News

Building on over 30 years of success, the Prevention Link Program is one of Ontario’s only comprehensive prevention programs. Prevention Link is relying on the experience and success of a network of workplace-based occupational disability prevention champions to enhance primary and secondary prevention of workplace injury and illness and prevent re-injury after return to work. Learn how to improve outcomes for workers and their workplaces by attending our training.

Who should attend: WSIB representatives, Workers’ Compensation activists, RTW specialists, union leadership and union stewards, H&S representatives and activists, supervisors, human resources specialists, employers and young workers. We will be happy to see you in our in-person and online classes.

Please note that Prevention Link can also provide and schedule training just for your members or workplaces!

CORE CURRICULUM

LEVEL 1: RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS – Virtual
Duration: 12 hours. Prerequisites: None.
» February 21 – March 6
» May 16 – May 30

The first of six core certification courses offered within Prevention Link’s disability prevention curriculum.  This introductory course begins by exploring the history of Ontario’s compensation system and the development of legislation and the general principles of the system.

Participants learn the basics of a disability prevention framework, including:

• Types of workplace injuries and occupational illnesses;
• The legal tests applied by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) when considering entitlement;
• The method to report an injury;
• The steps to initiate a claim;
• Reporting strategies, including time limits and potential penalties.

Cost: $449.00. Register early to get $40.00 discount!

LEVEL 2: BENEFITS AND SERVICES – Virtual
Duration: 12 hours. Prerequisites: Level 1.
» January 31 – February 14
» April 4 – April 18

In the second of six core certification courses, offered within Prevention Link’s core curriculum, participants will become familiar with the significance of legislation (WSIA), regulations, and policies, including the history of legislative change and Bills that have amended the WSIA.

Participants will:

• Explore changes to the legislation and their effects on benefits and services;
• Discuss the benefits and services available under three district eras;
• Explore benefit calculations including Non-Economic Loss (NEL) and Loss of Earnings (LOE).

Cost: $449.00. Register early to get $40.00 discount!

LEVEL 1 & LEVEL 2 Training – In-person
LEVEL 1: RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS
LEVEL 2: BENEFITS AND SERVICES
» May 26 – May 31 

Details: TBA

LEVEL 5: MEDICAL ORIENTATION – In-person
Prerequisites: Level 1 and Level 2; and either Level 3 or 4
» May 26 – May 31 

The fifth of six core certification courses offered within Prevention Link’s core curriculum is an advanced course designed to assists participants in understanding medical terminology, anatomy, diagnostic testing and surgical procedures in order to interpret information in Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) files. Participants will be exposed to medical terminology and human anatomy with attention to the different skeletal and organ systems.

Details: TBA

TOPICAL WORKSHOPS

RETURN TO WORK 101
» February 13 (Virtual)
» March 27 (In-Person)
» April 30 (Virtual)

This workshop provides participants with the tools to develop strategies to assist workers with disabilities, individually and collectively; and return them to long term healthy and productive employment. The workshop will review noteworthy case law and Human Rights legislation.

Early bird discounts!

HEARINGS IN WRITING – Virtual
» February 15

This workshop will help participants understand the goals and challenges of legal submission writing and how to address them. In accordance with the WSIB’s Practice and Procedures and with WSIAT’s Practice Directions, participants will learn how to organize and structure submissions to be clear and reader focused. Using various outlines and templates, the traditional structure of a submission is examined with attention given to strategies and guidelines to produce an effective written hearing submission. Participants will explore making facts and law persuasive and the technical components of writing, including referring to and attaching documents and a professional format will be reviewed.

Cost: $129.00. Register early to get $20.00 discount!

PRINCIPLES OF ACCOMMODATION LAW
» February 14 (Virtual)
» March 28 (In-Person)
» May 1 (Virtual)

With a focus on the protected ground of disability and the social area of employment, this workshop will advance a participant’s understanding of human rights legislation and the Duty to Accommodate. The definitions of discrimination will be explored, the requirements for requesting and responding to accommodation needs will be outlined, and what constitutes “undue hardship” will be examined. This workshop provides participants with the resources and tools to develop strategies to assist workers with disabilities, individually and collectively, and support return to long-term healthy and productive employment.

Early bird discounts!

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION 101 – In-person
» March 26 

This workshop introduces participants to the compensation system in Ontario, the history and principles of compensation legislation and third party rights of action. Information on the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), including time limits for dealing with issues are discussed and the process flow for claims and appeals are presented.

Participants will learn:

• Injury reporting;
• How claims are filed;
• The responsibilities of the workplace parties;
• The role of medical professionals; and
• Benefits and services available to injured and ill workers.

Cost: $149.00. Register early to get $20.00 discount!

WORKPLACE MENTAL HEALTH INJURIES  – In-Person
» May 23 

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.

Cost: $149.00. Register early to get $20.00 discount!

Building on over 30 years of success, the Prevention Link Program is one of Ontario’s only comprehensive prevention programs. Learn how to improve outcomes for workers and their workplaces by attending our training. Who should attend: WSIB representatives, Workers’ Compensation activists, RTW specialists, union leadership and union stewards, H&S representatives and activists, supervisors, human resources specialists, employers and young workers.

We will be happy to see you in our in-person and online classes. Please note that Prevention Link can also provide and schedule training just for your members or workplaces!

CORE CURRICULUM

LEVEL 1: RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS – Virtual
Duration: 12 hours. Prerequisites: None.
» November 28 – December 12

The first of six core certification courses offered within Prevention Link’s disability prevention curriculum.  This introductory course begins by exploring the history of Ontario’s compensation system and the development of legislation and the general principles of the system.

Participants learn the basics of a disability prevention framework, including:

• Types of workplace injuries and occupational illnesses;
• The legal tests applied by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) when considering entitlement;
• The method to report an injury;
• The steps to initiate a claim;
• Reporting strategies, including time limits and potential penalties.

Cost: $449.00. Register early to get $40.00 discount!

LEVEL 2: BENEFITS AND SERVICES – Virtual
Duration: 12 hours. Prerequisites: Level 1.
» September 14-28

In the second of six core certification courses, offered within Prevention Link’s core curriculum, participants will become familiar with the significance of legislation (WSIA), regulations, and policies, including the history of legislative change and Bills that have amended the WSIA.

Participants will:

• Explore changes to the legislation and their effects on benefits and services;
• Discuss the benefits and services available under three district eras;
• Explore benefit calculations including Non-Economic Loss (NEL) and Loss of Earnings (LOE).

Cost: $449.00. Register early to get $40.00 discount!

LEVEL 3: APPEALS & DISPUTE RESOLUTION – In-person
WORKER ADVOCATE EDITION
Prerequisites: Level 1 & Level 2
» October 22-27

An interactive and analytical course, Prevention Link has developed a holistic and intuitive course meant to build participants into mock hearing settings. Using case file examples and mock hearings, this intensive course will provide participants with the practical skills to prepare and present oral hearings before the Workplace Safety Insurance Board as well as the Workplace Safety Insurance and Appeals Tribunal.

We will examine reviewing of the file; gathering additional evidence; researching law; policy and precedent; preparation of witnesses; and questioning, cross-questioning and re-direct at a hearing.

Cost: $$1,945.00. Register early to get $50.00 discount!

LEVEL 4: RETURN TO WORK – In-person
Prerequisites: Level 1 & Level 2
» September 18-22

This course is designed for those who will or currently assist injured workers individually or
collectively through a therapeutic return to work (RTW) and provides workplace parties with the
tools necessary to develop strategies that ensure successful outcomes.

» Return to Work best practices
» The Duty to Accommodate
» Elimination of barriers

Cost: $599.00. Registration Deadline: September 4, 2023. Register before August 14 for $50 off!

LEVEL 5: MEDICAL ORIENTATION – In-person
Prerequisites: Level 1 and Level 2; and either Level 3 or 4
October 22-27, 2023

The fifth of six core certification courses offered within Prevention Link’s core curriculum is an advanced course designed to assists participants in understanding medical terminology, anatomy, diagnostic testing and surgical procedures in order to interpret information in Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) files. Participants will be exposed to medical terminology and human anatomy with attention to the different skeletal and organ systems.

This course will take place at Bayview Wildwood Resort.
Cost: $1,995.00.Registration Deadline: October 6, 2023. Register before September 25 for $50 off!

TOPICAL WORKSHOPS

RETURN TO WORK 101 – In-person
» September 26 

This workshop provides participants with the tools to develop strategies to assist workers with disabilities, individually and collectively; and return them to long term healthy and productive employment. The workshop will review noteworthy case law and Human Rights legislation.

Cost: $149.00. Register early to get $20.00 discount!

HEARINGS IN WRITING – In-person
» September 27 

This workshop will help participants understand the goals and challenges of legal submission writing and how to address them. In accordance with the WSIB’s Practice and Procedures and with WSIAT’s Practice Directions, participants will learn how to organize and structure submissions to be clear and reader focused. Using various outlines and templates, the traditional structure of a submission is examined with attention given to strategies and guidelines to produce an effective written hearing submission. Participants will explore making facts and law persuasive and the technical components of writing, including referring to and attaching documents and a professional format will be reviewed.

Cost: $149.00. Register early to get $20.00 discount!

PRINCIPLES OF ACCOMMODATION LAW – In-person
» September 28 

With a focus on the protected ground of disability and the social area of employment, this workshop will advance a participant’s understanding of human rights legislation and the Duty to Accommodate. The definitions of discrimination will be explored, the requirements for requesting and responding to accommodation needs will be outlined, and what constitutes “undue hardship” will be examined. This workshop provides participants with the resources and tools to develop strategies to assist workers with disabilities, individually and collectively, and support return to long-term healthy and productive employment.

Cost: $149.00. Register early to get $20.00 discount!

MENTAL HEALTH 101, MINDFULNESS & CHALLENGES IN LIFE & SELF CARE – In-person
» October 3
» October 25
» November 7

Facilitated by Registered Nurse Wendy Stanyon, Associate Professor at the Ontario Tech University, Prevention Link is hosting an online 1/2-day workshop created for basic training for Mental Health in the workplace and conversations around destigmatization.

OFL Classroom, Toronto, ON
9 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.
Cost: $99.00
If you require financial assistance, email info@preventionlink.ca for an available bursary (limited quantity available).

MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID BASIC – In-person
» October 4-5 

Prevention Link, on behalf of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, is proud to offer this two-day course, which 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. **Participants must be present for the full length of the course in order to be certified.**

OFL Classroom, Toronto, ON
9 A.M. to 5 P.M.
Cost: $199.00

Cost includes HST, course material, guided instruction, certificate of completion, lunch.
Spaces are limited.

WORKPLACE MENTAL HEALTH INJURIES  – In-Person
» October 12 

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.

Cost: $149.00. Register early to get $20.00 discount!

The Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) and Prevention Link values the diversity and intersectionality of the people it hires.  At the OFL / Prevention Link diversity means fostering a workplace where individuals’ differences are recognized, respected, appreciated and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents, strengths, and passion to better the lives of all workers.  The OFL / Prevention Link prioritizes hiring members from equity deserving groups and recruits, employs, and promotes, regardless of race, colour, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disabilities, age or national origin.  The OFL is an equal opportunity employer, applications from equity seeking communities are encouraged to self-identify in their application.

Job Summary
Prevention Link has a vacancy for a contract Administrative Support position. The Administrative Support position is a limited term contract until March 31, 2024. Pending funding approval, this contract may be extended. The Administrative Support position is covered under the terms and conditions as outlined in the collective agreement with COPE 343. This position is headquartered out of the OFL Offices in North York, Ontario.

As a team member of Prevention Link, the Administrative Support position shall report through the Prevention Link Executive Director to the Officers of the Ontario Federation of Labour.

POSITION: Contract – Prevention Link Administrative Support
LOCATION: North York, Toronto
START DATE: June 2023
HOURS OF WORK: Approximately 35 hours per week
REMUNERATION: Competitive salary, pension and benefits in accordance with the COPE Local 343 collective agreement.

 The successful candidate will provide a variety of administrative support, including:

• Performing all administrative functions in support of the Prevention Link team;
• Assisting with scheduling Prevention Link courses, and handling all registration requirements;
• Assisting with printing and shipping requirements of course participant and instructor resources and materials;
• Composing substantive correspondence and written material, formatting reports and documents;
• Cross‐training on printing, document assembly and other print room functions;
• Processing financial documents and logging / deposit cheques;
• Editing and proofreading correspondence and course curriculum and materials for spelling and grammatical errors;
• Working with the Prevention Link databases, Thorntree and Action Network;
• Managing the registration processes related to Prevention Link’s learning management software (LMS), Canvas;
• Assisting in the administration of courses, conferences and other events;
• Maintaining appropriate filing systems, and
• Other duties and projects as assigned.

The qualified candidate must have:
The successful candidate must have excellent interpersonal, organizational, communication and computer skills. The candidate must be a team player and able to work in a challenging and fast-paced environment.

• A minimum of 5 years of directly related work experience;
• Experience in managing competing priorities, including proven time management and organizational skills, with limited supervision;
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook);
• Demonstrated proficiency with WordPress, Action Network or equivalent Contact Management Software;
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud Solutions (InDesign), and others;
• Robust attention to detail;
• Advanced language and editing skills;
• In‐depth understanding of office operations;
• Dedicated ability to keeping and maintaining confidentiality;
• Flexibility, problem solving skills, with good judgement; and
• Knowledge of the Ontario Workers Compensation system is considered an asset.

* Proficiency in other languages, particularly French and a diploma/ degree from an accredited college/ university in office/ business administration will be considered an asset.

Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Applications including a resume and cover letter can be sent to Prevention Link Executive Director Rob Halpin at RHalpin@preventionlink.ca by June 2, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. EST. Please include your name and “Prevention Link Administrative Support” in the subject line of your email.

DATE POSTED: May 24, 2023
REMOVAL DATE: June 2, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. EST

Prevention Link Administrative Support

The National Day of Mourning was first declared in 1984 by the Canadian Labour Congress. Every year since, thousands of workers, friends, and families of fallen workers gather at ceremonies across Canada to recognize workers killed or injured on the job. Prevention Link honours and pays respect to the many families and friends who have been affected by these tragedies.

In 2021, according to the most recent statistics from the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC), 1,081 workplace fatalities were recorded in Canada, with the highest rate in Ontario (419). The same year in Ontario, 225,020 claims were registered with Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) with 172,620 claims allowed (both with lost time and no lost time). Sadly, a vast body of research suggests that half of work-related injuries and illnesses are not accurately reported and the numbers are much higher. “Somewhere between 40 and 60 per cent of potentially compensable conditions are typically not reported to provincial compensation authorities in Canada,” said Cameron Mustard, former IWH president and senior scientist.

Behind these numbers are not just individual tragedies but also families, friends, colleagues, and communities whose lives are deeply affected as well and may be changed forever. One workplace death or injury is one too many. Occupational health and safety is everyone’s responsibility, and we must collaboratively strengthen our resolve to ensure every Ontario worker gets home safe.

Prevention Link firmly stands behind our vision of a province where occupational illnesses and injuries are eliminated to enable healthy, safe, and accommodating workplaces for all workers in every workplace and in every community across Ontario.

It is vital for every Ontario worker to know their health and safety rights in the workplace from the first day they start a job. Our Lighthouse Initiative aims to do just that by helping newcomers to Ontario’s workforce, young workers, and long-time workers in any sector learn more about their rights and the laws that guide them as a worker in our province. The Lighthouse Initiative offers critical information in 19 languages, via downloadable information guides – with tips, quizzes, and links – to help guide workers on their rights and obligations in Ontario workplaces.

Prevention Link staff will be commemorating National Day of Mourning events in their communities and in our classrooms. We encourage you to join a Day of Mourning event in your community as well or observe a moment of silence at 11:00 a.m. on April 28. A comprehensive list of Ontario-wide events is available on the Workers Health & Safety Centre website. By sharing the messages from the Day of Mourning, you are reminding more people to put health and safety at the forefront of their work and helping to prevent further work-related injuries and loss of life.

Honour the fallen. Make the injured whole. Make work safe.
We renew our pledge to building safer workplaces for all workers.

Day of Mourning resources:

• Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
• Threads of Life
• Workers Health and Safety Centre
• Worker Memorials in Ontario communities
• Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada
• Workplace Safety Insurance Board

ml/cope343

Participants in this training series will have the option of taking either our popular introductory courses of Level 1 & Level 2, or taking our Level 4 course, Return to Work.

This training will take place at Bayview Wildwood Resort on April 23-28, 2023.
Cost: $1,800.00. Deadline to register: April 10, 2023. Register early to get $100.00 discount!
Registration for Level 1 & Level 2.
Registration for Level 4: Return to Work.

Level 1: Rights & Obligations
» History & principles of workers’ compensation
» Types of injuries and illnesses
» Reporting an injury and filing a claim
» Legal tests for entitlement
AND
Level 2: Benefits & Services
(Prerequisite: Level 1)
» Regulation & policy
» Benefits & services
» Funding the system
» Professional responsibilities
» Calculation of benefits
OR
Level 4: Return to Work
(Prerequisites: Level 1 & Level 2)
This course is designed for those who will or currently assist injured workers individually or collectively through a therapeutic return to work (RTW) and provides workplace parties with the tools necessary to develop strategies that ensure successful outcomes.
» Return to Work best practices
» The Duty to Accommodate
» Elimination of barriers