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3 days ago | 
thesafetymag.com | Shane Mercer
Union holds press conference to highlight caseload fatigue while WSIB disputes figures It's been two weeks since employees at the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) walked off the job and were subsequently locked out. Since then, both sides have been exchanging sharply conflicting claims about workload, staffing, and the handling of injured worker claims.
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3 days ago | 
thesafetymag.com | Shane Mercer
Canada’s Transportation Safety Board (TSB) released its annual assessment of transportation safety recommendations, reporting 84% of all issued recommendations achieve the “Fully Satisfactory” rating — a clear indication of progress in addressing safety deficiencies across the air, marine, rail, and pipeline sectors. However, ongoing challenges persist, particularly in occupational health and safety oversight for Canada’s northern fishing industries.
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4 days ago | 
thesafetymag.com | Shane Mercer
Union alleges WSIB 'not taking strike seriously' while board blames union's dozens of demands for pace of negotiations Striking workers hold rally in Toronto on May 29, 2025 As the second week of the labour dispute at the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) begins, both the WSIB and the Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU/CUPE 1750) report little progress in negotiations and remain at odds over workload, staffing, and wages.
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4 days ago | 
thesafetymag.com | Shane Mercer
'You're not required to create an extra position, but you can be very creative in some temporary solutions,' says disability management expert In Nova Scotia, employers are gearing up for the July 15 launch of the province’s new Duty to Cooperate legislation, a key component of the Stronger Workplaces for Nova Scotia Act.
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4 days ago | 
thesafetymag.com | Shane Mercer
Guide sets out policies and processes to support employees transitioning or affirming their gender identity Rory Smith, marketing manager for EllisDon’s digital and data services division, knows firsthand the challenges faced by LGBTQ2S+ workers in the construction industry. Smith also serves as co-chair of PEACE (Proud Employees for Allyship, Community, and Education), EllisDon’s employee resource group dedicated to supporting LGBTQ2S+ colleagues and fostering a more inclusive environment.
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1 week ago | 
thesafetymag.com | Shane Mercer
WSIB 'hopeful' while union says 'it's waiting to hear back' after submitting counter offer By 30 May 2025 Bargaining between the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) and the Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU/CUPE 1750) remains tense as another week closes without a resolution. Talks are scheduled to continue into the weekend, with both sides expressing frustration and hope in equal measure.
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1 week ago | 
thesafetymag.com | Shane Mercer
Researcher says treatment 'isn't one size fits all' as field scan identifies gaps in EAPs By 29 May 2025 First responders face unique occupational hazards, and their risk of post-traumatic stress injuries (PTSI) remains disproportionately high. In a recent Institute for Work & Health (IWH) webinar, Dr. Emile Tompa presented findings from an environmental scan identifying organizational strategies for preventing PTSI-related work disability.
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1 week ago | 
thesafetymag.com | Shane Mercer
'Municipalities are not moving fast enough, so we're just legislating this' says Labour Minister on recognizing safety certifications as equivalent By 26 May 2025 In a significant shift for occupational health and safety (OHS) management in Ontario, the provincial government will legally recognize ISO 45001 and the Certificate of Recognition (COR) as equivalent under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
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2 weeks ago | 
thesafetymag.com | Shane Mercer
Province will require AEDs on projects employing 20 or more workers and lasting three months or longer By 23 May 2025 Ontario plans to introduce new legislation requiring automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) on construction sites, positioning the province as a national leader in on-site cardiac emergency preparedness.
If passed, the proposed changes would mandate AEDs on construction projects expected to last three months or longer and employ 20 or more workers.
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2 weeks ago | 
thesafetymag.com | Shane Mercer
Award recognizes exceptional leadership in advancing workplace safety and health By 23 May 2025 The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) has named Dr. Steven Thygerson, a professor of environmental and occupational health at Brigham Young University, as its 2025 Safety Professional of the Year. The prestigious award recognizes Thygerson’s exceptional leadership in advancing workplace safety and health through education, research, and global collaboration.
