In today’s connected world, cell phones are as essential as a desk or computer in many organizations. But while they can be useful tools, they also bring potential distractions, security concerns, and safety risks. For Canadian employers, developing clear and…
When Joint Health and Safety Committee members join the committee, it’s often with little fanfare. When members finish their tenure on the committee, they normally leave without fanfare as well. Sometimes, JHSC membership term lengths are defined in the “Terms…
There are many benefits to keeping training records. Compliance with legislation is a big one that comes to mind, but outside of legal obligations, there are many other benefits to keeping well-organized training records, such as: Easily identify who has…
There’s a ton of literature and online content available that is dedicated to espousing the various – and very important – health and safety responsibilities of the employer. While the employer does have some of the most important responsibilities, employees…
Workplace inspections are one of the most important functions of the Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC). Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), s.9(23), the JHSC must designate a non-management member to inspect the workplace. If possible, the…
A Brief History of Daylight Saving Time The concept of daylight saving is often attributed to Benjamin Franklin; however, the idea actually belongs to George Hudson of New Zealand. The first country to adopt daylight saving was Germany in 1916.…
Until recently, bringing your four-legged, furry pal to work was unheard of. For the most part, it still is. However, some employers are exploring the benefits of allowing employees to bring their dogs to work. For dog lovers, it’s a…
In August 2017 we reported on an emerging story involving an Ontario construction employer by the name of Cobra Float Services (“Cobra”). You may recall that Cobra was charged by the Ministry of Labour (“MOL”) for violating numerous provisions of…
We’ve all seen theGreen Book (Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act) dangling from the health and safety board at work, but have you ever opened it? Most have; a few may not have. Yet, it is one of the single most…