Health, Safety and the Environment
May 1, 2012
ODRT (Occupational Disability Response Team) Instructors
How do I qualify to be an Instructor for the ODRT?
For you to become an ODRT Instructor you must complete the 10 day ODRT training, which is held over a two week period.
The following are the requirements.
- You must have completed Level I, II and III.
- Level I – Rights and Obligations
- Level II – Benefits and Representation
- Level III – Appeals and Dispute Resolution
- When Instructor training is scheduled by the ODRT. The ODRT will advise the PSAC.
- We (PSAC) will canvas our eligible members for their interest.
- A selection process will be done.
- Names of all interested qualified candidates go to the REVP and the Regional Coordinator for final approval.
Note: Certification is done by the ODRT and not the PSAC.
ODRT Link http://www.odrt.ca/
May 1, 2012
WHSC (Workers Health and Safety Center) Instructors
How do I qualify to be an Instructor for the WHSC?
If you are interested in becoming an Instructor for the WHSC you will have to complete the WHSC two week in-house training. You will be certified in accordance to the Centers qualifications.
The following are the eligibility requirements for the Instructor training
- You must successfully complete the Level 1 Occupational Health and Safety Training – 30 hour.
- When Instructor training is scheduled by the WHSC. The WHSC will advise the PSAC.
- We (PSAC) will canvas our eligible members for their interest.
- A selection process will be done.
- Names of all interested qualified candidates go to the REVP and the Regional Coordinator for final approval.
WHSC Link http://www.whsc.on.ca/
April 25, 2012
Day of Mourning – April 28
In 1992, 26 workers died in the Nova Scotia Westray mine disaster, where an underground methane explosion occurred. This disaster gave rise to the Westray bill, which amended the Criminal Code of Canada, holding employers criminally liable who failed to protect the safety of their workers. Since the Westray bill came into effect 9 years ago, only two provinces have laid charges under the criminal code.
However, between 1993 to 2010, there have been 16,143 workers killed while on the job in Canada; one of the highest rates of workplace deaths in the industrialized world. These deaths were not only tragic, but were avoidable.
April 28th, is a day to remember all the workers who have been injured or killed at work. It is important that Canadians send a strong message to their political representatives that workplace deaths and injuries are inexcusable. It is time employers see the consequences of their neglect of workplace safety.
Join your local District Labour Council to show your solidarity and to honour those who have lost their lives or who have been injured on the job: Ontario 2012 Day of Mourning Ceremonies
Government legislation must be coupled with enforcement to ensure the prevention of workplace deaths, illnesses and injuries. Workers should not have to fear for their safety while at work.
In Solidarity,
Sharon DeSousa
REVP Ontario
Public Service Alliance of Canada
(416) 485-3558 ext 231
Fax No. (416) 485-8607
Email: desouss@psac.com
Feb. 24, 2012
Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW)
The Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW, is staffed by a multi-disciplinary team of doctor, nurses, hygienists, ergonomists, researchers, and client service coordinators, each OHCOW clinic provides comprehensive occupational health services and information five areas:
>> An inquiry service to answer work-related health and safety questions
>> Medical diagnostic services for workers who may have work-related health problems
>> Group service for workplace health and safety committees and groups of workers
>> Outreach and education to increase awareness of health and safety issues, and promote prevention strategies.
A research services to investigate and report on illnesses and injuries.
Jan. 4, 2012
2012 Ontario Health & Safety Conference
The 2012 Ontario Health & Safety Conference will be held on April 14 & 15, 2012 at the Marriott Courtyard Hotel in Toronto.
This year’s Health and Safety Conference theme is Mental Health in the Workplace.
Stress, anxiety and depression are rising within our workplaces due to increased job insecurity, ever-increasing workload demands and precarious working conditions.
The 2012 Health and Safety Conference will provide Health and Safety activists the tools to identify and manage dealing with workplace stress and mental health concerns in the workplace.
Please see the Health and Safety Conference: Call Out Letter, Registration Form and Travel & Expense Policy.
In Solidarity,
Sharon DeSousa
REVP Ontario
Public Service Alliance of Canada
(416) 485-3558 ext 231
Fax No. (416) 485-8607
Email: desouss@psac.com
October 7, 2011
World Mental Health Day - October 10
World Mental Health Day was created to raise awareness of issues concerning mental health and diminish the social stigma surrounding the subject of mental illness. This year’s World Mental Health Day theme is “The Great Push: Investing in Mental Health”.
The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) has stated that this year alone, more than seven million Canadians will experience a mental illness. Without continued investment in public health services we will continue to see tragedies like the suicide last March of 18 year old Jack Windeler, a first-year student at Queen’s University.
This years’ theme focuses on the need to increase investment in public health and community services, which are vital to Canadians who are coping with mental illness.
On Mental Health Day, the PSAC is calling on all levels of government to address the growing mental health crisis in Canada. To address this gap, the PSAC has developed a series of new tools to assist employers and workers navigate around mental health issues in the workplace.
“Let’s speak to our family, friends, coworkers and politicians about the importance of public services and the role they play in so many Canadians lives and fight back against government cuts”.
In Solidarity,
Sharon DeSousa
REVP Ontario
Public Service Alliance of Canada
(416) 485-3558 ext 231
Fax No. (416) 485-8607
Email: desouss@psac.com
April 23, 2010
Health & Safety - April 28, 2010 - National Day of Mourning
April 28, 2010 will mark the 26th anniversary of the National Day of Mourning for workers killed and injured on the job.
In 1984, and the Canadian Labour Congress officially declared April 28 an annual day of remembrance. In December 1990, this day became a national observance with the passing of the Workers Mourning Day Act. This date now officially marks the National Day of Mourning for persons killed or injured in the workplace.
Over the past 26 years we have actually seen an increase of the deaths and fatalities of workplace injuries. The lowest fatality rate was in 1985 when 213 people died as a result of workplace accidents, the highest amount reported was in 2007 when 415 people died as a result of workplace accidents. Any workplace death or injury is preventable, better enforcement of existing legislation, will help to save workers lives.
Work-related accidents are very expensive. It is estimated that compensation paid to work accident victims or their families is estimated at more than $12 billion. These figures do not take into account the pain and suffering of the victims and their families, which are incalculable.
The Labour movement has continued to keep the issues of safety for workers at the forefront of workers rights, employers, federal government and provincial governments have not been as committed to health and safety.
The PSAC Regional offices will be receiving posters to mark the day of mourning, please contact your regional office if you would like some. Supplies will be limited.
November 30, 2009
PSAC National Health & Safety Conference
Over 40 Ontario members from a variety of components and locals attended the three day national Health and Safety Conference in Montreal.The conference dealt with a number of important issues facing our members such as the Enforcement of Health and Safety Legislation, Environmental and Think Public issues, andHarassment.Members also debated and passed a number of resolutions, some of which will go on to the PSAC Triennial Convention.
| Angela Fairweather Regional Health & Safety Representative Ontario |
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Sept. 1, 2009
Ontario Regional Health & Safety Conference 2009 Report
Click here for the report (Word)
March 17, 2009
Call Out for the Ontario Regional Health & Safety Conference 2009
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Ontario Regional Health & Safety Conference |
Dear Sisters and Brothers:
We are pleased to invite you to participate in the 2009 Ontario Health & Safety Conference being held June 6 & 7 at the Marriott Courtyard Hotel, 475 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON, M4Y 1X7, 1-800-847-5075.
The workshops being offered at the conference are:
1. Heat and Cold Stress
2. Violence in the Workplace
3. Myth of the Careless Worker
The Conference will also include an opening plenary where there will be speakers on various Health and Safety topics.
Delegates will be selected according to Regional representation; priority will be given to members from Joint Health and Safety Committees and/or Health and Safety Representatives.
The Conference is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. sharp on Saturday, June 6, 2009 and will close at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 7, 2009. Delegates are expected to travel home at the completion of the conference.
The Registration fee for the Conference is $75.00 per person attending. The Registration fee is non-refundable once you have been accepted as a participant to the conference.
- The conference budget will allow for up to 60 delegates.
- Delegates’ expenses include travel, (by the least expensive mode of travel), meals, parking and accommodations will be covered. Any leave without pay — will be subject to approval.
- For further information regarding expenses, please see the attached, 2009 Ontario Regional Health and Safety Conference Expense Policy.
- The Marriott Courtyard Hotel is a smoke free Hotel.
- Delegates are encouraged to ask their employer for Leave with Pay to attend the conference.
Deadline for Conference Registration is April 20th 2009 at 4:30 p.m.
Please Note: This is a SCENT FREE Conference
In Solidarity,
Gerry Halabecki
Regional Executive Vice-President, Ontario
Public Service Alliance of Canada
October 24, 2008
Action Alert: Take Charge on Toxics
Take Charge on Toxics is a campaign comprised of a broad coalition of respected health, environment and labour organizations aimed at ensuring Ontario's Toxic Use Reduction legislation reduces Ontarians risk of developing cancer by effectively addressing toxic chemicals where people live, work and play.
Take Action:
We need your help to ensure the Ontarian's health is protected from toxic chemical being used and released. Please take a few minutes to go to this link:
http://www.advocacyonline.net/eactivist/srv/render?rUGLuX&view=CA,en,1081,15561,-1,n,n,n
This will allow you to easily and quickly send a message to your MPP, with copies going to the Premier and relevant Ministers.
Background:
Due to its industrial structure and weak regulatory regime, Ontario is one of the leading emitters of toxics in North America. In the 2007 provincial election, the Liberal Party promised to "create a tough new toxic reduction law that requires companies that emit toxic pollution to reduce their emissions over time." On August 27, 2008, the Ministry of the Environment released a discussion paper, Creating Ontario's Toxics Reduction Strategy.
The discussion paper represents some good intent and steps in the right direction, but needs to go much further. Among other things, it proposes new accounting, reduction planning and reporting requirements on toxic use and release. However, it does not:
set targets for reductions in use or release
introduce a regime of substitution of safer alternatives
provide a clear mechanism for funding and provision of technical assistance in toxics reduction
specify strong compliance remedies
The Ontario government needs to know that we support strong, comprehensive toxic use reduction legislation yet stronger than what is proposed in the discussion paper.
Creating Ontario's Toxics Reduction Strategy discussion paper is available at:
http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/env_reg/er/documents/2008/010-4374.pdf
Thank you for your time.
June 4, 2008
Workers Health & Safety Centre Occupational Training
Members participated in a 5-day WHSC training course on May 28 - June 1, 2008 in Toronto. Members participated fully and were energized by the interactive discussions and activities. See pics and participants below...
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Jan. 21, 2008
Dear Community Right to Know Supporters,
Your voice is urgently needed now!
We are two steps away from becoming the first city in Canada to pass a
Community Right to Know Bylaw which will be instrumental in reducing our
exposure to toxic chemicals.
Toronto Public Health (TPH) has just released a consultation document on the
draft bylaw and they want your feedback. TPH is asking residents to answer 3
questions on the proposed program.
Consultation Document: http://www.toronto.ca/health/hphe/enviro_info.htm
It is crucial that we show our elected officials that the residents of
Toronto strongly want this bylaw. Please take the time to send your comments
to the City.
If you are tight for time, please see below for attached PDF for a draft
list of potential answers that you can reference.
If you are really tight for time, sending an email to
publichealth@toronto.ca with a quick line stating your strong support for
the bylaw will go a very long way.
Comments on this proposal must be received by February 6th, 2008.
Please send your responses/comments to publichealth@toronto.ca.
The Community Right to Know bylaw aims to lower our exposure to harmful
chemicals in Toronto's environment by encouraging local businesses to track
them and find ways to reduce their use and release. The bylaw will:
- focus on 25 key contaminants that are in Toronto's air at levels that may
pose a health risk; - track chemicals from small and medium-sized facilities, which are not
included in other reporting programs; - encourage local businesses to find ways to reduce chemicals and begin
environmental programs; and - give Toronto residents more information about chemical use and releases in their communities.
Toronto Public Health will finalize the draft bylaw by Spring 2008, and we
expect it go to councilin early Summer 2008.
For more information about the Community Right to Know campaign please visit www.secrecyistoxic.ca.
Thank you for your time and support!
Health, Safety and Environment Events
Health and Safety Committee of PSAC Ontario Council
Sample Terms of Reference for Joint H&S Committees
The Three R’s!
PSAC Health & Safety Publications
PSAC H&S Publications (PSAC National Webpage)
PSAC Health & Safety Tool Kit
Links
Links to Labour Sponsored Resources
Links to Community and Workplace Environmental Issue Organizations
Calendar of Health Promotion Days - 2007
http://www.whsc.on.ca/pubs/enews_main.cfm
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