Prevention Link

Disability Prevention at Work

Resources

Updated information guides: COVID-19 in the workplace

When an injury or illness happens on the job, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) provides compensation such as wage-loss benefits, medical coverage and support to help people recover and get back to work. It includes COVID-19.

The Ontario’s Human Rights Code’s policy position is that the Code ground of disability is engaged in relation to COVID-19, as it covers medical conditions or perceived medical conditions that carry significant social stigma. Ontarians must keep human rights principles and relevant human rights treaties at the centre of decision-making when dealing with infectious diseases, such as COVID-19.

Learn more by downloading our updated guides.

» Workers’ Compensation & COVID-19: Know Your Reporting Rights & Responsibilities
» Workplace Exposure to Coronavirus
» Discrimination and COVID-19
» Duty to Accommodate and Illnesses such as COVID-19

 

Global Ergonomics Month 2023

Global Ergonomics Month is an international outreach campaign promoting human-centred design through the science, application and profession of ergonomics or human factors. These disciplines are focused on optimizing overall system performance and human well-being by proactively designing work and work systems that improve efficiency, productivity, health, safety and comfort.

Poor ergonomics can lead to the following hazards: musculoskeletal disorder (MSD), visibility, and fall.  MSDs are the number one type of lost-time work injury reported to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board in Ontario.

Resources and events:

Reminder:
Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development inspectors check to see if these hazards in the workplace are addressed.

Under clause 25(2)(h) of the OHSA, employers are required to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to protect the worker.

Mental Health Resources: National & Provincial Crisis Lines

Updated: March 2025

Everyone’s situation is different. If you find yourself in need of support but don’t know where to turn, please reach out—don’t be alone. If you know someone who is struggling, please share these resources with them. Post the flyer on your community or work board to let others know that they are not alone.


(click on the image to download the pdf)

Prevention Link offers training on mental health.

Mental Health 101, Mindfulness & Challenges in Life & Self Care
Facilitated by Registered Nurse Wendy Stanyon, Associate Professor at the Ontario Tech University, Prevention Link hosts a 1/2-day workshop created for basic training for Mental Health in the workplace and conversations around destigmatization.
More information about the course.

Workplace Mental Health Injuries
This workshop is ideal for workers’ compensation representatives who have some case work experience and are looking to gain more knowledge on mental health injury claims. It will provide participants with a better understanding of mental health and illness, stigma and discrimination, how conditions are diagnosed, and common treatment options.
More information about the course.

Psychological Health & Safety & Return to Work
This training provides participants with the resources and tools to develop strategies to assist workers with disabilities, individually and collectively, and support return to healthy and productive employment.
Mental illness is a leading cause of disability in Canada and workplaces that have a strong commitment to psychological health and safety, demonstrated by the behaviours of the workplace, have more success in Return to Work (RTW).
More information about the course.

Mental Health First Aid Standard
On behalf of the Mental Health Commission of Canada
This two-day course gives participants the skills to provide assistance to a person who has a mental health problem or is experiencing a mental health crisis. Just as physical first aid is administered to an injured person before professional medical care can be offered, mental health first aid will help to bridge a gap in treatment.

IF YOU ARE IN DISTRESS
» Go to the nearest hospital; or
» Call 9-1-1; or
» Call a Crisis Line: 2-1-1
(Services are also available as text, online chatbot, email)

Vaccines – a tool to end the COVID-19 pandemic

Vaccines are a vital tool in stopping the spread of COVID-19, and are an important component in the promotion of general health and disease prevention in our communities and workplaces.

Make an informed decision that is right for you:

  • Read reliable sources.
  • Follow credible media outlets.
  • Talk to your health care provider.

Click the images below to download our printable poster and shareables for social media.

 

Learn about COVID-19 vaccines approved in Canada by watching our recorded conversation with Dr. Chénier who guided us through the work of our immune system, how the body responds to clear infections and how a vaccine supports the body’s natural abilities to heal, and the kinds of vaccines that are on the market right now. Using this new understanding, we hope is that you will be able to better advocate for yourselves with your health care providers by asking questions about vaccination that are relevant for your health condition.

What you need to know: Download our essential fact sheets on COVID-19

More resources:
Federal Government
Ontario Government
National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI)
Workers Health and Safety Centre (WHSC)
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)
WSIB claims and COVID-19