Jump start your health and safety initiatives with CCOHS. In this issue, we feature resources for both post-secondary learners and lifelong learners, as well as information on PPE and mental health in the workplace. Plus register for our October 18 webinar on radiation safety in the workplace.
Invest in a Bestseller
CCOHS' top-selling e-courses, from WHMIS to ladder safety
Since the launch of the Health & Safety for Managers & Supervisors e-course in 2004, CCOHS has steadily expanded its course offerings to more than 75 titles.
As this growth reflects, learning about occupational health and safety through online courses can be a viable option for many workplaces. Staff, management, and supervisors can learn at their own pace, at a time and place that is convenient to them.
Also, instead of allocating a large portion of the training budget to airfare and hotels, every dollar can be spent on actual training. And unlike traditional classroom training, CCOHS online courses ensure that everyone receives the same information and the same high standard of training. Plus, all course content is regularly reviewed and updated by our technical team.
Curious as to which CCOHS e-courses organizations have taken over the years? Here's a top 10 list of our all-time best-selling online courses:
- WHMIS for Workers - Learn about WHMIS symbols and their meaning, the labels on products, and material safety data sheets in this introductory course.
- Health & Safety for Managers & Supervisors - Managers and supervisors have the front-line responsibility to protect workers and keep the workplace safe. Learn how to recognize hazards and take effective preventive actions to prevent injuries and foster a safety culture at your workplace.
SPECIAL OFFER: Save 30% on this e-course during the month of September. Learn more and purchase online. - Office Ergonomics - A practical introduction to office ergonomics, focusing on problems and injuries related to the use of computers and other office equipment.
- Canada Labour Code, Part II: An Overview - Understand your responsibilities as a manager or supervisor under the Canada Labour Code - Part II. This course geared towards employees in federally-regulated businesses and organizations.
- Violence in the Workplace: Recognize the Risk and Take Action - Develop a clear understanding of what workplace violence is, the consequences of workplace violence and find out what preventative measures can be taken.
- Personal Protective Equipment: The Basics - Get covered on the basics of PPE, including practical tips for safe use, PPE programs, limitations and legal responsibilities.
- Health & Safety Committees - Learn how to establish a new committee, how a committee can perform its functions and how it can be effective. The many sample checklists, policies and other useful documents can be customized for any specific work environment.
- Accident Investigation - Take a practical approach to investigating workplace accidents, with an emphasis on how to find the root cause and to prevent similar occurrences from happening again.
- Health & Safety Committees in the Canadian Federal Jurisdiction - The course will help health and safety committee members and representatives bring the "internal responsibility system" into practice and meet training requirements specified in the Canada Labour Code, Part II.
- Ladder Safety - Discover what you need to know in order to work safely with ladders, including inspection, set up, and safety while on the ladder.
Healthy Minds at Work
Access workplace mental health resources in new CCOHS web portal
Historically, workplace health and safety programs and initiatives have focused on physical health and the prevention of accidents, illnesses, and injuries. Increasingly, however, organizations realize the importance of promoting the total well-being - physical, psychosocial and mental health - of their workers, and for good reason. Mental health claims are the fastest growing category of disability costs in Canada, and represent a significant health problem in Canadian workplaces across all sectors.
To help workplaces address and increase understanding of workplace mental health issues, CCOHS has launched the new Healthy Minds @ Work website. This collection of online resources, selected and reviewed by CCOHS' team of subject specialists, can assist your workplace in developing strategies to promote mental health at work, and to effectively handle existing mental health issues.
Learn to recognize the risks and take action - everyone benefits from making a mentally healthy workplace their business.
Visit the Healthy Minds @ Work website
Work Safely with Radiation
October 18 webinar focuses on radiation safety in the workplace
Radiation is all around us in Canada. Natural background radiation is found in soil, air, food, and water, but radiation is also used in healthcare, power generation, construction, manufacturing, research, and other workplace settings. Over 150,000 Canadians are monitored each year for occupational radiation dose, and many more are exposed during diagnostic or therapeutic medical procedures.
To help Canadian workers gain a greater knowledge of radiation, CCOHS has partnered with the Radiation Safety Institute of Canada to present a live webinar on Radiation Safety in the Workplace on October 18.
This online session will give participants a better understanding of what radiation is, the health effects of exposure, and some of the principles and practical methods of radiation protection. Gain the knowledge required to make informed decisions and opinions about radiation safety related issues, in any industry.
The cost of the session is $39 and includes a copy of the presentation slides, the ability to ask questions during the live session, and access to the recording.
Learn more and register online
Introducing the Student Membership Program
A special resource just for OH&S students
If you are currently a student working towards a career in occupational health and safety, CCOHS offers a Student Membership Program to help you get a jump start on your workplace health and safety education - and your career.
As a CCOHS Student Member, you can start building valuable connections with other students and professionals in your field. Plus, you'll be able to tap into CCOHS' extensive network of resources to help advance your knowledge of workplace health and safety throughout your studies and beyond graduation.
For an annual fee of $25, student members will receive:
- 2 CCOHS pocket safety e-guides
- 1 CCOHS lapel pin
- Member certificate
- Special student membership rate at the CCOHS Forum
- Membership Matters, an exclusive members-only quarterly newsletter
And once you graduate, you'll save 10% off our regular CCOHS Membership rate.
Learn more about the Student Membership Program and join online
Designing an Effective PPE Program
Resources from CCOHS can help you out
Hazards exist in every workplace so strategies to protect workers are essential. The priority should focus on the elimination and control of hazards at their source or along the path between the source and the worker.
Controlling a hazard at its source should be the first choice because this method will eliminate it from the workplace altogether or isolate it from the worker. This approach may require substitution of a material with nonhazardous ones, isolation of hazards, addition of safety features to existing equipment, redesign of the work processes, or purchase of new equipment. When the hazard cannot be removed or controlled adequately, and all other methods are not available or possible, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) may be an effective option.
A worker wears PPE to minimize exposure to specific occupational hazards. Examples include respirators, gloves, aprons, fall protection, and full body suits, as well as head, eye and foot protection. Using PPE is only one element in a complete safety program that would use a variety of strategies to maintain a safe and healthy occupational environment. PPE does not reduce the hazard itself nor does it guarantee permanent or total protection.
A PPE program must be comprehensive. It requires commitment and active participation at the planning, development, and implementation stages from all levels: senior management, supervisors, and workers. A good PPE program consists of these essential elements:
- workplace survey
- selection of appropriate controls
- selection of appropriate PPE
- fitting
- training
- management support
- maintenance
- auditing of the program
More information on PPE from CCOHS includes:
- Personal Protective Equipment, OSH Answers
- Personal Protective Equipment: The Basics e-course
- Emergency Response Planning Guide
Listen Up: Roadside and Bee Sting Safety
Check out the latest podcasts from CCOHS
Get health and safety to go! Simply download these podcasts to your computer or MP3 player and listen to them at your own convenience. Here are some of our latest episodes:
- Roadside Safety Mark Ordeman, Manager of Transportation at WorkSafeBC, discusses the safety hazards faced each day by those who work on or near roads including emergency responders, construction workers, utility workers and tow truck drivers.
- Protecting Yourself Against Bee Stings Get tips on how workers can protect themselves from bee stings when working outdoors.
See all podcasts | Subscribe on iTunes
About LIAISON
LIAISON, a publication of the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) is published bi-monthly for distribution to CCOHS clients and opt-in newsletter subscribers.
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