IHSA Safety Podcast

Summer in Ontario is typically hot and dry, which can cause heat stress for outdoor workers who work long hours. With Environment Canada predicting warmer-than-usual temperatures this summer in Ontario, it’s critical to take adequate measures to prevent heat stress. Heat stress is a seasonal hazard that can occur when the body's core temperature rises, causing severe...

Occupational illnesses can result from acute and long-term exposures to hazardous chemical agents. Controlling these exposures can help lower the risk of workers developing a workplace disease. On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Jon Lee, Occupational Hygienist with Ontario's Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD), and Jasmine Kalsi, IHSA's Occupational H...

This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast takes on a more conversational tone as host Ken Rayner, IHSA’s VP of Market Development and Communications, and Jennifer Kahn, EllisDon's VP of Inclusive Diversity, discuss diversity and inclusion. Jennifer shares her personal experiences with diversity and inclusion, stating that diversity is a fact but inclusion is a choice that requires intention and effo...

Maintaining good health is crucial for workers, particularly those in the construction industry who face physical demands and potential hazards on a regular basis. This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses ways in which construction workers can build and maintain a healthy lifestyle and features Cori Toshack, CAT(C), BPHE, Certified Health Coach, and Scott Laing, Stakeholder Relations Coor...

This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses reporting and notification responsibilities for asbestos on construction projects in Ontario and features Michele Beckstead-Jackson, Provincial Specialist with the Construction Health and Safety Program of the Occupational Health and Safety Branch, at the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD). Michele discusses t...

Disclaimer: This episode discusses a sensitive topic that may be challenging for some listeners. On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, we remember and honour Dean Maguire, a devoted father, brother, and husband who tragically lost his life during a construction project in Toronto on March 27th, 2018. The Maguire family—Heather, Connor, Mae, and Tim—joins this episode to share their personal...

On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, three members of IHSA's management team discuss women in construction health and safety. Maren Gamble, manager of Strategic Programs, Deb Moskal, manager of Regional Operations North and East, and Jennifer McKenzie, director of Stakeholder and Client Engagement, address the long-standing gender disparity in the construction industry. Maren shares her exp...

This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses the Utility Work Protection Code (UWPC), a set of rules and regulations that play a crucial role in worker safety across Ontario, and features Sandy Morrison, Utility Work Protection Code coordinator at IHSA. The UWPC, owned by Hydro One and updated every five years, ensures that rules, tags, forms, and communication are consistent. The UWPC helps...

Employers often provide training to ensure workers are equipped for a job, with formal training requirements and courses being especially important. However, there are differences between training and competency, and it is essential to explore the distinction between the two terms when building an occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS). This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast dis...

This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses the Electrical Utility Safety Rules (EUSR), which have been the foundation of health and safety education in the electrical utilities industry since 1914, and features Jeff Ellery, a member of IHSA's Power Line Apprenticeship and training team. The EUSR, initially created by the Electrical Employers Asso...

During the winter months in Canada, the weather can get extremely cold, and workers in industries such as construction, transportation, and electrical utilities face the risk of experiencing cold stress. On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Jasmine Kalsi, IHSA’s Occupational Hygienist, discusses cold stress, which occurs when the human body's core temperature drops below 37 degrees Celsius....

To build an effective occupational health and safety management system, it is crucial to adopt a proactive approach to risk prevention rather than a reactive one. This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses the basics of hazards, risks, assessment, and controls within an occupational health and safety management system and features Maren Gamble, Manager of Strategic Programs at IHSA. Maren d...

On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, we celebrate the career of an occupational health and safety professional, Tom Nicolls. Tom started his career in the Electrical Utility industry 38 years ago with Hydro One, and has been a significant contributor to occupational health and safety in Ontario through various channels and roles. Tom shares his experiences over the length of his extensive c...

Worker misclassification can have ramifications for all parties involved. When a worker is misclassified, it prevents them from receiving the full benefits and protections they are entitled to under the Canada Labour Code. This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast (the final in a three-part series) discusses worker misclassification in transportation and features Liz Tavares, Occupational Health and...

A federally regulated small business must have an occupational health and safety (OHS) program with components that promote a workplace safety culture. This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast (the second in a three-part series) discusses the first steps a federally regulated business should consider when building their OHS system and features Liz Tavares, Occupational Health and Safety Officer, Em...

It is vital for small businesses to understand which jurisdiction governs them and what legislation they must follow. This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast (the first in a three-part series) discusses jurisdiction and features Liz Tavares, Occupational Health and Safety Officer, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) – Labour Program / Government of Canada, and Michelle Roberts, Vice-Pr...

Traumatic events may occur suddenly and without warning. Depending on the severity, the level of exposure, and personal history and coping abilities, trauma can be problematic in the long term for some individuals, but can also affect most in the short term. On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Kathy Martin, IHSA's Mental Health and Wellness Specialist, discusses trauma management in the wo...

Silica is a primary component of many construction materials. CAREX Canada estimates that approximately 380,000 Canadians are occupationally exposed to silica, and approximately 570 lung cancers are due to exposure to crystalline silica each year. Exposure to silica dust, produced during work processes such as digging, grinding, and drilling, can lead to serious health issues including lung c...

Noise is a significant hazard in the construction, transportation, and utility sectors, and extended exposure can be harmful at levels that workers may not notice or consider disruptive, resulting in gradual hearing loss. Noise-induced hearing loss continues to be the leading cause of non-fatal occupational disease claims in Ontario. On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, we are joined once a...

The Plan, Do, Check, Act (PDCA) model, also known as the four stages of continuous improvement, is crucial for an organization's health and safety goals. On Episode 66 of the IHSA Safety podcast, Maren Gamble, Manager of Strategic Programs at IHSA, walked through the PDCA model as a fundamental framework for developing and implementing an effective Occupational Health and Safety Management System...

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, Ma...

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 Came...

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...

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 abo...

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...