Prevention Link

Disability Prevention at Work

News

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

“They Are Not Forgotten.” Recognizing National Day of Mourning

This year marks the 37th annual National Day of Mourning, a day first declared in 1984 by the Canadian Labour Congress, to remember the many Ontario and Canadian workers who have been killed, injured or suffered illness because of work-related incidents. Prevention Link honours and pays respect to the many families and friends who have been affected by these tragedies. This year, we remember workers who have been injured, made ill or who have died from all work-related causes, including the virus that causes COVID-19.

“One workplace death or injury is one too many,” said Laurie Hardwick, Director of Prevention Link. “Occupational health and safety are everyone’s responsibility, and we must collaboratively strengthen our resolve to ensure every Ontario worker gets home safe.”

In 2019, according to the most recent statistics from the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC), 925 workplace fatalities were recorded in Canada. In Ontario, 245 workers died, and 200,613 claims were registered with Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) in 2020.

“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,” said Hardwick. “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 12 languages, via downloadable interactive fact sheets – with tips, quizzes, and links – to help guide workers on their rights and obligations in Ontario workplaces. Visit preventionlink.ca/lighthouse to access the fact sheets, which are also available in a pocket-sized z-card format by emailing info@preventionlink.ca.

Prevention Link staff will be commemorating National Day of Mourning events in their communities online this year. We encourage you to join a Day of Mourning virtual event in your community as well. A comprehensive list of Ontario-wide events and most recent statistics from Ontario are available on the Workers Health & Safety Centre website.

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, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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Summer 2021 Virtual Training

Prevention Link is thrilled to announce our virtual training dates for this summer. Our popular introductory workshops of Level 1 and Level 2 will explore worker and employer rights and obligations under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, and the benefits and services available. We are working on adding more dates for Return to Work 101 and Hearings in Writing so please stay tuned.

Who should attend: WSIB representatives, Workers’ Compensation activists, RTW specialists, union leadership and union stewards, H&S representatives and activists, supervisors and employers, young workers.

These self-paced courses are two-week long with three two-hour mandatory virtual meetings.
Cost: $399.00 per course. Register early to get $50.00 discount.

LEVEL 1: Rights and Obligations
This introductory course begins by exploring the history of the health and safety and compensation systems in Ontario and the development of legislation and the general principles of the system.

Course Overview:

  • History & Principles of Workers’ Compensation
  • When is an Injury Compensable
  • Reporting an Injury and Filing a Claim
  • Return to Work Basics

June 14-28, 2021
The deadline to register is June 2, 2021.
Register before May 23rd to receive our early bird discount.

August 9-23, 2021
The deadline to register is July 29, 2021.
Register before July 18th to receive our early bird discount.

LEVEL 2: Benefits and Services (Prerequisite course: Level 1)
Participants explore the significance of legislation (OHSA, WSIA), regulations and policy, including changes to the legislation and the effects these changes have had on benefits, and the benefits available under the WSIA. They also explore detailed examples of benefit calculations and parameters affecting the final numbers, as well as the structure of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) and appeal system and the adjudication process.

Course Overview:

  • Regulation & Policy
  • Benefits & Services
  • Funding the System
  • Professional Responsibilities
  • WSIB File Examination

July 13-27, 2021
The deadline to register is June 30, 2021.
Register before June 13th to receive our early bird discount.

September 1-13, 2021
The deadline to register is August 19, 2021.
Register before August 8th to receive our early bird discount.

About our online training

Our team has created interactive courses using an industry-leading Learning Management System with modules, presentations, videos, and discussions to make this valuable program engaging. Learn all about the workers’ compensation system in Ontario from the comfort of your own home with the support of the Prevention Link Team.

Testimonials

“The slides were easy, the quizzes were fun, and you were very insightful and quite engaging. Your passion for your work really reflected in how you spoke, and shared anecdotes, so thank you!” D.C. – Stratford, Ontario

“Thank you for leading this course. You are very knowledgeable, and I appreciate that you went the extra mile to provide us with extra information and guiding us towards documents and policies related to our areas of need. Your efforts were very much appreciated.” A.P. – OECTA

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POSTPONED: Winter School 2021

Learn how to promote a culture of safety & improved RTW outcomes!

UPDATE: SEPTEMBER 30th, 2020

FALL SCHOOLS ARE POSTPONED DUE TO COVID-19 SECOND WAVE. CLICK ON WINTER SCHOOL 2021 FOR FUTURE CLASSES.

Take a comprehensive week-long workers’ compensation training that offers courses to certify you in preventing and reducing the impacts of occupational illness, disease or injury in your workplace.

Courses offered:

Cost: $1895 (based on single occupancy)

Classes start at 7 p.m. on Sunday evening and end Friday at noon.

* Includes accommodation, meals, workshop materials, specialist instruction, certificate of completion.

Who should attend: WSIB representatives, RTW specialists, H&S reps., union leadership and union stewards

Download the registration form for Winter School 2021.

*Purchase tickets below*

POSTPONED: Level 1, Level 2 and RTW 101 – Winter 2020 Dates

LEVEL 1 & LEVEL 2

Our popular introductory workshops will explore worker and employer rights & obligations under the Workplace Safety & Insurance Act and the benefits and services available. The workshop will also describe the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board’s adjudication process and enable participants to follow the flow of a claim.

RETURN TO WORK 101

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

Who should attend: Anyone in a role with whom workers make contact following a workplace injury or with disability accommodation requests: workers, employers, union reps, stewards, supervisors.

 

 

CITIES AND DATES:

CLICK ON A CITY ABOVE TO REGISTER ONLINE OR DOWNLOAD AND PRINT THE REGISTRATION FORM HERE.

“Too Many Workers are Losing their Lives!” Prevention Link Recognizes National Day of Mourning

As we recognize the 35th annual National Day of Mourning on April 28, a day first declared in 1984 by the Canadian Labour Congress, we remember the many Ontario and Canadian workers who have been killed, injured or suffered illness because of work-related incidents. Prevention Link honours and pays respect to the many families and friends who have been affected by these tragedies.

“Too many peers, colleagues and loved ones continue to lose their lives as a result of workplace injuries each year,” said Laurie Hardwick, Director of Prevention Link. “This must stop. We must be more diligent in our ongoing efforts to keep Ontario workers healthy and safe on the job and ensure every worker gets home safe from work at the end of each day.”

In 2018, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board recorded 228 workplace fatalities provincially and approximately 253,991 workers filed a claim as a result of being injured or made sick at work. Annually, thousands of injured workers suffer from resulting health complications, or undoubtedly, their injuries go unreported or are not attributed to their working conditions.

“It is increasingly important for every working Ontarian to be educated on their health and safety rights, responsibilities and prevention measures in the workplace,” said Hardwick. “Our Lighthouse Initiative aims to do just that by helping newcomers to Ontario’s workforce 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, via downloadable interactive fact sheets available shortly in multiple languages – with tips, quizzes and links – to help guide workers on their rights and obligations in Ontario workplaces. Visit preventionlink.ca/lighthouse to access the fact sheets, which are also available in a pocket-sized z-card format by emailing info@preventionlink.ca.

Prevention Link and Ontario Federation of Labour staff will be attending National Day of Mourning events around the province. A comprehensive list of Ontario-wide events is available on the Workers Health & Safety Centre website.

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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