trauma can be problematic in the long term for some individuals, but can also affect most in the short term. On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Kathy Martin, IHSA's Mental Health and Wellness Specialist, discusses trauma management in the workplace. Kathy highlights the essential need for employers to be prepared to manage and respond to t...
Nov 13, 2023•31 min•Ep. 70
Silica is a primary component of many construction materials. CAREX Canada estimates that approximately 380,000 Canadians are occupationally exposed to silica, and approximately 570 lung cancers are due to exposure to crystalline silica each year. Exposure to silica dust, produced during work processes such as digging, grinding, and drilling, can lead to serious health issues including lung cancer, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and chronic kidney disease. On this episode of t...
Nov 01, 2023•23 min•Ep. 69
Noise is a significant hazard in the construction, transportation, and utility sectors, and extended exposure can be harmful at levels that workers may not notice or consider disruptive, resulting in gradual hearing loss. Noise-induced hearing loss continues to be the leading cause of non-fatal occupational disease claims in Ontario. On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, we are joined once again by Jasmine Kalsi, IHSA's Occupational Hygienist, and Blair Allin, Canada's National Health and ...
Oct 16, 2023•19 min•Ep. 68
The Plan, Do, Check, Act (PDCA) model, also known as the four stages of continuous improvement, is crucial for an organization's health and safety goals. On Episode 66 of the IHSA Safety podcast, Maren Gamble, Manager of Strategic Programs at IHSA, walked through the PDCA model as a fundamental framework for developing and implementing an effective Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS). On this episode of the IHSA Safety podcast, Maren delves deeper into the practical applicat...
Oct 02, 2023•25 min•Ep. 67
The Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) model is a fundamental framework for developing and implementing an effective Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS). This approach allows organizations to continuously improve their safety performance, encourages employee engagement, and can be applied consistently across a variety of management systems. On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Maren Gamble, Manager of Strategic Programs at IHSA, compares the planning phase of building an OHSMS ...
Sep 11, 2023•43 min•Ep. 66
Implementing an occupational health and safety management system in an organization is crucial for both employees and employers, as it helps to address and control hazards in a safe and consistent manner. Ontario's Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development recognizes two systems: COR® 2020 and ISO 45001:2018. On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Carson Powell and Cameron Mitchell from AudEng International discuss the value of, and differences between, both systems. ...
Aug 29, 2023•32 min•Ep. 65
As back-to-school season approaches, school bus operators and drivers must be ready and equipped to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for their passengers. On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Doug Heintz, Vice President of High Risk Activity Training and Operations at IHSA, shares valuable tips on school bus safety and passenger management. Doug, who worked in the bus business for 14 years, shares his experiences as a former school bus driver and the strategies used by school bus dr...
Aug 14, 2023•42 min•Ep. 64
Noise exposure is a significant hazard in the construction, transportation, and utility sectors. When workers are exposed to noise for too long or at excessive levels, this can cause irreversible damage, resulting in hearing loss. This is known as Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL). In this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Jasmine Kalsi discusses the importance of raising awareness about the potential risks associated with noise in the workplace. Backhoes, chainsaws, and compressors are exampl...
Jul 30, 2023•15 min•Ep. 63
Standards impact many aspects of our professional and private lives. In the province of Ontario, within occupational health and safety, we have begun leveraging training standards such as Working at Heights and Joint Health and Safety Committee training, as well as management system standards such as COR® and ISO 45001, to help establish a high level of consistency. In this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, we are joined by Elias Rafoul, Vice-President of Accreditation Services at the Standard...
Jul 17, 2023•21 min•Ep. 62
When a worker has suffered a work-related injury or illness, it can be challenging and overwhelming to think about returning to work. To encourage a successful return to work, it is essential for injured workers to receive proper support and guidance throughout their recovery process. In this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Sarah Knight, Manager of the Return-to-Work program at the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), talks in detail about WSIB's Return-to-Work program. The program o...
Jul 04, 2023•15 min•Ep. 61
Summer in Ontario is typically hot and dry, which can cause heat stress for outdoor workers who work long hours. Heat stress is a seasonal hazard that can occur when the body's core temperature rises, causing severe dehydration that can be harmful if left untreated. In this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Jasmine Kalsi, IHSA's Occupational Hygienist, discusses heat stress in detail. Jasmine explains the different types of heat stress disorders, actions to take when experiencing symptoms, too...
Jun 26, 2023•17 min•Ep. 60
The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), one of the largest insurance organizations in North America, offers various supports and benefits to injured workers, including income replacement benefits, medical coverage, and assistance with returning to work or recovery. In this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Suzanne McClelland, Manager, Stakeholder Relations at WSIB, provides a step-by-step process for addressing and reporting workplace injuries, illnesses, and possible exposure. A key ...
Jun 19, 2023•22 min•Ep. 59
The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) is one of the largest insurance organizations in North America, covering over five million people in more than 300,000 workplaces in Ontario. WSIB provides wage-loss benefits, medical coverage, and other support to help people get back to work after a work-related injury or illness. In this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Derek Jackson from WSIB discusses WSIB's services in great detail, covering topics such as: · How a business can determine i...
Jun 05, 2023•23 min•Ep. 58
There’s a reason why thousands of Ontarians take working at heights training each year. In the industries IHSA serves—but especially the residential construction sector—many common tasks put workers at risk of falling from heights. That’s why the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development (MLITSD) is conducting a year-long education and enforcement campaign to help improve compliance when it comes to protecting workers from falls. Cindy Abbey, a provincial specialist with ...
May 25, 2023•23 min•Ep. 57
At a busy workplace, there’s always something being moved around—materials, mobile equipment, vehicles, you name it. But each of these puts workers at risk. Struck-by hazards account for nearly one-third of all lost-time injury claims in Ontario. They are also a significant cause of workplace fatalities. This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast welcomes Guy Taillon, a provincial specialist with the Construction Health and Safety Program for the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skill...
May 25, 2023•17 min•Ep. 56
When it comes to investing in health and safety, most small businesses face challenges because they may not have the financial resources or expertise to implement effective safety measures. IHSA recognizes these challenges and provides free tools and resources to help small businesses protect their workers and meet their legal obligations under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act. We also highlight success stories about small businesses in Ontario that have been recognized for their eff...
May 08, 2023•22 min•Ep. 55
Disclaimer: This podcast discusses a sensitive topic that may be challenging for some listeners. As we kiss our loved ones goodbye before they head off to work, we hope they return home in the same condition they left. Regrettably, this isn't the case for some of us who have experienced the loss of a loved one due to a workplace injury. In this episode of IHSA Safety Podcast, we invite Eugene Gutierrez to share his story of the event that transpired on November 27th 2017, a day that profoundly i...
Apr 23, 2023•20 min•Ep. 54
