Ontario Enhancing Workplace Health and Safety in the North
Province Supporting Projects at Laurentian University
January 16, 2018
Ontario is improving safety for workers in the North by partnering with Laurentian University to support new initiatives designed to bolster occupational health and safety.
Glenn Thibeault, MPP for Sudbury, on behalf of Kevin Flynn, Minister of Labour, made the announcement today in Sudbury. Projects include:
- Enhancing understanding of Indigenous occupational health and safety in Northeastern Ontario
- Improving line-of-sight awareness through a virtual reality simulation of real life work experiences with heavy equipment
- Developing tools for workplaces to effectively increase awareness of mobile equipment hazards such as vibration exposure, line-of-sight/situational awareness and musculoskeletal disorders for the construction, mining, pulp and paper and forestry sector
These investments are part of Ontario’s Research Opportunities Program and Occupational Health, Safety and Prevention Innovation Program, which support projects that improve occupational health and safety for workers across the province and create better workplaces.
Research partnerships between the province and Ontario universities, health care organizations and research institutes contribute to the development of appropriate interventions to prevent injuries and illness, and help inform changes to legislation to improve workplace safety.
Improving occupational health and safety is part of Ontario’s plan to create fairness and opportunity during this period of rapid economic change. The plan includes a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, easier access to affordable child care, and free prescription drugs for everyone under 25 through the biggest expansion of medicare in a generation.
- Through the Research Opportunities Program, Ontario is investing $59,437 for Laurentian University researchers to develop and test a virtual reality simulation for workers who move around heavy equipment on a daily basis, and $69,309 for a study to examine Indigenous occupational health and safety experiences.
- Through the Occupational Health, Safety and Prevention Innovation Program, Ontario is investing $182,208 to help Laurentian develop knowledge transfer kits to address mobile equipment hazards.
- Since 2003, Ontario’s annual rate of workplace injuries has dropped by more than 50 per cent, making the province’s workplaces the safest in Canada and among the safest in the world.
- Ontario’s Integrated Health and Safety Strategy
- The Ministry of Labour’s 2017-2018 Sector Plans
“This year’s Research Opportunities Program and Occupational Health, Safety and Prevention Innovation Program projects are helping to ensure Ontario continues to be one of the safest places to work in the world. By working with excellent partners like Laurentian University on advancing occupational health and safety through solid research, we can make a positive difference in the lives of our workforce for generations to come.”
Kevin Flynn
Minister of Labour
“The Government of Ontario is helping Laurentian University in Sudbury to produce leading research in health and safety. Funding projects that provide further research, innovation and education are important for the ongoing improvement of occupational health and safety across Ontario. Our goal is to ensure that our workers in Sudbury and across Ontario go home safe at the end of their shift.”
Glenn Thibeault
MPP for Sudbury
Media Contacts
Janet Deline
Communications Branch
For media inquiries only: MOLMedialine@ontario.ca
416-326-7405
Michael Speers
Minister’s Office
416-325-6955
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