NEWS

IHSA Safety Talk: Working around bird and bat droppings

Winter often means workers are cleaning or renovating in places where bats or birds hang out such as garages, warehouses, and older buildings. When working around areas contaminated with bird and bat droppings, workers can be exposed to fungi that can cause serious infections called Histoplasmosis or Cryptococcosis. Read IHSA's Safety Talk on Working around bird and bat droppings.

Prevention awareness products from the Ministry of Labour

The Ontario Ministry of Labour has released new prevention products for employees and employers. The Worker Health and Safety Awareness in 4 Steps explains rights and responsibilities on the job and what is required under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. 

The Employer Guide to Worker Health and Safety Awareness in 4 Steps provides employers with an introduction to the employee book and its training program.

Earlier this year the Ministry released the now mandatory Prevention Starts Here poster. Under the Act, employers are required to display this poster in the workplace. 

All of these products are now available at the Ministry of Labour website.

IHSA Industry events in February

In the next couple of months, IHSA delegates will attend several events hosted by industry associations and partners.

From February 5-7, the Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance will host the 10th Annual Damage Prevention Symposium in Niagara Falls. For details on speakers and the agenda, please visit their website.

IHSA CEO Al Beattie will be featured in a panel discussion along with other health and safety leaders during the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering Education Conference on February 12 at the Centre for Health and Safety Innovation in Mississauga. As well, IHSA's Paul Casey and Aecon's Mike Archambault, VP of Safety and Insurance, will discuss IHSA's Certificate of Recognition (COR™) program and its benefits to the construction industry. To learn more about this event or to register, please visit the CSSE website.

From February 12-14, IHSA will be one of the sponsors of the 11th Annual First Nations Northern Housing Conference in Thunder Bay. This popular event will feature an array of sponsors and a tradeshow. Visit the website to learn more about the conference.

Bill 119: Mandatory coverage in construction

On January 1, Bill 119—Mandatory Coverage in Construction—came into effect. Now independent operators, sole proprietors, some partners in a partnership, and some executive officers who work in construction must be registered with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). Learn more about this in our recent article, Doing business under Bill 119.

Slips, trips, and falls the focus of MOL's next safety blitz

The Ministry of Labour will focus on falls and related hazards in February and March. Inspectors will be looking at ladder safety issues as well as fall protection hazards.

Falls continue to be a major cause of injury and death in Ontario and amongst IHSA member firms. IHSA has a Fall Prevention and Working at Heights topic page at the ihsa.ca website with a list of training, products, and other resources that can be useful in reducing fall-related hazards on the jobsite.