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There are many websites with straightforward fixes for MSD hazards and many groups and organizations that you can turn to for information and help. There are several partners within Ontario Health and Safety Systems that provide general and sector specific support.
Government Bodies
- The Ministry of Labour, Training, Immigration & Skills Development (MLITSD) ensures that all provincially regulated workplaces meet the standards set forth by the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).
- The MLITSD works to eliminate workplace fatalities, injuries and illness through policy, prevention and enforcement activities.
- The WSIB provides insurance to businesses as well as benefits and return-to-work plans to support injured workers.
- The WSIB promotes health and safety and provides a statistical database for workplace injury claims.
Position Paper: 'Understanding the Ontario Health and Safety System: Government Bodies'
This paper will outline the roles of the two main organizations with legislative mandates within the Ontario Health and Safety System: The Ministry of Labour, Training, Immigration and Skills Development (MLITSD) of the Ontario Government, and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), an arm’s length agency which reports to the MLITSD.
Ministry of Labour, Training, Immigration and Skills Development (MLITSD)
Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)
Health and Safety Associations
- There are six Health and Safety Associations (HSAs) within the Ontario Health and Safety System.
- HSAs provide workers in all sectors with access to occupational health and safety professionals, training, and resources.
Position paper: 'Understanding the Ontario Health and Safety System: Health and Safety Associations'
Occupational health and safety in Ontario is protected by the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and enforced by the Ministry of Labour, Training, Immigration and Skills Development (MLITSD). The main purpose of the OHSA is to protect workers from health and safety hazards by establishing rights and duties for all workplace parties. The MLITSD works with six Health and Safety Associations (HSAs), the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), and other partner institutions, including the Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD) to form the Ontario Health and Safety System. This paper will outline the roles of each of the six Health and Safety Associations including a brief description of their services and the sectors they support. The other Health & Safety System Partners are described in separate papers in this series (see Paper 1 – Government Bodies and Paper 3 – Research Centres).
Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA)
Public Services Health and Safety Association (PSHSA)
Workplace Safety North (WSN)
Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS)
Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW)
Workers Health and Safety Centre (WHSC)
Research Centers
- Research Centres in the Ontario Health and Safety System are funded by the Ministry of Labour, Training, Immigration and Skills Development (MLITSD) to work on real life employer challenges through research projects in order to provide practical evidence-based solutions to help prevent injuries, diseases, and fatalities in the workplace.
- The knowledge gained by these Research Centres can be used to update policies and procedures to protect workers from various occupational health and safety issues.
Position paper: 'Understanding the Ontario Health and Safety System: Research Centers'
This paper will outline the roles of associated Research Centres in Ontario, including the Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD), the Centre for Research Expertise in Occupational Disease (CREOD), the Occupational Cancer Research Centre (OCRC), the Institute for Work & Health (IWH), and the Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH). The other Health & Safety System Partners are described in separate papers in this series (see Paper 1 – Government Bodies and Paper 2 – Health and Safety Associations).
Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD)
Centre for Research Expertise in Occupational Disease (CREOD)
Occupational Cancer Research Centre (OCRC)
Institute for Work & Health (IWH)
Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH)
EPID@Work Research Institute
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Find all the available resources on the MSD prevention website, including posters, videos, and links to relevant websites.