On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Michele Beckstead-Jackson from Ontario's Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development discusses the importance of asbestos awareness and training in Ontario workplaces to ensure workers are well-equipped to recognize the dangers of asbestos and know how to safely control the hazard.

Michele states that, although asbestos was mostly halted in construction projects by 1990, some products containing asbestos, such as cement pipes, stormwater drains, and other construction materials, continued to be imported and used significantly in new construction until 2014.

There are three different types of asbestos operations in Ontario: Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3. Each operation has its own criteria to determine what type of removal would be necessary to apply. Michele emphasizes the importance of general awareness asbestos training for workers in various industries who may come in contact with asbestos, including electricians, plumbers, pipe fitters, gas fitters, painters, demolition workers, heating and ventilation workers, and computer installers performing work in type 1, type 2, and type 3 operations.

It is essential to train workers to understand how to recognize asbestos-containing materials (ACM). The training should cover topics such as hazard assessments, personal hygiene, and the importance of always having a record of training on hand for ministry inspections. Employers must understand the training requirements specific to the type of operations their workers work in and ensure their workers continue to be properly trained.

Free Resources

Asbestos on Construction Projects: Reporting and Notification Responsibilities (Ep. 82)

Health and Safety Advisory: Asbestos in Elevator Components

Health & Safety Advisory: Heat Stress and Type 3 Asbestos Operations

Health and Safety Advisory: Gaskets, Boilers and Asbestos

The leading causes of occupational illness in Ontario

Asbestos Work in Construction Hazard Awareness

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On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, IHSA’s Jennifer McKenzie discusses the 'See Something, Say Something' initiative and the importance of speaking up about unsafe conditions at work. Safety is everyone's responsibility, and speaking up protects not only oneself and their co-workers but also their loved ones from preventable heartbreak.

The 'See Something, Say Something' initiative originated from the Bruin, Gerrard, and Maguire Coroner's Inquest, which highlighted a significant gap in workplace culture and communication. Jennifer discusses the interactions she had with the families of workers whose unfortunate workplace fatalities were part of the inquest. Their advocacy became a driving force behind the 'See Something, Say Something' campaign, motivating Jennifer to take their vision and use it to promote a culture of safety where workers feel empowered to speak up and help prevent future tragedies.

The SSSS campaign aligns with IHSA's ‘Keep Your Promise’ campaign, which encourages workers to keep their promise to their families to return home safe. The SSSS campaign also encourages workers to keep their promise to report hazards and concerns to ensure everyone at the workplace returns home safe.

Jennifer emphasizes the need for employers and workers to accept a shared responsibility for safety. Employers should create a workplace culture where workers feel confident and supported in reporting hazards without fear of reprisal. Workers should remain alert and speak up when they notice unsafe conditions, as their actions could prevent near misses or save lives.

A desired outcome for the 'See Something Say Something' campaign would be a cultural shift where speaking up about workplace safety becomes second nature for every worker, supervisor, and employer.

Free Resources

Employers Guideline

Workers Guideline

Keep Your Promise campaign page

A culture of care: Why speaking up matters

Preventing complacency on the job

See Something, Say Something videos

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Distracted driving has become a leading cause of collisions and fatalities in Ontario. Statistics show that, on average, one Ontario citizen is injured in a collision caused by distracted driving every half hour. On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, IHSA’s Michelle Roberts discusses distracted driving as a workplace hazard and the significant impact it can have on one’s safety.

Distracted driving is a form of impaired driving in which a driver's judgment is compromised because they are not fully focused on the road. In Ontario, distracted driving includes the use of any handheld device, like smartphones, GPS, or other digital screens, while driving a vehicle. Michelle emphasizes that distractions while driving can affect performance and reduce a driver's awareness, making them slower to notice and less able to respond to critical events on the road. Using hands-free systems can reduce manual distractions, but cognitive distractions still remain a risk.

Michelle states that employers have a responsibility to protect their workers while they drive for work. It is essential to implement strict safety measures such as establishing a formal distracted driving policy, encouraging rest stops, and providing training and awareness sessions to reinforce safe driving behaviours. Drivers should also take proactive steps to reduce distractions, such as pre-programing devices like GPS, song playlists, and radio before they start driving, stowing away devices, and avoiding eating or drinking while driving.

IHSA provides resources to help employers and workers manage distracted driving, including awareness materials, sample policies, training programs, and eLearning courses focused on road safety.

Free Resources

IHSA’s Road Safety Solutions

Tool Kit & Resources

Road Safety Plan Template

Preventing Work-Related Motor Vehicle Incidents (eLearning)

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