Occupational Health and Safety Branch Initiatives

Offshore Occupational Health and Safety

The Governments of Canada, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador are moving to enshrine existing offshore occupational health and safety practices into law. The following website explains the reason for the changes as well as a description of the changes themselves. www.offshoreohs.ca

Young Worker Safety

In October 2001, the Newfoundland and Labrador Safety Council after consultation with the Department of Labour planned this Province's first ever youth health and safety conference. A representative from the Department of Labour, along with representatives from the WHSCC, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, the City of St. John's, Department of Health and the Newfoundland and Labrador Safety Council met in October 2001 and began organizing the "Safe Choices For Youth Conference" which was held in March, 2002. The Department participated in the conference by being involved in a panel discussion on Identifying Safety Needs for Young Workers, as well as co-presenting a session on Youth Health and Safety at Work; Rights, Roles, and Responsibilities.

Young Worker Safety Orientation Training

The Department continues to partner with the Newfoundland and Labrador Employers' Council and the WHSCC to offer Young Worker's Safety Orientation training. As in the previous year, these information sessions focus primarily on workers rights, employers responsibilities, WHMIS, hazard recognition, etc.

Invest in Tomorrow, Be Safe Today - Video Production

During the summer of 2001 the Department hired 7 summer students and tasked them with producing a video directed at youth workplace safety. This video is being distributed at conferences and other venues which the Department participates in across the Province.

High School Presentations

This year the Division again partnered with Newfoundland and Labrador Employers' Council to deliver a series of presentations to high schools across Newfoundland and Labrador. The presentations were given primarily to students of the Workplace Safety 3220 high school course. This course has been increasing in popularity over the past few years and is now being offered by 10 of 11 school board districts across the Province.

Other Presentations

The Department also participated in a number of presentations and seminars at various workplaces and technical colleges. The focus of these presentations was to increase awareness and visibility of the Occupational Health and Safety Division. Some of these groups included the Carpenters Training Institute, the Atlantic Recyclers Association, NAPE, and the College of the North Atlantic. Many of the groups have requested that this continue on an ongoing basis.

Display Booth

In 2001 the Department participated in sharing a booth display with Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission at 17 events. The booth served to make employers and workers aware of the various activities and policies of the Occupational Health and Safety Inspections Division and WHSCC. Such participation provided an opportunity for attendees to approach personnel from both organizations to address concerns and obtain answers to specific questions.

Municipal Water Treatment Certification Seminars

The Department piggy backed on an existing initiative of the Department of Environment to deliver a series of seminars across Newfoundland and Labrador regarding Municipal Water Treatment Certification. The objective of this training was to increase the knowledge and awareness of the municipal workers in their various workplaces. These seminars presented information on specific elements of safety in municipal workplaces and afforded attendees an opportunity to dialogue with OHS staff on health and safety issues specific to their workplace.

Fibreglass Boat Repair Facilities

Due to numerous health and safety hazards associated with the Fibreglass Boat Building and Repair industry the department recognized a need to focus particular attention to these facilities. Prior to embarking on enforcement efforts, a safety workshop was delivered in February 2002 in cooperation with the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs (Office of the Fire Commissioner) and the Department of Government Services (Electrical Inspection), the Crown of the Valley Development Corporation and the Canadian Plastics Industry Association. This workshop, offered free to participants outlined various regulatory requirements specific to the industry. Attendees were offered practical solutions to achieving compliance by industry representatives and suppliers. Inspection efforts have since commenced and approximately 50% of facilities have been inspected to date.

Soft Tissue Injury Pilot Project

Commencing in February 2001, this pilot project is a joint initiative between the Department and WHSCC to address the increasing number of soft tissue injuries in various work sites across the province. Companies experiencing a higher volume of soft tissue injuries have been selected to participate in this project. A Health and Safety Advisor, an Ergonomist and an Occupational Health and Safety Officer delivered presentations to the selected firms and audits were conducted between April and November.

A number of the firms audited have submitted action plans to address the audit recommendations and follow up audits will be scheduled.

Forestry Initiative

Due to a higher than average number of injuries among loggers, employees of sawmills and independent operators (small operations), the Department, WHSCC and the Newfoundland Forest Training Association have been working in conjunction with industry and the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods to develop a education and training awareness program. The Department identified firms requiring inspections and an inspection "blitz" was undertaken. All operators issued a cutting permit were contacted by letter advising them of minimum requirements. Logging operations were the key focus of these inspections and sawmills are planned for future attention.

Labrador West Dust Study - Follow-up Audit

Labrador West Dust Study - Follow-up audit is being conducted to assess workers health as a result of silica exposure. The draft report for phase I of this two phase study was submitted in December 2001. The committee met with the research group from McMaster University in February 2002 and developed an action plan for the future.

Marystown Shipyard

A study was conducted to investigate industrial disease patterns in workers at the Marystown Shipyard to determine if there is an excess rate of cancer among workers exposed to asbestos, welding fumes and other contaminants. The Occupational and Environmental Unit at the University of Toronto was retained to determine whether or not a epidemiological study was feasible. A modified cohort study was proposed and accepted. The final report was received by the Department in January 2002. The Committee has since met with researchers to review findings.

Crab Asthma Project

A Working Group was struck to determine if there is a high level of Crab Asthma among plant workers in Newfoundland and Labrador crab processing plants. The working group in consultation with Andre Cartier, MD of the University of Montreal developed brochures and an inspection strategy that was conducted in various processing plants throughout the province. Work is presently underway with physicians in the province to help them deal with diagnosis and treatment of crab asthma symptoms. This research program is presently in its 2nd year.