Health and Safety ReportVolume 22, Issue 01

Get a head start on creating an effective health and safety committee with practical guidance from our updated pocket guide.

Health and Safety Committees

This pocket guide helps committee members understand and fulfill their roles and responsibilities under occupational health and safety legislation. Committee members will also learn how to conduct effective meetings, perform inspections and investigations, and assist the employer in resolving health and safety issues. Available in PDF and print formats, this guide is a practical reference for committee members and representatives, and is also useful for supervisors, managers, and anyone committed to maintaining workplace health and safety.

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A healthy workplace is a respectful one. To help facilitate that, workplaces can define civility and respect, post a code of conduct that outlines appropriate behaviours, and engage workers in conversations about what respect and civility means to them.

Workers have a role to play, too. Using respectful language like “please,” “thank you,” “excuse me,” and “I'm sorry”; valuing the time of others by paying full attention in meetings and showing up on time; and involving colleagues by asking for their input can all support a healthier workplace.

When a workplace is respectful, it has many advantages. People are happier with their jobs and get along better, relationships improve, and there's less sick time and turnover.

Share this infographic that explains how civility and respect is related to a more positive workplace culture, what employers can do to promote respectful behaviours, and small, everyday acts that can help workers feel safe, comfortable, and valued at work.

A healthy workplace is a respectful one. To help facilitate that, workplaces can define civility and respect, post a code of conduct that outlines appropriate behaviours, and engage workers in conversations about what respect and civility means to them.

Workers have a role to play, too. Using respectful language like “please,” “thank you,” “excuse me,” and “I'm sorry”; valuing the time of others by paying full attention in meetings and showing up on time; and involving colleagues by asking for their input can all support a healthier workplace.

When a workplace is respectful, it has many advantages. People are happier with their jobs and get along better, relationships improve, and there's less sick time and turnover.

Share this infographic that explains how civility and respect is related to a more positive workplace culture, what employers can do to promote respectful behaviours, and small, everyday acts that can help workers feel safe, comfortable, and valued at work.

Occupational health and safety laws are always evolving. This month’s highlights include amendments to Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Northwest Territories' Safety Act, plus changes to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act. 

Ontario

Occupational Health and Safety Act: S.O. 2023, c. 15, Sched. 5 amends subsection 66(2) in Section 66 Penalties to increase the maximum fine for a corporation for a conviction under the Act from $1,500,000 to $2,000,000.

Northwest Territories

Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (Safety Act): R-094-2023 is now in force amending sections regarding medical examinations, medical professionals and practitioners, and confidentiality of information relating to medical examinations. The definition of “medical professional” in section 1 is repealed and replaced, and definitions for “medical practitioner” and “nurse practitioner” are added.  Section 293 regarding medical examinations required by an employer who employs a diver is amended to specifically include nurse practitioners as individuals who may examine and/or certify a diver to be free of unsafe medical conditions.

Federal Jurisdiction

Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992): SOR/2023-206 makes amendments to require that persons who import, offer for transport, handle or transport dangerous goods at a site located in Canada that they own or operate be registered in a new registration database if applicable; and, require that all registered persons provide administrative information and information concerning the dangerous goods and operations being conducted at their respective Site located in Canada that they own or operate.

For more information on recent regulatory changes CCOHS offers a paid subscription service, Canadian enviroOSH Legislation plus Standards, that provides a collection of all the health, safety, and environmental legislation you need in one location.

Workplaces are responsible for the health and safety of employees, including their psychological safety. When it comes to young workers aged 15 to 24, they need support as they grow into their careers and in the workplace. Not just professional guidance, but mental health support, too.

The fact is that rates of psychological distress are higher for young people than for any other age group. They want their workplace to take psychological health and safety seriously, and in terms of perks, young workers consider having access to support for psychological health as the number one workplace benefit, after a retirement savings plan.

As an employer, you can develop a culture that prioritizes psychological health and safety using the tools and resources available from organizations across the country through the CCOHS Young Workers Zone. Make sure they know who to approach when they have concerns and consider the resources and benefits you can offer to help your young workers feel safe and supported at work.

CCOHS releases new podcasts each month to help you stay current and informed on workplace health, safety, and well-being in Canada.

New Podcast: Cold Feet Prevention: Steps to Stay Safe and Warm When Working Outdoors

With all the walking, standing, and working workers do on their feet, they can be exposed to potential injury. In winter, cold weather afflictions like frostbite, chilblains, and trench foot can cause painful and sometimes serious consequences.

Tune in to this CCOHS podcast to earn more about the harm that working in cold weather can cause feet, and how to put protections in place.

Listen to the podcast now.

Encore Podcast: Winter Driving Tips

Winter weather conditions can pose unique challenges and safety risks for Canadian drivers. In this podcast, CCOHS offers safety tips to ensure driver safety.

Listen to the podcast now.

See the complete list of podcast topics or, better yet, subscribe to the series on iTunes or Spotify and don't miss a single episode.

If you’re a student enrolled in an occupational health and safety course or program at an accredited Canadian college or university, you still have time to apply for the Dick Martin Scholarship award.

Two scholarships worth $3,000 each will be awarded to one university student and one college student pursuing their education in a field related to occupational health and safety. CCOHS will also award $500 to each of the winning students’ academic institutions.

To apply, students need to complete an online application, submit a cover letter outlining their aspirations of obtaining a career in the health and safety industry, and write a 1,000-to-1,200-word essay on one of two topics related to occupational health and safety.

Applications are open until 11:59 p.m. EST, January 31, 2024. Scholarship rules and essay criteria are available on the CCOHS website.