Upcoming events and legislative changes in Ontario
In 2024, there were changes to Ontario workplace health and safety legislation that will affect businesses in the year ahead.
To support the provincial government's risk management approach toward injury and illness prevention, Workplace Safety North (WSN) continues to facilitate industry research projects for Ontario mining and forest products sectors, helping make workplaces safer. Research has resulted in new information and increased awareness of top health and safety risks specific to each sector, and their root causes.
First, take a look back at 2024 to review how the occupational health and safety landscape has changed over the past year.
Highlights of 2024
Legislation, programs, online training, and updated resources
- Government compliance initiatives in 2024 included two phases. The first provided education, outreach, and awareness, while the second phase involved focused inspections on the specific hazard. Initiatives for the mining and forest product sectors began on April 1, 2024, and continue until March 31, 2025, addressing worker exposures to chemical agents, industrial material handling, and mining airborne hazard management.
- Ontario mining and forest products companies participated in the WSIB Health and Safety Excellence program through Workplace Safety North. Learn more about how to create a safer a workplace and earn both financial rebates and non-financial recognition.
- In February and April, WSN hosted the sold-out Battery Electric Vehicle Safety Symposium at Cambrian College and the annual Mining Health and Safety Conference in Sudbury.
- In February and June, in collaboration with Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) and WSN staff, industry experts delved into the top 10 risks and associated root causes in the paper products sector.
- In March, WSN introduced new hybrid safety training for Ontario companies which offers improved access to French-language training for francophone workers.
- WSN Workplace Health and Safety Snapshot infographics show the latest Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) statistics on injuries and disease for Ontario mining and forest products sectors.
- In May, Workplace Safety North and Ontario Mine Rescue announced Mike Parent as new President and CEO.
- In June, Agnico Eagle Macassa mine rescue team of the Kirkland Lake District was announced as 2024 Ontario Mine Rescue provincial champions.
- In September, WSN launched a new hybrid training pilot for mining supervisors. The new format offers flexible options for completing mandatory safety courses.
- On October 2, WSN hosted a Healthy Workplace Month webinar featuring top occupational disease risks in forestry, pulp and paper and mining sectors. Developed in partnership with the Occupational Cancer Research Centre, the webinar focused on research results of the occupational disease surveillance system that monitors more than two million Ontario workers.
- On October 21, WSN received the Canada Award for Excellence in the Mental Health at Work standard category.
- On October 29, Ontario’s new workforce law received royal assent. The new legislation enhances pathways toward entering skilled trades, protects frontline workers, and supports women in the workforce.
- In December, WSN and OMR announced new Board Chair Derek Budge and a new Strategic Plan that will guide the association in making workplaces safer though Sector Impact, Digital Transformation, and Operational Excellence.
WSN continues to expand virtual and online offerings, as well as develop hybrid learning programs that allow workers to attend the same training session whether virtually or in-person.
New WSN resources, training, and updates in 2024
Forest Products
- Forestry poster on top occupational disease risks in forestry sector
- Paper products technical paper on root cause analysis results
- Paper products poster of top 10 root causes of injuries from equipment
- Paper products poster of top 10 health and safety risks
- Pulp and paper poster on top occupational disease risks in pulp and paper sector
- Logging poster of top 10 causes of driving hazards
- Logging root cause analysis workshop results
- Logging technical paper on root cause analysis workshop results and next steps
- Silviculture technical report on root cause analysis results and next steps
- Silviculture poster of top 10 health and safety risks
- Silviculture poster of top 10 root causes of environmental risks
- Silviculture poster on top 10 root causes of passenger vehicle driving hazards
- Silviculture sector risk assessment workshop results (2023)
Mining
- Poster: Top occupational disease risks in mining sector
- Poster: Health effects of diesel exhaust - New exposure limit effective September 1, 2023.
- Cyanide Hazard Alert and Information Sheet
- Alerte et fiche d’information sur les dangers du cyanure
- Safe Storage, Transporting, Use, and Handling of Explosives - Guideline
- Mining Guidance Resource on Reporting Unusual Occurrence of Groundfall or Rockburst
General – All Sectors
- Mental Health Guide for Small Businesses – New in November!
- Webinar recording, slide deck, presentation, and resources on occupational disease risks in mining, forestry, and pulp and paper
- Electric Vehicle Hazard Identification Checklist
- Health and Safety Excellence program brochure
- Wildfire smoke - safety talk
- La fumée des feux de foret - trousse d'outils sur la sécurité
What’s new and changing for 2025
- Government compliance initiatives in 2025 will continue with a two-phase approach. More information will be released in the new year upon announcement of the industry areas focus.
- March 28, 2025, is the registration deadline for Ontario mining and forest products companies to register for the Health and Safety Excellence program. The Excellence program helps businesses improve safety and earn rewards through a reduced WSIB premium. Starting in 2025, all businesses will receive an extra $1,000 every time they create a new health and safety action plan. New in 2025, members are required to choose new topics they do not already have in place. WSIB has introduced two new psychological health and safety topics around on the assessment and reduction of risk.
- The Working for Workers Six Act, 2024 introduced on Nov. 27, 2024, enhances workplace safety and wellbeing. Key updates include:
- Mandatory $500,000 minimum fines for repeat violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act
- Stricter PPE requirements to support women in trades
- A large investment in worker health and safety, including mental health
- Expand roadside safety laws to protect workers
- Improve cancer coverage for high-risk roles
- Provide WSIB surplus rebates and reduced premiums to safe employers
2025 Upcoming events: Mark your calendar
In the new year, upcoming events include the Battery Electric Vehicle Symposium, and the Mining Health and Safety Conference.
- Jan. 22: Call for papers - Battery Electric Vehicle Symposium – share your expertise at this hybrid event jointly hosted by WSN and WSPS.
- Jan. 22: Call for papers – Mining Health and Safety Conference
- Sponsorship opportunities – now available
- Trade show – registration opens in January
- Mar. 28: Registration deadline for Health and Safety Excellence program - WSIB rewards program helps Ontario mining and forest products companies improve safety and earn rewards
- Apr. 29: Battery Electric Vehicle Symposium – Virtual and In-person, Sudbury. Learn how to assess health and safety considerations for new and emerging technology
- Apr. 30-May. 1: Mining Health and Safety Conference – Virtual and in-person in Sudbury. Learn about mining specific hazards, and programs and innovations to make workplaces safer.
- Forestry upcoming health and safety training courses and free resources
- General industry upcoming health and safety training courses and free resources
- Mining upcoming health and safety training courses and free resources
- Paper, printing and converting upcoming health and safety training courses and free resources
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