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CAALL Bulletin - April 2009

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Alberta Public Consultation Leads to Improved Worksite Safety Rules

The Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Code has been updated to keep workplace health and safety rules current and relevant.  Alberta employers have until July 1 to comply with the updates.

The Occupational Health and Safety Council recommended changes to the code after extensive public consultation.

    

Updates to the OHS Code include the following:

The 2009 OHS Code can be found online at: http://employment.alberta.ca/whs-ohs.

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Minister of Labour Reminds Employers of their Occupational Health and Safety Obligations

The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Labour, issued a bulletin to all federally regulated employers to remind them of their obligations under the Canada Labour Code and the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations concerning health and safety measures in the workplace. This responsibility includes responding to new or evolving situations that may pose a risk to workers.

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The Manitoba Government Introduces Labour Mobility Bill

Competitiveness, Training and Trade Minister Andrew Swan introduced the Labour Mobility Act, which would improve labour mobility within Canada and help to address skill shortages in many regions of the country by creating opportunities for freer movement of certified workers.

 

Manitoba’s Labour Mobility Act would allow certified workers from other jurisdictions to practice their occupations in Manitoba in accordance with Chapter 7 of the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT). A person qualified and certified to practice an occupation in any Canadian jurisdiction would be recognized and able to practice their occupation in any other Canadian jurisdiction unless a province requires a specific exception from this rule in order to ensure achievement of a legitimate objective such as protecting health and safety.

  

The new efforts under the Agreement on Internal Trade to ensure full labour mobility within Canada will offer qualified workers more transparent registration and licensure requirements and provide better access to employment opportunities.

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Wages, Travel Allowance, Training to Improve for Home Support Workers in New Brunswick

New investments are being made in the province's home support program to improve services for seniors and home support workers. Brian Kenny, Minister of State for Seniors, made the announcement while releasing his department's budget estimates.

An amount of $2.2 million will go toward an increase in the hourly rate paid to home support agencies, to $14.26 per hour from $13.61 per hour, retroactive to April 1. This increase will be used to improve workers' wages and benefits.

The government and the New Brunswick Home Support Association have agreed to form a steering committee and working group to address ongoing issues about compensation, working conditions, training and education for home support workers. To begin this initiative, the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour will invest $100,000 in 2009-10.

Effective Oct. 1, the government will increase the transportation allowance for home support workers to four per cent from three per cent (based on hours worked) for urban areas and to five per cent from four per cent (based on hours worked) for rural areas. These increases represent another $240,000 investment in home support in this fiscal year. These are the first travel allowance increases since 2005.

Under the Wage Gap Initiative, the government has undertaken a pay equity exercise for home support workers in collaboration with the Home Support Association. This initiative will benefit the estimated 2,000 women employed by home support agencies. Recommendations on pay equity in the sector are expected to be submitted to government this fiscal year.

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Labour and Workforce Development in Nova Scotia

The return on investment for hiring apprentices continues to rise, according to a national study on apprenticeship.

The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum study indicates that for every dollar an employer invests in an apprentice, it gets a net return of up to $1.47, a nine-cent increase from 2006. Results from the study, which surveyed 700 trades employers from across the country, were presented in Yarmouth, April 24, during a breakfast designed to encourage more employers to hire apprentices.

The breakfast was part of an ongoing effort by Labour and Workforce Development and the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Board to promote apprenticeship as an effective model for training and education, while contributing to the development of a skilled, high-quality, and mobile labour force.

Trades employers spoke about how hiring apprentices enhances business performance by increasing productivity and decreasing turnover. Despite the benefit of apprenticeship, the study indicated that, nationally, less than 20 per cent or possible employers participate in such training.

Full results of the Return on Training Investment for Employers Phase II report will be posted in June to the Canadian Apprenticeship Forums website at www.caf-fca.org/en/.

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CCOHS Tools to Help Plan for a Pandemic

The recent outbreak of the human swine influenza has prompted the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) to remind Canadians of the resources that are available to help them plan for an influenza pandemic.

CCOHS offers Pandemic Awareness, a free, 20-minute introductory e-course that describes what a pandemic is, how an influenza virus spreads, and the impact a pandemic may have on workplaces, families and communities. This e-course also outlines the importance of preparing for a pandemic. Most importantly, the course describes how people and companies can proactively try to avert a crisis by staying as influenza-free as possible.,

The Pandemic Planning Web Portal provides a single source of free practical pandemic information as well as planning tools and resources specifically for use in the community, at home, and at work. These resources are designed to be helpful and easy to use in developing both personal and business pandemic plans. The web portal also provides a Pandemic Toolkit, specific to businesses and organizations with checklists, tips and information about continuity planning.

The goal is to provide information that can help keep workplaces and people healthy, working and thriving during an influenza pandemic.

 

More information about the Pandemic Awareness E-course and thePandemic Planning web portal is available on the CCOHS website.

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New advertising initiative: Workplace Safety. Teach It. Learn It in Quebec

Luc Meunier, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission de la santé et de la sécurité du travail du Québec (CSST) (worker’s health and safety board), has launched the CSST's 2009 prevention campaign for young workers and the employers who hire them.

For lack of training and supervision, young workers are more likely to have a workplace accident when they start a new job. The prevention campaign coincides with the massive arrival of youth on the labour market for the summer. Television, the Internet and posters were the methods chosen to make all of Quebec aware of the importance of training in order to reduce the risk of accidents involving youth.

The television advertising spots will be shown on major networks and certain specialty channels from April 15 to May 31. This production gives several examples of risks that threaten young workers and reminds employers of the importance of training them in accident prevention from their first day of work onward.

The television campaign will be supported by a contest posted on web sites that are the most visited by youth. Also, from April 20 to May 31, posters throughout Quebec, in general and vocational colleges and restaurant/bars, will remind youth that because of a lack of training, they are more at risk of having a workplace accident and that Workplace safety must be learned.

For more information, visit: www.csst.qc.ca/portail/en/jeunes_au_travail/index.htm (in French only).

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Minimum Wage Increases in May in Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan's minimum wage will increase from $8.60 per hour to $9.25 per hour effective May 1, 2009.

The increase is the third of three stages that raised the minimum wage from $7.95 to $9.25 between January 2008 and May 2009. The minimum call-out pay, which is three times the level of the minimum wage, also increases to $27.75.

There are approximately 12,000 minimum wage earners in Saskatchewan.

For more information on the minimum wage, call toll-free at 1-800-667-1783 or visit www.aeel.gov.sk.ca/ls.

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Workplace Injuries Declined in 2008 in Newfoundland and Labrador

In 2008, workplace injuries continued to decline in Newfoundland and Labrador by seven per cent.

Since 2000 on-the-job injuries have decreased in Newfoundland and Labrador by an incredible 38 per cent. This great improvement is the result of sustained efforts by employers, unions and workers to make workplaces safer throughout the province.

Preventing injuries in our workplaces is everyone’s responsibility. The Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission continues to foster a commitment to workplace health and safety by:

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Shared Commitment to Workplace Safety Earns Rewards in Alberta

For more than 20 years in Alberta, employers enrolled in the Partnerships in Injury Reduction (PIR) program have diligently worked to prevent Albertans from being injured on the job. This successful program which began in 1989 encourages injury reduction through an innovative pricing program. Over the years, Alberta employers have truly embraced its ideals. With fewer than 100 employers enrolled at first, this program now has more than 7,800 employers from all industries registered.

Teaming up with associations, government, workers and industries, PIR employers are committed to disability management and keeping their workforce safe. In 2008, in spite of the 4.9 per cent increase in workers covered from 2007, partners still managed to reduce the number of time-lost claims by 8.6 per cent and the average duration of a claim to 32.1 days. Their efforts have collectively earned them $70 million in 2008 rebates.

To be a part of this highly safety conscious group means employers must adhere to stringent Alberta safety standards. They have to earn and maintain a Certificate of Recognition (COR) and improve their performance or maintain industry leadership. It requires much more than just signing on the dotted line; it means continually making safety a priority in their workplaces.

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Architects Agree on Labour Mobility Between B.C. and Alberta

The Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC) and the Alberta Architectural Association (AAA) are complying with the Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA) between B.C. and Alberta.

Since introducing the TILMA in 2006, British Columbia and Alberta have eradicated restrictive interprovincial trade barriers and established full labour mobility for more than 100 regulated occupations.

Having taken full force on April 1, 2009, the TILMA reduces and eliminates barriers to the free movement of workers, goods, services and investments. Canada’s most comprehensive inter-provincial trade agreement, the TILMA creates a market of almost 7.8 million people – the nation’s second largest economy.

More information on the TILMA is available at www.tilma.ca and on the B. C. Ministry of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development’s website at www.gov.bc.ca/ecdev.

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Ontario New Legislation to Tackle Workplace Violence

Violence and harassment have no place in the workplace. That’s the message the province of Ontario is sending by introducing legislative amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act that would, if passed, help protect workers from workplace violence and harassment.

The proposed legislation would:

For more information, consult Bill 168, Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Act (Violence and Harassment in the Workplace) 2009.

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A guide to help you in Quebec!

To reduce the number of commercial fishing injuries, the Commission de la santé et de la sécurité du travail du Québec (CSST) is offering workers and employers the guide entitled Health and Safety on Fishing Boats. Developed with the cooperation of employer and employee representatives from the sector, the guide was designed especially to reinforce safe practices on boats. It outlines, in a practical and detailed manner, various ways to prevent accidents.

On a boat, considerable and continuous physical effort, tiring and awkward postures, access to dangerous machine areas, and poor weather conditions can cause accidents. To minimize these risks, the dangers must be well identified so as to eliminate them longterm.

For example, the CSST recommends managing the work in such a way as to allow the crew to take regular breaks. Other recommendations include: alternating tasks so as to avoid awkward postures for prolonged periods; wearing reflective clothing while working on the bridge; wearing a safety harness to avoid falling overboard in case of bad weather; and, finally, positioning safety barriers around machinery to ensure dangerous areas are inaccessible.

To obtain the guide and discover solutions to make working at sea safe, visit the CSST's Web site at www.csst.qc.ca (in French only). The guide is also available free of charge at CSST regional offices.

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New Rules of the Road Protect Emergency Workers’ Safety in British Columbia

In April, it was announced that the province of British Columbia will enhance the safety of emergency workers by requiring drivers to slow down and move over when passing parked emergency vehicles that have their lights flashing, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General John van Dongen and Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Kevin Falcon announced in April.

Beginning June 1, drivers must slow to 70 km/h on highways where the speed limit is 80 km/h or higher, and to 40 km/h where the limit is below 80 km/h, when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle that has its lights flashing. If there is another lane going in the same direction, drivers must also move into that lane if it is safe to do so.

The requirements will apply to drivers passing police, fire, ambulance and towing vehicles, as well as vehicles used by commercial vehicle safety and enforcement personnel, passenger vehicle inspectors, conservation officers, park rangers, and special provincial constables employed in the Ministry of Forests and Range.

Those found in contravention will face a fine and three penalty points against their licence. The fine, including a 15 per cent victim surcharge, is $148 if paid within 30 days or $173 thereafter. Currently, five provinces and 40 U.S. states have similar requirements. An existing penalty remains in place for failing to yield to a moving emergency vehicle.

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CCOHS’ Guide to Working from Home

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has developed a new pocket guide to help people work safely when working from home.

With growing computer use both at work and at home, and advancements in information and telecommunications technology, working outside traditional worksite settings – offsite and in home offices has become a reality for many Canadians. These work arrangements also pose their own set of ergonomic and health and safety issues.

The Telework and Home Office Health and Safety Guide covers all aspects of implementing a comprehensive health and safety program for teleworkers and home-based workers. The main focus of this guide is to learn how to integrate health and safety into home-based office work through telework agreements and the set up of the office

 

The Telework and Home Office Health and Safety Guide is 117-pages of clear-language text, charts, diagrams and checklists. Written for home-based office workers and related professionals, this guide provides information such as how to integrate health and safety into everyday practices, ensure compliance with health and safety legislation and due diligence, and how to manage a telework position so the arrangement works best for both the employee and employer. This guide also outlines the importance of ergonomics, work organization, and other safety and security needs that may be unique to a working at home environment.

CCOHS publications are unique in that they are developed by experts in the field, and reviewed by representatives from labour; employers and government to ensure the content and approach are unbiased and credible.

More information about the Telework and Home Office Health and Safety Guide is available on the CCOHS website.

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Quebec awards ceremony for innovation in workplace health and safety

The Commission de la santé et de la sécurité du travail du Québec (CSST) has rewarded creativity and ingenuity in prevention on the part of Quebec companies and organizations by awarding 10 prizes at the 4th provincial innovation awards ceremony. In the presence of Labour Minister David Whissell, the provincial awards ceremony gave 500 guests from every region the opportunity to appreciate the original solutions that the recipients implemented to eliminate certain risks in their workplace.

The winners

Nearly 250 innovations were submitted in one of three categories: SMEs, Large Companies, and Public Agencies. Among them, 50 made it to the grand finale and were part of the provincial awards ceremony. A Grand Prize and two Honourable Mentions were awarded in each category.

Multi-Rem enr., a company in Saint-Félicien, was the big winner in the SME category. The company owner and one of his employees designed a retractable hydraulic ladder for accessing the cabin of a track-type tree feller. This eliminates the risk of the operator falling when climbing in and out of the feller. This type of ladder can be adapted to other heavy machinery or ten-wheeled trucks.

In the Large Companies category, Celanese Canada Inc. of Boucherville, took the honours. A team of engineers manufactured two high-pressure hoses that clean a reservoir that is 2.4 m in diameter and 4.2 m deep. Workers no longer have to perform this closed-space operation manually because it is now automated.

The Transport department's Sainte-Anne-des-Monts service centre was named winner in the Public Agencies category. All of the workers on the crack sealing team participated in the design of a hydraulic platform and arm system that collects safety signs put up during road work. As well as being faster, the operation is now safe.

Recognition award

For a second year, the CSST presented an award that recognizes commitment on the part of some employers and workers that is beyond the call of duty. This year, the recognition award went to a company that is particularly proactive in workplace health and safety. Venmar Ventilation of Drummondville has already won three innovation awards regionally and two provincially.

To learn more about the innovation award and to see videos illustrating the winning accomplishments, visit our website at: www.csst.qc.ca/asp/innovation/index.html (in French only).

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Appointments/Retirements/Announcements

Death of Former Cabinet Minister Guy Brown in Nova Scotia

Premier Rodney MacDonald expressed sadness, April 6, about the death of former cabinet minister Guy Brown. Mr. Brown passed away Sunday at the age of 72.

Mr. Brown was first elected to the Nova Scotia Legislature in 1974. Some of the posts he held during his career include Minister of Consumer Affairs, Minister of Labour, Minister of Agriculture and Marketing and Minister responsible for the Nova Scotia Economic Renewal Agency.

Mr. Brown had a long history of public service, which began with his service in the Canadian Forces in 1956, and extended to his election as Mayor of the Town of Springhill in 2004.

The flags at Province House are flying at half-mast in honour of Mr. Brown.

First Nations and Métis Relations Deputy Minister Appoints New Assistant Deputy Minister responsible for Northern Affairs in Saskatchewan

First Nations and Métis Relations Deputy Minister Ron Crowe is pleased to announce the appointment of Toby Greschner as Assistant Deputy Minister responsible for Northern Affairs effective May 1, 2009. Greschner was chosen for the position from a pool of talented candidates from Saskatchewan and other parts of Canada.

Greschner has in-depth knowledge of northern Saskatchewan through his most recent work in the Ministry of Education as a regional director based in La Ronge, and as a teacher with the Northern Lights School Division at the Dene High School in La Loche.

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Parliament/Legislatures/Assemblies

Adjournment date Resumption date
Alberta June 3, 2009 October 26, 2009
British Columbia General Election
May 12, 2009
House of Commons June 19, 2009 September 14, 2009
Manitoba June 11, 2009 September 14, 2009
New Brunswick June 19, 2009 November 24, 2009
Newfoundland-Labrador May 28, 2009
Northwest Territories June 4, 2009 October 15, 2009
Nova Scotia May 4, 2009 General Election
June 9, 2009
Nunavut June 18, 2009 November 24, 2009
Ontario June 4, 2009 September 14, 2009
Prince Edward Island May 15, 2009
Québec June 18, 2009 September 15, 2009
Saskatchewan May 14, 2009 October 21, 2009
Yukon May 14, 2009
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Upcoming Events

Event City Date
North American Occupational Health and Safety Week (NAOSH) May 3-9, 2009
98th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILO), 2009 Geneva, Switzerland June 3-19, 2009
Association of Labor Relations Agencies (ALRA) Conference Oakland - San Francisco Bay area July 18-22, 2009
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