Windsor Occupational Health Information Services (WOHIS)

The Windsor Occupational Health Information Service (WOHIS) is a non-profit, United Way organization.  Our comprehensive health and safety library is available to all residents of Windsor-Essex County; workers, students, employers, health and safety representatives, professionals and concerned citizens.    

Both OHCOW and WOHIS are committed to improving occupational health and safety, therefore, a special arrangement was agreed upon.  As a means of achieving our common goal, the Windsor Occupational Health Information Service orders and processes information for OHCOW.  This service includes, but is not limited to, providing OHCOW staff unrestricted access to our extensive occupational health library and video library, assistance in providing information regarding inquiries, ordering requests of books and journals articles, videotaping health related seminars, workshops, etc.  Both agencies promote the services of each other during events and presentations they attend. 

Highlights/Accomplishments in 2004:  

Staff provided clients with information, promoted our agency as well as OHCOW, and performed community outreach activities:  

Events: 661                             Presentations: 286

Outreach: 3504                        Inquiries: 1070

Video/Media: Several 1000        Web Page: 1600 – 2000

Developed a unique community partnership with the Teen Health Centre – Skills Link Program.  This was a 6 month program that educated and trained youth who had barriers to employment.  One component of this training focused on health and safety.  WOHIS provided a learning environment and resource centre for these students.   

WOHIS produced a 12 minute video; “A Worker’s Rights:  The Occupational Three R’s” . Video was introduced into the schools as a teaching tool and is used by health and safety trainers, to create awareness and inform young workers, either starting a new job or those already employed, of their rights under the Occupational Health & Safety Act, the possible hazards that exist in workplaces and how to address these issues in order to protect their safety.