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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260913
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260914
DTSTAMP:20260831T153811Z
CREATED:20260831T153709Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260831T153811Z
UID:10000455-1789257600-1789343999@www.ohcow.on.ca
SUMMARY:World First Aid Day 2026
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row bg_color=”#144772″ text_color=”light” row_id=”top”][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text el_class=”meso”] \nLearn First Aid\, Save a Life\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”57393″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”right” css_animation=”none”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Learning First Aid empowers you to make a difference\, by providing immediate\, potentially life-saving assistance in emergencies. According to the World First Aid Day Foundation\, the date aims to raise awareness about the significance of first aid\, provide valuable resources for learning basic first aid techniques\, and inspire individuals to become first aid champions in their communities.\nThe Canadian Red Cross marks this day by encouraging people in Canada to learn practical first aid skills\, find trusted training\, and feel more ready to act in an emergency. \n[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″]World First Aid Day[/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text] \nEssential First Aid Courses – Ontario\nEquip yourself with essential skills—comprehensive training for all levels of first aid and CPR. See the standard\, advanced levels and certification available from the St. John Ambulance First Aid Training.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text] \n\nThe purpose of First Aid Day is to remind people that first aid skills can help save lives\, reduce injuries\, and build safer communities. The Canadian Red Cross marks this day by encouraging people in Canada to learn practical first aid skills\, find trusted training\, and feel more ready to act in an emergency. See our training and certification courses here. \n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.ohcow.on.ca/event/world-first-aid-day-2026/
CATEGORIES:External Event
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20261001T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20261031T080000
DTSTAMP:20260928T020454Z
CREATED:20260924T164536Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260928T020454Z
UID:10000458-1790841600-1793433600@www.ohcow.on.ca
SUMMARY:Global Ergonomics Month 2026
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row bg_color=”#EEEFEF”][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner css_animation=”none” width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1790260956173{padding-top: 15% !important;padding-left: 15% !important;}” offset=”vc_col-xl-inherit vc_col-lg-inherit vc_col-md-6 vc_col-sm-inherit”][vc_column_text] \nHuman-Centred Design\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”57922″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row top_padding=”40″ row_id=”ergo”][vc_column][vc_column_text] \nErgonomics: Manual Material Handling\n\nCelebrated in October each year\, Global Ergonomics Month is an international outreach campaign promoting human-centred design through the science\, application and profession of ergonomics or human factors. These disciplines are focused on optimizing human well-being as well as overall system performance by proactively designing work and work systems to fit the people interfacing with them in ways that improve efficiency\, productivity\, health\, safety and comfort. Ergonomics is ultimately good for business and good for people. \nLost-time Injuries\nIn Ontario\, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a leading cause of lost-time injuries. These MSDs include a variety of injuries that can affect muscles\, nerves\, tendons\, ligaments\, joints\, cartilage\, or spinal discs. Workplace hazards that increase the risk of developing MSDs include exposure to high forces\, awkward postures\, high repetition\, duration of work\, vibration\, local contact stresses\, and cold environments.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text] \nResources\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row top_padding=”10″][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text] \nManual Materials Handling Video Series\nThis series of eight videos was produced during Global Ergonomics Month 2024 in recognition of the MLITSD Industrial Sector Compliance Initiative on Material Handling (available on their website). This year-long enforcement campaign asks inspectors to visit various sectors where fatalities and critical injuries are taking place. The focus is on workplaces where materials\, articles or things are lifted\, carried\, or moved\, and puts workers at risk of being injured by their movement.[/vc_column_text]Go to Playlist[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row top_padding=”30″][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text] \nInteractive Body Map\nThis interactive map demonstrates what MSD conditions are associated with areas of the body. Link to web pages and download pdfs with information about each MSD condition.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_single_image image=”57915″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner]Go to Interactive Map[/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row top_padding=”40″][vc_column][vc_column_text] \nNewly Added Ergo Info Sheets!\n[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image onclick=”custom_link” image=”57917″ img_size=”medium” css_animation=”none” css=”.vc_custom_1790268229258{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}” title=”Rotator Cuff”]Go to Page[/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image onclick=”img_link_large” image=”57918″ img_size=”medium” css_animation=”none” css=”.vc_custom_1790268238992{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}” title=”Dupuytren’s Contracture”]Go to Page[/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row top_padding=”30″][vc_column][vc_column_text] \nRSI Day Webinar\nPresenters: \nKatie Goggins – CROSH\nAlison Godwin – CROSH \nOur work environments and procedures continue to evolve with advances in technology\, and so do the methods for evaluating the physical and cognitive demands of jobs. This session will: \n\nReview the use of physical demands analysis (PDA)\nExpand on methods for evaluating manual materials handling (MMH) and posture analysis\nDiscuss emerging ways to tackle cognitive demands analysis\n\n[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybiiXXK6T8Y”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.ohcow.on.ca/event/global-ergonomics-month-2026/
CATEGORIES:eventNew,External Event
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20261001T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20261031T170000
DTSTAMP:20260928T174103Z
CREATED:20260927T142409Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260928T174103Z
UID:10000459-1790841600-1793466000@www.ohcow.on.ca
SUMMARY:Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2026
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row bg_color=”#275A64″][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=”Raising Awareness about Breast Cancer Research\, Prevention\, and Treatment” font_container=”tag:h1|text_align:left|color:%23FFFFFF” google_fonts=”font_family:Signika%3A300%2Cregular%2C600%2C700|font_style:600%20bold%20regular%3A600%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1790617261000{padding-top: 40px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”57982″ img_size=”large” alignment=”right”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row top_padding=”40″ bottom_padding=”30″][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Rates of breast cancer in Canada have dropped\, and treatments have seen improved outcomes in the past decade. Still\, according to the Canadian Cancer Society\, about 75 Canadians are diagnosed with breast cancer every single day. It remains crucial to continue with education about the disease and be aware of its causes and prevention. Cancer of any type can be caused by both genetic pre-disposition and environmental factors. \nFor more information\, see their page on the risks\, symptoms\, screening and diagnosis of breast cancer.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row top_padding=”20″ bottom_padding=”30″][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text] \nRun for the Cure!\nThis year’s Canadian Cancer Society CIBC Run for the Cure on Sunday\, October 4\, 2026\, start by finding your Run location under your province. Select your event and then sign up to begin the registration process. Don’t worry if there isn’t a Run near you. You can register for My Run. Anywhere. Any way. — a Run site for everyone\, no matter where you live. CIBC teams and participants register here. \n\n[/vc_column_text]Find Your Location[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row bg_color=”#00000000″ top_padding=”0″ bottom_padding=”0″][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner css=”.vc_custom_1759503911902{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #F0E4E4 !important;}”][vc_column_text] \nNight Shift Work: The Leading Occupational Risk Factor for Breast Cancer\nAccording to the American Association for Cancer Research\, women who work the night shift have a 41% increased risk of skin cancer\, a 32% increased risk of breast cancer and an 18% increased risk of gastrointestinal cancer. The data shows that for every five years of night shift work\, the risk for breast cancer increases by 3.3 percent. \nIn fact\, acccording to the research published in Biomedical Reports\, other International Journals and more sources\, night shift work is the leading work-related factor that increases the risk for breast cancer. \nThe results of this research has drawn world wide attention\, and suggest the need for health protection programs for long-term female night shift workers. \nMost importantly\, night shift workers need regular physical examinations and cancer screenings. Where working at night is required\, it is recommended to keep the number of consecutive night shifts at no more than three. It has also been identified that some individuals are less prone to the negative effects of night shifts due to their chronotype\, meaning their individual variations of sleep/wake times\, influenced by environmental light\, genetics\, and human development stages.  When it comes to scheduling night shift work\, a “forward rotation”  is recommended\, e.g. the night shift follows the afternoon shift and completes in the morning\, rather than the morning shift following the night shift and completes in the afternoon. Continued research is being done on this important topic.[/vc_column_text]See OHCOW’s Page on Work-Related Cancer[/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row top_padding=”40″][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text] \nOccupational Risk Factors\nOther than night shift work mentioned above\, sedentary work and work involving exposure to substances such as ionizing radiation\, asbestos\, pesticides and some cleaning chemicals are also job-related factors. \nThis would include the following cccupations: \nNursing and Health Care: Shift work can lead to melatonin suppression\, which has been reported as a risk for multiple cancers\, including breast. It disrupts the circadian rhythm resulting in damaging effects on immune function and hormone balancing. \nTeaching\, Clerical: Sedentary behaviour like desk work can lead to higher risks of breast cancer. It is well established that physical activity is an important factor in breast cancer prevention\, by lowering sex hormones and reducing adiposity and inflammation. \nJanitorial\, and similar: Exposure to chemicals can increase risk for breast cancer. Asbestos\, still present in some buildings\, has been proven to lead to various kinds of cancer in women and men. \nAgricultural: Some pesticides used on farms and in greenhouses increase risk\, including through equipment decontamination\, pesticide drift\, chemical spraying in fields\, and more. Washing contaminated work clothing with other regular clothing is also a factor. \nHere are some general pages about breast cancer and ways we can be involved in Breast Cancer Awareness Month. \nCanadian Cancer Society \nBreastCancer.org \nCanadian Breast Cancer Network \n\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.ohcow.on.ca/event/breast-cancer-awareness-month-2026/
CATEGORIES:eventNew,External Event
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261010
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261011
DTSTAMP:20260928T025120Z
CREATED:20250917T160013Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260928T025120Z
UID:10000247-1791590400-1791676799@www.ohcow.on.ca
SUMMARY:World Mental Health Day 2026
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] \nOctober 10th is World Mental Health Day\, a day to raise awareness of mental health\, provide education and advocate against the social stigma globally. The World Federation for Mental Health established the date in 1992 to raise global awareness about mental health issues and mobilize efforts in support of mental health. \n  \nAccess to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies\n\nOne of the biggest challenges for workplaces today is achieving a balance between the demands of work and employees’ mental health and wellness. Workplace stress is a serious health and safety hazard that can have devastating effects. Creating safe and equitable working conditions\, in which safety and wellness issues are taken seriously and promptly addressed\, means a more productive work environment. When a workplace prioritizes work/life balance\, everyone benefits. Working together\, both can recognize and manage workplace psychosocial factors and ensure a supportive and healthy workplace environment\, while allowing businesses to thrive. While the World Mental Health Day theme for 2025 is “access to services-mental health in catastrophies and emergencies\,” the principles relate to emotionally healthy workplaces from a community and occupational perspective as well. \n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] \nOHCOW Resources\n  \nMayday\, Mayday!\nWatch OHCOW’s latest annual Mayday\, Mayday Symposium\, which continues to build on the double meaning of it’s title (International labour day + Universal cry for help) to translate the knowledge and experience of our OHCOW professional staff\, partners and guest speakers to increase psycho-social hazard awareness and prevention of related harm and injury to workers. See links to previous years’ webinars here. \n  \nBelow are some of the most popular workplace mental health resources developed in partnership with OHCOW. \n  \nStressAssess Survey Tool and App\nStressAssess Workplace Edition is a free\, evidence-based online survey tool designed to assist workplaces in identifying psychosocial hazards that can lead to stress and mental injury\, providing suggestions and pathways to address them\, and thus preventing harm. \nStressAssess Survey Tool and App \n\n\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”] \nMental Injury Toolkit (MIT)\nAn Introduction and Action Guide Created by Workers for Workers: This 6-part Guide and Resource Toolkit provides workers with a basic understanding and place to start when learning about work-related stress. It provides definitions\, common causes of mental distress\, legal frameworks (focusing on Ontario)\, possible actions to take\, and resources. \nMental Injury Toolkit (MIT)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.ohcow.on.ca/event/world-mental-health-day-2026/
CATEGORIES:eventNew,External Event
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20261012T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20261018T170000
DTSTAMP:20260928T200713Z
CREATED:20260928T195113Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260928T200713Z
UID:10000460-1791792000-1792342800@www.ohcow.on.ca
SUMMARY:Workplace Bullying Awareness Week 2026
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row bg_color=”#00748130″][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”53687″ img_size=”medium”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=”Bullying in the Workplace” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:46px|text_align:left|color:%23007481|line_height:1″ google_fonts=”font_family:Signika%3A300%2Cregular%2C600%2C700|font_style:300%20light%20regular%3A300%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1790626031108{margin-top: 40px !important;padding-right: 15px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_id=”main”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text] \nAchieving Bully-free Workplaces\nBullying in the workplace\, academia and schools is a worldwide problem. \nOctober 12-18\, 2026 has been designated Workplace Bullying Awareness Week\, to draw attention to the damage bullying does and incite efforts to stop it. \nSee our resources for more information.[/vc_column_text]Resources on Workplace Mental HealthThe Canadian Institute for Bullying Resources[vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row top_padding=”30″ row_id=”main”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text] \nOHCOW Resources\nWebinars\n[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text] \nMayday\, Mayday Webinar Series\nA presentation made as part of the OHCOW 2022 MayDay\, MayDay Webinar Series: Violence\, Harassment and Bullying in the Workplace Date:  May 6\, 2022 Presenter: Andrew Falotico\, Health and Safety Representative\, Allied Transit Union (ATU) 113[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDTzoX9doYY”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]Digital Harrassment \nA presentation made as part of the OHCOW 2022 MayDay\, MayDay Webinar Series: Violence\, Harassment and Bullying in the Workplace Date:  May 6\, 2022 Presenter: Rebecka Cowen Forsell\, PhD.\, Assistant senior lecturer in Leadership and Organization at Malmö University\, Sweden[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOo5wkiUTqQ”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row top_padding=”30″ row_id=”main”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text] \n\nMental Injury Toolkit\n[/vc_column_text]Go to Toolkit[/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.ohcow.on.ca/event/bullying-awareness-week-2026/
CATEGORIES:External Event
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20261018T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20261024T170000
DTSTAMP:20260928T021146Z
CREATED:20251016T172437Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260928T021146Z
UID:10000259-1792310400-1792861200@www.ohcow.on.ca
SUMMARY:Invisible Disabilities Week
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row bg_color=”#2C1C04″][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1760709035391{padding-left: 30px !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”Common Disabilities Can Be Invisible” font_container=”tag:h1|text_align:left|color:%23FDEFDA” google_fonts=”font_family:Signika%3A300%2Cregular%2C600%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1760708997175{margin-top: 50px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;}”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″][vc_single_image image=”53756″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_id=”main”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Not all Disabilities are Apparent. The third week of October is a week to bring awareness\, education and support to your family\, friends\, co-workers\, community and around the world during Invisible Disabilities Week. \nInvisible Disabilities Week Canada refers to a dedicated week in Canada that aims to raise awareness about disabilities that are not immediately apparent or visible to others. It focuses on educating the public about the unique challenges faced by individuals with invisible disabilities and promoting inclusivity and understanding. Neurodivergence\, bi-polar disorder\, the disease of multiple sclerosis (MS) and conditions like being hearing impaired are just some examples of such unseen disabilities. \nThe Canadian Association for Supported Employment Sponsors this week specifically as it relates to Inclusive workplaces. According to their website\, one fifth of the workforce in Canada experiences some form of disability\, and the most common disability types can be invisible. \n\n\nThe most common disability types reported by persons experiencing disability in Canada can be invisible (Statistics Canada. Canadian Survey on Disability\, 2017 to 2022) :  \n\nPain-related 62%\nFlexibility 40%\nMobility 39%\nMental health-related 39%\n\n\n\nHow can Workplaces help an Employee with an Invisible Disability?\n\n\n\n\nWhen there is no “visible proof” of disability\, requesting accommodations can be complex. An employee may not wish to disclose their disease or condition to everybody\, to avoid stigma or protect privacy. \nDisclosure can  help to positively shift an inclusive culture in a workplace where there is good communication and respect. See the below resources for more information. \n\n\n\n\nRelevant Websites:\nInvisible Disabilities Association \nStats about Disability in Canada \nMore References: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nStatistics Canada. Labour force status of persons with and without disabilities aged 15 years and over\, by age group and gender. Released March 28\, 2024.\nTillotson\, Jack et al. How to Make Workplaces More Inclusive for People with Invisible Disabilities. Harvard Business Review. Published April 4\, 2023.\nDepartment of Justice Canada. Serious Problems Experienced by Diverse People with Disabilities: Western Canada. January 18\, 2022.\nPrince\, Michael. Persons with invisible disabilities and workplace accommodation: Findings from a scoping literature review. January 2017. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation 46(1):75-86. Copy of draft manuscript.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.ohcow.on.ca/event/invisible-disabilities-week/
CATEGORIES:External Event
END:VEVENT
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