Web-Exclusive News

As part of our efforts to provide loyal visitors to www.ohcanada.com with news and views they can use, OHS CANADA offers web-exclusive news. These articles are posted eight times a year to coincide with the release of each print edition of the magazine. As is the case with OHS CANADA, web-exclusive items reflect recent oh&s happenings throughout the country. The articles below, from December through January, are current as of the time of writing and many are based on stories that first appeared in our sister publication, CANADIAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY NEWS.

Ministers want suspension of popular painkiller generics

Federal – When the patent for painkiller OxyContin expired at the end of November, provincial and territorial health ministers unanimously agreed to ask the federal government to delay the approval of a generic form of the drug pending further research.


Federal government to review TFW program

Federal – The federal government has announced that it is reviewing the temporary foreign worker program (TFW), in light of the controversy that erupted with the hiring of more than 200 foreign workers at a British Columbia coal mine.


Changes coming to police stun gun use in BC

Victoria – A review into the safe use of conducted energy weapons for British Columbian police officers is wrapping up and will be tabled early this year.


Tree spikes could cause severe injury for loggers

Kamloops – The identity of the perpetrators of a dangerous and potentially deadly logging protest in the forests near Kamloops, BC, has stumped the RCMP and the province’s Ministry of Forests.


BC implements MMA safety regulations

Victoria — The British Columbia government is developing a regulatory framework to keep mixed martial arts fighters, promoters and the officials who keep them in line as safe from harm as possible.


Nunavut sheriffs get lessons from B.C.

Victoria — Those who help keep order in Nunavut courtrooms will be getting lessons from the Justice Institute of British Columbia’s sheriff academy.


Truckers asked to check for loose rocks

Lake Cowichan — Loader operators, log truck drivers and their supervisors are being asked by the BC Forest Safety Council to stop and do a careful review of their operations after an incident where a rock fell from a logging truck and smashed through the windshield of an oncoming pickup truck, killing the pickup driver.


RCMP denies sexual assault claim

Prince George — The RCMP has officially denied allegations of harassment and sexual assault in the first lawsuit filed by one of their Mounties based out of British Columbia.


Close call for Edmonton police officer

Edmonton — A routine traffic stop almost turned ugly for an Edmonton Police Service constable, a news release from the police service says.


Police in Calgary get wearable cameras

Calgary — Police in Calgary are making sure big brother is not only watching, but has video evidence to prove it.


Bill introduced to honour asbestos advocate

Regina — The Saskatchewan government appears to be moving forward with legislation to protect workers and the public from asbestos exposure, just days after one of the province’s most tireless advocates for asbestos awareness died from mesothelioma.


Manitoba WCB conducts employer survey

Winnipeg — The Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba will be conducting an employer survey throughout the month of November, contacting random registered employers for their opinions on expectations, experiences and overall satisfaction with the organization’s performance.


WSIB rate reduction efforts lauded

Mississauga — While acknowledging that most contractors in the province could be facing an increase of 4.3 per cent on their workers compensation premiums for 2013, the Ontario General Contractors Association commended the work done to keep the rate hike even higher.


Ministry releases quarry blitz results

Toronto — The Ministry of Labour released the results of its July blitz on rock crushing, screening and conveying processes on November 6.


Building demolition stopped over nuclear concerns

Toronto — Concerns that radioactive dust could blanket crowds at the popular Yonge-Dundas Square in Toronto has prompted Canada’s nuclear watchdog to halt the demolition of a contaminated building.


Workshop examines ship design safety

Gander — The Professional Fish Harvesters Certification Board facilitated a workshop for fishing industry stakeholders focused on fishing vessel design for ships under 40 feet.