Developing an OH&S Program?

Get on the fast track with our new manual

An occupational health and safety program is a proven way to plan, implement and manage your organization's efforts to prevent injuries and illnesses in the workplace. Question is, how do you create one from scratch or boost your current one?

Help is here. Get guidance on how to build an effective program - or enhance an existing one - with the Implementing an Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Program manual from CCOHS.

Organized by sections which cover commonly required components of an OH&S program, the manual includes more than 50 sample forms, policies, procedures and checklists. Use and customize them to create a program specific for your workplace.

This manual is an ideal tool for anyone who is committed to providing a healthy and safe workplace. It will assist employers, owners, managers, supervisors, operators - and the organization as a whole - by providing guidance on the development, maintenance, and continual improvement of an OH&S program.

Learn more and order online

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Dangerous Driving in a Wireless World

Pay attention to the road - and the law

It's a familiar sight. The vehicle ahead of you travelling either too fast or too slow, barely managing to stay in its lane. Dodging through traffic without signaling.

When you pull even with the car you see that the driver is hunched over a cell phone, furiously typing out a text message.

Just how dangerous is using a cell phone while driving? Studies have shown that cell phone use increases the risk of being involved in a collision by up to four times. With the increasing popularity of hand-held devices, from cell phones and smart phones to other devices such as GPS navigation systems and in-car televisions, distracted driving is an issue that should be on everyone's minds.

Since the first cell phone legislation was introduced in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2002, attempts to limit or remove the distraction caused by cell phones and other hand-held devices have been made by other governments across the country.

In the past year alone, five jurisdictions have passed legislation prohibiting the use of cell phones while driving, with several jurisdictions extending these restrictions to include other hand-held devices as well. Alberta has recently introduced Bill 16 dealing with distracted driving, which has passed first reading. To date, New Brunswick, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and the Yukon are the only jurisdictions without any legislation, although careless, distracted, or dangerous driving charges can still be laid under existing traffic laws.

And although most jurisdictions allow for the use of hands-free devices, it has been demonstrated that hands-free technology has little to no public safety benefit . Carrying on a conversation using a hands-free device will still serve as a distraction.

Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Do not use your phone or device while driving.
• Have a passenger answer or place the call, if possible.
• Use a hands-free or speaker option if necessary, but remember that the conversation itself is still a distraction.
• Opt for voice mail and allow it to pick up messages.
• Know what law applies in your jurisdiction and drive accordingly.

For access to legislation and government policies on cell phone use in vehicles from CCOHS, please visit our Driving and the Use of Cellular Telephones or Other Devices topic page, part of our Canadian enviroOSH Legislation plus Standards service.

Listen to our free podcast, Safe Driving Tips: The Cellphone Edition.

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Free Wellness Webinars

Discover a healthier you in a healthier workplace

Make the most of Canada's Healthy Workplace Month! From October 4 - 31, you and your colleagues are encouraged to take place in activities that help contributed to this year's theme: Healthy Mind, Healthy Body, Healthy Work...A Positive Workplace Works!

To help you get into this spirit of wellness at work, CCOHS is presenting free webinars on nutrition and active living in celebration of Healthy Workplace Month.

Learn more about the webinars and register

Listen to our free podcast, Getting the Jump on Healthy Workplace Month.

Find out more about Canada's Healthy Workplace Month

 

 

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Get Up Close with Inspections

New e-course on workplace inspections now available

Why are workplace inspections so important? They help to uncover hazards and risks, plus they help to implement corrective and preventive actions to resolve those issues before they lead to an accident or injury. And in most jurisdictions, they are also required by law.

Because hazards can come from a wide range of sources, critical examination of the workplace to identify and record these hazards for corrective action are essential - and help to maintain a healthy and safe of a workplace.

Learn how to effectively prepare for, conduct, and document workplace inspections with CCOHS' newest e-course, Workplace Inspections. Along the way, you will gain insights about an effective inspection process, including inspection techniques, the roles of key participants, and the importance of follow-up.

As with all CCOHS courses, Workplace Inspections has been developed by subject specialists in the field, and reviewed by representatives from labour, employers and government to ensure the content and approach are unbiased and credible.

Learn more and register online

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Free Webcasts on Workplace Violence, Leadership & More

Watch them on demand, anytime

We invite you to watch our Towards a National Prevention Strategy for Workplace Violence in Canada webcast.

Join Glenn French of the Canadian Initiative on Workplace Violence and Anthony Pizzino from the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), as they present an overview of the hazards of violence in the workplace, and outline preventive measures to reduce the potential for violence. They also offer suggestions on how workplaces can apply leadership to prevent violence in the workplace.

In addition, you'll learn about Canadian workplace trends regarding workplace violence and psychological harassment, and walk away with insights to establish a comprehensive prevention program that meets your legal and regulatory obligations.

This webcast is a recording of a presentation delivered at CCOHS's Forum III: Leading Workplace Change event earlier this year. Other Forum III webcast sessions are also available for free on-demand viewing:

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