IHSA Safety Podcast

Hosted by IHSA Safety Podcast

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139

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

The IHSA Safety Podcast is a free podcast from the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association that seeks to improve the lives of workers in Ontario; one thought-provoking discussion at a time. <p>We engage with professionals and industry influencers to help them implement and improve health and safety solutions for workers and the workplace. Each episode explores best practices, resources, and training to control and eliminate safety hazards in work environments involving high-risk activities in the industries that IHSA serves: construction, transportation, and electric utilities ]]>

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August 7, 202623 min

Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls in Aggregates

This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast focuses on slips, trips, and falls in Ontario’s aggregate industry and features Ryan Smith, Health and Safety Consultant at IHSA. Ryan discusses why slips, trips, and falls remain one of the most common workplace injuries in the sector, highlighting key contributing factors such as poor housekeeping, unsafe surface conditions, complacency, inadequate risk assessments, weather conditions, and insufficient hazard reporting. He also discusses how fatigue, distractions, rushing, and routine work can increase the likelihood of incidents when workers fail to recognize or address hazards. Ryan emphasizes the importance of maintaining three-point contact when accessing equipment, using fall protection when required, and ensuring pedestrian walkways, tool storage areas, and equipment access points remain free of hazards. He also discusses the importance of proper safety footwear, regular inspections, worker involvement in hazard identification, and ongoing safety conversations to combat complacency. Preventing slips, trips, and falls is a shared responsibility, and even small hazards should never be ignored, as they can lead to serious injuries if left unaddressed. Free resources Aggregates - Slips, trips, and falls Aggregates See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

July 25, 202632 min

Improving Heavy Equipment Safety in Aggregate Operations

This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast focuses on heavy equipment safety in Ontario’s aggregate industry and features Ryan Smith, Health and Safety Consultant at IHSA. Ryan discusses the key hazards associated with working around heavy equipment, including blind spots, pedestrian interactions, unstable ground conditions, stockpiles, articulated equipment, and heavy equipment right-of-way. He highlights the importance of equipment-specific training, pre-shift inspections, preventative maintenance, and effective communication in preventing incidents. Ryan also explores how emerging technologies, such as proximity warning systems, fatigue detection tools, autonomous equipment, improved cab filtration, and automatic greasing systems, are helping improve worker safety. Ryan highlights broader industry challenges, including exposure to silica and diesel exhaust, slips, trips and falls, and labour shortages. He emphasizes that building a strong safety culture, providing comprehensive training, encouraging proactive hazard reporting, and continuously identifying ways to improve are essential to creating safer aggregate workplaces. Free resources Aggregates Silica Control Tool See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

July 15, 202621 min

Tiny Ticks, Big Risks: How to Prevent Lyme Disease and Protect Ontario Outdoor Workers

This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast focuses on tick risks in Ontario and how workers can protect themselves from tick-borne illnesses, and features Dr. Curtis Russell, Senior Program Specialist at Public Health Ontario. Dr. Russell explains that while tick populations and Lyme disease cases can vary year to year depending on weather, the long-term trend in Ontario shows a steady increase—particularly for black-legged ticks, the only species in the province known to transmit Lyme disease. He outlines where ticks are most commonly found, such as brushy, wooded areas with leaf litter, and notes that their range has expanded across much of southern Ontario. Dr. Russell shares practical prevention strategies for people working outdoors, including wearing light-coloured clothing, tucking in clothing, using repellents, and performing thorough tick checks both before leaving a worksite and again at home. He also explains how to properly remove a tick, the importance of early removal to reduce the risk of disease transmission, and why common myths—such as ticks jumping or falling from trees—are inaccurate. In addition to Lyme disease, Dr. Russell briefly discusses other tick-borne illnesses in Ontario and reinforces that the same prevention measures apply. Free resources · Guard against insect bites and stings · Insect bites and stings (safety talk) · Lyme disease (safety talk) · Ontario Vector-Borne Disease Tool · Ontario Tick-Borne Diseases · eTick · TickTOOL See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

July 9, 202645 min

Construction Site Inspections in Ontario: What Inspectors Really Look For

This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast explores what Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) inspectors look for during construction site inspections, and features Aris Finnson, a former Occupational Health and Safety Inspector with MLITSD. Aris explains that the primary goal of an inspection is to assess whether a strong internal responsibility system (IRS) is in place by verifying that hazards are identified, planned for, and controlled. Inspectors often form an impression within the first few minutes on site, based on visible indicators such as housekeeping, signage, use of personal protective equipment, fall protection practices, and overall site organization. Aris highlights that: Workers should be able to identify their supervisor, explain their tasks and hazards, and know how to report concerns Strong supervision, clear communication, and proactive planning are major indicators of a compliant and well-run site Common issues leading to orders include fall protection gaps, improper ladder use, poor housekeeping, missing PPE, and incomplete documentation Aris encourages workplaces to focus on protecting workers every day—rather than preparing only for inspections—by maintaining strong planning, supervision, communication, and accountability across all levels of the organization. Free resources What Supervisors Need to Know Basics of Supervising Training Supervisor Log Book See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

June 11, 202631 min

Health and Safety Research in Action: Practical Insights for Safer Workplaces in Ontario

This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses how workplace health and safety research is being translated into practical tools that employers and workers can use to improve safety outcomes across Ontario, and features Rod Cook, Vice President of Workplace Health and Safety Services at WSIB, and Dr. Amin Yazdani, President of the Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness and Performance (CISWP). Rod shares how the WSIB is investing in research and partnerships to better understand the root causes of workplace injuries and support prevention-focused solutions across sectors. Dr. Amin explains how CISWP’s applied research approach brings data collection directly to job sites through mobile labs and advanced technologies, helping generate insights based on real working conditions. Together, they discuss how research findings are being translated into practical, accessible tools that employers can use to strengthen their health and safety programs. They highlight the importance of collaboration between organizations, researchers, and industry in driving meaningful improvements in workplace safety, and explain how employers, supervisors, and health and safety professionals can use research-informed tools and resources to support safer workplaces. Free resources WSIB Health and Safety Excellence Program Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) WSIB Online Services Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness and Performance (CISWP) CCOHS Business Safety Portal See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

May 26, 202636 min

Building Better Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems with COR® 2020 and ISO 45001

This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMS) and features IHSA experts Chris McKean, Vice President of Programs and Strategic Development, and Ken Rayner, Vice President of Market Development and Communications. This episode builds on Episode 132, where we explored the WSIB's Health and Safety Excellence program. Now, we look at what comes next in your health and safety journey. We cover: · How an OHSMS can help your business succeed · Where COR® 2020 or ISO 45001 works best · How to choose the right standard for your business · What makes an OHSMS effective · How to know that workers trust your system · How good leadership and oversight make the system stronger Listen to learn how the COR® 2020 and ISO 45001 standards can help your business improve decision-making, reduce risk, and keep workers healthy and safe. Free resources IHSA - Certificate of Recognition (COR®) Debunking Seven Myths about the COR® Program Comparing COR® 2020 and ISO 45001:2018 ISO 45001:2018 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

May 11, 202626 min

Workwear That Works: Why Proper-Fit PPE Matters for Women in Skilled Trades

This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses the importance of proper-fitting workwear for women in skilled trades and features Alicia Woods, founder of Covergalls. Alicia discusses the real challenges women in trades face in finding suitable workwear, including reduced mobility, discomfort, and safety risks caused by poorly fitting personal protection equipment (PPE). Alicia was motivated to create Covergalls based on her own experiences and frustrations with the lack of fitted workwear while working in the mining industry. Key takeaways on the importance of proper-fit PPE in skilled trades: · Proper-fit PPE improves day-to-day comfort and reduces physical strain, allowing workers to perform tasks more efficiently · Proper-fit PPE helps reduce safety risks by ensuring coveralls or equipment function as intended without requiring unsafe modifications · Designing PPE for diverse body types helps eliminate barriers that have often discouraged women from entering or staying in skilled trades. Listen to the full episode to learn more about why proper-fit PPE is crucial for workplace safety and inclusion. Free resources Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - Resources Personal Protective Equipment – Requirements and Samples PPE and winter weather The right fit for your respiratory and hearing protection See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

April 27, 202636 min

Understanding Commercial Diving Risks and Contractor Requirements

This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses commercial diving and its underlying risks and features Doug Elsey, Executive Director of the Canadian Association for Diving Contractors (CADC). Doug explains that commercial diving typically happens when something sinks, breaks, or needs inspection or repair underwater. Commercial divers are essential for maintaining underwater infrastructure, and it’s critical to follow all safety precautions because of the high-risk nature of the work. Doug mentions several key factors in commercial diving: Recreational diving experience is not sufficient for commercial work; commercial divers must undergo formal training and adhere to strict safety standards. Hiring unqualified divers puts lives at risk and may lead to incidents, fines, or lawsuits. Investing in a competent diving contractor helps ensure work is done safely and efficiently. A safe diving operation depends on trained diving teams that know how to manage underwater hazards, the right equipment, and proper procedures in place. Because of the risks involved in commercial diving, choosing the right contractor is a critical part of planning the work. Before any work begins, it’s important to ensure the contractor meets the necessary safety and competency requirements. Refer to IHSA’s ‘Hiring a commercial diving contractor’ brochure for proper guidance. Free resources Hiring a commercial diving instructor (brochure) Diving operations Canadian Association for Diving Contractors (CADC) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

April 13, 202652 min

From Compliance to Culture: How WSIB’s HSEp Builds Stronger Safety Systems in Ontario

This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses how Ontario employers—especially small and growing businesses—can build effective occupational health and safety systems using WSIB's Health and Safety Excellence Program (HSEp). The episode features experts Maren Gamble and Chris McKean. HSEp is a flexible program developed by WSIB that helps employers build and improve their occupational health and safety systems in an intentional and structured way over time. It offers a step-by-step framework that allows businesses to formalize what they’re already doing and build a stronger, more consistent safety culture as they grow. Key highlights of HSEp include: Breaking safety improvements into over 40 easy-to-choose topics with clear requirements, so employers can choose what’s most relevant to their needs Providing structure through timelines, milestones, and quarterly rebates to keep progress on track Strong financial incentives and rebates—participating employers can receive up to 200% of their WSIB premiums back Improved efficiency, better communication, stronger employee attraction and retention, and preparation for certifications like COR ® or ISO 45001 Providers like IHSA play a key role by supporting employers throughout the process—helping them understand requirements and make the right decisions. Employers interested in building a more consistent safety culture are encouraged to explore WSIB’s HSEp and learn how they can access available rebates. Connect with IHSA to get started. Free resources WSIB Health and Safety Excellence Program Small business Occupational Health and Safety: The Physical Work Environment See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

March 30, 202639 min

Safety Training and Resources for Young Workers: Why Parents Should Get Involved

This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses the health and safety resources available to young workers and their parents and features Pam Patry, northern region manager at WSPS. Pam highlights that young workers don’t know what they don’t know, so if they’re not trained or taught about hazards in their workplace, they won’t know what to look out for or how to recognize a hazard. Young workers often receive generic training such as WHMIS but may not be educated on specific hazards they could face in their roles. There’s a pressing need for site-specific training so that young workers can be better equipped to handle hazards. Workplace training should clearly explain what the job involves, the hazards that may be present, and how to manage or remove them. Training should also be easy to understand to help young workers quickly grasp the essential information they need. Pam emphasizes that young workers should be reminded of their three rights—right to know about hazards, right to participate in safety procedures, and right to refuse unsafe work. Parents should support their children in asserting those rights and be proactive in understanding their child's work environment, including what their tasks are and how much safety training they’ve received. Their tasks may appear simple, but they could pose risks if not done correctly. Free resources Health and safety basics for new and young workers New and Young Workers Rights of workers in Ontario See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .