Occupational Health and Safety

'Case may represent a huge step forward for worker safety in Ontario.' - OFL.

Scheduled on March 26 and again on March 29 by MFL Occupational Health Centre in Winnipeg.

Criminal charges being laid for an occupational fatality in Sault Ste. Marie sets an important precedent.

'Normal human resource practices' have now resumed across the province.

'How common is it for staff to witness or experience aggression in the clients they support?'

Study at four city hospitals represents the first in-depth investigation of 'role overload' in Canada's health care system.

"Youth and adolescents are routinely engaged in manual material handling (MMH) tasks that may exceed their strength capability to perform the task."

Construction unions in Toronto will be pursuing all aspects of this tragedy to try to ensure that the conditions that led to it are fully exposed.

Workplace accidents related to careless on-the-job cell phone use and texting are growing fast – and the results can be devastating

Wage increases plus steps to address bullying in the workplace.

President Shelley Ward says it is 'simply the safest thing to do' in the circumstances. A decision will be made later on when to reschedule.

'This administration will not tolerate disregard of our laws. Employers have a legal and moral responsibility to protect their workers.' - Hilda Solis, U.S. Secretary of Labor.

New Statistics Canada study finds dramatic increase over the past decade, validating concerns expressed by peace officers.

Fines implemented in the hopes of reducing injuries and fatalities in the workplace.

Fines of up to $500 will be imposed for using hand-held devices after a three-month education period.

MGEU and other health care unions address health and safety concerns relating to flu outbreak.

Article alarms the public irresponsibly and unfairly maligns some of the most dedicated workers in Canada.

International group of experts recommend health care workers be first in line for vaccine.  At the same time, governments in Canada are developing new rules to help doctors prioritize who gets access to scarce treatment if vaccine isn't available.

Exposed to risk doing daily diagnostic tests.

None are assigned to meat plants despite Canada's deadly listeriosis crisis and promises made by the federal agricultural minister.

B.C. and Saskatchewan unions now calling for similar training and safety standards.

'I think we need to look at our whole system and re-evaluate how these calls come in.' - Tim Scharer, Winnipeg Paramedics Local 911.

The number of food inspectors devoted to monitoring processed meat plants would have to double to do an adequate job, union says.

National poll finds that 70% want government to crack down harder on food companies and devote more resources to keeping the food supply safe.

Employers reap gains worth $6.03 billion but the cost in employee burnout is significant.

Premature closing of highway depots meant that in some areas snow clearing operators were unavailable as they had been laid off.

UPDATED May 5 - 'Health care workers providing direct care – in the same room or in close contact – to SRI patients are advised to wear properly fit-tested N-95 respirators.'

NDP MLA introduces private member's bill following tragic death of highways department employee Jim Gallenger.

James Clancy writes to Canadian government as observances are planned to mark the 25th National Day of Mourning for employees killed and injured on the job.

Twenty-five years ago, in 1984, the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) launched what was to become a worldwide remembrance for workers killed on the job.

'Like a gust of fresh wind blowing through the workplaces of Ontario.' - Warren (Smokey) Thomas.

Advocates for safe workplaces have been pushing for more than a decade for legislation that protects workers from harassment and violence. Today, they had some good news.

Massive 2005 survey collected responses from 12,200 nurses across the country.

Needle Safety Regulation Expanded April 1, 2009

The Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) in the UK report that four in 10 teachers have faced verbal or physical aggression from a pupil's parents or guardian.

Clarification is important because the internet is now the biggest mode of communication that people have. A 2009 University of Toronto survey of more than 2000 students found 50 per cent had been bullied online.

'The portal itself has many potential users, including personnel involved in developing OHS education and training, JOHS committees, and front-line workers.'

Original ruling helped worker buy barrier-free home following workplace accident. WorkSafeNB asked to take case to Supreme Court of Canada.

Darryl Walker says it might work in some offices and ministries if it was voluntary and benefits were protected.

Eight health care groups are participating, including the Health Sciences Association of B.C.

Friday, February 27th, 2009 marks Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) awareness day. On this awareness day the National Union joins labour unions across Canada to urge employers to take these soft tissue injuries seriously.

OPSEU paramedics appeal to Ontario labour ministry for intervention on safety grounds.

23 assaults in September at Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE) and the Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA) are again calling on the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) to take immediate action to stem the rising number of violent attacks on front-line health care workers.

In less than a year four RNs were injured through violent attacks by a patient. The call comes following the last incident at CAMH in which a registered nurse was grabbed and dragged into a washroom by a patient who sexually assaulted her.

72.8% say support fired biologist Luc Pomerleau

The City of Kingston pleaded guilty and was fined $60,000 in the Ontario Court of Justice yesterday. During the renovation of a public utilities building, workers were exposed to.

More than 80% want cuts to food safety budgets reversed

'The listeriosis epidemic is a timely reminder that the Harper government has reversed much of the progress that previous governments made on governing for public health.'

(Sept 24, 2008) -- 'How many more people must die before the Harper government realizes that public health and safety must always transcend the boundaries of ideology?'

Critics see it as a cynical ploy to deflect criticism during campaign period

An Alberta provincial government employee who posted derogatory descriptions and criticisms of her co-workers and supervisors on several online blogs that she created was justifiably dismissed because this conduct irreparably undermined the employment relationship, an Alberta arbitration board has held.

Survey finds 43% targeted in the past year by clients, co-workers and supervisors

State will try one-year experiment to cut costs of government and commuting

Freedom of information request on behalf of Ontario Health Coalition brings damning report to light

25 years since 3,000 workers gathered at the Ontario legislature

'It would create a level playing field for employers.'

In Honour of Tony Mazzocchi (1926-2002)

Government employees crying for relief from high-tech intrusion into private lives away from the job

Message to federal government on National Day of Mourning

Canada continues to have one of the highest workplace fatality rates

Companies prosecuted for worker fatalities awarded safety rebates

Ottawa (31 March 2008) - Monday, April 28th, 2008 is the National Day of Mourning for Workers Killed or Injured on the Job. This is a time to mourn for those lost on the job, as we work to strengthen safety standards and reduce the health and safety risks that workers take each day.

45% displayed aggression in some form, CIHI study finds

Workshops planned for union members across Ontario

Nearly seven times more likely to experience violence than Nordic counterparts - York University-led study

'Every member deserves to have a safe and healthy workplace where they are treated with dignity and respect.'

February 29 is RSI Awareness Day in Canada

James Clancy interviews biographer Les Leopold on the life and times of a great labour leader

“These new findings highlight the importance of ensuring that Canadian efforts to prepare for a pandemic are continuous and evolving,” said James Clancy

Conservatives focusing more on military hardware and length of the mission to Afghanistan than on the welfare of troops and their loved ones at home

Kim Turner, Shelley Ward, Joan Jessome to make presentations

Tragic crashes in New Brunswick and British Columbia

More than 30 officers invoke safety provisions in Occupational Health and Safety Act

Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU/NUPGE) has won a 'groundbreaking' settlement of $10,000 in a bullying and sexual harassment case involving a group of workers at the province's largest hospital.

Recent amendments to PEI's Occupational Health and Safety Act General Regulations, now require specific employer precautions to protect the hearing of workers in every workplace in PEI.

Ipsos Reid poll commissioned by Great-West Life Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace

Doctors, nurses, lab technicians, ambulance attendants and therapists among groups assessed

Big warehouse site of noon hour protest by employees

$250,000 over five years to help train managers and staff

New definition of harassment includes on-the-job issues that include abuse of power and bullying

The Suzuki Foundation has released a report entitled “Prescription for a Healthy Canada”. It highlights shocking news about Canada and our environmental health.

SGEU representatives meet with Kevin Yates

  Doesn't require 'rocket science' to understand the threat      

Transport minister will travel overseas this fall to talk with British officials

Union interested in 'understanding and meeting' challenges faced by members

Eyesight problem stopped veteran employee from driving but did not prevent him from continuing to work

Problems faced by employees of the Ontario Disability Support Program

Legislation to be tabled this spring with a vote scheduled in the fall

Ottawa following example set by many provinces and municipalities

National Day of Mourning is an event observed worldwide every April 28

Theme of 2007 National Day of Mourning for workers killed and injured on the job in Canada

National ceremonies each April 28 honour the approximately 1,000 workers killed and injured on the job each year

A good first step but changes fall far short of what is needed, says 40,000-member coalition

Campbell government watered down safety standards after coming to power in 2001

'We hope this ... will make all CAS workplaces safer for child welfare workers.' - OPSEU president Leah Casselman

The case of Michael McKinnon has been going on for 18 years

Joint presentation to province by NSGEU, NSTU, NSNU and CUPE

356,000 violent incidents reported; 71% physical assaults

Justice Archie Campbell says hospitals are as dangerous as mines or factories

Unions join in campaign to push for legislation against violence in the workplace

Workplace fatality rate rising in Canada while falling in almost all other countries

'Our members on the front line of Canada's health care system have many questions.' - NUPGE president James Clancy

Calling for a full public inquiry into the threats and the resulting poisoned work environment

NUPGE Executive Board meets with senior official of Public Health Agency of Canada

Massive federal government survey finds that one worker in five is affected

'The counts are up in all centres and are over-capacity.' - SGEU spokesperson Barry Nowoselsky