Recognizing occupational and environmental hazards
Session details
Date:
Time:
12:00pm - 1:30pm (Toronto time)
Location:
Zoom videoconferencing
Didactic presentation by:
Victoria Arrandale
Session objectives
At the end of this session, participants should be able to:
- Describe the common types of occupational hazards
- Identify the occupational exposure limits that may apply to an individual worker
- Develop questions that will help to better understand a worker’s occupational exposures
- Understand where a worker or health care provider can look for support on questions of workplace exposure
Session resources
Didactic presentation: Recognizing occupational and environmental hazards
In this presentation, Dr. Victoria Arrandale describes the common types of occupational hazards, identifies rules and regulations that may apply to the occupational exposure of an individual worker, develops questions that will help to better understand a worker’s occupational exposures, and discusses how to better understand where a worker or health care provider can look for support on questions of workplace exposure.
Download the PDF(721.78 KB)
Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed)
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First Exposure
First Exposure at the University of Toronto is a digital information hub and research network providing evidence-based information to the public and health care providers on the safety of medications, plant and environmental substances and other exposures during pregnancy and lactation. The program is based at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health through the generous support and vision of the Vohra Miller Foundation. Source: First Exposure
For a Safe Maternity Experience Program
The objective of the For a Safe Maternity Experience Program (SMEP) is to allow a pregnant or breastfeeding worker to continue working when their work is physically dangerous for her unborn child's health, her breastfed child's health, or herself because of her pregnancy. Source: CNESST
Guide for health and safety committees and representatives
Use this guide to establish strong roles and clear procedures to support health and safety in your workplace. Source: Government of Ontario
Health and Safety Legislation in Canada - Three Rights of Workers
Every person employed in Canada has the right to a safe work environment. In each jurisdiction, the Occupational Health and Safety Act (or equivalent) is based on the internal responsibility system (IRS). IRS requires that everyone at or associated with the workplace takes responsibility for their own health and safety and the health and safety of those around them. Source: Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW)
OHCOW offers a wide range of services to assist with the diagnosis of work-related illnesses. Source: Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers
Ontario’s occupational health and safety system
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The Ontario Human Rights Code (the Code) is a law that provides for equal rights and opportunities and recognizes the dignity and worth of every person in Ontario. The Code makes it against the law to discriminate against someone or to harass them because of sex, which includes pregnancy and breastfeeding, in employment, housing, goods, services and facilities, contracts and membership in unions, trade or professional associations. Source: Ontario Human Rights Commission
Pregnancy and Protective Reassignment
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Guidance from the United Kingdom explaining how employers should manage the health and safety of pregnant workers and new mothers. Source: Health and Safety Executive (UK)
Safety Talks
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Information on the United States' Pregnant Worker Fairness Act. Source: US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Working during pregnancy
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About presenter
Dr. Victoria Arrandale is an assistant professor in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto and a registered occupational hygienist (ROH). She also leads a working group on data and intelligence as part of Ontario’s Occupational Disease Action Plan, an initiative to align the province's health and safety system activities related to occupational exposure and disease.
Arrandale’s research focuses on the measurement of workplace exposures and the assessment of exposure in occupational epidemiology. Her work has examined exposures in a variety of workplaces including mining, construction, nail salons and electronic waste recycling facilities.
Case presentations
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