Hosted by the Ottawa & District Labour Council with OHCOW’s  Eastern Region Local Advisory Committee

Schedule Events

Heat Stress Toolkit- New Tools to help with Heat Stress Management

André Gauvin, BSc, MHK, CCPE, CIH, Occupational Hygienist, Ontario Health Clinics for Ontario Workers

Heat stress is a significant and year-round physical hazard in many indoor, outdoor and underground occupations that deal with either local or environmental heat sources. To make matters worse, its effects may be compounded when personal protective equipment (PPE) is involved. The impacts of heat stress can be serious, and it is critical to address this hazard to protect employees and your business from negative health effects, lost productivity, and employee morale. As of late, we have gathered new information surrounding heat stress to update the current Ontario heat stress response plan, along with making it more accessible to the workers and employers dealing with the risk of excessive heat exposure. This session will discuss the hazards of working in the heat and guide you through the new updated heat stress response plan.  

Silica Control Tool - New Online Tool which Estimates Silica Exposure in Construction

Meghan Friesen, B.A., ROH, Occupational Hygienist, Ontario Health Clinics for Ontario Workers

The Ontario Silica Control Tool is a online tool that can be used in workplaces where silica dust may be generated during construction activities. Silica is one of the most common hazards at construction sites. This Tool is intended for workplaces where air monitoring may be challenging or difficult, or before air monitoring to identify risk and select control measures. Workers exposed to airborne respirable silica are at an increased risk of developing lung diseases like silicosis, lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This session will discuss the hazards and health effects of silica, exposures in the construction industry, and guide you through how to use the new online Tool.