Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Name	Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Type	Crown corporation
Founded	1978
Location	Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Area served	Canada

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety is a Canadian federal agency established to promote workplace health and safety across provinces and territories. It operates as a national resource collaborating with provincial agencies, unions, employers, academic institutions, and international organizations to develop guidance, training, and research tools. The centre engages with stakeholders including federal departments, regulatory bodies, and non-governmental organizations to influence policy, standards, and practice in occupational health and safety.

History

The centre was created following consultations involving Labour Minister of Canada, stakeholders in Ontario Ministry of Labour (Canada), and representatives from provincial agencies such as WorkSafeBC, WorkSafeNB, and Commission des normes, de l'équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail. Early development drew on models from National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Health and Safety Executive (United Kingdom), and principles from the International Labour Organization. Founding discussions referenced precedents such as the Robens Report and consultations with organizations including the Canadian Labour Congress, Confederation of Canadian Unions, Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Over time, the centre engaged with research partners like McMaster University, University of Toronto, Queen's University, and McGill University to expand capacity. It adapted frameworks influenced by events such as the SARS outbreak and incidents investigated by agencies like the Transportation Safety Board of Canada and Workplace Safety and Insurance Board.

Mandate and Governance

The centre operates under federal statutes and agreements negotiated with provincial counterparts including Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, Alberta Ministry of Labour and Immigration, and British Columbia Ministry of Labour. Its governance structure has involved representation from stakeholders such as the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, Canadian Labour Congress, Public Service Alliance of Canada, and provincial occupational health centres like Institut national de santé publique du Québec. Oversight has intersected with policy actors including Employment and Social Development Canada, Health Canada, and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. Board composition historically reflected leaders from organizations such as the Canadian Medical Association, Canadian Nurses Association, Association of Workers' Compensation Boards of Canada, and industrial partners like Canadian Pacific Railway and Syncrude.

Programs and Services

The centre provides hazard-specific resources on topics referenced by regulators such as Occupational Safety and Health Administration-style frameworks and international bodies like World Health Organization. Services include guidance on chemical hazards with inputs from Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety-aligned databases, ergonomic programs developed with universities such as University of British Columbia and Dalhousie University, and sector-specific toolkits for industries represented by Canadian Construction Association, Canadian Home Builders' Association, and Canadian Trucking Alliance. It offers compliance support relevant to standards from organizations like the Standards Council of Canada, Canadian Standards Association, and links to legislation such as Canada Labour Code and provincial statutes. Partnered services have been piloted with entities including Royal Bank of Canada, Bombardier Inc., Suncor Energy, CN Rail, and health-sector employers represented by Canadian Healthcare Association.

Research and Publications

Research outputs have been produced in collaboration with academic partners such as University of Alberta, University of Calgary, Laval University, and international partners like European Agency for Safety and Health at Work and World Bank. Publications have covered topics intersecting with institutes like Institute for Work & Health, Public Health Agency of Canada, and discipline-specific centers such as Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. The centre has disseminated frameworks aligned with guidance from International Organization for Standardization, reports co-authored with think tanks like the Conference Board of Canada, and evidence syntheses referenced by the Royal Society of Canada. It has contributed to sectoral reviews involving Fishing Industry stakeholders, research on mining safety with partners like Mining Association of Canada, and occupational disease registries similar to those maintained by Cancer Care Ontario.

Training and Education

Training programs have been delivered in partnership with post-secondary institutions including Centennial College, Seneca College, George Brown College, and Conestoga College. Certifications and curriculum materials were coordinated with professional associations such as the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering, Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta, and Canadian Psychological Association. Courses address topics raised by regulators like WorkSafeBC and agencies including Employment Standards Branch (British Columbia), and are tailored for sectors represented by groups such as Restaurant Canada, Retail Council of Canada, and Canadian Federation of Agriculture. Outreach has used e-learning platforms comparable to offerings from Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and institutional continuing education units at universities like Ryerson University.

Partnerships and International Work

International collaborations have connected the centre with organizations such as the International Labour Organization, World Health Organization, Pan American Health Organization, and bilateral initiatives with entities like the United States Department of Labor and Australian WorkSafe agencies. Multilateral projects involved partners including Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, European Commission, Global Affairs Canada, and development banks such as the Inter-American Development Bank. Domestic partnership networks include provincial agencies like WorkSafe Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia Occupational Health Centre, unions such as United Steelworkers, industry associations like Canadian Federation of Independent Business, and insurers represented by the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association. The centre has participated in conferences hosted by groups such as Canadian Public Health Association, Canadian Association for Occupational Health and Safety, and international meetings convened by the International Ergonomics Association.

Category:Occupational safety and health in Canada