Your Complete Guide to Health and Safety in the Workplace

Course dates for the remainder of 2024 have been posted on our website

JOINT HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE CERTIFICATION TRAINING

Wilkens Health and Safety Solutions (WHSS) is the only Chief Prevention Officer (CPO) 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. 

Part One Basic Certification Training 

Part One Basic Certification training provides an overall knowledge of the Health and Safety Legislation that applies to most workplaces. 

Part Two Workplace Specific Training 

Part Two Workplace Specific Certification training focuses on the significant hazards in your workplace and how to assess, control and/or eliminate them.

Refresher Certification Training 

This course is designed to include all sectors and reviews the essentials of the Part 1 and 2 Certification training as well as highlight any legislative changes that have occurred within the last three years.

Visit our website to register for the Part 1, Part 2 or Refresher Certification Courses.

National Injury Prevention Day is July 5^th! 

Did you know that injury is the number one cause of death of Canadians aged 1 to 44? Or that 75% of injury-related deaths are from unintentional causes, such as falls, car crashes and poisonings?* 

We thank those who joined us July 5th in spreading awareness on injury prevention during Canada’s National Injury Prevention Day, brought to you by Parachute. National Injury Prevention Day (#NIPD) raises awareness around the importance of injury prevention and aids Canadians in living long lives to the fullest through education and advocacy. Health Canada recognizes this date as an official national Health Promotion Day.

There are several great ways to get involved in this annual event. They include:

• The NIPD Hospital Challenge: This challenge brings an opportunity to shine a light on the preventability of injuries, spreading awareness on the Cost of Injury in Canada.
• Lighting up social media using the hashtags “#ParachuteNIPD” and “#TurnSafetyOn”
• Encouraging your place of work to Participate in the Light Up Canada! challenge. We’re pleased to share that many locations in Ontario, including Toronto, Ottawa, Kingston and Belleville, will be using green lights at their location to signal awareness towards Injury Prevention. 

Visit *https://parachute.ca/en/program/national-injury-prevention-day/ to learn more. 

Modernization of Employment Equity Act

(& What This Could Mean for You)

Are you an employer in Canada? If so, there are possible changes coming that could impact how you run your workplace. This includes the federal government’s consultation on the modernization of the Employment Equity Act (EEA).

The EEA was created in 1986 to aid marginalized communities in overcoming barriers that prevented them from achieving their potential in the workplace, with legislation that mandates fairness, equality and equitable inclusion for employees in federally regulated workplaces. Since Canadian workplaces have continued to evolve since that time, the federal government launched a task force to undertake the most comprehensive review of the EEA since its introduction.

The EEA Review Task Force’s final report was released in December 2023 and provides recommendations on how to bring the EEA into modern times. The government announced that it largely supports the recommendations made for transforming Canada’s approach to employment equity. The modernizations include

• Creating two new designated groups under the EEA: Black people and 2SLGBTQI+ people.
• Replacing the term “Aboriginal Peoples” with “Indigenous Peoples,” and updating the definition to include First Nations, Métis and Inuit and to ensure it is consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
• Replacing the term “members of visible minorities” with “racialized people” and updating the corresponding definition.
• Aligning the definition of “persons with disabilities” with the Accessible Canada Act to make it more inclusive.

The federal government is consulting with affected communities and organizations representing unions and employers on how to effectively implement these changes, and how other recommendations made by the EEA Review Task Force could be implemented. The consultation period started on May 3, 2024, and will close on July 31, 2024. If you have any questions or concerns about these potential changes, please don’t hesitate to contact the team at Wilkens Health and Safety Solutions.

Keep Safe When Lightning Strikes!

Did you know that during the summer months, lightning flashes occur about once every three seconds in Canada?* Furthermore, April to October are the prime thunderstorm months in Canada, with the highest number of cloud-to ground lightning flashes occurring in July. 

While the odds of getting struck by lightning are very slim, Environment Canada states that lightning kills 2 to 3 people every year in this country and injures another 80 people, with most of these injuries and fatalities occurring between June and August. If you’re caught off guard by a thunderstorm, here are some quick tips to keep it safe!

• Lightning can strike several kilometres from its source so early precautions are crucial. If thunderstorms are in the forecast, re-assess your plans for outdoor activities. You are in the high danger zone if you are less than 10 kilometres away. Seek shelter immediately in a house, large building or vehicle. 
• Stay clear of high ground and open spaces.
• If you are boating, head for shore. If caught on the water, crouch low in the boat.
• If you are in a flat, open field, bend down and put your hand on your knees. Maintain minimum contact with the ground.
• Avoid contact with metal. 
• Stay sheltered until the storm is over.

* https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/safety_haz/weather/lightning.html

Need Help with Your Health and Safety program? Contact Us

A reminder that Wilkens Health and Safety Solutions offers expert services in Health and Safety consulting and training. If you’re looking to become a safer and more compliant workplace, we offer many tools and ways to assist in implementing your selected topics.

Our Consulting Services allow us to provide your business with ‘one stop’ advice and guidance on all matters relating to the occupational health and safety needs affecting your company. This can include a range of services such as:

• Evaluating your existing health and safety systems.
• Developing new or modifying your existing programs to establish a cost-effective health and safety management system, unique to your business.
• Training your management and supervisory staff.
• Managing your WSIB costs and identifying strategies to maximize your savings and rebates.
• Linking your business to resources available from the various Safe Workplace Associations and other community resources.

Through our Training Services, we can assist your business in understanding its legal obligations while integrating best practices. We welcome you to participate in our wide range of provincially recognized and approved in-person training courses, customized private sessions or e-learning courses.

A reminder that we always welcome new businesses into our Health and Safety Excellence program! The Health and Safety Excellence program (HSEp) in an incentive program offered by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), through a network of approved providers. We are the WSIB-approved program provider in Eastern Ontario for all sectors. We have 3 levels of service options in the HSEp to suit the needs of your organization, which Basic, Enhanced and Premium.

Please reach out for more information on any of our offerings and how we can you help achieve compliance. 

Cycle Safely this Summer

With the lovely warmer weather comes an increase of cyclists wanting to enjoy some fresh air and exercise. We know there is a lot to love about summer cycling, and we encourage you to enjoy the benefits of staying active! That’s why we wanted to share these quick safety tips as a reminder on how to enjoy this pastime safely in the summer months. 

• Carry a bike kit with a pump, tire patches, spare batteries and anything else you may need.
• Stay hydrated.
• Share the road.
• Look out for your entourage on group trips!
• Pace yourself on hotter days. 
• Get your bike serviced before you start your summer cycling.
• Wear the right clothing: a helmet, and athletic gear that protects you from the sun, wicks moisture and is reflective.

Preventing Firework-Related Injuries

Gorgeous firework displays play a huge role in celebrating special events across Canada, where these displays attract and amaze large crowds. However, if safety precautions are not taken, serious injuries can occur, placing individuals at the risk of injury or even death. If you decide to take celebrations into your own hands, here are some quick tips to prevent accidents and make sure the memories of your celebration are all positive!



• Set your fireworks up outdoors in a clear, open space. Ensure you’re checking the wind and that it’s blowing away from your spectators. Also, be sure to have a bucket of sand, a supply of water and a working fire extinguisher on hand. Wear protective eyeglasses and gloves, and only light one item at a time. 
• Light your fireworks on a hard, flat and level surface, carefully reading the instructions/warnings. 
• Purchase your fireworks from a reputable source that meets safety standards. Do not attempt to not make your own or buy fireworks from sources that do not meet safety standards. 
• Store any unused fireworks in a closed box away from flames and smoke.
• Always supervise children, and absolutely no individuals under the age of 18 should be handling fireworks. 

Enjoy the summer celebrations safely!

RELEVANT UPDATES

_{Upcoming WHSS Courses}

_Register Your Employees Today!

All courses scheduled are offered following safe distancing protocols, as well as all other mandated safety protocols - this means fewer people being allowed to register for each course - allowing for safe participation.

Private on-site courses can also be arranged for groups of six (6) or more. Please contact Rebecca Sousa at 613.546.9814 ext. 2224 for more details.

WHSS continues to be a training partner for Working at Heights with the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA). Contact us today to arrange your full or refresher course. Courses are scheduled on an as needed basis and can be held at your site or at a suitable training location.

For a complete listing of upcoming courses, click here or contact Rebecca Sousa at rsousa@whss.ca  by email or 613.546.9814 ext. 2224 for more details.

Contact Us

t: 613-546-9814 e: info@whss.ca

www.whss.ca