Your Winter 2020 edition of the Labour-Management Network e-New
WINTER 2020 ISSUE
Minister McNaughton and CPO attend 2019 PLMHSC annual meeting with L-M Network Co-Chairs, and IHSA AGM
In October 2019, the annual Provincial Labour-Management Health and Safety Committee annual meeting with the Labour-Management Network co-chairs was combined with the IHSA Annual General meeting.
The event was well attended by many of the co-chairs and guests who heard from the new Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development Monte McNaughton, Chief Prevention Officer, Ron Kelusky, and IHSA President and CEO Enzo Garritano.
Immediately following the meeting, the provincial members and L-M Network co-chairs participated in a strategic planning session which was facilitated by Meredith Low in an effort to determine strategic priorities for the next two to three years. Click here for photos and more.
Announcement from Minister Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour Training and Skills Development
On Friday November 22, 2019 the Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development announced the Supporting Ontario’s Safe Employers (SOSE) program which will be led by the Office of the Chief Prevention Officer.
This program is the first-of-its-kind in Canada and will reward Ontario’s safest employers. It is a voluntary program that will formally recognize employers who successfully implement an occupational health and safety management system in their workplace. It is open to any employer in Ontario, regardless of size or sector.
The industry has long asked for rewards for employers who successfully promote health and safety in their workplace. This is a big step for Ontario’s health and safety community as we continue to move forward in protecting workers.
For additional information on the minister’s announcement as well as information on the program and how you may be eligible for rewards and can apply, please go to the Ministry website.
If you have any questions about the program you can contact the Prevention Office (SOSE@ontario.ca).
Construction Legislative Review Committee (CLRC) update
The Construction Legislative Review Committee (CLRC) is tasked with making
Construction Legislative Review Committee recommendations regarding regulatory change to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and Regulations to the Minister of Labour.
Here is the most recent update on matters that are currently under consideration by the CLRC:
Occupational Disease Section 30
The working group is progressing well. The group held meetings on October 21 and November 25. The next meeting is scheduled for December 12.
Demolition Regulation Working Group
The working group last met on October 25 and December 11 to to work on the definition of demolition. The working group estimates it has completed 90 percent of its work to date.
Tunneling, Dismantling of Formwork and Removal of Body Belts from Sec. 26 – Working Groups:
The CLRC approved the recommended regulatory amendments from the Tunneling and Dismantling of Formwork Working Groups for 90-day network review at the September 2019 CLRC meeting. Comments received from the Network on a 90 Day review on recommended amendments for Removal of Body Belts from Sec. 26 were reviewed at the December 2019, CLRC meeting.
MLTSD and WSIB announce new accreditation program/standard
The Ministry has a new name and more responsibilities. It is now the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development. Its mandate is expanding to include training, apprenticeships and Employment Ontario. It will continue to oversee occupational health and safety, employment rights and responsibilities, and labour relations. Learn more
On November 22, the Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development, Monte McNaughton, together with WSIB Chair Elizabeth Witmer and President Tom Teahen, announced the new Accreditation program/standard that will recognize Ontario employers who have implemented an audited health and safety management system meeting the Ministry’s new standard. IHSA’s CORTM program, modified to meet the Accreditation requirements and recognized by the Minister, will be referred to as CORTM (2020) and will be available to all to implement in January.
Chief Prevention Officer’s occupational health and safety management system accreditation standard
Learn about the requirements your health and safety management system must meet to be accredited under the Supporting Ontario’s Safe Employers on the Ministry website.
WSIB new Health and Safety Excellence program
WSIB’s recently announced its Health and Safety Excellence program. This new effort will support employers who work toward recognition under the Accreditation program by providing financial and non-financial incentives. Learn how IHSA can help.
WSIB Excellence Program – the WSIB is currently providing information sessions throughout the province on details for the Excellence Program. Visit the WSIB website for details on how to register for a session.
Lead the way for PPE safety
You know what personal protective equipment (PPE) to wear and you know how to wear it correctly. Learn what ministry inspectors will look for and how to prepare your work site for an upcoming PPE blitz February 3 to March 13, 2020.
Learn more | Webinar | Resources
Regional LMHSC Activity Update
Here is a look at some of the initiatives that were addressed by the Regional Labour-Management committees. Click on the links where applicable for full details.
Central Regional LMHSC
On November 26, 2019, the Central Region LMHSC had a joint meeting with the Ontario Common Ground Alliance. More than 50 attendees participated in this event. At the joint meeting, the participants heard a presentation on the planned changes to the Ontario One Call system. OOC members are developing a course to help excavators make more accurate map selections and ticket details, and regional workload planning meetings for stakeholders (pilot).
Hamilton Regional LMHSC
In 2019, the Hamilton Region LMHSC organized and held a two day outreach event with the IHSA Mobile Classroom at the Waste Water Treatment Plant Project. The committee held an open house on day one with many of the contractors on site, and on day two, workers were able to go through site hazard awareness sessions. They published three one-page safety documents (Silica and Heat Stress/Sun Safety/Winter Preparedness) and completed a project to create a “Fit For Work” policy guide which will be available to the network in January 2020. The committee also gathered and donated winter clothes for children and adults for those less fortunate in the community.
London Regional LMHSC
In September 2019, the London Regional LMHSC once again participated in a Fanshawe College Health and Safety Day attended by nearly 700 students from the trades as well as the construction management and architectural programs. A series of ladders were set up and students were given a safety quiz for a chance to win a draw prize. More than 130 participated in the activity.
At the November meeting, the committee heard from Roland Guignard on the WSIB’s new Health and Safety Excellence program. Chair Rosemary Redgrift and some members went to visit the Fanshawe Construction Engineering Technology students in December to talk safety.
Niagara Regional LMHSC
In 2019 the committee continued to provide health and safety information to the community as an outreach goal with the main event being the Niagara Construction Association Safety Awareness Day. The IHSA Mobile Classroom was on hand and the event made the news on the local cable station. The committee also issued safety information on mental health, distracted driving and healthy workers in healthy workplaces.
North Bay Regional LMHSC
In 2019 the North Bay Regional Committee have been working closely with Canadore College to provide a safety day in 2020 for trade students. The committee also planned and held committee and local stakeholder presentations on legal responsibilities of employers and the new WSIB Health and Safety Excellence Program.
Northwestern Regional LMHSC
The Northwestern Regional Committee continued efforts to extend its outreach via
teleconference to regions outside of Thunder Bay. At the September 11 meeting members heard a presentation on heat stress from Dwain Fuchs of the Ontario Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW) while the speaker at the October meeting, Vicki Kristman (EPID@work delivered an interesting session on “Supervisor and worker perspectives on workplace accommodation for mental health” At the November meeting, Trevor Stein from 3M talked about dropped object prevention.
Oshawa Regional LMHSC
The Oshawa Regional LMHSC held a Fall Rescue Seminar for 25 attendees and included an interactive session on working at heights rescue equipment.
Ottawa Regional LMHSC
On October 23 the Ottawa Regional Committee held a mock trial at the Carpenters Hall in Kanata which was attended by 85 participants. The event involved a fall incident scenario and included a debrief, and mini trade show with vendors. The event raised $1,850 which was donated to Threads of Life.
Sarnia Regional LMHSC
In 2019 the Sarnia Regional Committee participated in the City’s annual Emergency Preparedness Day, the largest emergency preparedness event in Ontario to provide local area students with young worker health and safety information as well as details on the IHSA Construction Health and Safety app. The committee is also working on better defining the parameters around working in cold weather conditions and started planning the first joint meeting between Windsor, London, and Sarnia.
Sault Ste. Marie Regional LMHSC
The Sault Ste. Marie Regional Committee members is working with local schools and refining a curriculum-compliant health and safety educational presentation, then delivering the presentation in class. The committee has also been discussing concerns with locates taking too long to be completed.
Sudbury Regional LMHSC
In 2019 the Sudbury Region Committee held its second in a series of outreach events in Blind River. The event was well attended and they provide information and health and safety products including “What to Post on a Jobsite”. They also planned and held a well-attended presentation for local area stakeholders on fit for work information. The committee developed and issued two needs analysis for regulation change that were accepted at the PLMHSC and the CLRC to go to working groups. One was on better protection for TCPs (joint submission with Windsor) and the other was to better define when fencing is required under Sec. 65 Public Way Protection.
Timmins Regional LMHSC:
The Timmins Regional LMHSC received a presentation on Respirators from a local safety products supplier. The members are planning to hold the January 2020 LMHSC meeting to coincide with the Timmins Construction Association Health and Safety Awards. The committee is now preparing to host a mock trial presentation in the spring of 2020 to stakeholders in the region.
Toronto Regional LMHSC:
The Toronto Regional LMHSC held its fourth Annual Health and Safety Symposium on October 10. The event addressed the following topics: SRL-leading edge technologies; mental health for supervisors; and MOL and WSIB orders and claims
Windsor Regional LMHSC:
In 2019 the Windsor Region LMHSC completed a project developing a Fall Protection Work Plan template for employers and workers to tailor specific jobsite needs. This is available on the IHSA website. The committee also issued a joint submission with Sudbury for regulations change to better protect traffic control workers. This was accepted at both the PLMHSC and the CLRC to go to a working group. The committee also continued community outreach by providing IHSA’s Health and Safety Basic course to students at a local area high school.
Ministry of Labour, Training, and Skills Development’s 2018-2019 Health and Safety Annual Report.
This report highlights the work done to improve health and safety at workplaces in 2018-2019, whether through the ministry’s prevention or enforcement activities, or collaborative efforts across the system. You’ll find information on compliance plans and blitzes, key health and safety statistics, and the outcomes of enforcing the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The report also includes resources to help employers start and maintain their health and safety journey.
We are pleased to share the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development’s 2018-2019 Health and Safety Annual Report. Occupational Health and Safety in Ontario (April 2018 – March 2019)
MOLTSD upcoming inspection blitzes
Ministry of Labour, Training, and Skills Development inspectors are responsible for enforcing the OHSA and its regulations at workplaces across the province. As part of the Safe At Work Ontario strategy, the ministry decides on the focus of safety blitzes using a risk-based process. This process takes into account:
injury, illness, and fatality rates
compliance history
the nature of the work (for example, hazards that come with the job)
current events
the vulnerability of the workers
strategic priorities
advice from stakeholders and the field
The focuses can be on specific sectors, hazards, issues or topics.
Inspectors are not limited to inspecting only the topics identified in this plan; they can apply the OHSA and its regulations to the situation they find at each workplace they inspect.
Inspectors’ findings may influence how often individual workplaces will be inspected in the future. Inspectors may also refer employers to health and safety associations for assistance and training.
Be prepared for the personal protective equipment inspection sector blitz
Learn what you can do to prepare for an upcoming Ontario Ministry of Labour construction health and safety inspection blitz. Happening from January 6 to March 13, 2020, this blitz will focus on the lack and misuse of personal protective equipment such as foot, eye, hearing, and respiratory protection devices.
IHSA and the Ministry of Labour are co-hosting a one-hour webinar for workplaces in the construction sector. The webinar takes place January 16 from 1:30 to 3 pm. Registration is limited to the first 200 registrants.
This blitz is taking place in the construction sector.
Phase 1: Compliance support with Infrastructure Health and Safety Association
Dates: January 6 – March 13, 2020
Phase 2: Phase 2: Inspection blitz – Dates: February 3 – March 13, 2020
Please click here to read about these and for more info.
Trade / Sector LMHSC Activity Update
Here is a look at some of the important initiatives that were addressed by IHSA’s trade and sector Labour-Management Health and Safety Committees in 2019.
Access Equipment Working Group
The Access Equipment working group has been working to enhance general information on system scaffolds in order to assist the scaffold industry to meet the requirement of Section 130.
Acoustical Drywall LMHSC
The Acoustical and Drywall committee are currently working on a best practice guideline on the use of narrow frame (Baker’s). The committee recently conducted a survey study to investigate scaffold incidents at the worksite. 33 people responded to the scaffold incident survey and the committee received some helpful data.
Boilermakers Trade LMHSC
The Boilermaker Trade committee has been working on the development of trade specific mental health strategies. This includes mental health safety talks and training modules for supervisors and apprentices.
Carpenters Trade LMHSC
The Carpenters Trade committee has been conducting a study on the economic and health and safety benefits of providing a scaffold around building structures for all trades working at heights. The committee has also finished a safety talk about Safety at Home and this product is now available on IHSA website.
Civil Engineering Trade LMHSC
The Civil Engineering committee completed a review of all coroners reports with the members. The members generated comments and are developing a needs analysis.
CLAC Sector LMHSC
The CLAC Sector committee continues to publish a regular safety newsletter that is distributed via electronic format. At the October meeting the committee invited speaker Shelley Wall from WSIB to speak about the new Health and Safety Excellence program.
Concrete Flooring Sector LMHSC
The Concrete Floor committee contributed to the Canadian Standard Association (CSA) code changes relating to the new requirements for concrete slump workability. The concrete floor members also developed the Concrete Floor Health and Safety Manual, wrote a guide to the emergency preparedness when working at night, and developed a manual on a testing strategy for carbon monoxide.
Commercial Diving Trade LMHSC
The Commercial Diving Trade committee is still considering the impact of supporting the CSA Z Z275.2-15 Standard which requires use of a four-person dive team. The committee has invited guests from various types of diving operations to give their perspective on the impact of this change. The committee is now looking to assist the scientific diving trade in their efforts to receive appropriate consideration of their trade in the regulations.
Demolition Trade LMHSC
In 2019 the Demolition Trade committee reached out to the CSA regarding respirator smoke testing and the effects that has on workers. They completed a safety advisory on skid steers – specifically on how to avoid struck by injuries during their use which will be available on IHSA’s website by December 2019. The committee finished its work with EACO on standardizing designated substance reports and continued supporting the CLRC working group updating the entire demolition sections of the Regulations. As well the committee won the Gil Samson Award at the IHSA Annual General Meeting for work achieved in 2018.
ECAO / IBEW LMHSC
The ECAO/IBEW committee is working toward revamping its APEP training for apprentices with IHSA and development of an Entry Level for Construction program with IHSA. IHSA has recently introduced the new entry level program. In October the committee received a presentation on the human factor.
Elevator/Escalator LMHSC
The Elevator/Escalator committee has been discussing access to deep pits. The members have also worked on an Elevator/Escalator advisory on asbestos exposure in their trade which has been finalized and is currently with communications.
Highrise Forming Sector LMHSC
The Highrise Forming Sector committee finished the development of a five day training module on the design and inspection of formwork. The purpose of this training is to increase the knowledge and the competency of workers on formwork inspection. The committee also finished developing the Formwork Health and Safety Manual which is scheduled for final printing in 2020.
Insulators Trade LMHSC
In 2019 the Insulators Trade committee worked on a newsletter for their industry regarding respiration, hand protection and hearing to educate on PPE that is prominently used in their industry. The members are also considering options for supervisor training.
Ironworker /Rodworker Trade LMHSC
The Ironworker / Rodworker Trade committee has been monitoring the CLRC proposal for revision to section 133 is presently with the MOL. A Working group revising chapter 38 – Ironwork of M029 has completed their work on a draft. The members are working on receiving a presentation from 3-M in regard to fall protection – including the mobile drop test. The committee is looking into potential hazards related to a relatively new product called fiberglass re-bar that has potential health concerns for handling and are considering the development of an Advisory.
Low-Rise Residential Sector LMHSC
The Residential Sector LMHSC received some good news this fall with the approval of the Regulatory amendment in respect of the installation of temporary stairs. This committee initiated this change several years ago and put in considerable effort to see it through. The members have also been relentless in their request for injury data broken out by type of residential construction and are beginning to see some improvements in this regard. The members are in the process of updated the IHSA Homebuilding Manual and have provided valuable input in the effort to make this item available in electronic format utilizing the best available information from IHSA on the topic.
The residential members have also agreed to re-convene the MOL Roofing Risk assessment from 2015 which was never fully completed. This is expected to get underway early in 2020.
Masonry and Allied Trades LMHSC
After completing a poster on the Hierarchy of Control Measures, the Masonry and Allied Trades LMHSC has been very busy in 2019. At present the committee is working on a Mast Climber Best Practices document and have invited an industry supplier to their next meeting to discuss this further. The members have been working with McMaster University on a study regarding the handling of oversize masonry units to develop a safety talk on the topic.
Millwrights Trade LMHSC
The Millwrights Trade LMHSC have updated the Welding pamphlet (B012) with credits to the Canadian Welding Association for some of the pictures used. The members are now discussing how new workers should receive orientation safety training in their industry
Operating Engineers /Hoisting Trade LMHSC
The Operating Engineers / Hoisting Trade LMHSC have been following several areas of interest this year which included the following:
– Pursuing the option for standardized rigging qualifications.
– Completed an Advisory regarding lifting eye bolts on tower crane motors.
– Would like to see 0-8 ton training programs followed up with testing under the MTCU.
– Watching and discussing the utilization of telehandlers as cranes.
– Discussing safety issues around how de-rating of cranes is achieved.
– Working with IHSA on forming a working group to revise the IHSA Rigging Manual (R001).
– Members are participating in a diesel exhaust study with Cancer Care Ontario
Painters Trade LMHSC
In 2019 the Painters Trade LMHSC started work on a Committee and Stakeholder Survey to help identify goals for the committee moving forward into 2020 and 2021.
Pipe Trades LMHSC
Earlier this year the Pipe Trades LMHSC completed a Pipe Trades document which addresses asbestos and other products encountered on the job site. The committee have been monitoring information related to a need for identification markings on insulation.
Refrigeration / Air Conditioning Trade LMHSC
The Refrigeration / Air Conditioning Trade LMHSC continue to work on a draft version of their Refrigeration manual which has been revised by IHSA communications and awaiting final review by the committee. The members are looking into having a presentation from ESA about their risk-based oversite.
Roofers Trade LMHSC
The Roofers Trade LMHSC recently updated and published the Low-Slope Roofers manual(M070), Health and Safety advisory on powered trolley hoists (W457), the Safety Talk low-slope roofing – Hot asphalt.
The committee is also drafting two publication: Hot-Work Hazards and Controls (BR004) and Propane Safety for Low-Slope Roofers brochure.
Sheet Metal Trade LMHSC
The Sheet Metal Trade LMHSC members have been looking at ways to increase value from their meetings.
Sprinkler Fitter Trade LMHSC
The Sprinkler Fitter Trade LMHSC has been watching Elevating work platform CLRC recommendations now before the MOL that this committee initiated and helped effect change to the CSA 2017 Code. The members are also working on specific lock out guidance for their industry. The committee has completed work on a MSD Hazard profile that is presently with IHSA communications
Surface Mining and Aggregates Working Group
The Surface Mining and Aggregates Working Group continues to work on the development of a “Safe Methods for Machine Guarding” document. The committee recently complete an update of “Safe Work Practices for the Aggregates Industry which has been re-published. At their November meeting the members invited Vikki Tougas from MLTSD (formerly MTCU) to discuss some related issues the members were having with her department, and they proposed several recommendations.
Tunneling Sector LMHSC
After completing a review of the Tunneling Regulations over the past few years, the Tunneling Sector committee have submitted their recommendations on proposed changes which were forwarded to the CLRC in June and have recently completed a 90-day netowork review on December 3. The working group will re-convene once more to respond to comments from the Network before a final submission to the CLRC in March. Once the outcome of the regulatory review is complete the members are planning to develop a Tunneling Best Practices Guideline and Tunnel Rescue Awareness documents.