Each summer brings a wave of young workers into the Canadian workforce, some finishing their education, others starting seasonal jobs. They are entering a labour market shaped by rising living costs, scarce entry-level work, and a changing climate. Those pressures are surfacing as mental health challenges, as recent data shows. For employers, that's not just a workforce [...]

Workplace violence and harassment are blanket terms that are used widely, but when it comes to Canadian law, clarity matters. Whether you're an employer building a prevention program or an HR professional responding to an incident, understanding what workplace violence and harassment means, both legally and functionally, is foundational.  Defining Workplace Violence and Harassment  The workplace violence [...]

When most people think about workplace health and safety, they picture hard hats, fire exits, and ergonomic chairs. But for Canadian employers, the obligation goes much further. Psychological health and safety in the workplace is now a recognized legal and operational priority.  Here's what you need to know. Psychological health and safety refers to the [...]

Psychological health and safety in the workplace has been a recognized and significant part of occupational health and safety for years, and its importance keeps growing. Canada's National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace (CSA Z1003) gives organizations a clear, evidence-based framework for building workplaces where people can thrive. At the core [...]

In Canada, health and safety legislation provides a consistent approach to managing traditional hazards like physical injuries, chemical exposures, and biological threats. These hazards are generally easier to spot and manage because they are visible and tangible, allowing employers to take steps to mitigate them. However, not all hazards are obvious and easy to spot. [...]

WHMIS compliance helps workers understand chemical hazards, read Safety Data Sheets, recognize pictograms, and follow safe handling procedures. Beyond initial training, refresher education, proper documentation, and clear communication ensure workers remain confident and capable when handling hazardous materials.

The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) and Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) are often mentioned together, but they serve different purposes at different stages of working with hazardous materials. Understanding where one ends and the other begins is key to maintaining safety and compliance across an organization. WHMIS is focused on safety inside the [...]

In our previous article, we explored the changes to WHMIS hazard classes, labels, pictograms, and Safety Data Sheets (SDSs); the core tools used to communicate chemical hazards in Canadian workplaces. But WHMIS is more than a collection of documents or symbols. It is a shared system of responsibility, and compliance depends on how well each [...]

Everything employers need to know about the WHMIS 2022 Amendment — what changed, why it matters, and what you need to do before the 2025 deadline. On December 15, 2022, Canada amended the Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR) to align with the latest editions of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS Rev. 7 & 8). These changes [...]

In today’s fast-paced and often high-pressure environment, mental health in the workplace is more critical than ever. As organizations across Canada recognize the significant impact that mental well-being has on productivity and employee satisfaction and retention, the conversation around mental health is gaining vital attention. Not only is addressing mental health the right thing to [...]

The construction industry plays a vital role in building infrastructure and shaping our communities. However, it is also one of the most hazardous industries for workers. Data shows construction sites see 20.2 fatalities per 100,000 workers each year. With 1.2 million construction workers on the job every day, a startling one out of every five [...]

As we navigate the ever-changing landscapes of our natural environment, the need for wildlife awareness training becomes increasingly important. One specific area of concern is bear encounters. With human populations expanding and encroaching upon bear habitats, it is crucial that individuals working in outdoor environments receive appropriate training. In this blog, we will explore why [...]

It's a fact that workplace incidents can have catastrophic impacts on both workers and employers. The ramifications of such events can be physical, emotional, reputational, and financial, leaving deep scars that may never fully heal. In Canada, the Association of Workers' Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC) reported that the average cost of a lost-time claim [...]

National Injury Prevention Day aims to raise awareness of the importance of injury prevention and unite communities in promoting safety. It is an annual event by Parachute that reminds us of the significance of workplace injuries and the need to create safer work environments to ensure all workers return home safely at the end of [...]

Occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation in Canada is designed to ensure that employees are protected in the workplace. Businesses must comply with these laws to avoid penalties, fines, and legal liabilities. In this blog, we’ll provide an overview of OHS legislation in Canada and offer practical tips and guidance on how to achieve compliance. [...]

On Monday, January 30th, the Government of Canada ratified the first-ever global treaty on ending violence and harassment in the workplace! Minister of Labour Seamus O’Regan Jr. ratified the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 190, the Violence and Harassment Convention (C190) in Geneva, Switzerland. The treaty provides a clear framework to prohibit, prevent and address [...]