OHCOW

Suicide Prevention Day
2024-09-10
World Suicide Prevention Day is a chance for everyone to increase awareness about suicide: those impacted by a suicide attempt or loss, family and friends, charitable organizations, professionals, politicians, volunteers, and community members. The theme for World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) 2024-2026 is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide”. The aim of the theme is to raise awareness about the importance of changing the narrative surrounding suicide and transforming how we perceive this complex issue. Changing the narrative requires systemic change. It’s about shifting from a culture of silence and stigma to one of openness, understanding, and support. ~ International Association for Suicide Prevention
OHCOW’s annual Mayday, Mayday Webinar Series addresses workplace mental health with real life stories from workers and up-to-date research and commentary from professionals in the field of mental health.

World First Aid Day
2024-09-14
World First Aid Day is a global observance held on the second Saturday in September. It was instituted by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in 2000 and has been celebrated each year ever since.
The term “first aid” refers to the help available to anyone with a sudden injury or illness. Its main purpose is to preserve life and prevent exacerbation of the condition. This is not always done by medical staff. In emergency situations, ordinary people often have to provide first aid to save someone’s life. First aid does not require prior knowledge and can be improvised. However, if a first aid person does not know what to do, they may hurt themselves rather than help. This is why the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies encourages everyone to receive basic first aid training or at least educate themselves using all available reliable sources.
World First Aid Day aims to raise awareness of how first aid can prevent injuries and save lives in crises and everyday situations, as well as enhance access to first aid. The events and activities on this day focus on first aid training. Each year, a new general theme for the day is chosen, and participants are encouraged to plan events around the current year’s theme.
Recent polling by the Canadian Red Cross shows that nearly 40 per cent of Canadians say they have been in an emergency situation where they have had to perform first aid; however, only 18 per cent are currently certified. so ensure you have the skills needed to save lives when an emergency happens.
Info about first aid courses:
Canadian Health Care Provider Training Institute
First Aid 4U

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
2024-09-30
Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.

Global Ergonomics Month
2024-10-01 00:00 - 23:59 (America/Toronto)
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 overall system performance and human well-being by proactively designing work and work systems that improve efficiency, productivity, health, safety and comfort.
Stay tuned for more info.

Global Ergonomics Month

Women's History Month
2024-10-01 00:00 - 23:59
October is Women’s History Month in Canada, a time to celebrate the women and girls from our past, and our present, who are contributing to a better, more inclusive Canada.
Stay tuned for more info.
https://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/commemorations-celebrations/womens-history-month/2023-theme.html

Mental Illness Awareness Week
2024-10-06 08:00 - 2024-10-12 17:00
Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) is an annual national public education campaign designed to help open the eyes of Canadians to the reality of mental illness. The week was established by the Canadian Psychiatric Association, and is now coordinated by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) in cooperation with all its member organizations and many other supporters across Canada.
CAMH MIAW Page

Workplace Bullying Awareness Week
2024-10-13 08:00 - 2024-10-19 17:00
Workplace Bullying Awareness Week

Workplace and Academic Bullying is a worldwide problem. Together our unite voice, is the solution.

Small Business Week
2024-10-13 08:00 - 2024-10-19 17:00
“Ontario’s small businesses are the backbone of communities across the province. From family-owned corner stores to brand new start-ups, everyone knows a small business that has made a difference in their community. This Small Business Week, we celebrate the over 400,000 small businesses in Ontario and their more than two million hard-working employees.”
-Ontario Web site.

Small Business Week is an opportunity to celebrate the big ideas that contribute to our communities and bring attention to the challenges that inhibit their growth and innovation.
Ontario Chamber of Commerce

BDC Small Business Week is an annual entrepreneurship event that the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) has organized for 45 years. Every year, more than 10,000 entrepreneurs gather to learn, network and celebrate Canada’s dreamers and doers.
Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)

Occ|tober and Beyond Webinar Series 2024
2024-10-31 12:00 - 13:30
12:00pm – 1:30pm EST
Occ|tober & Beyond: Occupational Illness and Disease Prevention

OHS Prevention Works
OHCOW’s annual Occ|tober Webinar Series begins with an overview of the occupational illness prevention activities by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development of Ontario, and Health & Safety System Partners, including OHCOW. This session will review current initiatives to anticipate, recognize, evaluate, control workplace hazards, and addressing the question of: How do you quantify exposures that you have prevented through good initiatives?
Speakers: Dr. Joel Moody – Chief Prevention Officer, MLITSD; Dr. Tracy Kirkham, Occupational Cancer Research Centre, Silica Control Tool Panel (Meghan Friesen, Holly Houston, Cait Wittke, Shirly Yan)

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Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
2024-11-01 08:00 - 2024-11-30 17:00
For the month of November, OHCOW makes a special acknowledgement of the connection between incidents of hazardous exposures in the workplace and pancreatic cancer.
Don’t miss a session of our Occ-tober and Beyond Webinar Series!
Stay tuned to our social media channels and check back for more information and links to relevant resources from OHCOW and our partners.
See the national website for more information.

Lung Cancer Awareness Month
2024-11-01 08:00 - 2024-11-30 17:00
At OHCOW, we are working to make tools accessible to those who risk lung disease and cancer due to hazardous exposure in the workplace.
Check out the Silica Control Tool, created for the construction industry and adapted for Ontario workers.
Don’t miss a session of our Occ-tober and Beyond Webinar Series! See more about Lung Cancer Awareness Month.
More links and resources to come, please check back and stay tuned to our social media channels as we provide more information throughout the month of November.

MOVEMBER: Men's Health Month
2024-11-01 08:00 - 2024-11-30 17:00
The month of November is referred to as “MOVEMBER” because men are encouraged to grow a moustache as a symbol for better men’s health, to draw attention to the issues and start important conversations. Check out the Canadian web site for MO-VEMBER here. It includes information and details about events such as a 60 KM walk to help with the goal of awareness of a topic that is too often overlooked.
While the tone is playful, the situation is serious. Rising rates of testicular and prostate cancer, suicide and depression, and reluctance to attend to health matters means many Canadian men are not achieving their optimal health. In fact, on average, they live four fewer years than Canadian women, for a number of occupational and non-occupational reasons, according to Public Health Canada, This is a time to discuss and do something about it — and to make such discussions the norm.
In the Workplace
Great impact can be made in the workplace, as men at risk of injury on the job or occupational illnesses can research and share information. Men aren’t always keen on opening up conversations with health and safety representatives and supervisors about their concerns. Let’s start! Anyone who suspects an illness, including cancer, might be work-related, can contact OHCOW for advisement. Check out our Work-Related Cancers page for more information. The Occupational Cancer Research Centre (OCRC) features a Disease Surveillance System Data tool which helps show relative risk for a variety of sectors and exposures.
It is known that men are less likely to seek support for mental health, depression and emotional distress. In 2023, research was done specifically on the mental health of workers in the skilled trades, and found a connection between physical safety on the job and mental health. OHCOW’s StressAssess Survey is a valuable tool for analyzing psychosocial stressors in the workplace. The Opioid-Related Harms among Ontario Workers project is a four-year collaboration between the Institute for Work & Health (IWH) and the OCRC at Ontario Health. It addresses the connection between male-dominated trades and opioid use.
Let’s Keep it on the Radar
In 2017, The provincial government started a partnership with The Canadian Men’s Health Foundation to promote healthier lifestyles for men. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research published information about the health of boys and men in Canada, a 2021 study that looks at mental health and wellness, violence, disease, accident rate, and physical activity.
Let’s keep issues surrounding men’s health on our radar all year long, starting this month with MO-VEMBER!

Occ|tober and Beyond 2024 Webinar Series
2024-11-07 12:00 - 13:30
12:00pm – 1:30pm EST
Occ|tober & Beyond: Occupational Illness and Disease Prevention
What you can’t see can still harm you!
Silica is a naturally occurring mineral that can be found anywhere. While safe when used solid form like in bricks, drywall, countertops, when made airborne, such as by chipping, sanding, or grinding, it can cause fatal lung diseases even when exposures are so low that you can barely see it. The Silica Control Tool, developed in British Columba, was revised by OHCOW last year. This year, it’s use has expanded into New Brunswick. The Silica Tool’s technology is being adapted to other exposures such as welding. Join this session to learn about how the Silica Control Tool is rolling out across Canada and being adapted to other exposures!
Speakers: Dr. Melanie Gorman-Ng, B.C.C.S.A.; Johannes Doemer – WorkSafeNB Occupational Hygienist, Victoria Arrandale – UofT Associate Director.
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Remembrance Day
2024-11-11

Occ|tober and Beyond Webinar Series 2024
2024-11-14 12:00 - 13:30
12:00pm – 1:30pm EST
Occ|tober & Beyond: Occupational Illness and Disease Prevention
Can you assess exposures you can’t measure?
Occupational hygienists are experts at measuring exposures and interpreting risk based on exposure limits. But what do we do when we can’t make a measurement, or the chemical doesn’t have an exposure limit? Learn in this session how exposure control banding is a rapidly evolving semi-quantitative process to recognize and control the risk of hazards when measurements and limits are not available.
Speakers: Alex Mercer, MSc, CIH, ROH, President of CRBOH and Operations Manager at JADA Solutions (HSE) + more!
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World COPD Day
2024-11-15
World COPD Day is organized by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) in collaboration with health care professionals and COPD patient groups throughout the world. Its aim is to raise awareness, share knowledge, and discuss ways to reduce the burden of COPD worldwide.
See the international web site.
Check out the Silica Control Tool, created for the construction industry and adapted for Ontario workers. Silica exposure in the construction environment poses many health risks including lung disease.
Don’t miss a session of our Occ-tober and Beyond Webinar Series!

Occ|tober and Beyond Webinar Series 2024
2024-11-21 12:00 - 13:30
12:00pm – 1:30pm EST
Occ|tober & Beyond: Occupational Illness and Disease Prevention
How can your respirator stop things smaller than the filter?
Last updated in 2018 and reaffirmed in 2023, the CSA Standard CAN/CSA Z94.4 (Selection, Use, and Care of Respirators) was amended to include a new section on respiratory protection against bio-aerosols. This addition includes a risk assessment for bio-aerosol protection using respirators. Learn how to assess the hazards of bio-aerosols and select the appropriate respiratory protection.
Speakers: Dr. Kevin Hedges, PhD, COH, CIH, Fellow of AIOH, OHCOW; Dr. Simon Smith, Retired from 3M, Member of CSA Committees, and Renowned Respirator Expert.
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16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence 2024
2024-11-25 08:00 - 2024-12-10 17:00
For this important 16 day event, the Government of Canada’s theme for 2024 is Come Together, Act Now. It emphasizes how crucial it is to involve everyone in Canada – particularly men and boys – in changing social norms, attitudes and behaviours that contribute to gender-based violence. It is also a call to action urging all of us to recognize the signs of gender-based violence and to reach out for support, for ourselves or loved ones.
Please go to OHCOW’s page that features a video to draw attention to the problem of women meeting with violence whether at home, in public places, or in the workplace.
See OHCOW Page

Occ|tober and Beyond Webinar Series 2024
2024-11-28 12:00 - 13:30
12:00pm – 1:30pm EST
Occupational Illness and Disease Prevention
Can we prevent what we can’t see?
Occupational illnesses are conditions that usually require continued exposures over time to develop. They may even result from a combination of environmental and work-related factors. Ontario’s Health and Safety Associations are working to increase knowledge of various workplace exposures, which can not always be seen! In this session, learn how Ontario’s Health and Safety System is helping to identify hazards and implement effective control measures to prevent occupational diseases.
Speakers: Kelly Fernandes – WSPS Specialized Consultant; Steve Gore – WSPS Industrial Hygiene Specialist; Jasmine Kalsi, ROH, Infrastructure Health & Safety Association.
VIEW PLAYLIST FOR THIS SERIES

International Day of Persons with Disabilities
2024-12-03
More than 6.2 million Canadians have a disability – and many have disabilities that are not visible. Persons with disabilities face discrimination, incur many additional expenses, and often encounter barriers to finding meaningful and well-paid work. We recognize that disabilities are diverse in nature – whether physical, sensory, cognitive, or mental health-related – and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. But whatever a person’s needs may be, the Government of Canada is committed to making our country more accessible and more inclusive for everyone.
Go to Page

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
2024-12-06
It has been over 30 years since the murder of 14 young women at Polytechnique Montréal (December 6, 1989). This act of violent misogyny shook our country and led Parliament to designate December 6 as The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. As we mourn their loss and remember their lives, we reaffirm our commitment to fight the hatred that led to this tragedy, and the misogyny that still exists today.
There is a website that commemorates the lives lost on that tragic day, and provides other information on protecting the rights of women and minorities.
GO TO PAGE

Human Rights Day
2024-12-10
Human Rights Day is celebrated every year on December 10 — the day on which the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.
The Declaration states that each person is entitled to fundamental rights, including the right to equality, and the right to life, liberty and security of the person. It also recognizes the right to freedom of religion and speech and the right to participate in the cultural life of the community.
For more information see Canada’s web page for Human Rights Day.
GO TO PAGE

Christmas Day
2024-12-25

Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month
2025-01-01 08:00 - 2025-01-31 17:00
January is Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month
Beginning in 2024, January is known as “Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month” throughout Canada. Health Canada and key stakeholders will raise awareness on this topic through social media campaigns and targeted events.
See OHCOW’s page about new information and legislation surrounding the work of Firefighters.
In June of 2023, the enactment of Bill C-224, A National Framework on Cancers Linked to Firefighting provides for the development of a national framework designed to raise awareness of cancers linked to firefighting with the goal of improving access for firefighters to cancer prevention and treatment. The Canadian Association of Fire chiefs has more information.
In partnership with the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN), the International Association of Firefighters IAFF designated January as Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month to provide fire fighters the necessary tools and guidance to develop life-saving protocols for cancer prevention and to support those with a cancer diagnosis within their departments.
Stay tuned for more information to come.

Bell Let's Talk Day
2025-01-22
Bell Let’s Talk Day 2025 to Prioritize Youth Mental Health as Young Canadians Face Growing Crisis
Bell unveiled MHRC’s new report on youth mental health and announced it will prioritize youth mental health on Bell Let’s Talk Day (January 22, 2025) and launch a text-to-donate campaign with 100% of funds raised going to six youth mental health providers.

Heart Month
2025-02-01 00:00 - 2025-02-28 23:59
February is Heart Month
February is Heart Month is an annual opportunity for individuals, groups, and businesses to raise funds and awareness for the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.
In 2024, our community raised over 1.25 million dollars, smashing past records thanks to our incredible match sponsors and donors. We are grateful to have the support of over one hundred community initiatives throughout February.
Go to Website

Black History Month
2025-02-01 - 2025-02-28
February is Black History Month
Every February, people across Canada participate in Black History Month events and festivities that honour the legacy of Black people in Canada and their communities.
The 2024 theme for Black History Month is: “Black Excellence: A Heritage to Celebrate; a Future to Build”. This theme celebrates the rich past and present contributions and accomplishments of Black people in Canada, while aspiring to embrace new opportunities for the future.
Go to Website

Psychology Month
2025-02-01 08:00 - 2025-02-28 17:00
Psychology Month is celebrated every February to highlight the contributions of Canadian psychologists and to show Canadians how psychology works to help – people live healthy and happy lives, their communities flourish, their employers create better workplaces, and their governments develop effective policies.

World Cancer Day
2025-02-04
The Importance of Knowledge Translation
Join us for a special World Cancer Day webinar, hosted by Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW) and Occupational Cancer Research Centre (OCRC), as we explore the differing cancer risks among male and female workers in Ontario, Canada. This event will focus on the importance of knowledge translation—how we can effectively communicate occupational cancer research to raise awareness and drive change.
Experts will discuss the latest findings on cancer risks in the workplace and share strategies for improving awareness and prevention through knowledge-sharing resources and tools. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how collaboration and innovation can drive real change in protecting workers from occupational cancer.
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RSI Day Webinar Series 2025 Week 1
2025-02-07 10:00 - 12:30
Clinical Insights & Applying New Technology
February 7, 2025 – WEEK 1
10:00 AM – 10:15 AM
Welcome Message and Overview
Trevor Schell – Coordinator
10:15 AM – 10:45 AM
Osteoarthritis of the Carpometacarpal Joint (Thumb)
Cynthia Arnold – OHCOW Physician, Trevor Schell – OHCOW Ergonomist
CMC Joint Osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms of osteoarthritis affecting, 11% of men and 33% of women, yet the occupational risk factors are often overlooked for the development of this condition. This session examines the anatomy, causes, symptoms, diagnosis and prevention of this disorder.
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10:45 AM – 11:15 AM
Osteoarthritis of the Hip
Melissa Statham – OHCOW Ergonomist
Pravesh Jugnundan – OHCOW Physician, Melissa Statham – OHCOW Ergonomist
Osteoarthritis of the hip is one of the most common forms of osteoarthritis affecting up to 24.2% of the population. This session examines the anatomy, symptoms causes, and prevention of this disorder.
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11:15 AM – 12:00 PM
Implementing Markerless Motion Capture Technology for Ergonomics Assessments
Dennis Larson – Postdoctoral Researcher
Recent advancements in computer vision technology are rapidly changing how we conduct musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risk assessments in the field. Now with just the tap of a button on our smartphones, we can easily record videos of workplace activities that can uploaded and analyzed by computer vision tools to assess postures and movements involved in completing workplace tasks. However, computer vision may not be a one-size-fits-all solution and both researchers and companies are working to understand how to best implement and interpret results from these technologies to optimize their MSD prevention efforts. Drawing on the findings of a recent study we conducted at the University of Waterloo and other related research, we will provide evidence-based insights to guide best practices for integrating computer vision-based MSD assessment technology into workplace ergonomics and health and safety programs.
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12:00 PM – 12:30 PM
Q&A
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