Disability Prevention at Work
We are incredibly excited to introduce you to the Prevention Link App.
Our convenient new tool includes interactive fact sheets, informative quizzes, tips and links on what Prevention Link can offer you.
The App is currently available on Google Play, and will soon be available on the Apple Store and BlackBerry World.
(TORONTO, ON) ─ This October 1-7, we recognize Mental Illness Awareness Week across Canada and rise in solidarity with our many Ontario sisters and brothers who live with the debilitating reality of mental illness every day.
In any given week, at least 500,000 employed Canadians are unable to work due to mental health challenges, with the stigma associated with mental illness a primary reason that keeps many Ontarians from talking about mental illness, in their workplace or at home.
“There is a critical need for increased conversation about occupational mental illness and awareness in our workplaces,” said Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) Secretary-Treasurer Patty Coates. “That’s why we successfully introduced an Occupational Mental Health and Illness Awerness 101 workshop to expand the conversation around the various mental health challenges many Ontario workers face, and to end the associated stigma.”
To date, the popular half-day session led by mental health nurse, academic, and advocate Dr. Wendy Stanyon, has welcomed more than 250 working Ontarians in seven cities across the province. The next workshop is scheduled for the week of October 22.
“Having attended the workshop several times myself, along with our OFL team, I have become more aware of the basic language used to describe mental illnesses in the workplace and some truly important facts on mental illness that is helping our team to better dismantle stigma in our workplaces,” said Coates. “I strongly encourage our sisters and brothers to join the conversation on mental illness and help break the stigma.”
To help spread the word about Mental Illness Awareness Week, post or tweet #MIAW17.
If you or a co-worker are challenged with a mental health concern at work, visit The Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW) for more information and help today.
Prevention Link, a Government of Ontario supported initiative administered by the Ontario Federation of Labour Executive Committee, is the leading provider of training and advisory support on secondary prevention of workplace injury in the province. For information, visit preventionlink.ca and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
The OFL represents 54 unions and one million workers in Ontario. For information, visit www.OFL.ca and follow @OFLabour on Facebook and Twitter.
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For further information:
Ogho Ikhalo,
Senior Communications & Outreach Specialist
Prevention Link
416-443-7654
oikhalo@preventionlink.ca
ph/cope343
On this 33rd annual National Day of Mourning, Prevention Link remembers and pays respect to the many Ontario and Canadian workers who have been killed, injured or suffered illness because of work-related incidents. We also honour the many families and friends who have been deeply affected by these tragedies.
“Every worker has the right to return home safe and sound at the end of each work day,” said Rob Halpin, Executive Director of Prevention Link. “Our team remains boldly committed to working with employers, workers and our health and safety partners to improve health and safety in the workplace and prevent further injuries, illnesses and deaths.”
Approximately 230,000 Ontario workers are injured or made sick at work every year, thousands of others pass away years later due to resulting health complications and still other cases, undoubtedly, go unreported or unacknowledged.
“It is additionally crucial to recognize that mental health and illness is increasingly claiming the lives of more workers in many occupations across the province each year due to lack of conversation and acknowledgement of the disease as a significant health complication,” said Halpin.
Beginning May 6, Prevention Link will launch its new Occupational Mental Health and Illness 101 workshops. The half-day workshop, guided by Dr. Wendy Stanyon – a mental health nurse and academic – aims to open the conversation around mental health challenges in workplaces across Ontario.
“Occupational injuries and illnesses are a preventable workplace epidemic that continues to cost tens of thousands of lives and impact many working families in Ontario. We must continue to work collaboratively to ensure every working Ontarian gets home safe.”
Prevention Link staff will be attending National Day of Mourning events around the province.
Click here to read Prevention Link’s article in the Toronto Star’s “The Vicious Circle Of Workplace Injuries” insert.
Prevention Link, a Government of Ontario supported initiative governed by the Ontario Federation of Labour Executive Committee, is a leading provider of training and advisory support on secondary prevention of workplace injury in the province. For information, visit preventionlink.ca and follow @PreventionLink on Facebook and Twitter.
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For further information:
Ogho Ikhalo,
Senior Communications & Outreach Specialist
Prevention Link
416-443-7654
oikhalo@preventionlink.ca
sf/cope343
THIS RFP IS CLOSED AND AWARDED.
We are seeking an Audit Firm to provide independent financial audit services for Prevention Link in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.
For more information, please download the PREVENTION LINK REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS – AUDIT.
Interested proponents are asked to email submissions to: rhalpin@preventionlink.ca and eramachandar@preventionlink.ca.
Submission deadline is: April 10, 2017 by 4:30 p.m.
Late responses will not be accepted or considered.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Prevention Link is pleased to announce the launch of a series of mental health workshops aimed at opening the conversation around mental health challenges in workplaces across Ontario, beginning May 6 in Toronto.
Mental illness is considered the number one cause of workplace disability in Canada yet, stigma around the topic is a key reason why many Ontarians don’t talk about mental illness in their workplaces. This half-day workshop is your chance to become more informed and talk more openly about mental health in the workplace. Join us in promoting a greater understanding of occupational mental health and illness. This discussion will also include a demonstration of Mindsight.
The program’s first round of mental health workshops will be held in Toronto, Ottawa, London and Sudbury until June 17.
Click a link below for more information and to register:
Who should attend: WSIB Representatives, RTW Specialists, Health & Safety, Human Resources, Workplace Leadership and Union Stewards
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For further information:
Ogho Ikhalo
Prevention Link
Communications
416-443-7654
oikhalo@preventionlink.ca
sf/cope343
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(TORONTO, ON) ─ On this Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI) Awareness Day, Ontario Federation of Labour’s Prevention Link urges all Ontarians to recognize and support the many workers who fall victim to one of the most common types of injuries in the workplace.
Repetitive Strain Injuries are one of the most common types of injuries in the workplace. RSI’s or musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) painfully effect muscles, nerves, and joints in the neck, back, chest, shoulders, arms, and hands.
Read the full RSI statement from the Ontario Federation of Labour.
Prevention Link is developing its Lighthouse Initiative to serve two categories of vulnerable workers: those returning to work after an injury; and those who may not have been injured, but have limited knowledge of occupational health and safety laws and available resources. Through our work we look to prevent more MSDs workplace injuries.
We also encourage all workers to utilize disability prevention principles, which is why the Return to Work (RTW) consulting branch of Prevention Link facilitates a strategic fit with workplace return-to-work best practices and all applicable rights.
Prevention Link, which is supported by the Ontario Ministry of Labour’s Prevention Office and governed by the Ontario Federation of Labour’s Executive Committee, is the leading provider of training and advisory support on secondary prevention of workplace injury in the province. For information, visit preventionlink.ca and follow @PreventionLink on Facebook and Twitter.
The OFL represents 54 unions and one million workers in Ontario. For information, visit www.OFL.ca and follow @OFLabour on Facebook and Twitter.
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For further information:
Ogho Ikhalo
Senior Communications & Outreach Lead
Prevention Link
416-443-7654
oikhalo@preventionlink.ca
cope343