Healthy and safe Ontario workplaces: measuring progress

Assist the most vulnerable workers

Some workers are more vulnerable than others to injuries, illnesses and fatalities. A vulnerable worker may be a newcomer to Ontario, a temporary worker, a young person new to work or someone re-entering the workforce after many years. Factors that can make workers vulnerable in the workplace include limited language ability, informal arrangements in the “underground economy”, and precarious work. Vulnerable workers have a greater exposure to occupational hazards and limited ability to mitigate these hazards due to job and workplace factors. They may not be aware of their rights and responsibilities, have access to adequate occupational health and safety policies and procedures or feel disempowered to participate in injury prevention.

Young workers (those aged 15-24) and new workers (any age but on a job for less than six months) are a special concern. Workers who are new to a job are three times more likely to be injured during the first month on the job than more experienced workers.^{footnote 30[30]} With changes taking place in the population, in the economy, in technology and in business models, it is essential to protect new and young workers. The future of work and work arrangements are changing. Ontario will always be accepting newcomers to its workforce.

To be able to target enforcement activities and prevention programs to employers in sectors with the greatest number of vulnerable workers, the system partners must make better use of evidence and available tools. The system also continually explores new approaches to reach vulnerable workers and provide them with appropriate information and supports.

Strategic goals

• What factors are making workers vulnerable and how can they be reached with support?
• Strengthen programs, services and enforcement for vulnerable workers.
• Ensure more vulnerable workers know their occupational health and safety rights and responsibilities.
• Achieve better occupational health and safety outcomes in industries with high proportions of vulnerable workers.

Performance data: Young workers in 2016

• Young workers (those aged 15 – 24) had 20,450 lost-time injury claims in 2016 (1 per cent increase since 2015); 7,294 lost-time injury claims (12.6 per cent increase since 2015). ^{footnote 31[31]}
• Young workers accounted for 12.7 per cent of all allowed lost-time injury claims from Schedule 1 and 2 employers.^{footnote 32[32]}
• In 2016, among young workers, there were 4 traumatic fatalities (by year of death); no occupational disease fatality claims (by year of entitlement).^{footnote 33[33]}

Activities

Focus: Protect young workers

New and young workers enforcement blitz

(Action, Understanding)

From July 18 to September 2, 2016, ministry inspectors conducted 1,144 visits to 905 workplaces and issued 3,113 orders under the OHSA and its regulations, with a focus on new and young workers. Results included 44 stop-work orders. Workplace violence and harassment accounted for 14.5 per cent (451 orders) of the orders issued.^{footnote 34[34]} The blitz found that workplaces in the retail, restaurant, tourism, hospitality and recreational services sectors had the most orders of any sectors visited: 1,860 orders or 60 per cent of total orders. The blitz results indicate that new and young workers continue to be exposed to hazards. The ministry will continue to focus on the protection of new and young workers at workplaces across Ontario.

Reaching young Indigenous workers to build skills and safety knowledge

(Action, Awareness)

IHSA partnered with Gezhtoojig Employment and Training to offer the Line Crew Ground Support program, which is based out of Cambrian College. By the end of 2016, this program has prepared approximately 75 young Indigenous workers for careers in the powerline and construction industries. About 80 per cent of the graduates are working in the field, and many have progressed into powerline apprenticeships with their employers. Students learn essential skills such as high-voltage safety, and knowing “limits of approach.”

Engaging students early with safety knowledge

(Awareness)

The Ministry of Labour’s It’s Your Job student video contest helps high school students learn and talk about safety on the job. Students submit original, two-minute videos about the importance of working safely on the job. The videos are shared on social media. The most recent contest saw 295 young people taking part and submitting 145 videos from across the province. Funded by the Ministry of Labour and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, the winning entry was “Speak Out”. “Sometimes, it requires us to do things out of our comfort zone in order to bring awareness to those around us”, said Nicole Nseir, co-producer. “Harassment is not an easy subject to tackle. But, we have decided to make it the center of our video to bring awareness and be a source of help to those who may suffer from this matter. We do not always realize that ‘there is always help around!’"

Leveraging the skills of young people to reach new audiences

(Action, Awareness)

The PSHSA launched the OHS for Young Workers Student Challenge. The competition invites Ontario’s post-secondary students to submit creative solutions, resources or services that could improve health and safety training. The 2016 winner is currently developing her idea as an intern at PSHSA – a gaming application that has the potential to be integrated into health and safety training programs.^{footnote 35[35]}

Reaching out to young workers through their family, friends and teachers

(Awareness)

Bring Safety Home is an internet platform launched in June 2016 to target the parents, friends, relatives and support networks of young workers who are new to the workforce. The website received 20,000 page views and 3,500 unique visits. The ministry’s Live Safe! Work Smart! teacher newsletter and website provides health and safety resources for Ontario teachers. The Live Safe! Work Smart! website was visited 30,296 times in 2016-17.

Partnering to promote safety and skilled trades

(Understanding, Awareness)

The system partners support Skills Ontario, a not-for-profit organization that promotes skilled trades and technologies with a strong focus on working safely. In 2016, the WSIB was a Platinum Sponsor of Skills Ontario, and held a contest that involved students posting pictures to their own Instagram accounts on the theme of safe work and using the #PracticeSafeWork hashtag. IHSA was a Premier Sponsor of the Skills Ontario technological skills competition, which give students the opportunity to demonstrate skills they have learned as part of their training.

Focus: Reaching newcomers and migrant workers

Preparing for work in Ontario

(Awareness)

In collaboration with the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration and the Ministry of International Trade, MOL provides live webinars through Global Experience Ontario, an information centre for internationally trained professionals.

Working with federal and consular partners to reach temporary workers

(Understanding, Awareness)

The ministry works with partners, such as Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, and the WSIB to share information on workers’ rights and responsibilities with liaison officers from the consulates of Jamaica, Mexico, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados and representatives from the Eastern Caribbean. This builds on the ministry’s collaborative outreach activity with health and safety partners to promote awareness and empowerment for farm and agricultural workers since 2013.

Proactive inspections in farming

(Action, Target)

The Ministry of Labour conducted proactive inspections over the 2017 farming season, focusing on operations with temporary foreign workers. Ministry of Labour inspectors worked to ensure compliance with the OHSA. On some visits, to help facilitate awareness and understanding, inspectors were accompanied by consular officials from the country of origin of many of the workers.

Engaging newcomers and migrant workers in knowing their workplace rights and responsibilities

(Understanding, Awareness, Target)

In addition to providing important services and resources to Ontario migrant farm workers and their employers, OHCOW’s Migrant Farmer Program also identifies opportunities to work with other vulnerable worker communities. For example, OHCOW developed a partnership with Immigrant Services Guelph-Wellington, a settlement organization that supports newly-arrived Syrian refugees. In a workshop attended by 45 Syrian refugees, participants received an introduction to the Occupational Health and Safety Act and learned about workplace rights and responsibilities, as well as what to expect from Ontario employers and supervisors.

Support improvements in small businesses

Small businesses – those with fewer than 50 workers – face unique challenges in developing effective workplace health and safety practices. It is a challenge that must be addressed. Small businesses employed about 29 per cent of Ontario workers ^{footnote 40[40]} but they accounted for 62 per cent of all fatalities in 2016. ^{footnote 41[41]}

A commitment to health, safety and fairness also makes good business sense.^{footnote 42[42]} Yet, some businesses lack the resources, knowledge or willingness to meet occupational health and safety requirements. Clear, accessible, low-cost resources, programs and services for small businesses will make a meaningful difference in reducing workplace injuries and fatalities. System partners are collaborating on various initiatives to engage and support small businesses in building their own culture of workplace safety. At the same time, the full force of enforcement is used to ensure unwilling workplaces comply with the law.

Strategic goals

• Identify the unique workplace health and safety needs of small businesses.
• Improve programs and services to meet the distinct needs of small businesses.
• Ensure small businesses know about occupational health and safety requirements and how to access resources.
• Make the business case for occupational health and safety.

Performance data

• Small businesses employed about 29 per cent of Ontario workers ^{footnote 43[43]} but they accounted for 62 per cent of all fatalities in 2016. From 2007 to 2016, small businesses accounted for 63 per cent of all traumatic fatalities. ^{footnote 44[44]}
• Among Schedule 1 small business employers, the number of lost-time injury claims was 13,610 in 2016. This number has decreased at an average annual rate of 3 percent since 2007.^{footnote 45[45]}
• Workplace Safety North, Infrastructure Health and Safety Association, Workplace Safety and Prevention Services, Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers and Public Services Health and Safety Association collectively engaged over 10,100 small businesses in their programs and services – down by 15 per cent from the previous year.^{footnote 46[46]}
• In 2016, the WSIB provided a total of $948,573 in rebates to small businesses that made occupational health and safety improvements in their workplaces.
• 687 businesses successfully completed the WSIB's Small Business Building Your Health and Safety Program.

Activities

Engaging small business owners in the community

(Understand, Innovate)

The IHSA set up a booth at 15 Home Depot locations during the summer of 2016 to educate small businesses about their health and safety obligations and the resources that are available to them. They connected with 671 individuals in the general contracting, carpentry, drywall, electric, and landscaping industries. IHSA also ran radio campaigns aimed at small businesses. The campaign was supplemented by a new web page and campaigns on Kijiji to drive traffic to online occupational health and safety resources for small businesses.

Reaching out to small businesses

(Understand, Enable)

During the Small Business Outreach project in the summer of 2016, Ministry of Labour summer students visited 6,168 workplaces. They distributed 4,461 kits containing ministry posters and information to help employers comply with health and safety legislation. During the visits, small business owners and managers completed 3,683 surveys, which assessed their familiarity with three key issues: awareness training, workplace harassment requirements and dealing with ergonomics in the workplace. Results will help in improved communications on OHS to small businesses.

Awarding excellence in safety

(Advocate)

The WSIB introduced a new recognition program called the Small Business Health and Safety Leadership Awards. Small businesses registered with the WSIB are invited to self-nominate to win a financial award based on their leadership and commitment in health and safety.

Mobile Workwell evaluations

(Innovate, Enable)

The WSIB’s Workwell Evaluation tool helps business assess their health and safety management system including return-to-work practices and procedures. Workwell’s on-site collaborative model encourages companies to make necessary improvements to their Health and Safety Management System including Return to Work programs, which can significantly improve prevention of injuries, illnesses and fatalities. Now, they are developing a mobile version of the evaluation that will be available to all employers, not just those engaged in the Workwell program. This will allow any business to be self-sufficient in evaluating their health and safety management systems and their return to work programs.

Training health and safety representatives

(Enable)

The OHSA requires workplaces with 6-19 workers to have a health and safety representative (HSR). However, there are no specific training requirements for HSRs. In December 2016, the Ministry of Labour established a Working Group in collaboration with the HSAs and WSIB to develop and implement HSR training guidelines and programs. These supports will roll out in 2017-18 to enable the training of health and safety representatives in small businesses.

Address the highest hazards

Some types of work have a greater frequency or severity of work-related injuries, illnesses or fatalities. These are known as high-hazard activities. The ministry and its partners work together to identify the leading causes of injuries, illnesses and fatalities in Ontario. These leading causes, or high hazards, then become the focus of system-wide planning and action. The system uses training, research and regulatory efforts to address hazards that are becoming more prevalent in certain sectors, or in activities across sectors.

Strategic goals

• Leverage evidence. Improve the use of data, information and research to identify activities with the greatest risks.
• Elevate performance. Develop additional rigorous training standards for specific high hazard work.
• Target high needs. Co-ordinate and focus resources on high-risk hazards, conditions of work with the highest rates of injury, illness and/or fatalities.

Performance data

• In 2016, there were 208 individuals who died from a work-related injury or illness in Ontario: 72 traumatic fatalities^{footnote 47[47]}, 136 occupational disease fatalities ^{footnote 48[48]}.
• From 2007 to 2016, 65 per cent of 2,422 total fatalities were related to occupational disease^{footnote 49[49]} and 35 per cent were traumatic fatalities.^{footnote 50[50]}
• From 2007 to 2016, the following industry sectors and events accounted for the highest traumatic fatality percentages (Schedule 1):
  • Industry Sectors: Construction (29 per cent), Transportation (24 per cent), Services (12 per cent).
  • Events: Motor Vehicle Incidents (36 per cent), Falls (18 per cent), Struck By/Caught in Objects (13 per cent).^{footnote 51[51]}
• From 2007 to 2016, the following industry sectors and disease types accounted for the highest occupational disease fatality percentages (Schedule 1):
  • Industry Sectors: Construction (29 per cent), Manufacturing (20 per cent), Primary Metals (12 per cent).
  • Diseases: Mesothelioma (34 per cent), Lung Cancer (29 per cent).^{footnote 52[52]}

Activities

Focus: Ontario’s construction health and safety action plan

On May 11, 2017, Ontario released the Construction Health and Safety Action Plan (CHSAP). The plan contains 16 recommendations to create a more knowledgeable, skilled sector and to increase the sector’s compliance with occupational health and safety laws. Initiatives and recommendations identified in the action plan have already been acted upon.

OHS information at worker’s and employer’s fingertips

(Elevate performance, Leverage evidence)

The Infrastructure Health and Safety Association and the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety developed a web tool and mobile application that provides plain-language summaries, in both official languages, on 50 key topics related to OHS regulation for construction projects. This resource will help small and medium-sized construction employers and workers understand legislative and regulatory requirements.

Blitzes at construction sites across Ontario

(Target high needs)

Three blitzes were conducted in 2016-17, which aimed at falls, mobile cranes and material hoisting, and electrical hazards. During these blitzes, ministry inspectors conducted 4,165 field visits. Detailed results are available in the Ministry of Labour report, Occupational Health and Safety Enforcement April 2016 – March 2017.

Suspended access equipment

(Target high needs, Elevate performance)

In 2016-17, several important regulatory amendments from the action plan were implemented. For example, amendments to Ontario Regulation 213/91 (Construction Projects), strengthen and clarify requirements in using suspended access equipment, including:

• Notifying the ministry prior to putting suspended access equipment into service for the first time at a project;
• Roof plans and site-specific work plans;
• Training for workers who may use or inspect suspended access equipment;
• Enhanced design, operational, technical and engineering requirements; and
• Strengthened and enhanced inspection, testing and maintenance.

To support the implementation of these changes, the IHSA launched a new suspended access equipment training program. It focuses on those who use suspended work platform systems or powered boatswain’s chairs after they have been set up and installed by others. The ministry also produced a technical guideline for suspended access equipment on construction projects.

Focus: Improving health and safety in the mining sector

Ontario’s mining sector is a vital part of the province’s economy. It creates many direct and indirect jobs. Underground mining has a range of unique health and safety hazards. Operations are becoming increasingly dependent on technology, which presents new challenges. While Ontario’s mining sector is one of the safest in the world, there is always room for improvement.^{footnote 54[54]}

Mining sector blitzes

(Target high needs)

In 2016-17, Ontario conducted three mining sector blitzes aimed at reducing fall hazards, promoting safe material tramming in mines and safe work processes at mine plants. During these blitzes, ministry inspectors conducted 170 field visits. Detailed results are available in the Ministry of Labour report, Occupational Health and Safety Enforcement April 2016 – March 2017.

New requirements under Regulation 854

(Leverage evidence, Elevate performance)

As of January 1, 2017, new requirements are helping to protect the health and safety of workers in mines and mining plants. Amendments to Regulation 854 include new requirements to identify, assess and manage the risks of workplace hazards. A written water management program is also now required, as well as a written traffic management program. There are also enhanced requirements regarding recording of seismic events.

Inviting the world’s best rescue teams to learn from each other

(Elevate performance, Leverage evidence)

Workplace Safety North and Ontario Mine Rescue hosted 27 mine rescue teams representing 13 nations for the 10^th International Mines Rescue Competition in Sudbury. Since 1999, the competition has enabled nations to share best practices and learn from each other.

Workplace Safety North and Ontario Mine Rescue also collaborated with Northern Centre for Advanced Technology Inc. (NORCAT) to create ‘Ferdeno’, the world’s first computer simulation tool for underground mine rescue training. It allows users to experience what it’s like to be a virtual mine rescue responder and could be marketed more broadly to video game players to promote play-based learning as a tool for raising awareness of workplace safety. ^{footnote 55[55]}

New database for exposure to potentially hazardous substances

(Leverage evidence)

The Occupational Cancer Research Centre created an Ontario mining exposure data base. It contains 120,000 measurements of potentially hazardous substances in Ontario mines. The database will help examine past trends in mining exposures and evaluate the impact of historical interventions on exposure levels.

Focus: Prevent occupational disease

Overexposure to hazardous substances can cause occupational disease. Deaths from occupational disease have outpaced traumatic workplace fatalities over the past ten years. For example, in 2016, there were 136 allowed occupational disease fatalities compared to 72 traumatic fatalities.^{footnote 56[56]} That is why it is a priority of the Ministry of Labour to treat occupational diseases with the same seriousness and importance as physical injuries, to target hazardous workplace exposures and to make a difference.

Occupational Disease Action Plan is building momentum

(Leverage evidence, Target high needs, Elevate performance)

Implementation of Ontario’s first Occupational Disease Action Plan began in 2017. The effort was chaired by OHCOW and the MOL Prevention Office and involved highly committed health and safety system and healthcare partners.

To recognize International Noise Awareness Day in April, IHSA, the ministry and other system partners coordinated communications to raise awareness of the hazard of noise. Noise-induced hearing loss is the most common occupational disease suffered by workers in Ontario. Products included a video, social media campaign, network communications and an increasing web-presence to reach as many workers and employers as possible.

OHCOW’s annual symposium on Occupational Health & Disease Prevention – “Occ-tober” focused on the action plan. Priorities in the plan, such as noise and diesel were integrated into other system conferences around the province, for example, the WSN’s Mining Health and Safety Conference & WSPS’s Partners in Prevention.

As part of implementing the action plan, new resources on the hazards and prevention of diesel exhaust were developed for the mining sector by the Occupational Cancer Research Centre and WSN. Resources on diesel exhaust in other sectors are being developed as well.

To further the goals of the plan, MOL is now seeking partnership with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to support the inclusion of occupation data in medical records.

Occupational disease response team

(Strategic goals: Leverage evidence, Target high needs, Elevate performance)

In 2017, the ministry identified an opportunity to strengthen the response to occupational disease issues by improving the coordination of system resources through an “Occupational Disease Response Team”. This new occupational disease response team will examine and respond to all aspects of occupational disease from initial reports, to enforcement, to helping workers file WSIB claims.

Occupational exposure limit updates

(Leverage evidence)

Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs), set out in Regulation 833, help prevent occupational diseases by restricting the amount and duration of a worker’s exposure to such hazardous chemical substances as asbestos, benzene and lead. The Ministry of Labour’s process for regularly updating Ontario’s OELs has been in place since 2004. This regular review process ensures that OELs are continually reviewed and updated.

Regulation 833 has applied to various workplaces, such as mines and industrial projects, for many years. However, construction projects were exempt from the requirements of this regulation. As of July 1, 2016, this regulation was extended to apply to workers on construction projects. This is an important development to strengthen the protections for construction workers against hazardous exposures in their workplace.

New MOL noise guideline

(Elevate performance, Target high needs)

Regulation 381 (Noise Regulation) requires employers that fall under Ontario’s OHSA to take all measures reasonably necessary to protect workers from exposure to hazardous noise levels. MOL released a new guide to the Noise Regulation in December 2016. This guide provides information and assistance to Ontario’s constructors, employers and other workplace parties in complying with the requirements in the regulation.

Workplace hazardous materials information system

(Elevate performance)

The Globally Harmonized System Classification and Labelling of Chemicals ensures that the labels, safety data sheets, and classifications used for hazardous products can be recognized and understood across borders. As of July 1, 2016, amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and Reg. 860 (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) now incorporate these international standards for workplace chemicals in Ontario.

Focus: Improve safety for workers at heights

Working at heights training

(Elevate performance)

The Occupational Health and Safety Awareness and Training Regulation (O. Reg. 297/13) requires employers to ensure that workers on construction projects who use specified methods of fall protection successfully complete a Working At Heights training program. The program must be approved by the Chief Prevention Officer (CPO) and must be delivered by a training provider approved by the CPO. Between April 1, 2016 and March 31, 2017, approved training providers offered 21,420 classes, up 86 per cent from the previous fiscal year. In this period, 197,550 workers received the training, an increase of 86 per cent from the previous year. As of March 31, 2017, 303,576 learners have been trained.

Radio advertising to drive training

(Elevate performance, Target high needs)

In February 2017, IHSA launched an advertising campaign to drive the message that construction workers who use travel-restraint or fall-arrest systems are required to complete a Working at Heights training program. The campaign centred on radio spots that aired on regional stations across the province. During that period, there was an increase of 335 per cent in visits to the Working at Heights training registration page ─ 15,116 page views compared to 3,477 for the same period in the previous year. From the launch of the Working at Heights standard to April 2017, IHSA and its associate training partners delivered IHSA’s Working at Heights training to over 107,000 workers.

Enforcement in workplaces

(Target high needs)

From May 16 to July 15, 2016, MOL inspectors visited construction, industrial and mining workplaces across Ontario where workers could be at risk of falls. They targeted workplaces known to have a high frequency of injuries involving falls, where complaints have been received, where previous incidents have occurred and where there was a history of non-compliance. During this period, ministry inspectors conducted a total of 3,961 field visits to 3,343 workplaces. Inspectors issued a total of 10,321 orders under the OHSA and its regulations, including 653 stop work orders.

Commitment from partners

(Elevate performance)

The Workers Health and Safety Centre helped workers receive improved access to potentially life-saving Working at Heights training. As such, they also honoured their commitment of worker job security by delivering training to any worker who needed it. Since the new regulation came into force, the centre has trained 79,042 workers in their ministry-approved program.

Integrate service delivery and system-wide planning

When Ontario workers and employers need information and services to improve workplace health and safety, it should be easy to find, regardless of which system partner they first contact. Integrated service delivery is about ensuring that all workplaces receive accessible, affordable, consistent programs and services that meet their needs. System partners work together to make it easier for everyone to access the system and understand legislative and regulatory requirements - with a variety of tools and approaches such as awareness, education, compliance and enforcement. More collaboration among system partners means information and resources reach more people, which ultimately results in Ontarians returning home from work safe and healthy.

Strategic goals

• Improve client experience and access to services.
• Clarify roles of system partners and the services they provide.
• Strengthen system partners’ capacity to track their performance and be accountable.
• Increase integrated planning among all system partners.

Activities

Collaborating and crowdsourcing on noise exposure

(Effectiveness, Integration, Access)

Developing and implementing the Occupational Disease Action Plan relies on internal and external collaboration. For example, technical and communications experts from across the system worked together on “Avoid Noise”, a coordinated campaign to raise awareness of noise-induced hearing loss and other disorders that can have a devastating impact on the health and well-being of those affected.

In a related effort, to gather realistic exposure information, OHCOW developed a new noise level crowd-sourcing application. This tool rates noise measurement phone apps, then encourages users to upload their levels to document real worker experience. This allows users, and the system, to compare their results with other workplaces, taking collaboration to a whole new scale that also engages workers and other users of the app.

Online hearing tests to reduce impact of noise-induced hearing loss

(Access)

To encourage awareness and help reduce the impact of noise-induced hearing loss, WSIB launched a campaign aimed at males aged 20-40 in January 2017. It reached almost 36.5 million impressions between January 16 and February 28, 2017. This included close to 9 million video views, 300,000 website views and 7,000 online hearing tests.

Strengthening the system’s capacity to track its performance

(Efficiency, Effectiveness)

WSIB has developed a new tool, the Health and Safety Index, to measure yearly change in Ontario’s overall workplace health and safety. It will be updated annually and help the system to identify areas in need of focus. The methodology behind the index was released in spring 2017, coinciding with North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) week. The first set of results for the index will be released during NAOSH week in May 2018.

Sharing, listening and learning to improve training and safety

(Access, Integration)

The Workers Health & Safety Centre hosted a conference in June 2016 to discuss the continuing need for high-quality training through a focus on adult education principles. Attended by some 100 WHSC-qualified instructors and worker advocates, conference participants identified the challenges and solutions for achieving this important goal.

WHSC also maintained their extensive catalogue of training programs. This included revising programs that meet growing demand from worker representatives and clients for equipment operator training that helps workers meet competency requirements under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Moreover, using a variety of media channels, WHSC informed worker representatives and clients of emerging research, changes to health and safety laws and essential resources.

Build collaborative partnerships

Ontario’s economy, population and workplaces are changing. This means the occupational health and safety system must continually seek new partnerships to understand challenges, reach more workers and employers and keep pace with the reality of workplaces. The associations and networks that workers and employers engage with can be valuable partners for the OHS system. In 2016-17, the system built and expanded new and stronger partnerships that can help reach a wider audience and promote system resources as well as to solicit feedback and advice. Partnering with other ministries also helped in sharing intelligence and enhancing enforcement efforts.

Strategic goals

• Use existing and new partnerships to reach a wider audience and promote system resources.
• Partner with other ministries and levels of government to share intelligence and enhance enforcement efforts.
• Increase engagement with partners within and outside the system.

Activities

Distracted driving pavilion

(Reach, Expand)

Workplace Safety and Prevention Services worked with the Ministry of Transportation and the Ontario Provincial Police to create a Distracted Driving Pavilion at the Partners in Prevention trade show. The interactive 400-foot driving course demonstrates how easily drivers can become distracted by focusing on things other than the road. Additional stakeholders involved in the pavilion included the Worker Road Safety Reference Group, Ontario Provincial Police, Canadian Pro Drivers, CAA South Central, Teens Learn to Drive and arrive alive Drive Sober.^{footnote 57[57]}

High hazard training for fire services

(Share)

PSHSA teamed up with the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs and the Fire Service Regional Training Centers to improve access to training, centralize services and revise high-hazard curriculum for the fire service in Ontario. Regionalized fire health and safety training uses existing fire department training sites across Ontario to provide accurate, consistent, certification-based training for high-hazard rescue operations in a safe, localized environment. ^{footnote 58[58]}

Curriculum resource guides for K-12

(Reach, Share)

The Ministry of Labour partnered with the Ministry of Education to publish resource guides, called Health and Safety: Scope and Sequence of Expectations. Released in April 2017, the resource guides are designed to help primary and secondary school teachers bring health and safety education into their classrooms by identifying learning expectations in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8, and Grades 9 to 12 curriculums The guides aim to support teachers in developing knowledge and skills related to health and safety (injury prevention and health protection), safe behaviours and safe practices.

Regional partnerships to increase the impact of enforcement

(Reach, Expand)

The regional offices of the Ministry of Labour regularly collaborate with system partners and stakeholders to increase the impact of enforcement activities. For example, the ministry partnered with Marble Institute of America and the WSPS for a year-long initiative targeting marble and granite shops. For the Landscapers and Snow Removal Services Initiative, the ministry partnered with Landscape Ontario and Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, which contacted their stakeholders and arranged training sessions. The ministry also prepared for the Finishing Trades initiative by working with the Interior Systems Contractors Association of Ontario to organize a tour of their training facility for ministry inspectors prior to the initiative.

National Day of Mourning

(Reach)

Every year on April 28 on the National Day of Mourning, Ontarians pay respects and remember the thousands of workers who have been killed, injured or suffered illness as a result of work-related incidents, and honour the families and friends who have been deeply affected by these tragedies. WHSC help promote the Day of Mourning events through communications in newspapers, brochures, fact sheets, armbands, speakers’ notes, e-bulletins and through online social media posts. Thanks to the fundraising and organizing efforts of WHSC and community members across the province, worker memorials continue to be erected in Ontario communities.

Promote a culture of occupational health and safety

Workplace health and safety can affect any Ontarian, either directly or by impacting someone they care about. At the same time, every Ontarian can play a role in preventing workplace injury and health impacts. An occupational health and safety culture is one where workers, employers, family members, mentors and OHS system partners share values, beliefs and attitudes.

Strong internal responsibility systems (IRS) are essential to this effort. They ensure all workplace parties, regardless of their role, know their occupational health and safety rights and responsibilities.

Compliance with statutory duties is essential to establishing a strong IRS in the workplace. The IRS means that everyone in the workplace has a role to play in keeping workplaces safe and healthy. For example, workers in the workplace who see a health and safety problem, such as a hazard or contravention of the OHSA in the workplace, have a statutory duty to report the situation to the employer or a supervisor. Employers and supervisors are, in turn, required to address those situations and acquaint workers with any of the hazards in their work.^{footnote 59[59]}

Stronger societal support for workplace health and safety plays a key role to prevent workplace injuries, illness and fatalities – with many different voices advocating for improvement and many different players acting to make positive change happen.

Strategic goals

• Understand society’s attitudes, beliefs and behaviours related to occupational health and safety and how they have changed over time.
• Nurture health and safety leaders and champions in the community and workplaces.
• Ensure health and safety programs foster a culture of openness and inclusiveness – rather than blame and reprisals – in the reporting of hazards.
• Foster social awareness of the importance of occupational health and safety and the Internal Responsibility System.

Performance data

In 2016-17:

• Health and safety associations responded to 78,003 requests for information by phone or email – 8.9 per cent decrease from 2015–16.^{footnote 60[60]}
• The Ministry of Labour’s Contact Centre received 97,740 public inquiries from April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017.^{footnote 61[61]}
• The Office of the Worker Adviser received 1,145 new service requests related to occupational health and safety reprisals. As a result of these requests:
  • 891 workers received summary advice, information or referrals
  • 230 workers received in-depth consultations with a licensed lawyer or paralegal
  • 64 reprisal complaints that went to the Ontario Labour Relations Board were resolved and 59 of the 64 workers received monetary compensation or other benefits from employers.^{footnote 62[62]}
• The Office of the Employer Adviser undertook under OHSA section 50:
  • 20 general informational calls
  • 22 case-specific enquiries
  • 27 representations, with 20 representations either settled or withdrawn

Activities

Correlation between perception and incidence

(Insight, Attitudes)

In response to recommendations in the Mining Health, Safety and Prevention Review, Workplace Safety North launched a pilot project for the Climate Assessment and Audit Tool (CAAT). The pilot speaks to the IRS and best practices used to identify and control workplace hazards. As a predictive tool, CAAT measures both safety culture and system to provide a full picture of organizational health and safety. Since its introduction in 2015, more than 2,000 people from six Ontario mining worksites have participated in a two-year pilot project at Workplace Safety North. Data collected was analyzed by the Institute for Work and Health (IWH), which found a strong correlation between the perception survey scores (regarding company safety culture), and incidence of work-related injury and illness.

Engaging executives

(Insight, Advocacy)

Strong leaders recognize that solid health and safety performance drives business results. They promote a culture of safety in their organizations, and integrate prevention measures into business strategies, processes and performance measures. The CEO Health + Safety Leadership Network was established through the efforts of WSPS in 2014. The group has developed white papers offering insight into topics such as job mindfulness, workplace mental health and integrating health and safety into the board agenda.

A clear message: Stop Think Act

(Advocacy)

WSPS is piloting a simple, easy-to-remember outreach message that has enormous potential to prevent injuries: Stop Think Act. It is a behaviour-based safety program that encourages people to carefully consider tasks they are performing and ask themselves how their own actions could contribute to a safe and productive outcome. WSPS rural volunteers are being trained as Stop Think Act ambassadors. In the first six months, the Stop Think Act message has been shared with almost 4,000 farmers, and plans are in place to reach another 5,000 in 2017.

Helping hospitals evaluate joint health and safety committees

(Insight, Attitudes)

Researchers at the Centre for Research Expertise in Occupational Disease developed the Joint Health and Safety Committee Assessment Tool. It is used to evaluate the effectiveness of joint health and safety committees in hospitals. The tool was then tested in the education sector and modifications were made to accommodate multi-site committees. An enhanced, electronic version of the tool is now available in English and French. In addition to Ontario, health care authorities in British Columbia have recently begun using the tool.