System focus: preventing occupational illnesses

Preventing occupational illnesses^{footnote 22[22]} — both acute and longer latency — is a key pillar of the Prevention Works strategy. An evidence-informed, multi-faceted and system-wide approach can reduce the prevalence of occupational illnesses among Ontario’s workers. This is why, in 2022-2023, system partners continued conducting and sharing research. They updated occupational disease-related legislation. They also launched several tools to help reduce exposures to occupational illness-causing agents.

Cross-program compliance initiative: Healthy Workers in Healthy Workplaces — Occupational Disease

From October 3, 2022 to December 30, 2022, the ministry conducted a health and safety initiative that focused on:

• asbestos in construction sectors
• crystalline silica in industrial sectors
• occupational dermatitis in health care sectors
• a combination of diesel exhaust, exposure to designated substances and ventilation systems in mining sectors

Phase 1 focused on compliance support and awareness in partnership with health and safety associations to provide training and education to employers. Phase 2 involved focused inspections to check that employers were complying with the OHSA and its regulations.

Program summary as of November 17, 2023

• 1,478 field visits
• 867 workplaces visited
• 200 support activities
• 2,191 orders and requirements, including 148 stop-work orders

Respirators in the Workplace presentation

The Ontario Monument Builders Association (OMBA) and Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS) partnered on developing and presenting this Safety Connection Session exclusively for the OMBA. The session was based on the ministry’s silica exposure initiative. It covered Ontario-specific regulatory requirements related to respirator use in the workplace and explored the actions employers and workers can take to effectively use respirators. Specific topics included:

• conducting hazard assessments
• respirator selection, use and care
• training
• fit testing
• program evaluation

The presentation also featured how WSPS can help these organizations.

Diesel Exhaust Lung Cancer Relative Risk Calculator

This project was designed to support the United Steelworker’s Diesel Particulate Project. The calculator was created by the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW) in response to the growing evidence pointing to the risk to human health from diesel engine exhaust (DEE) exposure.

Using the calculator, workers are able to determine their risk of developing lung cancer from inhaling DEE. With this knowledge, they can take preventive measures like choosing cleaner methods, diverting or reducing the substance at the source, or using personal protective equipment. The tool was highlighted as part of the OCC-TOBER 2022 Webinar Series: Diesel Exhaust Exposure — Influencing Change.

Occupational Exposures Limits (OEL) Adjustment Tool

This tool was created in partnership with OHS system partners and the Occupational Illness Prevention Steering Committee. The Committee launched the OEL Adjustment tool which calculates exposure limits for unusual or extended work shifts. This method considers toxicological information as well as exposure and recovery times.

See Appendix C for additional information related to preventing occupational illnesses in 2022-2023.