Product Description

Watch both the insightful session and the panel discussion on leadership from CCOHS Forum III: Leading Workplace Change.

The Canadian OH&S system is based on the principle of the Internal Responsibility System (IRS). This approach has been fairly successful over the past 30 years in reducing rates of injury and disease. It is also recognized that leadership and management commitment are necessary to accomplish significant impact in OH&S.

Dr. Julian Barling’s presentation examines the dynamics between the IRS and leadership, and how they can positively influence and strengthen the culture of safety. A brief historical tour of the ways in which safety has been traditionally addressed – through legislation, ergonomics, managerial control, and collective bargaining – provides the framework for exploring two emerging trends. Intrinsic workplace factors that contribute to safety motivation and performance will be highlighted, and the quality of leadership and the role it plays in achieving safety will be discussed. Learn how these factors affect the IRS, responsibility, and everyone's ability to lead workplace change.

In the panel discussion that follows, speakers share their observations and provide answers on the internal responsibility system, management commitment, and leadership, from the perspectives of employers and labour.

Frank Saunders shares his insights from the perspective of employers. What is management leadership in health and safety? How does it lead to high levels of health and safety? How does the role of management impact worker involvement and the safety culture? What changes will improve the IRS?

Cathy Walker speaks from the workers’ perspective. To the extent the IRS has given workers and unions a voice through the joint health and safety committee system, it has been a success. But a stronger voice for workers could be more effective. By looking at other countries in Europe, as well as Australia, where workers are empowered to ensure health and safety requirements are implemented, we will discuss ways in which the IRS can be improved in Canada.

Who should watch

• Health and safety professionals
• Industrial hygienists
• Human resources professionals
• Managers, supervisors and business owners
• Health and safety representatives
• Anyone with health and safety responsibilities

Length: 1.75 hours

About the Webcast

Watching the on-demand webcast is the next best thing to being at the live event. You’ll see video of the speaker, along with his or her slides, synchronized to the presentation.

You do not need a microphone or a telephone to listen to the webcast. Just listen to the presentation through your computer's speakers or headphones.

Maximize value by inviting colleagues to watch the webcast with you in a boardroom or training room.

You will receive a confirmation e-mail containing instructions on how to access the webcast and the presentation slides.

System Requirements

You need to have Adobe Flash Player installed: http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/.

About the Presenters

Dr. Julian Barling is a Professor of Organizational Behavior and Psychology in the Queen's School of Business, and Associate Dean with responsibility for the Ph.D, M.Sc and Research programs in the School of Business. Dr. Barling is the author of several books, including The Psychology of Workplace Safety, as well as 150 research articles and book chapters. He is co-editor of the Handbook of Workplace Violence and senior editor of both the Handbook of Work Stress and the Handbook of Organizational Behavior. He is currently involved in research on the topics of leadership, work stress and workplace aggression. Dr. Barling received his Ph.D in 1979 from the University of the Witwatersrand, in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Cathy Walker is the former National Health and Safety Director of the CAW (Canadian Auto Workers Union), which is the largest private sector union in Canada with 260,000 members. She was appointed to the position in 1992 and retired in 2006. Cathy has been a national union representative responsible for health, safety and environment since 1975. She was a member of the Council of Governors of the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety for six years, and was the recipient of the International Award from the Occupational Health Section of the American Public Health Association and the Rachel Carson Award from the Environment Section of the American Industrial Hygiene Association.

Frank Saunders is the Vice President of Nuclear Oversight and Regulatory Affairs with Bruce Power, and since 2001 has held senior positions in a variety of areas including safety, environment, security, regulatory relations and oversight. Frank has over 25 years experience in the nuclear industry, and began his career with Ontario Hydro where he held a variety of management positions in engineering, operations, quality assurance, safety, and inspection. Subsequently, as Director of Nuclear Operations and Facilities at McMaster University, he oversaw operations at McMaster's Nuclear Reactor, Accelerator Facility, Nuclear Research Building Laboratories and support facilities.

Check out all the Forum III sessions available via on-demand webcast

• Leading @ the Speed of Change - Jim Clemmer
• Implementing Successful Participatory Ergonomic Programs: Opportunities and Challenges – Dr. Nancy Theberge
• Case Studies: Successful Implementation of Participatory Ergonomics – Dan Dubblestyne, Wyatt Clark
• Towards a National Prevention Strategy for Workplace Violence in Canada – Glenn French, Anthony Pizzino