Health and wellness supports
Outbreaks and communicable diseases
In Ontario, healthcare professionals are legally obligated to report specific communicable diseases to their local Medical Officer of Health. Some diseases require immediate notification. This reporting requirement is outlined in the Health Protection and Promotion Act and Ontario Regulation 135/18.
The public health system depends upon these reports of communicable diseases to monitor the health of the community and provide the basis for preventive action.
The OHSA requires employers to notify the MLITSD if any worker contracts an occupational illness. An occupational illness is defined as a condition that results from exposure in a workplace to a physical, chemical or biological agent to the extent that the normal physiological mechanisms are affected, and the health of the worker is impaired. Occupational illnesses may include:
- noise-induced hearing loss
- dermatitis caused by workplace exposures
- heat illness requiring medical intervention
Learn more about occupational illness reporting.
Immunization
Vaccines prevent diseases and serious illness, save lives and reduce health care costs. Seasonal flu and COVID vaccines are available for free from:
- doctors
- nurse practitioners
- participating pharmacies
- some public health units
Watch this video to learn more about vaccines.
Learn more about vaccine preventable diseases resources and find your local public health unit.
Sick leave
Under the ESA, most employees who have been employed for 2 consecutive weeks have the right to take up to 3 days of unpaid job-protected leave each calendar year due to a personal illness, injury or medical emergency. This is known as sick leave.
Mental health
Mental health is just as important as physical health.
The farming community faces unique circumstances that can impact mental health. Many sources of stress may affect producers, many of which are outside of their control, including:
- social isolation
- heavy workloads
- animal disease
- adverse weather
- fluctuating markets and pricing
- financial and business concerns
- changing government regulations
The mental health resources for farmers page has information to help farmers, farm workers and their families better understand what resources are available to help reduce stress, anxiety and improve their overall well-being.
If you have an immediate health emergency, call 911.
Farmer Wellness Initiative
The Farmer Wellness Initiative offers free, unlimited mental health counselling support.
Call toll-free at
ConnexOntario
ConnexOntario helps people find mental health, addiction and problem gambling services closest to your region.
Service is offered through telephone, text, chat and e-mail in over 170 languages. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Health811
Through Health811, people can find health care services or talk to a registered nurse for non-emergency health questions.
Call
Suicide Crisis Line
The Suicide Crisis Line helps people dealing with thoughts of suicide, or those worried about someone else. A trained responder will listen, provide support and can provide resources.
Call or text
Community health centres
Community health centres (CHCs) are not-for-profit community-governed organizations that focus on improving the health and wellbeing of people who traditionally faced barriers accessing health services.
CHCs provide comprehensive primary health care and other services that address the social determinants of health with an emphasis on priority populations who:
- face barriers to accessing services because of geographic isolation or cultural or language barriers
- have a higher burden or risk of ill health due to socioeconomic status, age, social isolation, mental health issues, gender, sexual identity/orientation or other factors
Learn more about how Community Health Centres are making health care more accessible across Ontario.
Mobile health clinics
Mobile health clinics (MHCs) are a growing model of primary care in the province, offered by certain CHCs across the province.
MHCs reduce the health equity gap by providing accessible healthcare to vulnerable populations in convenient locations within communities. They offer a wide range of services including:
- prevention
- primary care
- harm reduction
- mental health services
Cleaning and disinfecting
While employers must always maintain clean worksites, this obligation is even more important when it comes to reducing the spread of infectious diseases. For more information, visit CCOHS’ Routine Practices webpage.
The following points describe some of the best practices to support clean worksites.
Hand hygiene
- Provide workers and visitors with access to handwashing stations and have alcohol-based hand rub (60–90% alcohol) available at multiple, prominent locations in the workplace, including entrances and exits.
- When hands are visibly dirty, they should be washed with soap and water, and dried using single use paper towels.
- Encourage hand cleaning by washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand rub, especially before breaks and at shift changes.
- If gloves are being used, wash hands before putting on gloves. Place gloves in the garbage (that is, non-touch, lined waste receptacles, which should be placed throughout the workplace) after removing them, then clean hands.
- Ensure adequate hand hygiene supplies are maintained.
Surface hygiene
- In addition to routine cleaning, clean and disinfect surfaces or areas that have frequent contact with hands (high-touch surfaces) regularly and when visibly dirty.
- Examples of high-touch surfaces include door handles, counters, cabinet doors, elevator buttons, light switches, faucets, toilet handles, handrails, touch screen surfaces and keypads.
- Only use disinfectants with a Drug Identification Number (DIN) issued by Health Canada that confirms they are approved for use in Canada. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and check the expiry date of products.
- Maintain a cleaning log to track the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting schedules within the workplace and in housing provided for workers.
- Disinfect shared equipment where sharing of equipment cannot be avoided.
- Post hygiene instructions in English, French and other languages used in the workplace, and include pictures/infographics where possible so everyone can clearly understand how to do their part.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
PPE is equipment and clothing worn by a worker to minimize exposure to hazards in the workplace. Examples of PPE include gloves, masks and eye protection.
You should determine whether PPE needs to be part of your hazard control plan. The need for PPE should be based on a risk assessment that includes the effectiveness of other controls and complies with requirements in the OHSA. For additional support when determining PPE needs, connect with a health and safety association.
It is important that masks worn as PPE are:
- appropriate for that purpose
- safe and do not introduce other hazards
There may be conditions in which consistent and appropriate mask use is challenging (for example, very hot or humid conditions).
If the required PPE includes the use of respirators to protect workers from inhaling harmful particles and gases, the employer must have a robust respiratory protection program which includes information and instruction for workers about the selection, use, care and limitations of the respirator and fit-testing so that any worker required to wear a respirator has one that is properly fitted.
For more information on respirator programs, refer to CCOHS’: Respirator Selection webpage.
Ensure that workers, volunteers and contractors who are using PPE are trained on their proper use and how to safely put them on and take them off.