As 2011 draws to a close, and we all become consumed by the bustle of the season, I would like to extend – on behalf of everyone here at CCOHS – my best wishes for the holidays to all of you who have supported us so thoughtfully throughout the year. I hope it is a time for relaxing with family and friends and reflecting on our many blessings.
This is also an ideal time to reflect on the past year, while looking forward to the dawn of a new year – the “pause before the climb”, so to speak.
2011 was a significant year for CCOHS. We’ve seen the retirement of key members, including our three most senior executives. Our past president retired and, most recently, our Vice-President and Director General, Dr. P.K. Abeytunga, who has been the visionary cornerstone of the organization since its creation over 32 years ago. We appreciate their leadership, dedication, and passion.
During 2011 CCOHS made key contributions to preventing and eliminating injury and illness across Canada and globally in 2011. Some of the highlights include the release of the Musculoskeletal Disorders Prevention Manual, Canadian Employment Legislation, and online hazard prevention tools such as OSH Essentials. We produced many webinars, podcasts and e-learning courses and created several web portals, such as the Young Workers Zone, the Healthy Minds at Work website and the Canadian School Boards Safety Zone.
We’ve also strengthened our connections with key stakeholders – global and national partners such as the International Labour Organization (ILO), Mental Health Commission of Canada, World Health Organization and The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), to name a few.
We’ve worked with many organizations across all jurisdictions in Canada, including Simon Fraser University, the Association of Restoration Contractors of British Columbia, the Yukon on developing a program on mine safety, and Manitoba’s Workplace Safety and Health Division on a customized version of our OSH Works program.
We’re also gearing up for our national Forum to be held in Halifax on October 29-30, 2012. This conference will bring experts, employers, workers and governments from across Canada together for a discussion on worker health, safety and well-being.
I’m proud of our organization’s commitment to health and safety, and what our team has been able to accomplish this year. I look forward to 2012 with great anticipation and expectation. Some of our new initiatives that I’m most excited about focus on helping vulnerable workers and small employers. Every worker, at the end of every working day, should return home healthy and safe. That is our vision, and that is what drives our effort to create an energetic and vital safety culture throughout all organizations in Canada.
May the joy and giving spirit of the holiday season remain alive and well in all our hearts throughout the year. Best wishes and Happy New Year to everyone.
I’m just leaving the Congress and reflecting on the past few days. I am convinced everyone associated with CCOHS would be proud of the stature of our organization in the international forum. The Centre’s name and reputation for credible and evidence-based work is recognized globally. Due in no small part to the long term commitment of people like Abey.
I go home enriched with new knowledge and an increased network of collaboration.
There is a renewed vigour to address the growing dichotomy in occupational health and safety: from adapting to emerging psychosocial risks and implementing sophisticated controls for exposure to nanoparticles – which one researcher described as “the new asbestos” – to the most basic awareness needs amongst the expanding migrant and SME worker population in developing nations. There are great challenges ahead for CCOHS.
The Turkish Prime Minister addressed the congress about how Turkey had passed major occupational health and safety legislation this year. He spoke about the major economic and job growth in his country, but that there cannot be growth without social justice, and health and safety is one of the pillars. A very progressive vision of a country.
A lot of discussion on global strategy on health and safety in light of the present economic environment.
Outside the Halic Congress Centre in Istanbul, Turkey.
There is a need to build bridges between developed and developing countries – how appropriate from a city that is between two continents, Europe and Asia. We had been discussing the “casualization” of work and “precarious” employment (working poor) due to the new global economy, and the resulting health effects. CCOHS has to respond with a
holistic and integrated approach leading to cultural change and the sustainability of the workforce through occupational health and safety.
New H & S challenges will come from the emerging global activities such as: climate change; green jobs; nanotechnology; and, biotechnology. As well, there is an increase in migrant workers in 3D jobs (dirty/demanding/dangerous).
Just taking a quick break during the XIX World Congress on Safety and Health at Work in Istanbul, Turkey.
I have not had much time to absorb the culture, but the sights and sounds of the city are spectacular and the reception has been warm and the people friendly.
The meetings started on the Sunday before conference opening for me with the CIS Centres global network, of which CCOHS is an active member. Discussions were about best practices and what was effective in different parts of the world; then how we make the CIS more effective in getting the information to workers around the globe.
Side meetings with the ILO, WHO and others have taken up my time to establish collaborations and agreements on new programs and services that would be mutually beneficial.
There is an appetite for progress and change but all organizations are struggling with the challenges in light of restructuring and budget constraints.
I have just left the opening ceremony for the Pacific Coast University for Workplace Health Sciences in Port Alberni, B.C.
Totem pole dedication ceremony
The program started with one of the most endearing traditions of the Pacific Northwest – a totem pole dedication ceremony and blessing from the elder of the local native group. This region has embraced the local culture and history of the First Nation people.
This University is about our investment in our young and their future, but they first stop to honour and reflect on the past.
In recognition of the safety and health mandate of the school, the native artists created a totem depicting a shaman healer during a healing ceremony.
Greetings from the AIHce conference in “laid-back” Portland. Beautiful city with water and greenery, and an abundance of biking/jogging paths – with surfing and kayaking too. It is a city where young people come to retire.
The gift boxes await the guest arrivals.
The conference has thousands of attendees and our booth has been well attended. There are a lot of questions by US technical people about GHS. They are asking us what we think OSHA and the Canadian government will do. They see us as unbiased and knowledgeable.
CCOHS is sponsoring its 14th Canadian Night at the AIHC conference tonight. It is the venue for Canadians to network and re-establish old friendships. The evening is now again sold out. Looking forward to it!
