One common mistake organizations often make is using the terms "assessment," "inspection," and "audit" interchangeably. These terms have different meanings and serve different purposes in health and safety, making it essential to not confuse them. This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses the differences between assessments, inspections, and audits in workplace safety and features Michael Falls, health and safety management systems consultant with IHSA in the COR® department.

Michael addresses each term and explains that assessments are systematic evaluations used to identify hazards and risks associated with specific tasks, processes, or environments. Inspections are routine checks of the workplace, looking at equipment, processes, and unsafe conditions. Audits are systematic, independent, and documented processes for gathering evidence and evaluating it objectively to determine how well an organization meets pre-established criteria.

Michael states why each of these processes matters in workplace safety, providing real-life examples of each process, as well as explaining how they are tied to legal compliance. Common mistakes organizations make in assessment, inspection, and auditing processes can be avoided by understanding and applying the terms accurately. Misusing these terms introduces risks that can lead to gaps in safety practices, missed opportunities for improvement, and unclear roles and responsibilities.

Michael also emphasizes the crucial roles employers, supervisors, and workers play in assessments, inspections, and audits, as their input and overall participation are critical for ensuring the effectiveness of the processes.

Free resources

IHSA – Certificate of Recognition (COR®)

COR® Resources

COR® Training

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This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses the Office of the Worker Adviser (OWA) and features Kevin Brown and Kristen Lindsay from Ontario's Office of the Worker Adviser.

The Office of the Worker Adviser is a resource that supports injured Ontario workers and ensures their rights are respected and enforced. The OWA team provides assistance in filing claims and navigating appeals, helping injured workers understand their rights and standing up for fairness. There is no charge for OWA services or any contingency fees, and workers keep all benefits they win.

The OWA has been providing services since 1985, with staff members being mostly lawyers and licensed paralegals. Their staff are recognized as experts within the field and frequently present at law society trainings or the Ontario Bar Association Workers' Compensation section.

Kevin highlights three reasons why OWA is a valuable resource: expertise, accessibility, and effectiveness. People can easily reach an experienced OWA representative quickly for advice through various methods, including email, phone, virtual, and in-person. The wait time for representation services is relatively short—between three and four months. They also have offices throughout the province.

Kevin and Kristen also answer some frequently asked questions from workers, such as advice with return-to-work meetings, understanding medical evidence needed for claims, and how workers’ WSIB benefits relate with other forms of disability benefits like employment insurance and CPP.

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The Office of the Worker Adviser (OWA)

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The Office of the Employer Advisor (OEA) is a little-known resource in Ontario that’s been quietly saving employers time, money, and stress, and it does not cost a thing. On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, OEA’s Director, Susan Adams, and one of their Employer Specialists, Dunstan Francis, discuss what the OEA does and how they assist Ontario employers.

The OEA offers expert guidance, representation, and support to employers. They provide legal services and advice at no cost to help employers safely bring their workers back to work following an incident. The OEA primarily serves Ontario small businesses, as these employers often struggle with the challenges of running a small business and usually have limited resources. They collaborate with system partners—like IHSA—and employer associations to address the challenges faced by small businesses, participating in consultations about changes to policies and processes and providing feedback based on their experiences.

Dunstan explains the main reasons why a small business in Ontario would want to work with the OEA: they offer free legal services and advice, they save employers time and money, and they provide representation for an appeal or return-to-work process. The OEA is easily accessible, and employers can connect with them through phone, email, social media, in-person events, and virtual meetings.

In addition to discussing the reasons the OEA has services specific to construction employers and the construction industry, Susan and Dunstan also answer some frequently asked questions from employers, such as whether employers need to register or pay premiums to WSIB, the length of time they have to keep a person employed following an injury, and whether certain worker claims should be their responsibility or that of another party.

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The Office of the Employer Advisor (OEA)

Return to Work Regulation for Construction

Building Bridges with Small Business

WSIB Health and Safety Excellence Program

Mandatory WSIB coverage in Construction

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This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast continues the discussion on the importance of an effective road safety program in preventing motor vehicle incidents (MVIs) and features IHSA’s Michelle Roberts.

Michelle continues with the Plan–Do–Check–Act Model within a road safety program, emphasizing the importance of driver assessment and vehicle maintenance as crucial parts of the program. She highlights the need for regular assessments to ensure qualified drivers understand their responsibilities and apply necessary skills to prevent motor vehicle incidents. Employers should offer training in various formats, such as in-person, virtual, and eLearning, using interactive methods like hands-on assessments and simulators.

Regular vehicle inspections are crucial for maintaining vehicle safety and ensuring the vehicle's roadworthiness. It’s essential for drivers to report any potential defects or unsafe conditions early, notify their supervisor, and work through the necessary steps to ensure the vehicle meets all safety requirements. Proper inspections and maintenance, including daily pre-trip inspections, play key roles in reducing the likelihood of incidents or collisions.

Michelle also discusses the importance of monitoring road safety programs to ensure their effectiveness, as well as best practices for implementing changes, such as evaluating data, prioritizing resources, and celebrating successes. Road safety is an ongoing commitment, and with the right policies, training, and resources, employers can create safer driving environments for their workers.

The Road Safety Solutions page on IHSA.ca offers free resources to help employers build an effective road safety program, and it includes customizable templates, sample policies, e-learning programs, safety talks, and toolkits for addressing top driving-related hazards like distracted driving and fatigue.

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Road Safety Solutions

Health & Safety Policy

Policy and program templates

Build Strong Policies

Road Safety Plan Template

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Motor vehicle incidents (MVIs) are a leading cause of workplace injuries in Ontario. With thousands of Ontario workers driving daily, including professional and non-commercial drivers, it is crucial for employers to invest time and effort in building a road safety program. On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Michelle Roberts discusses how employers can build and implement an effective road safety program that can save lives and boost efficiency.

Michelle states that employers have a legal duty to protect the health and safety of their employees, including when driving. An effective road safety program protects workers, improves operational efficiency, reduces costs related to vehicle damage and insurance claims, and meets regulatory requirements. The Plan–Do–Check–Act Model is a straightforward approach employers can use to build a road safety program that fits their workplace.

Hazard identification and risk assessment are crucial steps in developing effective safety programs, including road safety programs. Employers should involve drivers, supervisors, joint health and safety committee members, and fleet managers in the hazard assessment process to ensure a well-rounded perspective.

Michelle also emphasizes the importance of creating policies that provide clear expectations and guidelines to manage identified hazards effectively. Employers can develop driving-related policies by building them from scratch or adapting existing ones to fit their workplace. IHSA offers various resources that include policy templates, sample programs, and road safety guides that employers can customize.

Free resources

Road Safety Solutions

Health & Safety Policy

Policy and program templates

Build Strong Policies

Road Safety Plan Template

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April 28 marks the National Day of Mourning—a time to honour those whose lives have been forever changed by workplace tragedies. It’s a time to remember, but it’s also a time to renew our commitment to safer workplaces for everyone. On this special National Day of Mourning episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, we welcome back Eugene Gutierrez to share his story of resiliency, hope, and the work being done across Canada to create safer and healthier workplaces.

Eugene lost his father in a workplace accident in 2017, a tragedy that turned his family’s world upside down. With help from Threads of Life, he found support and healing, and for the past seven years, he’s been giving back by volunteering, participating in Steps for Life walks, and raising awareness about workplace safety.

Now the new executive director of Threads of Life, Eugene says his work at Threads of Life is a mission, not just a job. He’s focused on making sure others don’t have to go through traumatic experiences like losing a limb, getting sick, or losing their life on the job. His passion for helping people and making a difference is what drives him to pursue this mission.

Eugene discusses the services offered by Threads of Life, and one key program is Volunteer Family Guides, which offers one-on-one peer support through calls, chats, or in-person meetings. Threads of Life also hosts annual regional events called Family Forums—safe spaces where spouses, parents, siblings, and close friends can connect, learn, and heal. In addition to various other valuable programs, Threads of Life holds annual Steps for Life community walks, which are five-kilometre walks held across Canada to raise funds, share stories, and walk in support of one another.

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Threads of Life

Keep your promise to those who count on you

See Something, Say Something: Heartfelt stories of families affected by workplace tragedy

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This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast is the final segment on the roles and legal requirements of Joint Health and Safety Committees (provincial legislation) and Workplace Health and Safety Committees (federal legislation) in Ontario, featuring IHSA’s Alain Leger and Doug Heintz.

JHSCs & WHSCs play vital roles in Ontario workplaces. Alain and Doug iterate that a key function of both committees is to conduct regular monthly inspections in the workplace. On the provincial level, worker committee members choose a certified member to inspect the workplace, and it is recommended that management workers complete inspections as well. From the federal perspective, no one individual is selected; every member is trained so they can identify hazards and concerns that other workers might overlook.

Once a source of danger is reported after inspections, the committee members investigate the issue and make written recommendations to the employer to address the identified hazards. Certified members and their worker representatives can order the employer to stop work if it is considered too dangerous until hazards are properly controlled.

Alain and Doug also address questions on best practices, such as steps to take if a committee cannot reach a consensus on a recommendation, what happens in the event of a worker’s critical injury or death, and the kind of support the employer is expected to provide to the committee.

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Workplace Inspections

Inspections Checklist

Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC)

JHSC/Health & Safety Representative

Guideline for Health and Safety Representatives

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This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast continues the discussion on the roles and legal requirements of Joint Health and Safety Committees (provincial legislation) and Workplace Health and Safety Committees (federal legislation) in Ontario, and features IHSA’s Alain Leger and Doug Heintz. JHSCs and WHSCs play crucial roles in identifying hazards, improving workplace conditions, and ensuring compliance with legislation.

In Ontario, one half of the committee members must be worker members chosen by the workers or, if in a unionized environment, they would come chosen by the trade union or the union itself. The other half of the committee members must be workers who exercise managerial functions, such as managers and supervisors.

On the provincial side, certification is required for at least one worker and one management member of the committee. The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) has a training standard for JHSC certification, which is completed in two parts: Part One covers general knowledge and legislative requirements, and Part Two covers sector-specific hazards. On the federal side, it’s mandatory for all WHSC members to be trained.

Alain states that JHSC meetings must occur during regular working hours, which aligns with paid time. The minimum requirement for JHSC meetings is once every three months, while federal requirements for WHSC meetings are nine times annually. Alain and Doug also address other questions about committee meetings, such as how meeting agendas are prepared, how members are informed of upcoming meetings, and if a quorum is necessary to hold a meeting.

Free Resources

Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC)

JHSC/Health & Safety Representative

Guideline for Health and Safety Representatives

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