| [SWP] Stress in the Workplace | |
| Many sources of stress exist in our workplaces. The growing concern is the affect these have on our health and well-being. This program defines stress, identifies workplace stressors and reviews how the body reacts to them both in the short and long term. Participants explore methods of recognizing and assessing workplace stressors along with a brief look at the inadequacies of existing legislation. Principles of control as they relate to workplace stressors are also discussed. VIDEO: Present Tense - Stress in the Office [13 minutes] | |
| [WVCS] Workplace Violence and Harassment | |
| This module is designed to help workplace parties address workplace violence hazards and comply with the legal requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act to address violence and harassment in the workplace as outlined by Bill 168. Participants will review the definition of workplace violence and harassment and discuss risk factors associated with workplace violence. They will also evaluate tools necessary to identify and assess workplace violence hazards in order to implement effective control measures. Participants will develop the knowledge necessary to help them fulfill OHSA's requirements including developing and posting written policies with respect to workplace violence, conducting a risk assessment, developing a workplace violence and harassment program and training workers regarding the workplace policies and programs. They will also learn about the employer's duty to observe for evidence of domestic violence and to provide information about "a person with a history of violent behaviour." * French program available. | |
| [HSEP] Emergency Preparedness | |
| No workplace is immune from potential emergencies. This program looks at situations that may lead to workplace emergencies along with the consequences of not being prepared. This program also explores the many components of an emergency preparedness program. VIDEO: | |
| [IAVC] Indoor Air Quality and Ventilation | |
| This program introduces participants to the concept of poor indoor air quality and how it can affect the health of workers in a wide variety of workplace settings. They will discuss the symptoms and possible causes of Sick Building Syndrome and review many potential indoor air pollutants. Relevant legislation will be reviewed along with the methods for identifying and assessing potential hazard sources. Practical examples of controlling exposure to hazardous airborne pollutants are discussed including effective maintenance of HVAC systems. VIDEO: Concrete Lungs [17 minutes] * French program available. | |
| [EMFS] EMFs and Dirty Electricity | |
| Many believe and studies have proven electromagnetic fields (EMFs) damage the health of exposed workers and others. This program introduces this occupational and environmental health hazard and outlines the many potential sources of exposure including photocopiers, dimmer switches, power bars, cell phones and power lines. In fact, workers in most workplaces are exposed to EMFs which radiate from anything and everything powered by electricity. Participants will explore the evidence linking exposure with cancer, reproductive health issues, Alzheimer's disease and a wide range of other health effects. Relevant legislation is reviewed along with other codes, standards and guidelines addressing EMFs. Specific hazard identification and assessment strategies including the use of EMF testing meters will be identified and discussed. In fact, an in-class demonstration of a testing device will help show how easy they are to use. Finally, participants will discuss specific measures and action plans needed to control or eliminate worker exposure. VIDEO: Health Hazards of Electromagnetic Fields [11 minutes] | |
| [OBUG] Office Biohazards: Viruses, Moulds and Bacteria | |
| 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] | |
| [ERGR] Ergonomics: Injuries, Risk Factors and Design Principles | |
| This program helps participants to better understand how work can damage the musculoskeletal system and why. Equally important, participants will discuss how work and the work environment can be designed or redesigned to prevent musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) the most common classification of occupational injury suffered by workers today. Participants will discuss the muscles, tendons and other parts of the musculoskeletal system and how they are used to perform both dynamic (i.e. lifting and carrying) and static (i.e. sitting) work. They will then explore how this work can translate into fatigue, pain and other tell-tale symptoms and signs of more chronic and debilitating MSDs to come. Examples of MSDs ranging from back injuries to tendonitis are identified. Risk factors responsible for the development of MSDs are identified including repetition, force and posture required to perform work. Interactive discussions will also focus on design issues related to workstations, equipment, tools and manual material handling. Work organization issues such as hours of work and inadequate rest breaks are also discussed. Participants will then explore examples of workplace solutions and strategies needed to end the MSD epidemic. They will discuss the principle of designing work to fit the needs of workers and the field of study commonly referred to as ergonomics. Relevant legislation is reviewed and additional resources are identified including the MSD prevention series developed by the Ontario Health and Safety Council of Ontario (OHSCO). The program is concluded by highlighting the need for active involvement of all workplace parties when applying ergonomic principles to the workplace. VIDEO: MIPP (Solutions By Design And Invisible Risks) ** A similar training program is available in French. | |
| [OFWE] Office Work Environment | |
| Participants discuss how office work has changed over the past decade and how these changes have made these environments more hazardous. They will explore how posture, force, and repetition influence the risk for developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) such as back pain and tendonitis. Also identified is the basic office ergonomic design principles needed to reduce the risk for developing an MSD. Poor indoor air quality and stress are just two of many more office hazards to be discussed. Relevant legislation is reviewed along with guidelines for office ergonomics developed by the Canadian Standards Association. Participants then review assessment tools for identifying and assessing hazards in the office environment and the risk to health for exposed workers. Participants will also review the components of an effective action plan aimed at eliminating the wide range of risk factors found in the modern office setting. | |