WHMIS is the RIGHT to KNOW
August 2, 2022
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Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is the “right to know” legislation comprised of governing laws, principals, information, and guidelines aimed at ensuring that anyone who works with controlled substances understands the associated risks. By using a series of symbols and providing consistent information, WHMIS has become a universally accepted form of hazard communication among workers worldwide.
WHMIS includes the following main components:
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JHSC member certification refresher training requirements
July 21, 2022
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Are you due to take Joint Health and Safety (JHSC) Refresher in 2022?
If so, have we got news for you! This year’s JHSC Refresher course is better than ever. It’s chock full of relevant updates, all of your post-COVID changes and best practices, and plenty of great discussion and connection opportunities with other JHSC members who get it. |
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How to Design a Return to Work Program
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July 11, 2022
Sometimes, despite our best efforts and most proactive approaches to health and safety in the workplace, accidents happen. Of course, accidents, illness, and many other things also happen outside of work. Why? Because we’re human and we’re prone to accidents, injury, illness, and a whole host of other misfortunes that may result in needing time off work.
Whatever the circumstances, at some point employees will return to work. The design and length of the return to work (RTW) program will depend on the nature and severity of the injury, along with the nature of the work. A successful RTW program allows the employee to return at a rate that is not detrimental to their recovery efforts and overall physical and mental wellbeing. |
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What are First Aid Kit Requirements under Ontario Regulation 1101?
June 13, 2022
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Does your workplace have a first aid kit? What’s in it? Did you know that under Ontario Regulation 1101 all workplaces with five or more people are required to have a stocked first aid kit at the place of employment? It’s true and depending on the number of people your workplace employs, it may need a whole lot of supplies.
So, what’s in YOUR first aid kit? |
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Does your JHSC have a term of reference? Does it need one?
May 31, 2022
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What is the Term of Reference?
A term of reference is a document containing the Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC)’s guiding principles, designed to keep the JHSC performing at peak efficiency. It’s a written statement that describes the function of the JHSC and outlines the procedures that the JHSC will follow. |
Why does the JHSC need a Term of Reference?
A JHSC is comprised of many moving parts. A term of reference helps to ensure that the JHSC operates consistently, and in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (the Act). It’s a great way to ensure that nothing important is ever missed. It also provides a point of reference (hence the name, term of reference) any time there is a disagreement or a question about how to proceed. |
Is a Term of Reference Required Under the Act?
While a term of reference isn’t a legislative requirement, an effective JHSC should have one. It is important that the term of reference align with the Act and the requirements within. Think of the term of reference as your JHSC’s rules of engagement. It’s a framework that includes: the names of the members, what they’re supposed to do, and how they’re supposed to do it. |
What is a Microaggression at Work?
May 12, 2022
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When you think of workplace harassment, what comes to mind?
I bet you have images of a stereotypical bully or obvious poor behaviour. Most times, when we think about workplace harassment, we don’t consider microaggressions. But we should. While microaggressions may not always be considered “harassment,” as defined by the Occupational Health and Safety Act, allowing them to go unchecked could lead to the creation of a workplace safety culture that becomes resistant or immune to the effects of these kinds of slights, resulting in a higher tolerance for what is deemed acceptable behaviour in the workplace. |
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Is your business prepared for the "new normal"?
April 27, 2022
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The past two years were characterized by frequent changes and adaptations to policies aimed at keeping us safe from COVID-19. Keeping up with the changes was challenging, but one that businesses were willing to accept to keep their workers, clients, and families safe.
Now, more than two years later, we’re approaching what many are calling the “new normal.” What does this new landscape look like for your organization? How is your organization planning to recover now that we’re re-opening? |
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The Pros and Cons of Behavior-Based Safety
April 10, 2022
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Have you ever heard of BBS or Behaviour-Based Safety? Most of you have likely heard the term before, but do you know what it truly means? Beyond that, do you have a solid understanding of how to implement a behaviour-based safety framework in the workplace?
Like a lot of theories and frameworks, BBS isn’t perfect. While it touts numerous benefits, it also carries potential risks. The experts at MidSouthWest Training and Consulting are here to help you understand the benefits and risks of implementing BBS in your workplace. |
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Changes to Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations in 2022
April 4, 2022
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The Ontario Occupational Health & Safety Act and Regulations (known as the Green Book), is updated annually based on legislative and regulatory changes. The Green Book contains the complete, current Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).
The commentary has been reviewed, updated and enhanced for the 2022 Edition, including revisions to:
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The Importance of Psychological Safety at Work
March 14, 2022
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Are you aware that the way your company manages psychological safety in the workplace could be massively detrimental to the success of your workplace safety program? Likewise, if your organization is managing psychological safety well, it can enhance the efficacy of your program. What are you doing to promote psychological safety in your workplace?
What is Psychological Safety? Psychological safety is the belief that you will not be ridiculed, humiliated, laughed at, chastised, or punished for bringing forth an idea, question, thought, observation, concern, or error. This should also be encapsulated in your workplace violence and harassment policy. To be effective, the belief that employees can speak up must be shared among the workforce and ingrained in all practices. Employees need to believe they can come to work, be their authentic selves, and lay all on the line when it matters. |
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Health & Safety Training and Continuing Professional Development Points
March 3, 2022
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Did you know that almost all professional associations accept health and safety training as acceptable development for earning CPD (Continuing Professional Development) points?
This includes points for:
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Working Alone and the General Duty Clause under the OHSA
February 15 ,2022
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Did you know that employers are obligated under the Occupational Health and Safety Act in s.25(2)(h) to take every reasonable precaution for safety?
It’s true, and it’s what’s known as the General Duty Clause. Workers who work alone some or all of the time, or who work alone in home offices, are covered by the General Duty Clause. This means that employers who have workers that work alone must take special precautions to keep those workers safe. |
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Benefits of having an in-house trainer
February 3, 2022
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A Train-the-Trainer (TTT) program has the power to transform your current health and safety training program. TTT programs take health and safety training allows you to take advantage of the training you’ve provided seasoned employees in the past. You’ll get to benefit from all of those investment dollars and from the knowledge and expertise they gained because a TTT program turns employees into in-house trainers!
There are numerous benefits of implementing Train-the-Trainer programs. |
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Are workplace inspections necessary if everyone works at home?
January 18, 2021
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How has your workplace changed since the COVID-19 pandemic started over 18 months ago? With a pandemic plan in place, we’re hopeful that your organization didn't just survive, but that it’s also thriving. But we’re also betting your business has undergone some major changes as part of your pandemic strategy as well.
For many organizations, a large part of the change was the shift from in-person work to full-remote or hybrid work. This has helped keep workers safe by reducing their exposure to others, providing more space with fewer bodies for more efficient social distancing, and helping parents manage online learning while working. But what about workplace inspections? If everyone works at home, are workplace inspections still necessary? And if so, how do employers complete them, document them, and action any necessary improvements? |
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How Employers can Lessen the Negative Impacts of Shift Work
January 5, 2022
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Shift work is a reality in many Canadian workplaces, despite its known negative impact on work-life balance, health and wellbeing, and safety. So, why then do Canadian employers continue in the practice of having workers on the clock around the clock?
It’s pretty simple: there are 24 hours in a day, and many successful employers are successful because they maximize the productivity and output of their organizations across all 24 of those hours. The typical schedule sees the day split into three shifts: midnight shift, starting at 11pm and ending at 7am, a day shift that works from 7am-3pm, and then an afternoon shift that starts at 3pm and works until 11pm. Some workplaces follow a two-shift 12-hour split instead, such as hospitals. Most (but not all) workers rotate through the shifts biweekly or monthly. |
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Our Partners in Health and SafetyJanuary 3, 2022
MidSouthWest is proud to support local businesses that share our goal of improving workplace health and safety through our Partners of MSW program. This month, we'd like to introduce you to Ontario Security Hub, and Ontario Ministry approved security guard training entity.
There are many different options when it comes to creating a safety sign. Vision Signs & Promos can help you with design, formatting and printing a safety sign that suits the needs of your particular purpose. Visit our Partners of MSW page to learn more about Ontario Security Hub! |
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