What’s New – June 2015
Reposting of Issue #61 – from the Ministry of Labour
Changing Workplaces Review Consultation
Ontario has launched public consultations on the changing nature of the modern workplace. The review will consider how the Labour Relations Act, 1995 and Employment Standards Act, 2000 could be amended to best protect workers while supporting businesses in our changing economy. The special advisors to the review will lead public consultations across Ontario. Please visit the ministry’s website for details on how to participate in the review.
Ontario Creates Construction Health And Safety Advisory Group
Ontario has established an advisory group to assist the government in the development and implementation of a Construction Health and Safety Action Plan. As set out in the Ministry of Labour 2014-15 mandate letter, the Action Plan will strengthen workplace injury and illness prevention for construction workers across the province.
Working At Heights Summer Campaign
On April 1, Ontario implemented new mandatory training standards to ensure certain workers on construction projects who use fall protection complete a CPO-approved Working at Heights training program. This summer, the government is running a campaign in 12 languages to inform Ontarians about these new standards. This builds on previous initiatives to ensure safer construction workplaces, including another radio campaign, a digital residential roofing campaign, and the Construction Health and Safety Action Plan.
Protecting Outdoor Workers
As summer arrives, many Ontarians are welcoming the warmer days. But working outdoors presents many hazards such as heat stress, Lyme disease, the West Nile Virus and common hazardous plants in Ontario.
Learn more about:
Labour Relations Conference In Windsor
Trust is key to an effective labour-management relationship. The next regional workshop “Building and Maintaining the High-Trust Labour Management Relationship” will be held in Windsor on June 23. At this day-long workshop, learn how to enhance your understanding and mastery of labour relations best practices from expert Ministry of Labour mediators.
Hazard Alert: Carbon Monoxide Hazards From Using Gas-Powered Pressure Washers
In the spring and summer, enclosed parking garages are often cleaned using gas-powered pressure washers to remove the deposits that have accumulated over the winter months. In 2014, seven workers were treated for carbon monoxide poisoning and one died after using gasoline-powered pressure washers in poorly ventilated underground parking garages. Learn to protect workers from what is often called “the silent killer.”