Press Release

April 27, 2009

Mississauga, Ontario – April 27, 2009 – Mental health in the workplace will be the focus at the Superior 2009 Health & Safety Conference & Trade Show. IAPA’s annual event takes place on May 20 and 21, 2009 at the Great Northern Resort and Conference Centre which is located at 229 Great Northern Road, Sault Ste. Marie.

Mental health in the workplace is emerging as one of the most challenging issues for employers. Statistics show that mental illness affects the lives of one in five Canadiansⁱ, most commonly presenting itself in the form of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. The effect has had a staggering impact on the workplace as every day 500,000 Canadian workers are absent from work due to mental health problemsⁱⁱ. Furthermore, mental illness costs the Canadian economy more than $50 billion each year in terms of health care and lost productivityⁱⁱⁱ. 

Employers play an important role in recognizing and understanding psychosocial hazards and the signs of mental illness. By providing the help, resources, and hope for workers, employers can help to reduce the stigma attached to it. A number of sessions at Superior 2009 will explore topics related to mental health and provide suggestions for both employees and employers on how to address these issues. Examples of sessions include:

• Sex, Lies and Money – Sexual harassment, bullying, and physical and emotional threatening behaviours are some examples of harassment. But how prepared are employers in addressing harassment in the workplace? In this session, learn about the various forms of harassment and find out what resources are available to help organizations address these behaviors. (Session runs May 20, 9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m., led by Christina Brassard, Associate Human Resources Business Partner, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board.

• Resonating Harmony - Your Life in Balance ­– Juggling work and home life can be a challenge for many. Delegates will learn how to reduce stress and increase inner harmony by identifying stressors and decreasing anxiety. (Session runs May 20, 3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., led by Tom Caswell, President, Brass Ring Consulting Services.)

• Beyond the Blues - Recognizing and Responding to Depression in the Workplace. One in five Canadians will experience depression at some point in their life.Delegates attending this session will learn about depression, how it is treated, and the role of the workplace in detecting the disorder. (Session runs May 21, 9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m., led by Dr. David MacPhee, Clinical Psychologist, Sault Area Hospital.)

• Making the Business Case for Health and Safety and a Healthy Workplace. Workplaces with comprehensive health and safety management systems will experience a greater return on investment. In this session, delegates will learn how health and safety programs can give their organizations a competitive advantage and contribute to the bottom line. (Session runs May 21, 3:30 p.m. – 4:45 p.m., led by Gary Vance, Consultant, IAPA.)

• Violence in the Workplace - Representatives from the Ministry of Labour, Sault Ste. Marie City Police, and Ontario Safety Association for Community Healthcare will participate in a panel discussion on workplace violence. Dave Carter of the Municipal Health & Safety Association will moderate the panel. Areas of discussion will include risk assessment for workplace violence, available tools and developing prevention programs. (Session runs May 22, 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)

Superior 2009 offers more than 30 diverse sessions to help delegates make their workplaces safer and healthier. The sessions fall under four categories: Hazard Recognition, Health & Wellness, Managing Safety, and Legislative Updates.

Steven Mahoney, Chair, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board will be the keynote speaker at the CEO Health & Safety Leadership Charter Breakfast, which takes place on May 20 at 7:00 a.m. The breakfast provides business leaders with the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to health and safety by discussing, sharing, and initiating ideas on how to reduce workplace incidents. For more information or to register for the breakfast, contact Mary Ellen Graham by email at mgraham@iapa.ca before May 15, 2009.

Mr. Mahoney will also deliver a keynote address for delegates on the Road to Zero at 7:30 a.m. Other keynotes at Superior 2009 include Julie Christianson, President, LeverageU who will talk about igniting passion in the workforce and increasing productivity (May 20, 12:30 p.m.); and psychologist, Dr. Glenn DiPasquale who will speak about how to manage stress during times of change on May 21 at 12:00 p.m.

The latest health and safety services, programs, and products can be found at the Superior 2009 trade show, which runs on May 20 from 7:15 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. and May 21, 7:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. IAPA consultants will also be on hand to help answer questions about workplace health and safety and offer tips on developing comprehensive health and safety programs. In addition to the exhibitors, Superior 2009 also features a Wellness Area, coordinated by Algoma Public Health, where delegates can learn how to improve their own health and well-being. Health exhibits include a pilates demonstration, glucose monitoring, and flexibility training.

Registration for Superior 2009 is ongoing. Delegates who register on or before April 29 are eligible for the early bird special of $299 (plus tax) per person. After April 29, the registration is cost is $339 (plus tax) per person. To register for this conference or to find out more information, visit www.iapa.ca or call 1-800-406-IAPA (4272).

Superior 2009 is one in a series of regional conferences and trade shows organized by IAPA. IAPA’s regional conferences attract between 120 – 400 business leaders, managers, and workers from various industries and businesses from the respective surrounding area. Offered in locations throughout Ontario, the conferences and trade shows offer a line-up of keynote speakers, leading-edge sessions on workplace health and safety, and a trade exhibition showcasing innovative health and safety solutions for various types of industry and work environments. As a socially responsible organization, IAPA is using carbon neutral initiatives to reduce its carbon foot print at Superior 2009 and all of its other regional conferences.

IAPA (Industrial Accident Prevention Association) is a not-for-profit, member-driven organization operating in Ontario since 1917. Representing approximately 50,000 member firms and more than 1.5 million Ontario workers, IAPA is Canada’s leader in workplace health, safety, and employee well-being. IAPA is focused on providing industry-leading training, consulting, educational products, and informational services that meet our members’ needs and the needs of those in their communities. IAPA is also recognized as a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre in Occupational Health and an International Labour Organization – CIS Collaborating Centre. IAPA is ISO 9001 certified, has been awarded the NQI PEP® Level 4 for Quality Certificate, and the Canada Awards for Excellence Gold Trophy Awards for both Quality and Healthy Workplace.

ATTENTION MEDIA:   IAPA is now accepting applications for the 2010 IAPA Russ Ramsay Media Awards for Excellence in Health and Safety Reporting. All Ontario trade and consumer media – print (newspapers or magazines), radio, and television – distributed and broadcast in Ontario are invited to submit pieces of work focusing on workplace health and safety. Universities and colleges are also invited to submit work in the Student Media print and radio categories. Only work published or aired between January 1 and December, 31, 2009 will be eligible. For award consideration, all materials must be submitted to IAPA by Tuesday, February 9, 2010.

For more information, visit IAPA’s website at www.iapa.ca.

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Media Contact:

Lena Wan
Communications & PR Specialist, IAPA
Phone: 905-614-4272 ext. 2247
E-mail: lwan@iapa.ca