Have you ever considered making a New Year's Resolution for your organization?
December 1, 2020
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It’s that time of year again when we set resolutions aimed at helping us be the best we can be in the coming year. The idea of resolutions may bring to mind personal goals such as dropping a bad habit or learning something new. But have you ever considered making resolutions for your organization?
At MidSouthWest Safety and Consulting, we believe that setting safety resolutions sets the tone for the entire year. Not sure where to start? We’ve listed some safety resolutions for 2021 below. |
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How the Efficient JHSC uses Conflict Strategically
November 23, 2020
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Many view conflicts as negative, and unproductive. However, when used strategically, conflict can be very useful and productive. When it comes to the Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC), some conflict is even considered healthy!
What is Conflict? Conflict is defined as a serious disagreement or argument. Generally speaking, conflict is considered to be unproductive because it’s focused on a person, rather than an issue, idea, or value. Unproductive conflict just goes in circles, produces no resolutions, is repetitive, and ends up resulting in personal attacks. In contrast, when the focus on conflict is shifted from people to ideas, values, or specific issues, conflict can be very productive. Why? Because productive conflict, when focused on ideas, values, and issues, represents an open exchange of ideas. Everyone can present differing viewpoints and opinions. Working together, the JHSC can come to an agreement that satisfies everyone. |
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How has the legalization of cannabis impacted Ontario companies?
November 6, 2020
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On October 17th, 2018, recreational cannabis became legal across Canada. This presented a unique conundrum for employers nationwide. The primary issue at hand was how to ensure that workplaces remained safe now that recreational cannabis was legal and widely available at stores and online.
Just over a year later, and cannabis consumption remains legal. Additionally, its use seems to be growing in popularity. The number of first-time cannabis users has increased since its legalization. The number of regular users has increased as well. |
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Best practices for business operating under new regulations designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19
October 19, 2020
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The COVID-19 pandemic rocked the business world when in March of 2020, many businesses were forced to close suddenly, unexpectedly, and with no information regarding when they might be able to reopen. Many business owners were confident that they’d be able to reopen when it was safe to do so, but they were also worried about how their businesses would function under the new strict regulations put in place to protect business owners, workers, and customers from the COVID-19 virus.
The government continues to release regulations and recommendations aimed at helping businesses protect workers and the public from the spread of COVID-19. There are many things that business owners can do to prevent COVID-19 at work. |
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To be effective, the JHSC must be masters of RACE
October 5, 2020
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Used effectively, the Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) can be used as a driving force toward organizational objectives. To be effective, the JHSC must be masters of RACE:
R – Recognize A – Assess C – Control E – Evaluate It’s easy to recite the acronym and what it stands for, but what does RACE mean, and why must the JHSC be RACE experts? |
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Ergonomic Safety in the Remote Workplace: Setting up a Remote Workstation
September 24, 2020
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The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we do business. Many experts believe that some of those changes may become permanent – especially remote work.
When it comes to remote work, many of the same safety principles that apply in the workplace apply at home, including ergonomic safety. General DutyEmployers have what’s known as General Duty. That is, they must take every reasonable precaution to protect the safety of their workforce. The General Duty clause, also known as Section 25(2)(h) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, covers workers who are working remotely.
Check out Section 25 and 26 of the Act for a complete list of employer roles and responsibilities. |
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The only way to determine if a space is confined is to evaluate it
August 31, 2020
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Silos, manure pits, and water supply towers. Do you know what they have in common?
It’s not a trick question. Silos, manure pits, water towers certainly don’t store the same products, but they do share a commonality: they’re confined spaces. To determine whether your workplace has confined spaces, you must be familiar with the definition of confined space. |
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Fire drills ensure that everyone prepared to act safely, calmly, and quickly to reduce panic in an emergency
August 21, 2020
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When is the last time you conducted a workplace fire drill?
If you can’t remember, you’re overdue! Fire drills should be conducted at least every six months. In workplaces with serious fire hazards, the recommendation is more frequent. Best practice for all workplaces is at least once every quarter. |
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A pandemic plan is a plan that protects against the worst-case scenario
August 6, 2020
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The COVID-19 pandemic has changed everything about the way we do business. In March 2020, many businesses were caught off guard by the fast-paced and very sudden closures. Unfortunately, it is predicted that some businesses will not survive the drastic effects and resulting changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Those that do will be forced to permanently change their business models.
The businesses that will come out on the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic are those that already had a plan in place to deal with the most unimaginable worst-case scenarios – scenarios just like the pandemic scenario that started in March of 2020. The good news is that there are steps you can take to safeguard your business from future pandemic events. |
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The New Advantage of Online TrainingJuly 13, 2020
Completing health and safety training online benefits your company in all the usual ways:
The list goes on. But now, there’s a new advantage to training online. |
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Benefits of Having an Effective JHSC
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July 3, 2020
Having an effective JHSC has numerous benefits, such as:
Your organization can expect to see a positive impact on the bottom line as a result of reduced lost time, increased productivity, and a happy and healthy workforce. |
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Ergonomics safety is important for all workers in all industries
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June 10, 2020
What do you think of when you hear the term ‘Ergonomic Safety’? Likely it conjures images of office workers sitting at their desks, in various states of correctness. However, ergonomic safety is important for workers in ALL industries!
Ergonomics Outside the Office
Section 25(2)(h), known as the ‘General Duty’ clause in the Occupational Health and Safety Act (the Act) makes it mandatory for employers to take reasonable precautions for work safety. This includes recognizing, assessing, and controlling ergonomic hazards.
There are ergonomic hazards in every industry, not just within the office industry. These hazards must be controlled to minimize the impact to work health and safety. |
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Canada-specific COVID-19 Safety Awareness Training Course Online - Free until June 30, 2020
May 27, 2020
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MidSouthWest is here to help with any health and safety questions or challenges you may have while reopening, or restructuring your business
We just launched a new Canada-specific awareness training program for the Coronavirus titled "COVID-19 Safety." This course is designed to provide you with the training you need to help you stay healthy and safe during this global pandemic. This course will be FREE until June 30, 2020. Contact Dawn at dawn@midsouthwest.ca for any questions or to activate your free course! |
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Post Pandemic Business RecoveryAs the rate of infection decreases, the province will lift emergency measures; allowing businesses to return to regular operations. Ensure you are doing this safely, by calling MidSouthWest to help with policy and procedure writing for businesses operating as usual, returning after shutdown, or working remotely. Contact us to arrange a consultation.
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Workplace health should include mental wellbeing
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May 14, 2020
One in five Canadians experiences mental illness at some time in their lives. With stats like that, it’s highly likely that employees at your organization are experiencing, will experience, or have experienced a mental illness. Imagine an employee comes to you to tell you they’ve been diagnosed with cancer. Now imagine the same scenario, but instead of cancer, the employee shares that they’ve been diagnosed with a mental health illness. Is your response the same?
The reality of mental health stigma in the workplace is that most employees who disclose mental illness are not treated with the same compassion as those that disclose physical ailments. And that’s unfortunate. Mental health is as real and unavoidable as any other illness. As mental health awareness increases so too should employers’ desire to understand mental illness. Ensuring that the workforce is healthy – including mental wellness – will have a positive impact on your organization because healthy workers are happy workers! |
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Does your Joint Health and Safety Committee drive your organization’s strategy toward its objectives?
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April 29, 2020
Many times, those in the c-suite who look after the organizational strategy overlook the importance of the JHSC and the role it plays in the overall success of a company. It’s not for lack of understanding that the JHSC serves an important purpose in the workplace. It’s usually because the JHSC is viewed as a separate entity, instead of looking at it as a crucial part of the overall organizational strategy, and the ability for the business to meet its objectives.
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Is your Workplace Compliant with Ontario's Respiratory Protection Guidelines?
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April 16, 2020
As of January 1st, 2020, the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act (the Act) has made amendments to two important regulations:
These changes will affect your organization’s respiratory protection program. |
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It’s a fact: having a safe and healthy workplace pays dividends
March 30, 2020
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Benefits of a safe and healthy workplace:
Yes, it’s possible to gather the data and create reports to show how your health and safety program has saved your organization money. But now, the WSIB is poised to increase the reward your company reaps from having a health and safety program in place. |
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Review your Health and Safety Program Annually – or More Often
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March 19, 2020
Springtime is just around the corner, and now is the perfect time to review your health and safety program.
It is considered to be a best practice and an industry standard that health and safety programs, including policies, procedures, and training records and requirements, be reviewed at least annually. An annual review ensures that your health and safety program is doing what it was intended to do, and not having unintended undesirable effects. An annual review is best practice, but that doesn’t mean that a program can’t be reviewed more often. In some cases, it’s necessary. Why review a program more frequently?
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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
March 14, 2020
MidSouthWest Health & Safety lives by our core motto "Creating safer, more productive workplaces through Health and Safety education".
This enduring value guides us as we face the difficult challenge of responding to the coronavirus (COVID-19), which the World Health Organization declared a pandemic on Wednesday.
This enduring value guides us as we face the difficult challenge of responding to the coronavirus (COVID-19), which the World Health Organization declared a pandemic on Wednesday.
We are here to help during COVID-19.
The health and well-being of you and your family are our top priority. Due to the recent progression of COVID-19, we wanted to reach out to you directly to say that MidSouthWest is here to help.
Our team is actively monitoring the global health situation, and staff will be available for all your questions and needs.
During this difficult time, we are putting all efforts to support our clients, and be here for you.
Please contact MidSouthWest if you have any questions about workplace health and safety concerns.
- Online training - anytime and anywhere
- Our mobile and online training solutions are available to you anytime, from anywhere -24/7
Our team is actively monitoring the global health situation, and staff will be available for all your questions and needs.
During this difficult time, we are putting all efforts to support our clients, and be here for you.
Please contact MidSouthWest if you have any questions about workplace health and safety concerns.
Get to know Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act
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March 5, 2020
Most workplaces have a copy of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (the Act) around somewhere. While it’s true that the Act has been spotted being used as a door stop or paperweight (a use we do not endorse!), it is actually an incredibly important part of the workplace safety program, and it needs to be posted in a conspicuous location. Not only does the Act protect worker rights and aim to keep workplaces safe, it is also a guide and a resource for more information.
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How do you know when it’s better to use a mobile elevated work platform?
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February 21, 2020
Most work from a ladder can be made safer by substituting the ladder with a mobile elevated work platform (MEWP). Sounds wrong, doesn’t it? After all, MEWPs are large pieces of machinery, with the potential for tip-overs, falls from the basket, and struck-by injuries. However, ladder use has risks as well. So, how do you know when it’s better to use a MEWP? When is it best to choose a ladder? And, which is the truly safer option?
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How Going Digital Will Save Time, Money, and Trees
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February 6, 2020
Do you want to save your organization $25,000 this year?
According to The National Centre for the Middle Market, the average office worker uses 10,000 sheets of paper per year. One four-drawer file cabinet holds $25,000 worth of paper. Reduce or eliminate paper use in your organization to save money.
How many file drawers does your health and safety program occupy? Your health and safety program includes:
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Worker, Manager & Employer Responsibilities Within the Internal Responsibility System
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January 23, 2020
Who’s responsible for safety in your workplace? The answer may not be as straightforward as you think!
Everybody is Responsible for SafetyThe short and simple answer is that everyone is responsible for safety. But, there’s more to it than that. While every single worker, manager, supervisor, CEO, Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) member and employer is responsible for safety in the workplace, each parties’ responsibilities look different.
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New Year; New JHSC: Make this Year the Most Efficient Yet!
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January 7, 2020
Many people go into January feeling hopeful about New Year’s resolutions they made. How can you take these positive vibes and apply them to the workplace in order to gain maximum benefit? One way is to resolve to make your Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) the most effective and efficient it’s ever been.
The Benefits of Having an Effective JHSCHaving an effective JHSC has numerous benefits, such as:
Your organization can expect to see a positive impact on the bottom line as a result of reduced lost time, increased productivity, and a happy and healthy workforce. |
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