Prevention System Realignment
Significant changes to the health and safety system in Ontario
have been proposed by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
(WSIB), and in particular to the structure of the health and
safety associations (HSAs).
Included is a letter from IAPA's Chair of the Board of Directors
to stakeholders highlighting these changes, as well as a presentation
delivered on October 22 by Tom Beegan of the WSIB to the Board
Chairs, Board Vice Chairs, and CEOS of the HSAs.
This page will be updated regularly with any new
developments.
November 12, 2008
Dear Members,
Re: Proposed Changes to the Ontario Health and Safety System
IAPA is writing its members to highlight significant changes
to the health and safety system in Ontario that have been
proposed by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB),
and in particular to the structure of the health and safety
associations (HSAs).
Under the leadership of the WSIB and the Executive Committee
of the Occupational Health and Safety Council of Ontario (OHSCO),
which is made up of representation from the 12 HSAs (including
IAPA), the Workers’ Health & Safety Centre, and
the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers, a review
of the health and safety system across the province is being
undertaken. In doing so, barriers to the WSIB’s strategic
plan, called the “Road to Zero”, have been identified
including:
- Insufficient resources at the front line
- A lack of coordinated use of current resources
- Disproportionate services and outcomes
- A delay in responding to changes in customer needs
As a result, a new model for service delivery has been proposed
which would reduce the current number of HSAs from twelve
to four and include a separate, integrated back office –
a designated entity - supporting the four HSAs. The rationale
cited for the proposal is to:
- Reinvest in front-line activities through a consolidated
back office and HSA integration
- Maintain highly specialized, sector-specific field operations
and customer advisory group guidance
- Highlight the needs of small business, public sector employees,
and the under-serviced region of Northern Ontario
- Delineate service providers using two categories based
on commonality of risk, workplaces, and hazards
The WSIB has committed to change within the system and indicated
support for the model. IAPA supports and is committed to the
“Road to Zero”. We also support the need for change
that has a strong customer focus based on the needs of our
members and industry.
IAPA is and will remain active in this process to ensure
that any changes will effectively meet the needs of its member
firms to drive the elimination of injuries, deaths, and illness
in Ontario workplaces. As such, we are seeking a solid business
case for the proposed change including costing and other financial
detail crucial in the decision-making process. We capitalize
on every opportunity to provide input and will continue to
share further information on this important initiative with
you our stakeholders as it becomes available. Further information
including an overview of the proposed model will be available
shortly on our website at www.iapa.ca.
The IAPA – CME Annual Stakeholder event, will take
place on Friday, November 28th, from 7:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
at the Centre for Health & Safety Innovation, 5110 Creekbank
Road, Mississauga, Ontario. Dr. Jayson Myers, President and
CEO, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters will be the keynote
speaker. This will provide a further opportunity to hear an
update on this and other issues critical to the Industrial
Sector. If you wish to attend, please contact the following
persons via email or telephone. Please note that space is
limited.
In the meantime, should you wish to learn more about the
proposed changes or discuss this initiative further, please
contact Maureen Shaw, President and Chief Executive Officer,
IAPA, via email at mshaw@iapa.ca
or you can contact the IAPA Board of Directors at iapaboard@iapa.ca.
Yours truly,
Lance Novak
Chair, Board of Directors, IAPA
Additional Resources
A letter to OHS system stakeholders on March 9, 2009 from the Chief Executive Officers and Board Chairs of FSA, IAPA and OSSA
A letter to IAPA volunteers on December 22, 2008 from Lance Novak,
Chair, IAPA Board of Directors and Maureen Shaw, President and CEO, IAPA
A presentation delivered by the WSIB on December 2, 2008
A presentation delivered
on October 22, 2008 by Tom Beegan of the WSIB to the Board Chairs,
Board Vice Chairs, and CEOS of the HSAs.
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