Hamilton, ON (August 24, 2010) – A new resource is available to help organizations establish and build upon their health and safety efforts. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has developed a manual that provides guidance for organizations on how to implement and maintain an effective occupational health and safety (OH&S) program.

This 134-page manual (in 8.5x11 inch format) will help organizations create an OH&S program with emphasis on effectiveness, compliance, diligence and documentation. It focuses on preventing or reducing hazards and risks to employees, equipment, material and environment by using workplace hazard assessments, and monitoring and improving your OH&S program.

The manual provides over 50 sample policies and checklists for the implementation of an OH&S program, and is organized by sections that cover commonly required components of an OH&S program. 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.

For more information, please visit the CCOHS website or call the Inquiries and Clients Services line at 1 (800) 668-4284.

About CCOHS

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), formed in 1978, is a Canadian federal government agency based in Hamilton, Ontario. CCOHS provides Canadians with unbiased, relevant information, training and advice that supports responsible decision-making and promotes safe and healthy workplaces. CCOHS makes a wide range of occupational health and safety information readily available, in language that is appropriate for all users, from the general public to the health and safety professional. Internationally, the Centre is renowned as an innovative, authoritative occupational health and safety resource. CCOHS partners and collaborates with agencies and organizations from Canada and around the world to improve the quality and quantity of resources and programs, as well as expand the breadth of usage of occupational health information to many different segments of society.