Health & Safety: News

The summer 2010 issue of the Ontario Ministry of Labour’s Safe At Work Ontario TODAY newsletter is available online.

The Ministry of Labour has announced a Musculoskeletal (MSD) Heightened Enforcement Campaign for the health care sector. The campaign will be carried out starting September 15 and ending November 15, 2010.

ONA’s persistent efforts to end workplace violence have paid off in the form of significant amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). Learn about the new legislation that takes effect today.

June 1, 2010 is the 27th anniversary of the day when more than 3,000 injured workers, their families and supporters converged on Queen’s Park to protest unjust changes to the compensation act. They won and we’re going to celebrate by rallying and petitioning to improve compensation for injured workers in Ontario.

The recent H1N1 outbreak and response taught us that while the province is better prepared than it was during SARS, there is still a long way to go. ONA President Linda Haslam-Stroud, RN, recently wrote to the Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-term Care (MOHLTC), about what went right and what went wrong.

After years of lobbying and campaigning by the labour movement and others, we now have a new law to help address workplace violence and harassment. Want to know if your employer is in compliance? The Workers Health & Safety Centre will make special presentations on the new legislation in 13 cities across the province between May 3 and May 14, 2010.

Dr. Joshi will be sharing his vast clinical experiences in identifying asbestos related occupational diseases and answering questions. This event is presented by the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers, Toronto Clinic and there is no cost to register.

An Important Health Notice (IHN) regarding the H1N1 flu virus has been posted to the section of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care website that is maintained for health care professionals. The Provincial Status level has been changed from Enhanced to Recovery, resulting in the deactivation of pH1N1 response activities.

Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital Corporation, Burlington, was fined $10,000 on December 8, 2009, for a violation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) after workers became ill.

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), in Toronto, was fined $70,000 today for violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) after workers were assaulted.