The IHSA Safety Podcast is a free podcast from the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association that seeks to improve the lives of workers in Ontario — one thought-provoking discussion at a time.
We engage with professionals and industry influencers to help them implement and improve health and safety solutions for workers and the workplace. Each episode explores best practices, resources, and training to control and eliminate safety hazards in work environments involving high-risk activities in the industries that IHSA serves: construction, transportation, and electric utilities.
Episode 66: Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems: The Plan, Do, Check, Act (PDCA) Model
The Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) model is a fundamental framework for developing and implementing an effective Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS). This approach allows organizations to continuously improve their safety performance, encourages employee engagement, and can be applied consistently across a variety of management systems.
On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Maren Gamble, Manager of Strategic Programs at IHSA, compares the planning phase of building an OHSMS to planning a boat ride to your favourite restaurant across the lake: in both cases, careful planning ensures that everyone involved stays safe and has fun.
Building an OHSMS can certainly be complex — the PDCA model can help firms focus on the basics and create a solid foundation, so that their plan can be applied universally across each of their jobsites.
The PDCA is also a critical component of COR® and a requirement of participants in the WSIB’s Health and Safety Excellence program (HSEp).
Free resources:
Article in IHSA magazine – Volume 22 Issue 1: Plan, Do, Check, Act by Maren Gamble
Episode 65: Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems: COR® 2020 and ISO 45001:2018
Implementing an occupational health and safety management system in an organization is crucial for both employees and employers, as it helps to address and control hazards in a safe and consistent manner. Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development recognizes two systems: COR® 2020 and ISO 45001:2018. On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Carson Powell and Cameron Mitchell from AudEng International discuss the value of, and differences between, both systems. Both Carson and Cameron are certified occupational health and safety management system auditors for both COR® 2020 and ISO 45001:2018.
Carson and Cameron emphasize the importance of having a functional health and safety management system, as well as understanding which system may be better suited for an organization. They also provide valuable information on topics such as:
- The differences between an accredited ISO audit and an unaccredited audit
- Reasons why an Ontario employer might pick COR® 2020 over ISO 45001:2018
- The need for an organization to have staff or consultants with high-level understanding of occupational health and safety
Free resources:
Episode 64 - School Bus Safety and Passenger Management
As back-to-school season approaches, school bus operators and drivers must be ready and equipped to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for their passengers. On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Doug Heintz, Vice President of High Risk Activity Training and Operations at IHSA, shares valuable tips on school bus safety and passenger management.
Doug, who worked in the bus business for 14 years, shares his experiences as a former school bus driver and the strategies used by school bus drivers, including understanding the Highway Traffic Act and Ministry of Transportation requirements. Doug also emphasizes the importance of understanding the seven Cs of student management: create, control, clarity, consistency, collaboration, consequences, and communication. These strategies will help ensure the safety and well-being of 50 to 60 children on school buses.
Free resources:
Episode 63 - Noise Exposure in the Workplace
Noise exposure is a significant hazard in the construction, transportation, and utility sectors. When workers are exposed to noise for too long or at excessive levels, this can cause irreversible damage, resulting in hearing loss. This is known as Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL).
In this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Jasmine Kalsi discusses the importance of raising awareness about the potential risks associated with noise in the workplace. Backhoes, chainsaws, and compressors are examples of equipment that could produce a loud amount of noise and cause damage to hearing, especially when used over a long period of time. Jasmine also highlights important details such as:
- The misuse of music listening devices (like earbuds) by workers, which are not rated for hearing protection and can be considered counterproductive
- The importance of establishing controls and evaluating their effectiveness to ensure the safety of workers’ hearing
- The resources IHSA offers for employers and workers, including a safety talk on hearing protection, a chapter in the Construction Health and Safety Manual, and various eLearning courses
Free Resources:
Episode 62 - Standards Council of Canada
Standards impact many aspects of our professional and private lives. In the province of Ontario, within occupational health and safety, we have begun leveraging training standards such as Working at Heights and Joint Health and Safety Committee training, as well as management system standards such as COR® and ISO 45001, to help establish a high level of consistency. In this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, we are joined by Elias Rafoul, Vice-President of Accreditation Services at the Standards Council of Canada.
The Standards Council of Canada, established more than 50 years ago, is a unique organization that oversees both standards and accreditation, ensuring that programs align with national values and promote inclusion and diversity. There are standards for everything, and Elias provides valuable information on topics such as:
- The Standards’ history
- How the Standards promotes Canadian innovators
- The benefits of having a workplace management system in a business
- The many accreditation programs the Standards provides
Free Resources:
Standards Council of Canada website
Standards Council of Canada LinkedIn page
Episode 61 - Returning to Work Safely After Injury
When a worker has suffered a work-related injury or illness, it can be challenging and overwhelming to think about returning to work. To encourage a successful return to work, it is essential for injured workers to receive proper support and guidance throughout their recovery process. In this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Sarah Knight, Manager of the Return-to-Work program at the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), talks in detail about WSIB’s Return-to-Work program. The program offers guidelines and procedures to follow when a worker requests accommodations following an injury or illness, and it is designed together with the employer and the person who is injured or ill to ensure an early and safe return to work.
Sarah further explains the responsibilities of both the employer and the worker, how WSIB helps in the return-to-work process, and what a typical successful return-to-work process would look like.
Free Resources:
Better at Work Principle – WSIB
WSIB Health and Safety Excellence Program
Mandatory WSIB coverage in Construction
Episode 60 - Heat Stress: Understanding the risks, symptoms, and controls
Summer in Ontario is typically hot and dry, which can cause heat stress for outdoor workers who work long hours. Heat stress is a seasonal hazard that can occur when the body’s core temperature rises, causing severe dehydration that can be harmful if left untreated.
In this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Jasmine Kalsi, IHSA’s Occupational Hygienist, discusses heat stress in detail. Jasmine explains the different types of heat stress disorders, actions to take when experiencing symptoms, tools that can be used to determine heat stress, such as Humidex and Wet Bulb Glove Temperature (WBGT), and controls workplaces can implement to protect workers. Jasmine also shares the free resources IHSA provides for heat stress, such as safety talks, manuals, bulletins, and advisories.
Free Resources:
Heat Stress can be hazardous. Learn how to safely work in the heat (ihsa.ca)
Humidex-based Heat Stress Calculator and Plan (Indoor Workers) – OHCOW
Episode 59: Life of a Claim
The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), one of the largest insurance organizations in North America, offers various supports and benefits to injured workers, including income replacement benefits, medical coverage, and assistance with returning to work or recovery. In this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Suzanne McClelland, Manager, Stakeholder Relations at WSIB, provides a step-by-step process for addressing and reporting workplace injuries, illnesses, and possible exposure. A key topic Suzanne discusses is the critical steps employers can take when an injury or exposure has occurred, which include:
- Providing first aid and keeping a record of treatment
- Transporting the injured worker or paying for their transportation to the hospital if they need further treatment
- Investigating the cause of injury or illness and keeping records of findings
- Planning preventive actions to take to minimize the risk of further workplace injuries
Free Resources:
Your Guide: Benefits, Services and Responsibilities – Claimant edition | WSIB
Reporting a Work-related injury
WSIB Health and Safety Excellence Program
Mandatory WSIB coverage in Construction
Episode 58: Understanding WSIB's services for Ontario workers
The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) is one of the largest insurance organizations in North America, covering over five million people in more than 300,000 workplaces in Ontario. WSIB provides wage-loss benefits, medical coverage, and other support to help people get back to work after a work-related injury or illness. In this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Derek Jackson from WSIB discusses WSIB’s services in great detail, covering topics such as:
- How a business can determine if it needs WSIB insurance
- What benefits small businesses receive
- What responsibilities businesses must meet once registered
- How WSIB decides how much a business pays in premiums
- How clearance certificates work
Free Resources:
Mandatory WSIB coverage in Construction
Episode 57: Falls from Heights and Ministry Enforcement
There’s a reason why thousands of Ontarians take working at heights training each year. In the industries IHSA serves—but especially the residential construction sector—many common tasks put workers at risk of falling from heights. That’s why the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development (MLITSD) is conducting a year-long education and enforcement campaign to help improve compliance when it comes to protecting workers from falls.
Cindy Abbey, a provincial specialist with the Ministry’s Construction Health and Safety Program, joins this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast to explain why falls awareness remains a Ministry focus, and what inspectors look for when they visit a workplace. IHSA’s Scott Laing also details the association’s many resources—available to employers, supervisors, and workers—that are designed to make everyone safer when working at heights.
Free resources:
Fall Prevention and Working at Heights topic page
Working at Heights quick-reference guide
Top 10 Causes of Workers Falling from Heights in Residential Construction
Episode 56: Struck-By Hazards and Ministry Enforcement
At a busy workplace, there’s always something being moved around—materials, mobile equipment, vehicles, you name it. But each of these puts workers at risk. Struck-by hazards account for nearly one-third of all lost-time injury claims in Ontario. They are also a significant cause of workplace fatalities.
This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast welcomes Guy Taillon, a provincial specialist with the Construction Health and Safety Program for the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development. He discusses the major causes of struck-by incidents in the industries that IHSA serves, why struck-bys are the focus of an ongoing Ministry education and enforcement campaign, and what businesses can expect if a Ministry inspector comes to their workplace. Because improving compliance and controlling struck-by hazards is everyone’s responsibility. IHSA’s Andrew Harnum also details the association’s many resources—available to employers, supervisors, and workers—that are designed to make everyone safer when working around vehicles and equipment.
Free resources:
Episode 55: Success Story--A Small Business’s Journey to Health and Safety Excellence
When it comes to investing in health and safety, most small businesses face challenges because they may not have the financial resources or expertise to implement effective safety measures. IHSA recognizes these challenges and provides free tools and resources to help small businesses protect their workers and meet their legal obligations under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act. We also highlight success stories about small businesses in Ontario that have been recognized for their efforts and focused on creating a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. Diamond Tree Care and Consulting is one of those success stories.
On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, host Ken Rayner speaks with Alana Cress from Diamond Tree Care and Consulting, who shares insights on how they leveraged help and assistance from various system partners to help enable them to achieve compliance with occupational health and safety legislation. Alana also shares valuable advice for other Ontario small business owners, such as seeking out all available resources and actively promoting a safe and healthy culture in the workplace.
Here are the links to IHSA free services:
Health and Safety Magazine (ihsa.ca)
Infrastructure Health & Safety Association (IHSA)| LinkedIn
IHSA Safety Podcast #54 – Remembering Bot Gutierrez: A Story of Workplace Tragedy
Disclaimer: This podcast discusses a sensitive topic that may be challenging for some listeners.
As we kiss our loved ones goodbye before they head off to work, we hope they return home in the same condition they left. Regrettably, this isn’t the case for some of us who have experienced the loss of a loved one due to a workplace injury. In this episode of IHSA Safety Podcast, we invite Eugene Gutierrez to share his story of the event that transpired on November 27th 2017, a day that profoundly impacted his family’s life with the tragic passing of his father in a workplace tragedy.
With the help of organizations like Threads for Life, Eugene has transformed his tragedy into a powerful advocacy for workplace safety. He shares his journey towards healing, the abundant support he received, and offers a special message to those who have loved ones facing similar circumstances. By sharing his experience, Eugene aims to raise awareness about the crucial need for workplace safety measures and encourages everyone to prioritize safety in their work spaces.
IHSA is committed to promoting health and safety in the workplace through our various program offerings, products, and plethora of resources.
Free Resources:
IHSA Safety Podcast #53 – Sharing the Road with Large Commercial Vehicles
Statistics show that large vehicle crashes account for 21% of fatalities, with occupants of the smaller vehicles more likely to suffer. Large commercial vehicles are not like cars—they require extra skill and training to drive. Their size and weight can inhibit the drivers’ ability to react quickly to unexpected moves by other road users, and drivers of smaller vehicles may feel intimidated and react inappropriately when they perceive a large vehicle approaching. This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses tips and advice for understanding large commercial vehicles and sharing the road with them. Here are a few tips shared:
- Large vehicles have large blind spots, so car drivers should avoid staying in their blind spots whenever possible.
- Large vehicles move slower and take longer to react, so give them plenty of time to respond to your signals.
- Do not tailgate large trucks; rather, keep a safe distance when following.
IHSA has a wide range of resources and tools that can be adopted to contribute to safer roads in Ontario. These resources include easy-to-use templates that are downloadable and reusable, Safety Talks, road safety toolkits, eLearning, and much more. Check them out at ihsa.ca/roadsafety.
Free Resources:
Road Safety Solutions: https://www.ihsa.ca/roadsafety
Sharing the Roads with Large Trucks: https://www.ihsa.ca/Road-Safety-Solutions/Tool-Kit-Resources/19-Sharing-The-Road-Safely-With-Large-Trucks.aspx
IHSA Safety Podcast #52 - Health and Safety Concerns in Truck Yards
Truck yard safety does not get as much attention as road safety, yet hazards in yards are just as significant. Anywhere trucks are on the move 24 hours a day, the risk is heightened and constant. This episode covers a number of important points related to truck yard hazards and safety measures:
- IHSA held a workshop where industry experts identified systemic weaknesses and areas of greatest concern for yard safety.
- Systemic weaknesses were identified in five areas: establishing yard safety protocols, identifying truck drivers, addressing training gaps, enforcing carriers, and promoting mental health and awareness.
- IHSA is committed to making a positive impact in these five areas by advocating for change, forming working committees, collaborating with other road safety partners, hiring a mental health and wellness specialist, and developing new resources to support the trucking industry.
Free Resources:
The Official MTO Truck Handbook
Truck Operations: Your Personal Safety
Episode 51: Health and Safety Resources for Small Business (Part 4)
Small businesses are an integral part of Ontario’s economy. They also make up the majority of IHSA member firms. 90% of our member firms have fewer than 20 FTEs (full-time equivalent employees).
IHSA recognizes the challenges faced by small businesses when it comes to investing in health and safety. We provide free tools and resources to help them protect their workers and meet their legal obligations under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act.
This is the fourth, in a series of podcasts, intended to help enable small businesses in Ontario achieve health and safety compliance.
Here are the links to the free services introduced today:
Episode 50: Health and Safety Resources for Small Business (Part 3)
Episode 49: Health and Safety Resources for Small Business (Part 2)
Small businesses are an integral part of Ontario’s economy. They also make up the majority of IHSA member firms. 90% of our member firms have fewer than 20 FTEs (full-time equivalent employees).
IHSA recognizes the challenges faced by small businesses when it comes to investing in health and safety. We provide free tools and resources to help them protect their workers and meet their legal obligations under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Here are the links to the free services introduced today:
Episode 48: Health and Safety Resources for Small Business (Part 1)
Small businesses are an integral part of Ontario’s economy. They also make up the majority of IHSA member firms. 90% of our member firms have fewer than 20 FTEs (full-time equivalent employees).
IHSA recognizes the challenges faced by small businesses when it comes to investing in health and safety. We provide free tools and resources to help them protect their workers and meet their legal obligations under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act.
This is the first, in a series of podcasts, intended to help enable small businesses in Ontario achieve compliance. Here are the links to the free services introduced today:
Ministry of Labour WSIB and IHSA webinar for construction small businesses
Episode 47: The Fleet Safety Council
The Fleet Safety Council (FSC) is an association of driver trainers and safety professionals working to promote safety within the transportation, transport, bus, and coach industries.
The Council encourages the improvement of driver behavior through increased awareness and training. Working with government agencies and private organizations, the Council strives for a uniform system of safety requirements for drivers in Ontario.
The Fleet Safety Council, and it 8 chapters (Cambridge, Durham, Ottawa, Hamilton/Niagara, Sudbury, Windsor, London, and Toronto) across Ontario, is open to all individuals concerned with promoting safety in the transportation industry. To learn more visit – https://fleetsafetycouncil.com or contact the Fleet Safety Council at 1-800-263-5024 Ext 6040 or admin@fleetsafetycouncil.com.
Episode 46: Winter Driving Relaunch
Whether you drive a commercial vehicle or a passenger vehicle, it’s always important to be fully aware of the hazardous road conditions created by winter weather. In this podcast, IHSA’s Ken Rayner and Michelle Roberts discuss winter driving tips and break them down into four basic principles: preparation, planning, patience, and practice.
You can find additional winter driving resources at IHSA.ca:
Planning, preparation, and patience: the keys to safe winter driving
Your guide to safe, efficient, equipment, hazards, techniques
Episode 45: Occupational Health
Everyone has the right to return home healthy at the end of each day. In the same way that we need protection from hazards such as falls, we need protection from work-related illnesses such as lung cancer. These illnesses can range from acute to fatal. In some cases, symptoms can be reduced or reversed. But too often they become something people have to live with for the rest of their lives. The most important thing to know is that they are all preventable.
1. Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards | NIOSH | CDC
Episode 44: Health and Safety Excellence Program
Host Ken Rayner and guest, Maren Gamble, IHSA’s Manager, Strategic Programs discuss WSIB’s “Health and Safety Excellence Program”, a performance-based rewards program. It integrates the strengths of the previous WSIB Small Business, Safety Groups, and Workwell programs into a new improved model.
This new Excellence Program is designed to provide businesses with a clear road map to improving their health and safety processes and systems.
Participants create safer workplaces and can earn both financial and non-financial rewards
Learn more at IHSA’s Health and Safety Excellence Program
General email inquiries – excellenceprogram@ihsa.ca
Episode 43: Understanding Opioids, and the Crisis in Canada (part two)
Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, including oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, and morphine. Opioid overdoses and deaths are a public health crisis affecting many working Canadians.
References:
Episode 42: Declining Mental Health and Suicide Risk
Everyone has mental health concerns from time to time. But what some may consider “normal”
challenges can develop into a mental illness if left unaddressed. A mental illness is a medically
diagnosed disorder that affects how a person thinks, behaves, and interacts with others. It can
have a prolonged, negative effect on quality of life.
- By age 40, about 50% of people will have—or will have had—a mental illness.
- Approximately 11 Canadians die by suicide each day—about 4,000 people annually.
Compare that to workplace-related fatalities, which are about three daily, or 1,017 per year
Resources mentioned during the podcast can be located below, and within IHSA’s Assessing Your Mental Health Safety Talk.
declining-mental-health-and-suicide-risk.pdf (ihsa.ca)
Episode 41: Assessing Your Mental Health
Mental health and physical health are similar concepts: they both refer to states of well-being. Mental health includes your thoughts and emotions, feelings of connection to others, and ability to manage life’s highs and lows. We all have mental health challenges, just as we all have physical health challenges, from time to time. It’s important to monitor your mental health and seek help and support if you are concerned.
Resources mentioned during the podcast can be located below, and within IHSA’s Assessing Your Mental Health Safety Talk.
Resources:
Episode 40: COR – Preparing for an external audit
Sam Pitaro, Lead COR™ Auditor, brings his experience with the external audit process to this episode as he outlines what to expect during the audit as well as how to achieve a smooth and successful experience. Sam and Stacey also talk about important timelines and administration associated with an external audit.
Episode 39: COR™ – Understanding Your Audit Results
Episode 38: Understanding Opioids, and the Crisis in Canada
The Occupational Health and Safety Act (Ontario) has been amended to require employers to provide naloxone kits and comply with related requirements if the employer becomes aware, or ought reasonably to be aware, that there may be a risk of a worker having an opioid overdose at a workplace where that worker performs work for the employer, or where the prescribed circumstances exist.
Resources:
Episode 37: Research Results for COR Certification in Ontario
UBC’s Dr. Chris McLeod describes the methodology he and his team utilized in conducting their research on how the Certificate of Recognition (COR™) program affected lost-time and high-impact injury rates in Ontario. In this discussion, IHSA’s Paul Casey also shares what prompted IHSA to engage with Dr. McLeod and the University of British Columbia.
Resources:
Episode 36: Mental Health (part four): Toxic Masculinity
Toxic masculinity is a cultural norm that involves pressures on men to behave in a certain way—often based on outdated and unrealistic stereotypes of “manliness.” This does not mean that men are toxic. However, the pressures we place on men to live up to masculine ideals have been shown to be harmful to both men and women.
According to some researchers, toxic masculinity has three core components*:
1. Toughness: The notion that men should be physically strong, behaviourally aggressive, and unemotional.
2. Antifeminity: The idea that men should reject anything considered to be feminine, such as showing emotion or accepting help.
3. Power: The assumption that men must work toward obtaining power and status (social and financial) to gain the respect of others.
Resources:
Episode 35: Mental Health (part three): Challenging Stigma and Reducing Mental Harm
Stigma is a set of negative beliefs and prejudices about a person or group of people. It is often based on myths and outdated social norms, and can lead to discrimination—unjust treatment and behaviours directed toward a person or group. Many people are stigmatized or discriminated against for more than one reason, including sexual orientation, gender, culture, or physical disability.
Experiencing stigma and/or discrimination can:
- Lead to mental health or substance-use problems—or make existing issues worse
- Cause people who already face discrimination (for any reason) to be even less able to find help or access services
Resources:
Episode 34: Mental Health (Part Two): Beginning the Dialogue in the Workplace
Working in the trades comes with certain risks. Every day on the job, ironworkers, powerline technicians, long-haul truckers, and all other tradespeople face hazards that can affect their health and safety. We have long understood the need to control physical hazards. Less, however, has been done about the mental health risks that workers face.
On average, workers in construction and related industries have a greater risk of experiencing mental health challenges. This is due to a number of job-related factors that IHSA’s Safety Talks explore in detail. Left unaddressed, mental health problems can lead to everything from poor job performance and absenteeism to substance abuse and suicide.
By learning more about mental health, assessing your own well-being, and leading by example, you can promote ongoing discussions that will benefit your workplace right now and in the years to come.
Resources:
Episode 33: Mental health (part one)
In the past, employers may have viewed mental health as a personal issue and not one to discuss with employees. But the topic should not be ignored at work. Employers and supervisors should find a way to connect with workers, as they can play an important role in identifying early signs and symptoms of mental health issues.
Starting a conversation about mental health is a simple way to begin building mental wellness into your workplace health and safety culture. But simple does not always mean easy. That’s why IHSA has released eight new safety talks to support recognizing and managing mental health in the workplace.
Resources:
o Resources for Mental Health in the Workplace | Think Mental Health
Episode 32: Threads of Life
Each worker and family member who has been affected by a workplace tragedy is a thread in the quilt of life. The Association for Workplace Tragedy Family Support, known as Threads of Life, is a Canadian registered charity dedicated to supporting families after a workplace fatality, life-altering injury or occupational disease. Their network of family members and corporate partners believes traumatic workplace injuries, occupational diseases and deaths are preventable.
Reference:
Threads of Life – Assoc for Workplace Tragedy Family Support
Episode 31: Motor Vehicle Incident, Mobile Equipment, Struck By – MLTSD Blitz Initiative
Episode 30: National Construction Safety Officer
The objective of the National Construction Safety Officer (NCSO™) Certificate is to combine practical construction experience with a range of health and safety training. A certified NCSO™ is a valuable resource for construction firms when implementing health and safety measures, recognizing, assessing, controlling, and evaluating hazards or working toward building a strong health and safety culture. They can oversee others and provide support and advice specific to the industry and work.
Episode 29: Road Safety in Northern Ontario
Driving in Northern Ontario presents a unique set of driving-related hazards and some not so obvious differences than driving in Southern Ontario and many road users don’t understand and or fail to consider the uniqueness and are unprepared for safe traveling.
Whether you drive a commercial motor vehicle or a passenger vehicle, it’s important to be aware of the driving hazards and unique road conditions in Northern Ontario.
Resources:
Road Safety Solutions: https://www.ihsa.ca/roadsafety
- Sharing the Roads with Large Trucks
Episode 28: Supervisors in a Federally Regulated Workplace (Part Two)
Our multi-part series on Supervisors continues with a discussion with Doug Heintz, Manager – Health & Safety Training.
Resources:
Episode 27: Supervisors in a Federally Regulated Workplace (Part One)
Our multi-part series on Supervisors kicks-off with a discussion with Federal Labour Program Ontario Regional Director, Bruce Christianson.
Resources:
ESDC OHS inspection video
- English: https://youtu.be/hqiEtg19lIc
- French: https://youtu.be/xwYqkBNvTDE
Episode 26: Supervisor Series "Training Requirements
Our multi-part series on Supervisors continues with a discussion on “Training Requirements” with Alex Hernandez, Health and Safety Consultant at Infrastructure Health & Safety Association
Resources:
Episode 25: Documentation and Communication: Duties of a Supervisor
Our multi-part series on Supervisors continues with a discussion on “Documentation and Communication” with Jennifer McKenzie, Manager, Regional Operations North & East at Infrastructure Health & Safety Association
Resources:
Episode 24: Supervisors: Duties of a Supervisor
Our multi-part series on Supervisors continues with a discussion on “Duties of a Supervisor” with Alain Leger, Manager Powerline Apprenticeship & Training.
Episode 23: Supervisors: Identifying and Addressing Hazards
Our multi-part series on Supervisors continues with a discussion on “Identifying and Addressing Hazards” with IHSA Health and Safety Consultant, Alana Stewart.
Episode 22: The Competent Supervisor
Our multi-part series on Supervisors kicks-off with a discussion with Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development’s Assistant Deputy Minister, Jody Young. Jody oversees the Fair, Safe and Healthy Workplaces Division, and is all too familiar with why supervisors are a critically important component to a healthy and safe workplace.
Episode 21: Winter Driving
Whether you drive a commercial vehicle or a passenger vehicle, it’s always important to be fully aware of the hazardous road conditions created by winter weather. In this podcast, IHSA’s Ken Rayner and Michelle Roberts discuss winter driving tips and break them down into four basic principles: preparation, planning, patience, and practice.
You can find additional winter driving resources at IHSA.ca:
Episode 20: Dr. Joel Moody, Ontario’s New Chief Prevention Officer
Dr. Joel Moody, Ontario’s new Chief Prevention Officer (CPO), joins IHSA to talk about his recent appointment and extensive background in public health, Ontario’s response to the pandemic, and the Prevention Office’s path and opportunities moving forward.
Episode 19: Preparing for the Internal Audit
In this episode, Stacey Blea, Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems Consultant, speaks to lead COR™ Auditor, Peter Smith, about what is involved in preparing for an internal COR™ audit. They look at what’s required in setting up for a successful internal audit including resources, training, and official documents.
Episode 18: Introducing the COR™ Team
This episode introduces IHSA’s COR™ team and looks at the various important roles each member plays in IHSA’s COR™ program. Guests include: Scott Needs, Maren Gamble, Deb Moskal, David Dametto, Peter Smith, John Kelly, and Sam Pitaro.
Episode 17: Getting started with COR™
This conversation with Paul Casey, Vice-President of Programs and Strategic Development, and David Steinschifter, Manager of Strategic Programs, provides an overview and starting point for those interested in getting into COR™ in Ontario. Paul and David discuss the history of COR™, its proven benefits, and the impact it is having across Ontario.
Episode 16: Prevention Works: The 5-year Strategy
Ron Kelusky, Ontario’s outgoing Chief Prevention Officer looks at key points from the Prevention Office’s new 5-year strategy. Ron also discusses his office’s key accomplishments during his tenure, and his view on the future of health and safety.
Episode 15: COVID-19: impacts and opportunities
Ron Kelusky, Ontario’s outgoing Chief Prevention Officer, shares his view on the impact of COVID-19 and the opportunities it presents in raising the profile of workplace health and safety.
Episode 14: Advancing workplace health and safety in Ontario
Ron Kelusky, Ontario’s outgoing Chief Prevention Officer with the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, joins IHSA to discuss his background and successes in working with industry to advance workplace health and safety.
Episode 13: Customer Relations, Marketing, and Products
In the fifth and final episode of our special series focusing on what IHSA is and what we do, Ken Rayner, Vice-President of Customer Relations, Market Development and Labour Relations discusses how IHSA’s customer service team provides support to members, some of the many, many products IHSA offers, and the different communication channels IHSA uses to raise health and safety awareness in Ontario.
Episode 12: Stakeholder and Industry Support
In our fourth episode of IHSA’s five-part series on who we are and what we do, Dean Dunn, Vice-President of Stakeholder and Public Relations, discusses the Labour-Management Network and the important role its committees and partnerships play in the health and safety system across the province.
Episode 11: Fostering a Culture of Health and Safety
Our special five-part series on IHSA continues with this third episode where we talk with Paul Casey, Vice-President of Programs and Strategic Development. Paul provides an overview of three important IHSA programs: the Certificate of Recognition (COR™), Health and Safety Excellence (HSEP), and the National Construction Health and Safety Officer (NCSO™) program.
Episode 10: IHSA Training and Operations
In this second episode of our five-part series on IHSA, we talk to Greg Williamson, Vice-President of High Risk Activity, Training and Operations. Greg talks to us about how companies become IHSA members, some of the high-risk activity training courses IHSA offers, the Powerline Technician Apprenticeship program, and more.
Episode 9: IHSA and who we are
Our next five-part series of IHSA podcasts looks at who we are and what we do. Kicking off the series, IHSA President and CEO, Enzo Garritano, talks to us about IHSA’s history, our vision, and mission. We also look at the key services IHSA provides and the different sectors we serve across the province.
Episode 8: Fall protection quick facts
We wrap up our special five-part series on Falls Awareness with our series-long guest, Brian Barron from the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development. In this final episode, we look at fall protection quick facts including common FAQs, the hierarchy of controls, training, fines, and much more.
Episode 7: Common enforcement concerns
This fourth episode in our five-part series on Falls Awareness looks at the most common issues identified by inspectors from the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development when conducting inspections on different job sites.
Episode 6: Working at heights (WAH) training requirements
Our five-part series on Falls Awareness continues with our series guest, Brian Barron from Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development. In this third episode we look at training requirements for workers when working at heights. We also discuss training providers, the duties and responsibilities of employers, and much more.
Episode 5: Workplace parties roles and responsibilities in preventing falls
In this second episode of our special Falls Awareness series, we continue our talk with Brian Barron from the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development. We specifically look at the different roles and responsibilities that employers, supervisors, and workers have in preventing falls on job sites.
Episode 4 : Fall protection and when to use it.
In this first episode of our special five-part series on Falls Awareness, we talk to Brian Barron, Senior Manager of the Construction Health and Safety Program within the Ministry of Labour. Our first discussion with Brian considers the various methods of fall protection and the different situations in which they are required.
Episode 3: Seasonal road safety tips for warmer weather
Warmer weather is great for getting out on the road, but it also means there is increased volume on the road and more vulnerable road users, like motorcyclists and construction workers, sharing the road too. IHSA’s Michelle Roberts and OPP Sergeant Kerry Schmidt talk about seasonal road safety tips for warmer weather.
Episode 2: Sharing the road safely with large trucks
Episode 1: Road safety and the “Big Four”
In our very first episode, we have the privilege of sitting down with OPP Sergeant Kerry Schmidt for a candid conversation about road safety. He breaks down the most common risky behaviours on the road—also known as the “Big Four”: lack of seatbelts, impaired driving, speeding, and distracted driving.
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Etobicoke, ON
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ABOUT IHSA
The Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA) is Ontario’s trusted health and safety resource. Our goal is to improve the lives of Ontario workers. We provide resources and training to control and eliminate safety hazards in work environments involving high-risk activities.
At IHSA we have always maintained a standard of excellence. We are proud of our role in helping to make Ontario one of the safest places in the world to work. Our focus is on workers and on keeping our promise to provide them with the tools to Work Safe for Life.
As part of Ontario’s health and safety system, we are recognized by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, the Ministry of Colleges and Universities, the Ministry of Transportation, and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board as designated trainers and consultants. So you can be sure that the training you get from IHSA meets regulatory requirements and compliance standards.