Home Office Safety
November 23, 2022
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Are you one of the many Canadian employers that transitioned to work from home during the pandemic? Maybe you were doing it before it was cool!
Either way, it’s clear that work from home is here to stay. But your obligation to provide a safe work environment doesn’t dissolve just because your employees are working at home. In this article we discuss: |
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The Great Resignation: Is it a Safety Hazard?
November 9, 2022
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Have you heard of the great resignation? It refers to the voluntary mass exodus that’s currently plaguing organizations across Canada. In short – employees are quitting or leaving at record rates, and finding replacements is proving to be difficult. That’s the simple explanation of the great resignation.
Some specialists believe it’s a little more complicated, posturing that it started before the pandemic and that the pandemic only served to exacerbate what was already going to be a precarious labour situation. In this article, we discuss |
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WSIB Form 6 and the 1, 2, 3, 4 In Case of Injury Poster
October 31, 2022
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Sometimes, a worker is injured despite training, legislative compliance, and strong safety culture. When that happens, what do you do?
The WSIB (Workplace Safety Insurance Board) makes it as easy as 1, 2, 3, 4. |
What is the WSIB?The WSIB website describes its services as “no-fault collective liability insurance.” They provide access to industry-specific health and safety information for employers; provide loss of earnings benefits and health care coverage for workers; and provide help and support for return to work after an injury or illness incurred by workplaces covered under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act. The WSIB is entirely funded by employers. To make a claim under WSIB in the event of an injury, employers must follow a specific process for reporting injuries. The In Case of Injury: 1, 2, 3, 4 Poster outlines this process. Displaying this poster in the workplace is a mandatory posting requirement. |
Managing Hazards: Part 2 - Safety Hazards
October 19, 2022
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Hazards are generally sorted into two broad categories:
Safety hazards exist when a person is at risk of sustaining an injury because of an incident. Unlike health hazards that sometimes take months or even years to appear, safety hazards are usually associated with the potential for immediate injury. The severity of the injury can range from a near miss, which doesn’t result in an injury, minor injury, major injury, life-changing catastrophic injury, and even fatality. The six types of safety hazards include:
Learn More about Hazard Identification Training. |
Quick Recap
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Ontario Workplace Health and Safety Policy Requirements
October 4, 2022
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Does your workplace have a health and safety policy? If they don’t, they need one – it’s the law. The Occupational Health and Safety Act (the Act) Section 25(2)(j) clearly states:
“An employer shall: prepare and review at least annually a written occupational health and safety policy and develop and maintain a program to implement that policy;” In this article, we discuss: |
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What you Need to Know about Machine Safety and Machine Guarding Requirements in Ontario
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Machine safety includes many rules, guidelines, and recommendations. In addition to the administrative controls, most machines feature physical built-in safety mechanisms, such as guards or emergency stops.
While different machines have different safety specs, there are some general best practices for safe machine use. |
JHSC member training for Ontario workplaces
August 31, 2022
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It’s that time of year – school is in session! What’s that? Do you think workplaces are exempt from getting into the back-to-school spirit? Think again! September is a great time to train all of your Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) members and get them all certified.
MidSouthWest Training and Consulting currently offers JHSC training via our virtual classroom via instructor-led distance learning for your safety and convenience. JHSC Training is Essential Why train your JHSC this fall? Trained JHSC members are engaged and knowledgeable, resulting in a stronger workplace safety culture. Not only that, but JHSC training is mandatory in Ontario. Section 9(12) of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act (the Act) states that “a constructor or employer shall ensure that at least one member of the committee representing the constructor or employer and at least one member representing workers are certified members.” JHSC training is necessary because it keeps your company compliant with the law. |
Who Needs JHSC Training in Ontario?In Ontario, organizations with 20 or more employees are required to have JHSCs.
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First Aid Essential Knowledge for Ontario workplaces
August 19, 2022
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First aid is important. That’s a difficult statement to argue with. But what do you need to know about first aid and safety in the workplace?
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First aid kit checklistsDownload a first aid kit checklist specific to YOUR workplace: |
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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