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JOINT HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE CERTIFICATION TRAINING
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Wilkens Health and Safety Solutions (WHSS) is the only Ministry of Labour (MOL) approved Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) Certification training provider located in Kingston.
As most workplaces with twenty (20) or more workers must have a JHSC established, we regularly hold training sessions. At least one (1) worker and one (1) management representative of this committee must be certified by completing the prescribed training standards set by the MOL.
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Part One
Basic Certification Training
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Part One B
asic Certification training
provides an overall knowledge of the Health and Safety Legislation that applies to most workplaces.
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Part Two Workplace Specific
Training
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Part Two Workplace Specific
Certification training focuses on the significant hazards in your workplace and how to assess, control and/or eliminate them.
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Hospital Nabbed for First Bill 168 Workplace Violence Fine
October 2, 2017
Seven years after it took effect, what may be the first official fine for a workplace violence violation under Bill 168 has been levied. The price tag: $75K. The case involved a nurse who was repeatedly stabbed by a patient with a pen. The patient had engaged in repeated attacks against staff and the hospital should have recognized that he was violent and that the violence hazard assessment it had conducted before the attacks was inadequate and needed to be redone as required by Bill 168 (now Section 32.0.3(4) of the OHS Act.
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Toronto Company Fined $60,000 for Ignoring Orders to Address Safety Violations
October 6, 2017
Rex Pak Limited, in Toronto, Ontario, failed to comply with orders issued by a Ministry of Labour health and safety inspector which resulted in a $60,000 fine. The orders that were issued were to eliminate in-running nip hazards and pinch points that could endanger the safety of workers.
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Every day we use our muscles, tendons, ligaments
and joints to lift, carry, sit, stand, walk, move, and work in a variety of ways. However, sometimes these tasks, or the way we do them, can put too much demand on our bodies, causing pain and discomfort. In addition, it may lead to a more serious injury called a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD). For more information on preventing MSD's in the workplace, click
here.
Click
here for simple tips for improving workplace ergonomics.
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November is Fall Prevention Month
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Falls from heights and same-level falls can happen anywhere, anytime. Falls result in a significant number of worker injuries and deaths, especially in construction, but these injuries and fatalities are preventable.
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In Canada over 42,000 workers get injured an
nu
ally due to fall accidents. This number represents about 17% of
the "time-loss injuries" that were accepted by workers' compensation boards or commissions across Canada.
Statistics
show that 66% of falls happen on the same level resulting from slips and trips. The remaining 34% are falls from a height.
Falls can be a serious risk to your business's health and safety. Here are some tips on how to prevent falls:
- Keep stairs and walkways free of clutter, ice, or snow and check regularly for tripping and slipping hazards
- Install hand rails and grab bars on stairs and steps
- Have lighting available in hallways, walkways, stairs and parking lots
- Ensure all workers are wearing well-fitting, sturdy shoes
- Assist clients with doors, steps, and up stairways
To learn more, click
here.
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Occupational Health Hazards and Illnesses
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Occupational illness normally develops over a period of time because of workplace conditions.
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These conditions might include exposure to
disease-causing bacteria
and viruses, or to chemic
als
, or dust. Under the Occupational Health and Safety
Act, occupational illness is defined as a conditi
on that results from exposure in a workplace to a physical, chemical or biological agent to the extent that the normal physiological mechanisms are affe
cted and the health of the worker is impaired.
Learn more about biological, chemical, and
physical agents
here
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Wood Dust Exposure: A Chemical Agent
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When wood dust becomes airborne, you are at risk of exposure from inhaling it into your lungs, creating possible health risks.
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Exposure to wood dust has been associated with health issues due to the natural chemicals or substances in the wood such as bacteria, molds, and fungi.
Wood dust is also associated with toxic effects, irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, dermatitis, and decreased lung capacity and allergic reactions.
Wood dust exposure can cause asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, chronic bronchitis, and cancers in the nose and throat areas. Understanding the potential health risks of breathing in wood dust can be an important step in addressing this workplace hazard and protecting workers from harm.
For tips on working around wood dust, click
here.
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The Big Rewards of Health and Safety for Small Businesses
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An established health and safety program can give your business a competitive advantage. A strong safety culture means a safe and healthy workplace, fewer disruptions and delays in production and services, improved customer service, and a better bottom line.
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Benefits of an effective health and safety program can include:
- Reduced operating costs
- Protection against business
 interruption
- Improved employee relations
- Improved reliability and productivity
- Enhanced public image and trust
When you look at the alternative and the consequences of a serious incident, the impact on a small business can be ruinous. It is far more difficult for a small business to recover from a health and safety incident, and the relative impact is greater than on larger enterprises.
Find more information about the occupational health and safety legislation
here.
To get in contact with our experts to talk about your health and safety program, click
here.
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Ontario increases minimum wage.
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Minimum wage has officially increased to $11.60 in Ontario as of October 1, 2017.
We are reminding all clients to ensure that any employees who earn minimum wage receive this pay increase.
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Workplace Wellness Networking Event
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The Reality of Creating a Mentally Healthy Workplace: Experiences and Tools from those on the Leading Edge.
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On November 7, 2017,
join the KFL&A Workplace
Wellness Network to learn about implementing the national standard for psychological health and safety in the workplace. Hear from exp
erts with the Canadian Mental Health Association and the Mental Health Commission of Canada about their evaluation of workplace experiences working with the standard, and about their successes and challenges in implementing the standard.
This networking event will be held at the Donald Gordon Conference Centre in Kingston, ON, from 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The cost of the event will be $20, which will include breakfast; cash or cheque will be accepted upon arrival.
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Join us for the "10 Minute Talks"- Fall 2017 Edition
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"Bringing local businesses together to talk about what matters"
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On October 25, 2017, we are holding our third "10 Minute Talks" event at Toast & Jam from 5:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m. Employment standards and health and safety can be  overwhelming for occupied business owners; we know the ins and outs of both! The casual setting will allow you to have one-on-one time with our consultants and network with other business owners from the Kingston area.
Save the Date and bring a friend along! Non-Safety Group members pay a $10.00 registration fee at the door.
R.S.V.P. to Holly by October 20, 2017, to save your spot.
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Safety Groups Recruitment 2018 |
Interested in joining a WSIB Safety Groups Program?
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The WSIB Safety Groups program is a great resource to help organizations establish a comprehensive health and safety program. The program is a performance-based rebate program developed by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).
If you wish to join KPSC's multi-sector Safety Group, please fill out the
applications
and submit by fax to 613-546-5513 or
email
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Ministry of Labour Blitzes
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Upcoming Provincial / Eastern Ontario Blitzes
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The 2017 workplace inspection blitz schedule has been announced. Ensure your workplace is prepared for upcoming focuses:
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Program
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Focus
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Sector / Business
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Date
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Health & Safety
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Residential Projects
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Construction
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Sept. 1 - Nov. 30, 2017
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Health & Safety
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Falls- Ladder Safety
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Construction |
Oct. 2 - Nov. 24, 2017
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Health & Safety
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Falls- Including Slips & Trips |
Health care; Industrial |
Oct. 2 - Nov. 24, 2017
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Health & Safety
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Falls- Including Slips & Trips & MSD's |
Mining |
Oct. 2 - Nov. 30, 2017
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View the full schedule
here.
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Register your employees today.
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Course
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Date
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Time
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Working at Heights
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Oct. 26, 2017
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8:00 am - 4:00 pm
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ESA- Essential Needs to Know Workshop
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Nov. 14, 2017
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8:00 am - 11:00 am
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Working at Heights
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Nov. 23, 2017
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8:00 am - 4:00 pm
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JHSC Certification Part 2 for Health Care
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Nov. 30 - Dec. 1, 2017
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8:30 am - 4:30 pm
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Working at Heights
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Dec. 7, 2017
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8:00 am - 4:00 pm
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JHSC Certification Part 2 for Office & Light Manufacturing
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Dec. 4 - 5, 2017
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8:30 am - 4:30 pm
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JHSC Certification Part 1
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Dec. 13 - 15, 2017
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8:30 am - 4:30 pm
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JHSC Certification Part 2 for Health Care
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Jan. 11 - 12, 2018
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8:30 am - 4:30 pm
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JHSC Certification Part 1
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Jan. 31 - Feb. 2, 2018
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8:30 am - 4:30 pm
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JHSC Certification Part 2 for Office & Light Manufacturing
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Feb. 22 - 23, 2018
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8:30 am - 4:30 pm
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JHSC Certification Part 1
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Mar. 21 - 23, 2018
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8:30 am - 4:30 pm
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JHSC Certification Part 2 for Health Care
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Apr. 4 - 5, 2018
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8:30 am - 4:30 pm
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JHSC Certification Part 1
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May 7 - 9, 2018
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8:30 am - 4:30 pm
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JHSC Certification Part 2 for Office & Light Manufacturing
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May 31 - Jun. 1, 2018
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8:30 am - 4:30 pm
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JHSC Certification Part 1
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Jun. 13 - 15, 2018
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8:30 am - 4:30 pm
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