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June 2021

Ontario is making it easier to start a career in the skilled trades with the passage of Bill 288

The Ontario government has passed Bill 288, the Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, 2021, which will modernize the skilled trades and apprenticeship system. Under the new legislation, a new Crown agency called Skilled Trades Ontario will replace the Ontario College of Trades and, at maturity, will allow apprentices, journeypersons and employers to obtain services in one central place and lead the promotion, research and development of apprenticeship programs.

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Ministry announces investments in various Skills Development Fund initiatives

From mid-May to mid-June, the Ministry announced more than $20 million in funding for nine Skills Development Fund projects. The projects will benefit thousands of workers and are part of Ontario’s $115-million Skills Development Fund, designed to support fresh ideas for training and skills development that will help the economy recover and prosper.

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Ontario introduces streamlined employment supports

The Ontario government is making it easier for people to restart their careers and support their families through the creation of an integrated and seamless employment services system. The new system will combine employment programs from social assistance, such as Ontario Works Employment Assistance and Ontario Disability Support Program Employment Supports, into Employment Ontario.

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Other recent news releases from Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development

Ontario carrying out more inspections at workplaces in hot-spot regions

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program creates new compliance and enforcement webpage

The new compliance and enforcement webpage provides information on how to report fraud or misrepresentation to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). Visit the OINP webpage to learn more on how to report suspected fraud and the penalties for providing inaccurate, incorrect or misleading information in an OINP application.

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New regulation to streamline reporting requirements

A new regulation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) will come into effect on July 1: Ontario Regulation 420 / 21 – Notices and Reports under Sections 51 to 53.1 of the Act – Fatalities, Critical Injuries, Occupational Illnesses and Other Incidents. The new regulation incorporates the critical injury definition and streamlines reporting requirements into a single regulation that applies to all workplaces covered under the OHSA.

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Amendments to the Industrial Establishments regulation

The Industrial Establishments regulation (Regulation 851) under the OHSA has been amended to streamline and clarify pre-start health and safety review requirements while maintaining existing worker health and safety protections. The changes will come into effect on January 1, 2022.

Learn more | Amended Industrial Establishments regulation

Occupational exposure limit consultation extended to July 2

The Ministry is consulting on new or revised occupational exposure limits (OELs) based on the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists recommendations for 2018 and 2019. It is also consulting on other potential changes related to occupational health, including changes to the OELs for silica and hydrogen sulfide. The deadline for comments has been extended to July 2, 2021.

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Register for 2021 Occupational Health and Safety “Research Day”

Registration is still open for Research Day, June 17 and 24, hosted by the Ministry and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. Highlights include research on mental health in health care, and occupational exposures in mining, among others.

Learn more | Register

WSIAT stakeholder event: June 23

The Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT) will host a virtual information session for representatives, parties and other interested stakeholders on June 23. Updates will be provided by Tribunal Chair, Rosemarie McCutcheon, and the Access to Justice Committee. There will also be an update on remote hearings and best practices for remote hearings.

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WSIB: Applications open for leadership awards and updates on Health & Safety Excellence program

Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) news and updates:

Applications are now open for the Small Business Health and Safety Leadership Awards, which recognize efforts made by small businesses to improve workplace safety. Businesses can enter here, until July 9, for monetary prizes and recognition at a November ceremony.
In June, the WSIB released the largest quarterly rebate payout since the launch of the Health and Safety Excellence program. More than 200 businesses strengthened their health and safety programs, earning over $3.2 million in rebates this quarter. Businesses can sign up today to join the program and create safer workplaces across Ontario.

CRE-MSD: Neurochemical response to repetitive workloads

Join the Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD) on June 25 for a free webinar about neurochemical response to repetitive workloads. Learn how neuromuscular fatigue is affected differently at varying duty cycles, despite being performed at currently recommended ergonomics threshold limits.

Register

IHSA.ca Magazine delivers free health and safety info

Infrastructure Health and Safety Association’s IHSA.ca Magazine provides current and relevant health and safety information for the construction, electrical and transportation sectors. Order free copies, or download electronic copies at IHSA.ca, to receive valuable information such as injury prevention tips, enforcement blitz announcements and regulatory updates.

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IWH: Studies tackle small employer injury risks, skin cancer prevention in construction and more

Institute for Work & Health (IWH) news and updates:

Weaker occupational health & safety procedures and policies explain small employers’ higher injury risks.
Costs of providing UV ray protection on Ontario construction sites outweighed by averted skin cancers.
Having episode of depression leads to lower earnings over 10 years.
Provide input into ways to support the future employment of young people with disabilities.

OHCOW: Research available on concussions, pandemic and ventilation, and more

Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW) news and updates:

Prestigious journal Annals of Epidemiology has published OHCOW pandemic research on the impact of COVID-19 on nurses’ mental health. Co-authors include OHCOW’s John Oudyk and IWH’s Peter Smith.
Research by OHCOW ergonomist Daryl Stephenson on football players and concussions was published in the qualitative research journal FQS, and examines key factors that impact self-reporting.
OHCOW occupational hygienist John Oudyk has created a presentation about ventilation and COVID-19, reflecting 18 months of research.
Occ-COVID webinar shares lessons from Canada, the U.S. and Australia to benefit reopening and fend off a fourth wave, and stresses airborne precaution standards.
Eight-minute occupational health needs assessment survey: Participation helps Ontario workers.

PSHSA: Respiratory protection program webinar and pilot trial for assessing injury among front-line workers

Public Services Health & Safety Association (PSHSA) news and updates:

Learn about the top 10 considerations for your workplace’s respiratory protection program in this recorded webinar.
Participate in a pilot trialing a new non-diagnostic screening tool to assess risks of occupational stress injury among first responders and frontline healthcare workers, created in partnership with The Conference Board of Canada.

WSN: Industry resources and webinar recording for root-cause analysis of motor vehicle incidents, plus heat stress resources, free youth mental-health webinar

Workplace Safety North (WSN) news and updates:

Manage heat stress in the workplace: free resources include safety talk, presenter guide, hazard alert and posters.
Free resources for forest fire prevention: industries are required to evaluate their operations and activities for fire risk, in addition to having fire prevention plans, training and equipment in place.
New webinar recording and free resources to help prevent motor vehicle-worker contact in Ontario mines – one of the top risks in the mining industry.

WSPS: Small biz safety podcast on bullying, vaccination info and more

Workplace Safety & Prevention Service (WSPS) news and updates:

New Small Biz Safety podcast episode features former NHL player Sheldon Kennedy on what small businesses can do to prevent bullying and harassment in the workplace.
Learn about on-site COVID-19 vaccinations, whether your business is eligible and get some recommendations on vaccinations and the workplace.
Learn about on-site rapid antigen screening and if it could be an effective tool in your business’ prevention measures.
Five ways to engage new and young workers, and tips on youth training and orientation programs during COVID-19.
Find best practices on workplace inspection procedures, protocols and legal requirements during COVID-19.
Get tips and resources on preventing potential incident and injury for employees working alone during COVID-19.

Court bulletins

View bulletins on recent court decisions that resulted in fines and other penalties under Ontario’s workplace laws.

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The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development.

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Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development
400 University Avenue, 12^th Floor
Toronto, ON M7A 1T7
Canada