July 22, 2011

* Reprinted with permission of The Windsor Star, which retains copyright.

Heat cause for caution for outdoor workers --By Kristie Pearce, The Windsor Star July 6, 2011

Windsor, Ont. --It was his first day on the job, building houses in the sweltering heat, when he collapsed on site and later slipped into a coma.

After a full day of work, a 49-year-old Windsor man suffered heat stroke and seizures on a construction site June 30.

Connie Walls, of the Windsor Occupational Health Information Service, said the man was rushed to hospital with a body temperature of 107 F and was immediately packed in ice.

"If he hadn't got the attention when he got it he would've been in big trouble," she said.

The man slipped into a coma and was on life support until he woke the next day.

He was released from the hospital Sunday and is in good condition.

He declined an interview request Wednesday.

According to Walls the man blamed himself for the incident, which she said the health service hears all the time.

"That's a big problem --- when people tend to blame themselves," she said. "They really haven't been shown what precautions to take in a lot of cases."

The incident prompted the WOHIS to issue a warning this week about the dangers of working outdoors in the heat.

Temperatures for the rest of the week are expected to hover between 29 and 33 C, according to Environment Canada.

Walls said part of the problem is workers new to outdoor jobs aren't acclimatized to the heat --- it takes seven to 14 days to become adjusted.

Matt Blager, a spokesman with the Ontario Ministry of Labour, said the ministry was not notified of the incident and is conducting an investigation.

Ministry policy states that any time someone loses consciousness while working, the incident must be reported. The construction company the man was working for was unidentified.

According to Environment Canada, the day the man collapsed temperatures hit a high of 28, more than enough to cause heat stroke, Walls said.

The man was recently laid off from an automotive feeder plant on Patillo Road and was eager to start working again.

Brett Werstein, who has been roofing for the past 10 years, said his employer Sure Seal Roofing and Siding reminds workers to take extra breaks and keep hydrated during high heat.

Werstein said when he was 17 a co-worker passed out and went into shock while doing siding on a hot day.

"It's tough to see when a co-worker goes down," he said. "The sun will get you."

Werstein said many workers are afraid to take extra breaks throughout the day because they fear they'll get in trouble from their employers.

But he said heat exhaustion is a common topic at his place of work and his employer ensures the workers pack their trucks with ice and water.

"You never get used to it, but you work through it," he said while doing a siding job Wednesday on condominiums.

"You drink your extra water, you take your extra breaks and you sit down if you have to."

Copyright © The Windsor Star

June 06, 2011

Recipients of awards at our 27th Annual Clifton Grant Awards Dinner:

Clifton Grant Award --
Tracie Edward

Youth Activism Award --
University of Windsor Labour Studies students: Catherine Joyce, Shelby Weishar, Josh Ewener, Jessica Toldo, Adam Bulkwiecz, Zachary Gerard

WOHIS Awards of Recognition --
Cheryl Lucier, UTE, PSAC
Jennifer Gee, WECHC
Mary Lou McCullough, CUPE
Paul Sylvestre, SCFP
Mark Seguin
Rodney Beaudoin, CUPE
Inquest Action Group: Pat Cunningham, Sandra Dominato, Barbara Dupont, Anne Forrest, Elizabeth Haynes, Joy Hamilton, Catherine Kedziora, Carol Libby, Pat Noonan, Michelle Schryer, Lois Smedick, Charlene Senn, Lynne Watts

WDLC/WHSC Award --
Rolly Marentette

Special Mention * - Lucie (Dunn) Bechard, Clifton Grant Award recipient 25 years ago.
WOHIS would like to congratulate Lucie on her upcoming retirement and thank her for all the years she has dedicated to health and safety in our community!

June 02, 2011

Health and safety agency to recognize student outreach program

While working at a deli counter in her native Owen Sound, Catherine Joyce didn't want to wear her safety gloves.

"They were ugly," says the fourth-year student of labour studies and political science. "I was more concerned with my appearance than my job."

That changed on the day she sliced her finger.

"When I came back from the hospital, the manager wasn't sympathetic, but was mad at me for not wearing the mesh gloves," Joyce recalls.

It's an experience she draws on while teaching high school students about the health and safety hazards awaiting youth in the workplace.

"I tell them that work isn't a fashion show and it's not a place to meet pick-ups," she says. "They need to wear the safety equipment."

A project that has sent students from the labour studies program into local high schools is being recognized with a Youth Engagement Award from the Windsor Occupational Health Information Service at its annual community dinner on Friday, June 3.

The project, spearheaded by labour studies director Alan Hall, is meant to increase youth awareness of workplace safety and employment standards issues while promoting interest in the UWindsor program. This year, six student--Joyce, Adam Bulkiewicz, Josh Ewener, Zachary Gerard, Jessica Toldo and Shelby Weishar--spoke to classes and set up information booths in schools across the county.

"I think it has been pretty effective," says Weishar, a fourth-year double major in labour studies and sociology. She says the work combines their formal education with personal experience.

"They really complement each other," she says. "Once we tell them our stories they listen, because we're close to their age."

Safety first: Labour studies students Catherine Joyce and Shelby Weishar are members of a group visiting local high schools to discuss workplace health and safety issues.

May 28, 2011

"Ontario's Ministry of Labour has launched a four-month safety blitz to help protect new and young workers.

Beginning May 1, 2011, health and safety inspectors will ensure employers are complying with regulations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and that young workers are:

• instructed, trained and supervised on jobs;
• meeting minimum age requirements for the work they are doing; and
• using proper safety measures, equipment and procedures.

Inspectors will focus on workplaces where many new and young workers are employed, including restaurants, landscaping sites, arenas, mills, nursing homes, low-rise construction projects, and farming operations.

New and young workers in Ontario are four times more likely to be injured during the first month of employment than at any other time. According to the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board's annual report, between 2005 and 2009, 36 young workers aged 15 to 24 died in work-related incidents such as falls, motor vehicle accidents, and incidents involving machinery."

April 27, 2011

According to the Ministry of Labour website:

G&K Services Canada Inc. Fined $60,000 After Worker injured

April 19, 2011 12:00 PM
Windsor, ON - G&K Services Canada Inc., a uniform supplier, was fined $60,000 for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was injured.

G&K Services Canada Inc. operates an industrial laundry service at its Windsor facility. As part of the laundry process, clothing is placed in a bag with a drawstring at the bottom. The bag moves vertically along a conveyor until it gets to a sensor at the end. When the bag hits the sensor, it is hoisted up into the air.

On September 24, 2009, a worker noticed that the drawstring on a bag was not tied. The worker attempted to tie the bag while walking with it along the conveyor. When the bag hit the sensor, it was hoisted up. The worker's thumb was entangled in the bag's drawstring, and the worker was lifted into the air with the bag. The worker's thumb was amputated by the force of the moving bag.

A Ministry of Labour investigation found that the emergency stop button on the bag hoist was too high up for a worker to reach in an emergency.

G&K Services Canada Inc. pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that the emergency stop button on the bag hoist was located within easy reach of the machine operator.

The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Robert Gay. In addition to the fine, the court imposed a 25-per-cent victim fine surcharge, as required by the Provincial Offences Act. The surcharge is credited to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime.

For more information, please visit the website:

http://news.ontario.ca/mol/en/2011/04/gk-services-canada-inc-fined-60000-after-worker-injured.html

February 25, 2011

The Annual General Membership meeting took place on Thursday, February 24, 2011.

December 15, 2009
Bill 168, An Act to amend the Occupational Health and Safety Act with respect to violence and harassment in the workplace received Royal Assent today. Bill 168 passed Third Reading on December 09, 2009; passed Second Reading in the Ontario legislature on October 20, 2009. Ontario's Minister of Labour, Peter Fonseca introduced Bill 168 on April 20, 2009.

View the Bill.

August 1, 2009
According to YOW Canada, the Ministry of Labour Safety Blitz in September will focus on WHMIS - Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System. An up-to-date WHMIS program keeps employees current on the regulations concerning hazardous materials in the workplace. The system was designed to keep workers and employers informed of the dangers and hazards associated with the chemicals and substances that they may come into contact with while on the job.

WHMIS training should include general and site-specific training that is unique to your workplace and focuses on the products that you work with or may be exposed to. This includes where you keep the personal protective equipment and MSDSs as well as training for specific work and storage procedures.

Lack of compliance can lead to costly fines, jail time, injuries, and even death.

Remember, you have the Right to a safe and healthy workplace!

June 26, 2009 - CCOHS
Improved access to CCOHS online health & safety resources:LINK

NEWS FLASH
The young and new worker safety blitz is being performed throughout Ontario in the service and manufacturing sectors. The blitz will focus on: young, new workers aged 14 to 24 years, and new workers 25 and older who have been on the job less than six months or who have been reassigned to a new job. Ministry of Labour inspectors will place special emphasis on the safety of new workers in locations such as retail stores, wholesalers, restaurants, vehicle sales and service outlets and enterprises involved in tourism. The ministry is also inspecting workplaces such as golf courses, camps, temporary amusement parks, tree planting and locations where workers are engaged in activities such as painting and landscaping.

WOHIS has noticed an increase in inquries regarding the safety blitz, as the H&S inspectors are often required to exercise considerable judgement when assessing working environments, particularly those where young and new workers are employed.

At the 25th Anniversary of the Day of Mourning, April 28th 2009:
NDP Windsor-Tecumseh MP Joe Comartin said "he feels the events of recent weeks have shown an attack on the labour movement and warned it's only a matter of time before companies start targeting health and safety measures in contract negotiations. We have to say we're not going to do that. Every person in this room - we have to be saying NO, we're not going back to lose everything we fought for."

April 23, 2009 - Day of Mourning
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Day of Mourning.

On Tuesday April 28th, workers, their representatives and others will gather to reflect on the thousands of Ontarians killed annually as a result of work, and hundreds of thousands who suffer work-related injuries and diseases. In Windsor at 5 p.m. there will be information booths at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church hall with a Procession to Coventry Gardens at 6 p.m. Everyone is invited!

April 23, 2009
WHSC Updates Patient Lifting Hazard Bulletin

April 20, 2009
New Ontario Violence Legislation Passes First Reading

March 26, 2009 - Earth Hour
Earth Hour 2009 is Saturday March 28 at 8:30 p.m.

"Earth Hour is an annual international "lights out" event led by WWF with the goal of having as many individuals and businesses as possible turn off their lights for one hour to support action on climate change.

Last year Earth Hour was a huge success! Millions of people in more than 30 countries participated. Here in Canada, almost half of all Canadians turned off the lights."

Why Participate? According to the World Wildlife Fund website: "Earth Hour is a symbolic event. Turning off our lights for an hour won't stop climate change but it does demonstrate that our individual action is important and adds up to make a big difference. More importantly, it sends a very powerful message to government and world leaders that people want policies and regulations put in place that can achieve meaningful emission reduction to help fight climate change. Encourage family, friends and local businesses to turn off all non-essential lights on Saturday, March 28 at 8:30 pm. until 9.30 pm."

March 05, 2009 - International Women's Day
Sunday March 8th is International Women's Day.

Nellie McClung was one of the most important leaders of Canada's wave of feminism. Nellie was one of The Famous Five, along with Irene Parlby, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Emily Murphy and Louise McKinney; who, in 1927, put forward a petition to clarify the word "Person". These five women appealed the decision of the highest Canadian court and on October 18, 1929, the Privy Council found that the term "Person" includes female persons, thereby making women eligible for appointment to the Canadian Senate. Prior to that, the term 'person' was not meant to include women ? only men! Nellie fought for factory safety legislation, having seen the appalling working conditions women faced in the sweatshops. We've come a long way but we still have a long way to go!

Today, women's rights are being threatened. On February 6, 2009, the government tabled legislation that would change the rules governing pay equity in the federal public sector. If passed, this legislation will prevent women in the federal public sector from receiving equal pay for work of equal value.

February 26, 2009 - 10th International RSI Day
Tomorrow is the 10th International RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) Awareness Day.

According to the Workers Health and Safety Centre (WHSC) a national health survey completed by Statistics Canada found one out of fifteen Canadians live with a potentially disabling musculoskeletal injury.

In Ontario, approximately one half of workers compensation claims are for muscular strains.

The highest rates of injury tend to occur where work is forceful, repetitive and awkward. Cashiers and stackers in grocery stores, sewers and cutters in the garment trade, butchers in the food processing industry; electronics assemblers, office data entry clerks, and carpenters, plumbers and electricians in the construction sector are at particular risk for musculoskeletal injuries.

Eliminating or reducing the repetitiveness, awkwardness and force associated with a task is best achieved through ergonomic interventions; this includes both workplace and job design. The guiding principle in workplace design is to fit the workplace to the worker.

To be effective, ergonomic interventions must also be accompanied by worker training.

Work shouldn't hurt!

Remember you have the right to a safe and healthy workplace!

10th Annual International RSI Awareness Day
Friday, February 27, 2009 at the Fogolar Furlan Club

February 12, 2009 - Alcoholism in the Workplace
Despite plunging sales in almost every sector, alcohol sales are on the rise, says an LCBO spokesperson.

Alcoholism is a growing concern in our society today. It affects the workplace, laid off workers, injured workers, and even those workers facing the possibility of a future layoff.

These could all be factors that make people turn to alcohol and other substances as coping mechanisms.

Just last week a young laid off Windsor worker died due to substance abuse. We can only imagine the frustration this young worker must have felt not knowing what the future held.

According to CCOHS, Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, various and numerous personal and social factors can play a major role in substance abuse in the workplace. In general, however, some work-related factors can include:
high stress,
low job satisfaction,
long hours or irregular shifts,
fatigue,
repetitious duties,
periods of inactivity or boredom,
isolation,
remote or irregular supervision and,
easy access to substances.

For more information on alcoholism in the workplace, or any health and safety concerns, please contact WOHIS - Windsor Occupational Health Information Service - 3129 Marentette Avenue (directly behind Devonshire Mall) - phone 519-254-5157.

Remember, you have the Right to a safe and healthy workplace.

Februrary 02, 2009 - Conflict Prevention
Every worker in a workplace is a unique individual and it is easy for conflicts to arise due to these differences.

Our workplace encourages co-operation between employees more than competition to prevent conflicts. We also encourage constructive criticism and take it very seriously. We discuss solutions to daily problems as they arise. Unfounded rumours are quickly suppressed. We understand our goals and strategies and work together to implement them equally. We internally discuss and resolve our conflicts and mutually decide on a resolution.

We urge all workplaces to create a policy or review their present policy to confirm that your workplace knows what steps to take should conflicts occur.

January 29, 2009 - OH&S training
Occupational health and safety training saves lives and prevents injuries and illness. Too many workers suffer workplace injuries or develop workplace diseases each year in Ontario. Studies of Certification training reveal the benefits of training in ensuring safe and healthy workplaces.

Ontario Health and Safety law requires employers to acquaint and train all workers and supervisors with the actual or potential physical, chemical or biological hazards they may face in the workplace. Effective training is an essential part of any workplace due diligence strategy.

According to the Workers Health and Safety Centre, injuries, occupational illnesses and fatalities affect the bottom line of any business, but, the suffering experienced by affected workers, their families and their communities can never be measured adequately.

An important first step in any workplace should aim at empowering workplace parties with basic knowledge of their legal rights and responsibilities through occupational health and safety training.

To learn of upcoming training dates, contact WOHIS - Windsor Occupational Health Information Service - at 519-254-5157 - located directly behind the theatres at Devonshire Mall - 3129 Marentette Avenue Unit 2.

And remember, you have the Right to a safe and healthy workplace!

January 22, 2009 - RSI Repetitive Strain Injuries
Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) is a broad term which encompasses a number of overuse injuries affecting muscles and nerves in the upper and lower back, shoulders, arms and hands. Initially the symptoms may involve acute pain that can progress into chronic disorders that prevent workers from performing their normal life activities.

In Canada, approximately one in fifteen adults suffers a repetitive strain injury serious enough to limit their normal activity according to a recent Statistics Canada study.

A variety of workplace factors can play a role in the development of RSIs including: repetition, work pace, vibrating equipment, awkward or fixed positions, forceful movements, cold temperatures, and insufficient recovery time.

Work shouldn't hurt. RSIs detract from quality of life for sufferers and their families.

Friday, February 27, 2009 ? OHCOW's 10th Annual International RSI Awareness Day

Fogolar Furlan Club ? contact OHCOW (519-973-4800) for registration

January 08, 2009 - Workplace Violence prevention training
Hello everyone, and Happy New Year!

1. This is a reminder that on Saturday, January 24th, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Labour Council is offering the Workers' Centre, Workplace Violence prevention training. Please note that participants must pre-register by January 16th. This training will take place at the OHCOW office at 3129 Marentette Avenue, (behind Devonshire Mall).

2. The next Health and Safety Activists meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 16th at 6 p.m. at the Occupational Health Clinic for Ontario Workers, 3129 Marentette Ave. (behind Devonshire Mall). For those who are not familiar with this group, it was started at the suggestion of some of our participants of our Labour Council Health and Safety Community Training classes. We hope to provide a forum for anyone concerned about safety in their workplaces, to discuss solutions, problems and strategies for changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Act. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the OH&S Act. What strategies can we develop to make sure that our health and safety rights are protected?

December 11, 2008
Working in cold environments

According to the Worker's Health and Safety Centre, "large numbers of Ontario workers are exposed to cold work environments with the potential for developing a serious and even fatal injury. These workers include individuals who work outside in the winter months such as construction workers, firefighters, traffic police, forestry, postal and utilities workers to name a few. There are others who work indoors in artificially cold environments year-round such as workers in meatpacking plants, slaughterhouses, food processing plants, and dairies. Individuals working in garages and warehouses where the doors are left open in the winter are also exposed to cold, damp air."

Exposure to too much cold can cause bodily or mental strain. The most dangerous and rapid heat loss occurs when clothing is wet, wind is high, surrounding surfaces are cold, or when the body is immersed in cold water. Various studies on effects of cold on workers show cold stress is a safety hazard. It impairs performance of both manual and complex mental tasks.

Workers exposed to cold environments are at risk. Unfortunately, Ontario?s Occupational Health and Safety Act only has a general duty clause which requires employers to "take every precaution reasonable to protect worker health and safety." This would include working in cold environments indoors or outdoors.

The best way to prevent cold stress is to avoid, whenever possible, work in cold, damp environments and direct contact with freezing cold objects. However, for many workers these conditions cannot be avoided.

For continuous work in temperatures below the freezing point, heated warming shelters such as tents, cabins and rest rooms must be made available. The pace of work must not be so heavy as to cause excessive sweating. If such work is necessary, proper rest periods in a warm area must be provided. Further, time must be allowed for changing into dry clothes. New workers must be given enough time to get accustomed to cold and protective clothing before assuming a full work load.

The risk of cold injury can be minimized by: proper equipment design, protective clothing, training, and safe work practices.

Remember you have the right to a safe and healthy workplace!

December 04, 2008
December 6th Memorial invitation

Please plan to attend a memorial on December 6, 11:00 a.m. sharp, as we remember the 19th Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre, when 14 women were murdered at L'Ecole Polytechnique. This memorial is dedicated to Mary Lou and all victims of violence. The memorial will be held at the Chrysler Assembly Plant on Chrysler Centre and Ypres. The memorial will take place at the North Gate.

The CAW is organizing this event. Barbara Dupont will be the guest speaker.

This is an outdoor event - so please dress warmly. The memorial is approximately 20 minutes in length, with refreshments served after at the Local 444 union hall, Turner Road.

Make your opposition to violence against women VISIBLE! Together, we make a difference.

November 05,2008
WOHIS Lending Library

Did you know that WOHIS is a lending library, as well as a reference library?

The video library has over 300 videos and 200 DVDs that include: Accident Investigation, Chemical Hazards, Ergonomics, Hearing and Noise, Personal Protection, WHMIS, and Young Worker Awareness, just to name a few. The extensive collection covers all aspects of workplace health and safety. Videos and DVDs can be used to enhance safety meetings or for specific safety training.

Also in the library is a large collection of books, journals and articles. These items can be used in-house or borrowed. Some of our recent acquisitions include:
Extra-ordinary Ergonomics - this book covers such topics as: Ergonomics for All! For small & big persons, the disabled, and the elderly, expectant mothers, and even ergonomics for children.
A Doctor's Calling - this book was written by Hazel Magnussen who shares the story of her brother, Dr. Doug Snider, an Alberta medical doctor, who was murdered.
Work-related Asthma - If you work with metals (cutting, grinding, soldering, welding, boring, drilling, milling and/or turning metal) and metal working fluids, you should be aware of work related asthma.

WOHIS is the most comprehensive occupational health and safety library in our area. Come and visit us!

The WOHIS library is open Monday thru Friday from 8:30 to 4:30.

You have the Right to a safe and healthy workplace!

October 30, 2008
Taxicab drivers

Today's headlines read 'Hammer used in alarming robbery'

Taxicab drivers are among the most vulnerable workers in society. Taxicab drivers must work in high risk environments. Taxicab drivers work with the public, work with cash, work alone, work at night, and work in high-crime areas.

Dr. P.C. Stenning, University of Toronto, states in a 2001 report addressing Taxicab Safety Issues in Manitoba, "Taxi drivers are a highly victimized occupational group in Canada. Overall, their victimization while at work may be as high as twenty times that of Canadians generally".

Statistics Canada reported that driving a taxi is the most dangerous occupation in Canada. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) taxicab drivers are among those with the highest rates of nonfatal assaults, exceeded only by police and private security guards.

Safety measures must be taken to help reduce work-related risks for taxicab drivers...perhaps a cash free system would work.

Everyone has the right to a safe and healthy workplace, including taxicab drivers.

October 23, 2008
Handwashing Policy

It's a fact...you can reduce your risk of illness by washing your hands! Handwashing is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Sounds simple, doesn't it?

The Centre for Disease Controls reports less than one in five people wash their hands after handling money; money is a major carrier of germs. Studies have shown that people are more likely to wash their hands when they see posters. Handwashing posters remind people to wash their hands. This helps us all avoid contact with germs.

Handwashing in the workplace is important. Does your workplace have a handwashing policy? Does your workplace need a handwashing policy?

October 09, 2008
Don't Forget to Vote!

Mouseland - One of Tommy Douglas's most enduring pieces of oratory is the story of Mouseland. It has inspired generations of social activists and progressive leaders alike.

This is the story of a place called Mouseland. Mouseland was a place where all the little mice lived and played. Were born and died. And they lived much as you and I do. They even had a parliament. And every four years they had an election. They used to walk to the polls and cast their ballot. Some of them even got a ride to the polls. They got a ride for the next four years afterward too. Just like you and me. And every time on election day, all the little mice used to go to the ballot box and they used to elect a government A government made up of big black fat cats.

Now if you think it?s strange that mice should elect a government made up of cats. You just look at the history of Canada for the last ninety years and maybe you?ll see they weren?t any stupider than we are.

Now I am not saying anything against the cats. They were nice fellows; they conducted the government with dignity. They passed good laws. That is, laws that were good for cats.

But the laws that were good for cats weren?t very good for mice. One of the laws said that mouse holes had to be big enough so a cat could get his paw in. Another law said that mice could only travel at certain speeds so that a cat could get his breakfast without too much physical effort.

All the laws were good laws for cats. But oh, they were hard on the mice. And life was getting harder and harder. And when the mice couldn?t put up with it anymore they decided something had to be done about it. So they went en masse the polls.

They voted the black cats out. They put in the white cats. The white cats had put up a terrific campaign. They said all that Mouseland needs is more vision. They said the trouble with Mouseland is those round mouse holes we?ve got. If you put us in we?ll establish square mouse holes. And they did. And the square mouse holes were twice as big as the round mouse holes. And now the cat could get both his paws in. And life was tougher than ever.

And when they couldn?t take that anymore they voted the white cats out and put the black ones in again. And then they went back to the white cats, and then to the black, they even tried half black cats and half white cats And they called that coalition. They even got one government made up with up cats with spots on them. They were cats that tried to make a noise like a mouse but they ate like a cat.

You see my friends the trouble wasn?t with the colour of the cats. The trouble was that they were cats. And because they were cats they naturally look after cats instead of mice.

Presently there came along one little mouse who had an idea. My friends watch out for the little fellow with an idea. He said to the other mice. Look fellows why do we keep electing a government made up of cats, why don?t we elect a government made up of mice?? Oh, they said, he?s a Bolshevik. So they put him in jail. But I want to remind you that you can lock up a mouse or a man but you can?t lock up an idea.

October 02, 2008
Fire Safety

What if a fire broke out in your workplace. You only have seconds to respond... would you know what to do?

October is Fire Safety month, so now is a great time to inspect your fire extinguisher and review it's use. Do you know where your fire extinguishers are located? Is the extinguisher full or does it need to be recharged?

This is also a great time to develop an escape plan or review your current plan at your workplace and at home!

It's important to have an evacuation plan, fire drills, proper emergency site control, working radios and flashlights, a first aid kit, and accurate building maps.

Remember: Fire is dangerous, Fire is unpredictable and Fire can be life-threatening.

CUPE has launched a new online Green Bargaining resource. Check it out:

Green Bargaining Guide - English

Green Bargaining Guide - French

Summer 2008 - Mosquitoes

During the months of August and September mosquitos are highly active; that means outside workers are at increased risk for West Nile Virus, a virus that causes infection in humans, birds, and animals.

Some workers at risk include farmers, groundskeepers, landscapers, roofers, pavers, construction workers, and painters as well as other outdoor workers. Of course lab workers and health care workers who handle patient fluids are also at risk as well as workers handling dead birds or animals.

Workers at risk of West Nile Virus should receive training on prevention just like any other workplace hazard.

For more information on West Nile Virus or any health and safety concern, please contact WOHIS.

Remember you have the right to a safe and healthy workplace.

July 31, 2008 - Workplace hazards

A recent community poll asked the question: Do you feel safe in your workplace?

74.6% said yes I feel safe in my workplace, while 25.4% said NO.

It makes one wonder how many responding to the poll have not been informed of potential hazards and exposures in their workplace.

This week's headlines reported on two separate asphalt industry deaths: 'Fifteen-year-old dies in Manitoba after being buried in hot asphalt', and 'Paving crew member dies under asphalt machine' in Brampton Ontario.

Asphalt paving material is a dull black mixture of asphalt cement, sand, and crushed rock. After being heated, it is dumped out steaming hot onto the roadbed, raked level, and then compacted by a heavy steamroller.

Some of the hazards in the asphalt industry include: potential burns, spills, falls, explosions, over-fills and contamination that can occur when loading, transporting and unloading hot asphalt.

There is no room for mistakes when working around hot asphalt.

Every workplace has hazards and every worker has the right to know about those hazards. According to the Occupational Health and Safety Act section 25 (2) 'an employer shall provide information, instruction and supervision to a worker to protect the health or safety of the worker', and section 25 (d) 'an employer shall acquaint a worker?with any hazard in the work'?.

Knowing about hazards and training to avoid hazards allows workers to work more safely.

Every worker has the right to a safe and healthy workplace; and the right to leave work uninjured at the end of the work day.

July 24, 2008 - Outdoor Workers

Outdoor workers should avoid prolonged exposure to sunshine because of the damaging effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.

In Ontario, during the midday hours on clear summer days, UV radiation from the sun can easily exceed recommended exposure limits. It can take only 15 minutes to cause a sunburn on unprotected skin. Exposure of outdoor workers to solar UV radiation should be minimized by:
making use of natural or artificial shade, or
scheduling alternative tasks when the sun is most intense.
Excessive exposure to the sun's radiation over the years is a factor related to premature skin aging, skin cancer, and cataracts in older people.

To reduce outdoor workers exposure to ultraviolet rays:
Wear a hat.
Wear tightly-woven clothing, covering as much of the body as is practical.
Apply sunscreen with a SPF of 15 or higher on exposed skin (don't forget your lips!)
Wear safety glasses that effectively filter ultraviolet rays.
UV-safety measures however should NOT lead to other safety risks such as obstructing your view or heat stress.

Remember, you have the Right to a safe and healthy workplace.

July 10, 2008 - Summer Jobs for Youth Program

WOHIS is happy to be once again involved with the Summer Jobs for Youth Program and welcomes Tara Hogan to our workplace! WOHIS is one of 70 employers in Windsor participating in this program.

This is Windsor's second year with Summer Jobs for Youth Program. The program is a job placement for two hundred teens ages 15 to 18, who will acquire workplace skills through summer employment. Salaries for youth participating in the summer jobs program is government funded. The Summer Jobs for Youth Program includes employment placements in a variety of fields such as recreation, business and youth leadership.

"Young people enter the program with little to no experience and leave with a resume and the self-confidence necessary to find future employment opportunities", says Dan Petoran, program manager at New Beginnings.

WOHIS was able to create a link between New Beginnings and the Workers Health and Safety Centre, recognizing how important it is for young workers to receive health and safety training before their first day on the job. The youths participating in this program now go into the workplace with WHMIS health and safety training.

Everyone has the right to a safe and healthy workplace, including our young workers!

WOHIS Health And Safety Minute
Have you heard our WOHIS Health And Safety Minute? Listen Thursday's during the 'All in a Day's Work' program 4-5 p.m. on CJAM 91.5 FM Radio!

July 03 2008

A report on Vulnerable Workers released on July 18, 2007 from the Ministry of Labour suggests high school dropouts, or early school leavers, are at a higher risk of being injured or killed on the job!

Why do young workers have a greater chance of being injured or killed at work?
Many youth, either early school leavers or new graduates, out of desperation, enter Ontario workplaces and take on risky jobs, and face unsafe conditions. Far too many young workers are injured or killed in the workplace.

Young workers are inexperienced. Young workers are not adequately trained. Young workers do not understand their rights as workers. This contributes to their high rates of workplace injuries and fatalities.

Young workers should know the Occupational Health and Safety Act 25 (2) (a) states your employer has a duty to provide information, instruction and supervision to a worker to protect the health or safety of the worker.

For more information on this or any other health and safety concern please contact WOHIS - Windsor Occupational Health Information Service - at 3129 Marentette Avenue (behind Devonshire Mall) or call us at 519-254-5157.

Remember, you have the Right to a safe and healthy workplace!

June 19 2008 - WHMIS - Students & Volunteers
Do Summer Students who are working for only 2 to 4 months require WHMIS Training?

The answer is ...YES! Under the WHMIS Regulations, ALL workers who come into contact or may come into contact with controlled products require training. The length of time that a worker is employed is not relevant.

WHMIS stands for Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System.

WHMIS applies to all workers covered by the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

The onus is on the employer to ensure employees are properly trained. It is recommended that employees who deal with controlled products or hazardous materials complete WHMIS training annually. Reviewing your program ensures that you are still properly meeting the needs of your workforce, have up to date documents, and your employees know how to work safely with the products they work with.

Do Volunteers Require WHMIS Training?

In Ontario, volunteers do not meet the definition of a worker, so they do not legally require WHMIS training. It's a good idea to offer the training to ensure the volunteers know how to safely work with controlled products. It's better to be safe than sorry and provide the training, that way, you reduce the chances of an accident.

Remember, you have the Right to a safe and healthy workplace!

June 12 2008 - Heat Stress
After this week's sweltering heat, WOHIS wants to remind everyone of what you can do to protect yourself against heat stress:
Drink more water
Increase rest break periods
Reduce your pace of work
and most important: Recognize the signs and symptoms of heat stress, which include:
headache, dizziness, excessive sweating, cramping, rashes, and fainting.

Start a buddy system, since people will probably not notice their own symptoms.
If you are suffering from heat stress, get to a cooler location and take a break.

Employers have a duty to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker. This includes ensuring a worker is protected from heat stress by developing and implementing hot environment policies and procedures.

Heat stress is an important workplace health and safety issue.

Remember you have the right to a safe and healthy workplace.

June 5 2008 - Young Workers
Did you know that each day in Canada, more than 40 workers under the age of 19 are hurt on the job?
According to CCOHS (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety).... Statistics from the Association of Workers Compensation Boards of Canada say workers between the ages of 15 and 19 had 14,787 time loss injuries in Canada in 2006, and 10 work-related fatalities! In the 20-24 age group, 35, 976 were injured and a further 41 of those young workers died.

If you hire students or young workers, keep in mind that anyone who lacks experience and trained judgement is at particular risk of getting injured. Young workers rely on YOU for good advice, information and supervision, and ultimately, for their safety.

Help make this a great summer and beyond. Make sure your young workers have a safe and positive work experience.....because,

Everyone has the right to a safe and healthy workplace, including young workers!

May 22nd, 2008 - Dog Bite Prevention
Dog attacks have escalated as a result of the breeding tactics and the attack-dog mentality of many owners. We have seen horrible effects that leave disfigured and injured workers who are afraid to return to their jobs. There are tactics, methods, and strategies to keep workers safe from occupational dog attacks and bite incidents that will result in a safer work environment for anyone who may meet a dog in the field.

Some occupations at risk include letter carriers, utility workers, lawn maintenance workers, delivery workers, veterinarians, and animal care givers to name a few.

All injuries no matter how slight should be reported immediately. Small animal bites may seem inconsequential at first but could lead to serious infections if proper medical attention is not sought. All individuals should maintain current tetanus immunizations and seek medical advice and treatment if an injury occurs.

For more information on this or any health and safety concern, please contact WOHIS - Windsor Occupational Health Information Service - at (519) 254-5157 or visit us at 3129 Marentette Ave. (directly behind the theatres at Devonshire Mall).

Remember you have the right to a safe & healthy workplace!

May 14 2008 - Toxic Trespass Video
Toxic Trespass aired last night on TVO.

This National Film Board production, investigates Windsor and Sarnia:
two Canadian toxic hotspots, with startling clusters of deadly diseases.

In Toxic Trespass, filmmaker Barri Cohen launches an investigation into the detrimental effects of the chemical soup around us. Journeying into toxic nightmares all too common in industrialized countries. Cohen meets passionate activists working for positive change, along with doctors and scientists who see evidence of links between environmental pollution and health problems. Cohen also learns just how quickly barriers can go up when anyone tries to ask questions about the connection between toxins and serious health problems.

Toxic Trespass will soon be available from the National Film Board.

May 8 2008 - National Nurses Week
The start of National Nurses Week begins on Monday May 12, Florence Nightingale's birthday. National Nurses Week is set aside each year to remind us to recognize the contributions that nurses and nursing have made to our community. Nurses make a difference everyday.

Let's ensure that our nurses and all workers are working in safe and healthy environments. Are you wondering what you can do?

Now is a good time to sign the petition to Amend the Occupational Health and Safety Act to include a personal safety clause that would offer protections from emotional or psychological harm as well as from physical harm. Please stop by WOHIS and sign the petition. It could make a difference for all workers.

Sexual harassment is a significant and widespread occupational health and safety hazard for women in the workplace, and current workplace legislation has proven to be ineffective in preventing gendered workplace violence and murder.

Legislation to provide workplace protections from sexual harassment and domestic violence has been brought forward 5 times since 2001 and has failed each time.

Let's urge the Ontario Ministry of Labour to undertake a ?review of the Occupational Health and Safety Act to examine the feasibility of including domestic violence (from someone in the workplace), abuse and harrassment as factors warranting investigation and appropriate action by the Ministry of Labour....?

We have collected hundreds of names so far, but we still need more.

Let's make a change for safer workplaces.

And remember, we all have the Right to a safe and healthy workplace!

May 1 2008 - Emergency Preparedness
The first week in May is Emergency Preparedness Week. Are you prepared? Does your workplace have what it needs in case of an emergency?

Knowing the Risks can help you better prepare.

Every workplace needs an Emergency plan. It will help you to know what to do in an emergency. Know your exits. Practice your Plan. Review your plan once a year.

Prepare for an emergency NOW!

Public Safety Canada reports that although the majority of Canadians believe that an emergency plan is important, only a small number of Canadians have actually created them.

If you need help preparing an Emergency Preparedness plan for your workplace, WOHIS can help.

Come and visit our library at 3129 Marentette Avenue or call us at 519-254-5157.

Remember you have the right to a safe and healthy workplace!