OHS Canada

2 weeks ago | ohscanada.com | Brandi Cowen

The union for workers at the Port of Vancouver’s grain export terminals is warning that sliding safety protocols at grain silos could lead to a devastating explosion. Tyson Compton, the recording secretary with International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 333, says a range of causes from malfunctioning equipment to mismanaged grain can start a fire at a terminal. Meanwhile, high volumes of grain dust — more explosive than coal dust — can escalate an ignition into an explosion.

3 weeks ago | ohscanada.com | Brandi Cowen

A union representing city library workers says the Thunder Bay Public Library has done nothing to ensure staff and patrons are safe, but CEO Richard Togman says, “that’s just factually incorrect.”Margaret Demillo, president of CUPE Local 3120, told Newswatch that security incidents at the two main branches of the Thunder Bay Public Library have been escalating over the past year, and her members are starting to be too afraid to go to work.

3 weeks ago | ohscanada.com | Bill Howatt |Troy Winters

Workplace health and safety has evolved significantly in Canada. Psychological health and safety (PHS) is no longer optional; it’s becoming a legal imperative.

3 weeks ago | ohscanada.com | Bill Howatt |Troy Winters

As we continue our series on psychological health and safety policies, we focus on the privacy and confidentiality policy related to psychological health and safety and mental health in the workplace. Privacy is the right of individuals to control access to their personal information and decide what information they share, with whom and under what circumstances. Confidentiality is the obligation of those who receive information to keep it secure and not disclose it to unauthorized parties.

3 weeks ago | ohscanada.com | Brandi Cowen

The Worker Solidarity Network is calling on British Columbia to introduce laws to protect people from extreme heat while on the job. The network held a rally of about 20 people at Premier David Eby’s MLA office in Kitsilano Friday to call for worker protections during extreme heat and wildfire smoke. Both are increasing in intensity and frequency as the effects of climate change increase. Currently B.C. has reactionary policies that kick in when an employee’s core temperature hits 38 C.