Asbestos - Virtual
Participants learn about the nature of asbestos and the different types found in the workplace as well as the circumstances where worker exposure may occur. Participants review the Regulation Respecting Asbestos and other relevant legislation. Various methods of identifying and assessing asbestos exposure risks in the workplace are explored including workplace inspections and air sampling. Mandatory asbestos management programs are discussed along with practical methods for controlling worker exposure.
VIDEO: Hazards of Asbestos [12 minutes]
Certification Part I - Virtual
The Workers Health & Safety Centre developed this program to help workplaces meet their legal responsibility to provide the first phase of Certification training to members of joint health and safety committees in Ontario. This program, critical to securing safer, healthier work, is applicable to workplaces in all sectors. Delivered over a three-day period, this program gives participants a complete understanding of occupational health and safety legislation, including rights and responsibilities of workplace parties and certified representatives on joint health and safety committees in particular. This will include a full discussion about the Internal Responsibility System (IRS) and the purpose and requirements of workplace health and safety policies and programs. Equally important, participants learn how to identify, assess and control, or better yet eliminate, workplace hazards. For further details, see our product sheet library.
Certification Part II - Adult Probation and Parole - Virtual
Certification Part II - General Stream - Virtual
This program offers a convenient option for Ontario workplaces who want to quickly comply with the second phase of Certification training for members of joint health and safety committees (JHSC). Part II training must address at least six hazards relevant to the JHSC’s workplace. Delivered over two days and now virtually, the general stream for WHSC Certification Part II training explores six of the most common workplace hazards through the following modules: Safety Hazards; Physical Hazards, Chemical Hazards, Ergonomics and MSDs; Biological Hazards; and Psychosocial Hazards and Workplace Mental Health. For each hazard, participants will learn how to identify, assess and control, or better yet eliminate, exposures.
Certification Refresher - Virtual
Certified members of joint health and safety committees (JHSC) in Ontario must complete a Certification Refresher program approved by the Ministry of Labour’s Chief Prevention Officer (CPO) within three years of completing Certification Part II and every three years thereafter. Like WHSC Certification Refresher training delivered in traditional classrooms, this virtual version is also CPO-approved. This program revisits key concepts from Certification training, including the information and tools essential for identifying, assessing and controlling, or better yet eliminating, workplace hazards. The program further affords participants the opportunity to share and discuss new or amended legislation/guidelines/standards, current or emerging issues, plus best practices for hazard elimination and control. This program is applicable to all Ontario workplaces.
Chemical Hazards - Virtual
In this three-hour program participants discuss the characteristics of chemical hazards, their various physical states, and review key terms like acute, chronic, latency and synergistic effects. To ensure learning is relevant participants create a list of chemicals in their workplaces for reference throughout the course, for example, when discussing health effects and control measures. Learners explore how WHMIS can be used to identify and assess chemical hazards and they will generate a list of questions to help determine if WHMIS is working. With practice using safety data sheets to find information about chemicals, participants will discuss what to do if information is lacking. Upon successful completion learners will be better equipped to make strong recommendations that will protect workers from exposure to chemical hazards.
Critical Incident and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - Virtual
Participants review the many causes of critical incident stress (CIS) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) including major catastrophes, violent situations and hazardous exposures. How the body responds to stressful situations or events is explored in terms of acute and chronic health effects. Equally important is a focus on primary prevention in order to eliminate or limit exposure to stressors along with methods for coping with CIS and PTSD such as counseling provided through Employee Assistance Programs. Participants will also discuss the development and implementation of policies and programs dealing with CIS and PTSD.
Ergonomic Toolbox - Virtual
Ergonomics and MSDs - Virtual
Poorly designed work and work environments can contribute to painful and life-altering musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). These account for more than 40 per cent of all approved lost-time injury claims in Ontario. This program provides joint health and safety committees with the knowledge and skills to recognize, assess and control, if not eliminate, factors that contribute to MSDs. Participants will review types of MSDs, their symptoms and health effects, explore how job demands and workplace components can contribute to MSDs, and learn how to identify and assess tasks that increase the risk of injury. Participants will also learn how ergonomics can be used to reduce job demands allowing workers to complete tasks more comfortably and safely.
GHS WHMIS (2 hours) - Virtual
Intended for workers, supervisors and other workplace parties, this program offers an overview of the new GHS WHMIS. Participants will explore new standardized information, classification and communication requirements for hazardous products used, stored, handled or disposed of in the workplace. This includes new GHS-modified WHMIS labels, safety data sheets and pictograms. Like all WHSC programs, this training applies adult learning principles to ensure learning is achieved.
*French program available
Hand Tools - Virtual
This program links the hazards and risk factors associated with the design and use of hand tools with specific injuries such as those affecting the musculoskeletal system. Relevant legislation, codes and standards will be outlined along with the practical tools for recognizing and assessing the hazards and risk factors. The program is designed to prepare participants to return to their workplaces armed with the knowledge and tools to help them develop and implement an action plan to control or eliminate the health risks associated with hand tools.
* French program available.
Heat and Cold Stress - Virtual
Participants explore how the body reacts to temperature extremes and specific situations where workers may be exposed to dangerous levels of heat or cold. The lack of specific legislation protecting exposed workers is discussed along with measures for identifying and assessing potential health risks from temperature extremes. Participants will consider specific methods of controlling worker exposure to temperature extremes and discuss the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of each.
Infectious Diseases - Virtual
Participants will examine the various types of infectious diseases as well as their routes of transmission. Practical means of recognizing and assessing potential hazardous exposures are reviewed. Participants review practical examples of controlling exposure to the microorganisms responsible for the development of infectious diseases such as isolation precautions and proper cleaning and maintenance. Relevant legislation, including WHMIS and the Regulation for Health Care and Residential Facilities are also discussed.
Manual Material Handling - Virtual
This program looks at the hazardous potential faced by workers performing lifting, carrying and other manual material handling (MMH) tasks and the specific injuries they may suffer. Relevant legislation is reviewed including guidelines established by the American National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Specific hazard recognition and assessment tools are discussed along with practical measures for eliminating or controlling hazards associated with MMH tasks including effective workplace design and the use of mechanical devices.
* French program available.
Mould - Virtual
From school portables to health care facilities, mould is being uncovered in a wide range of workplaces and public facilities. This program introduces participants to mould, the necessary conditions for growth and the potential health effects from exposure. Relevant legislation and guidelines are reviewed including the Ontario Ministry of Health's Guideline for Mould in School Facilities. Practical tools needed to identify and assess sources or potential sources of mould will be discussed including health surveys and workplace inspections. Participants will also explore the components of an effective action plan designed to eliminate mould and control the potential for future contamination.
Noise - Virtual
Almost 70 per cent of Ontario workers experience noise in their workplace. Damage to hearing can range from temporary hearing loss to permanent deafness. The Regulation for Industrial Establishments made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act requires employers to protect workers from hazardous sound levels. This WHSC training program is designed to give participants a full understanding of noise hazards in the workplace. The program provides detailed discussion on the properties of sound and noise, resulting health effects from noise hazards and legislation and standards concerning noise in the workplace. Participants will gain knowledge and skills to help them identify and assess noise hazards and implement noise hazard control programs. They will come away with real-world solutions such as buy-quiet purchasing policies, strategies to isolate noisy machinery and uses of sound absorption material. Proper use, as well as limitations of personal protective equipment like earplugs and ear muffs is also covered.
* French program available.
Office Biohazards: Viruses, Moulds and Bacteria - Virtual
This program explores how biohazards such as viruses, mould and bacteria can damage the health of exposed workers in offices or similar settings. Participants explore how biohazards are transmitted through the work environment and how they enter the body of an exposed worker. Potential examples of biohazards in office settings are identified and discussed ranging from the flu virus to the bacteria responsible for the development of legionnaire's disease. Relevant legislation is reviewed including the WHMIS Regulation and various hazard alerts and guides. Tools and techniques used for identifying and assessing biohazards including regular workplace inspections, illness reports and direct communication with workers are discussed. Participants will then discuss hand washing, ventilation systems and other biohazard transmission control measures along with strategies for gaining their implementation in the workplace.
VIDEO: Biohazards - Alive and Growing [12 minutes]
Personal Protective Equipment - Virtual
Most safety legislation in Canada acknowledges that personal protective equipment (PPE) should be used only in special circumstances and for limited periods of time. This program will help workers understand the importance of proper care and selection of a range of PPE where it is a requirement of the job. Participants will review safe use of PPE along with the inadequacies that may add to hazard exposure risk.
* French program available.
Psychosocial Hazards and Workplace Mental Health - Virtual
This program provides a basic understanding of psychosocial work hazards and how they may impact workers’ mental health. It outlines the health effects associated with psychosocial hazards and explores a range of workplace factors from job demands/job control and worker engagement to civility and respect. Equally important, participants will discuss a host of methods to identify and assess psychosocial hazards including policies and programs, physical and cognitive demands analysis and workplace surveys. The program concludes with a discussion on preventative and protective measures for a safer and healthier workplace. The use of video clips and case studies also engages learners and helps them identify and understand contributing and workplace factors and gain a basic understanding of the accommodation process.
Stress in the Workplace - Virtual
Mounting evidence shows workplace stress is a serious hazard posing significant risk to workers’ health and the financial well-being of businesses. This program is designed to equip participants with information helping them to understand the tell-tale signs in those suffering stress-related health impacts. The many aspects of work that can be stressful to workers are explored along with strategies to eliminate or reduce exposure. This program includes several practical tools participants can use in their workplace for assessing harmful working conditions and related health impacts, including the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ).
Supervisor Health & Safety Training - Virtual
This informative one-day program is designed to help supervisors understand and fulfill all of their legal duties and responsibilities including the consequences of noncompliance. Under Ontario’s Occupational Health & Safety Act and Regulations, employers must ensure supervisors complete basic occupational health and safety awareness training in addition to knowledge and competency-based training specific to the workplace. Participants will learn about the Internal Responsibility System (IRS), the concept of due diligence and the rights and functions of the joint health and safety committee (JHSC). Detailed attention is paid to the supervisor's role in work refusals, Ministry of Labour workplace inspections and JHSC or health and safety representative inspections and investigations, all governed by the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The program also reviews relevant case law and provisions of the Criminal Code to give participants a clear understanding of their duties under this Federal statute.
Welding Hazards - Virtual
This program looks at the various hazards faced by welders and those working near welding operations, including hazardous fumes, gases, noise and extreme heat. Relevant legislation is reviewed including sector regulations and WHMIS. Hygiene monitoring, workplace inspections and ongoing communication with all workplace parties are a few of the hazard recognition and assessment tools reviewed. Practical measures for eliminating or controlling welding hazards such as local exhaust ventilation and respiratory protection are discussed.
Worker Health and Safety Awareness (3 hours) - Virtual
This program enables employers to meet a specific legal duty to ensure workers complete basic occupational health and safety awareness training. It further helps employers fulfill their general duty to provide health and safety information and instruction to workers and is an ideal regular review for existing employees. Participants will be introduced to Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act, the rights and responsibilities of employers, supervisors and workers, functions of health and safety representatives, joint health and safety committees and certified committee members and workers’ right to know, to participate and refuse unsafe work. Participants will review the most common workplace hazards and discuss how to apply effective controls based on the hierarchy of controls. Lastly, the program emphasizes the requirement of and need for a policy and program to guide hazard control and protect worker health and safety.
Workplace Inspections - Virtual
Knowing what to look for and why are key elements in conducting workplace inspections. This program focuses on the two objectives of workplace inspections: to identify new hazards or conditions that need to be addressed, and to check existing controls to ensure they are effective.
The training program covers the legal roles and responsibilities of all workplace parties, including employers and supervisors, with respect to workplace inspections. Participants also learn about the responsibilities of worker members of joint health and safety committees and worker health and safety representatives in smaller workplaces to "identify situations that may be a source of danger or hazard to workers" and to "make recommendations for the improvement of the health and safety of workers."
Workplace Violence and Harassment - Virtual
This program is designed to raise awareness about the serious risk to physical and mental health posed by workplace violence and harassment. It is also intended to help workplace parties understand and comply with the legal requirements mandated by the Occupational Health and Safety Act to address violence and harassment (including domestic violence). Employers, for instance, are required to develop workplace-specific violence and harassment policies and programs. Essential elements of these will be explored including procedures for workers to report incidents along with worker training. Participants will discuss workplace-specific strategies for identifying and assessing potential for workplace violence and harassment and observing for evidence of domestic violence. Also discussed will be specific control measures for eliminating or controlling potential exposure to violence and harassment.