IHSA Safety Podcast

IHSA Safety Podcast
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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. 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

  1. Managing Construction Risks: COR®-Driven Health and Safety Excellence at SickKids Hospital

    3D AGO

    Managing Construction Risks: COR®-Driven Health and Safety Excellence at SickKids Hospital

    This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses construction safety at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and features Justin Da Silva, Safety Program Manager at SickKids. Justin discusses SickKids hospital’s long-term plan called Project Horizon, which aims to improve pediatric care with new facilities designed for individual care. The project, funded by donations, will unfold over the next 10 to 20 years and involve demolishing some existing structures and building new ones, all while ensuring patient safety and minimizing disruptions. Justin shares the challenges of construction at a busy hospital and addresses the importance of requiring contractors to have certified occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMS), such as COR®, to ensure safety during construction. This requirement comes from the need to manage risks effectively in a live hospital setting, where even minor incidents can have serious consequences for patients and staff. Justin further discusses the benefits of hiring COR®-certified contractors and shares the long-term vision for the project. For him, success at the end of the project means building a redeveloped hospital that serves the community without any incidents or health and safety issues for patients, staff, or contractors.     Free resources The Benefits of COR® COR® - Getting Started 28% safer workplaces with COR® Implementing an occupational health and safety management system Debunking seven myths about the COR® program See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 6m
  2. IHSA’s 5-Part Series on Best Practices for Construction Health and Safety

    FEB 2

    IHSA’s 5-Part Series on Best Practices for Construction Health and Safety

    This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses IHSA’s 5-part video series "Ask a Construction Health and Safety Expert" and features series host Ken Rayner and industry experts Deb Moskal and Dave Dametto. Ken states that the series is designed to support small business owners, especially those in their first year, by providing easy, accessible health and safety resources and helping them achieve compliance. With over 10,000 new construction businesses joining IHSA each year, the series addresses common questions and misconceptions about health and safety compliance. Deb Moskal highlights how crucial it is for new construction businesses in Ontario to have basic health and safety guidance. The number of requirements and responsibilities they face can feel daunting; however, with the right guidance and tools, they don’t have to be. As these businesses face initial start-up challenges, keeping their workers safe is critical, so it's essential that they create strong health and safety practices from the beginning. Dave explains that the series covers a plethora of health and safety topics for construction workers, such as mandatory training, legislation, hazard assessments, incident response plans, and competent supervision. The episodes are free and available on IHSA's website and YouTube, as well as on a dedicated landing page designed for easy access to additional resources.   Free resources Ask a Construction Health and Safety Expert landing page IHSA’s free health and safety resources Safety talks IHSA’s 5-episode series on construction health and safety (YouTube) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    38 min
  3. Closing the Loop: Using the COR® Maintenance Action Plan to Drive Continuous Improvement

    JAN 19

    Closing the Loop: Using the COR® Maintenance Action Plan to Drive Continuous Improvement

    This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses COR®’s Maintenance Action Plan (MAP) and features Peter Smith, Lead COR® Auditor at IHSA, and Margaret Hart, health and safety program administrator at Hart-Well Electrical. The MAP, which was introduced in Alberta in 2016 to improve health and safety standards, is a new option for mature COR®-certified organizations in Ontario to enhance health and safety without the burden of repetitive internal audits. Peter explains that following a recertification audit a company has the option to participate in a MAP instead of completing an internal maintenance audit. The company would submit a MAP proposal to IHSA that outlines five objectives for continuous improvement. Once IHSA approves, the company has nine to 10 months to address the outlined objectives and provide evidence to IHSA 60 days before their certification anniversary date. Once IHSA signs off, the MAP effectively replaces the internal maintenance audit for that recertification year, and a letter of good standing is issued to the company. Margaret discusses her team’s experience with MAP, and she and Peter offer tips on the MAP process for companies that may be considering taking the MAP approach.   Free resources What is COR®?   COR® – Getting Started The Benefits of COR® Debunking Seven Myths about the COR® Program See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    21 min
  4. Enhancing Efficiency with the COR® Combined Audit

    JAN 5

    Enhancing Efficiency with the COR® Combined Audit

    This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses the new COR® Combined Audit program and features Peter Smith, Lead COR® Auditor at IHSA. Peter states that the COR® Combined Audit allows organizations with many accounts to undergo one comprehensive COR® audit rather than multiple audits throughout the year. The key benefit of the program is to enhance efficiency during the COR® certification process, so that instead ofreviewing the same health and safety management system with various accounts multiple times, the review can be completed in a single audit of all accounts.  The combined audit program isn’t mandatory but rather optional, and it doesn’t change the COR® standards or audit expectations. Each account is still expected to be in compliance withthe COR® 2020 standard, and each account still gets its own individual certification. Peter also highlights other benefits of the program, such as saving time and money. It cuts down on the time spent writing several audit reports for each account and also lowers the cost of auditing each account.   Free resources What is COR®?   COR® – Getting Started The Benefits of COR® Debunking Seven Myths about the COR® Program See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    12 min
  5. Understanding the Hierarchy of Controls in Workplace Health & Safety

    12/26/2025

    Understanding the Hierarchy of Controls in Workplace Health & Safety

    This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses the hierarchy of controls as a fundamental tool in workplace health and safety and features Scott Laing. Scott explains that the hierarchy of controls is a framework that helps to reduce or eliminate hazards, starting with the most effective methods such as elimination and substitution and moving down to less effective measures such as personal protective equipment (PPE). The hierarchy of controls helps manage workplace risks effectively, particularly on construction sites. Because construction sites are dynamic with conditions changing frequently, it’s always critical to identify hazards before they lead to incidents. Scott emphasizes that workers' involvement in hazard identification and safety discussions is necessary, as they can best identify risks that may not be obvious to supervisors or health and safety committee members. Scott discusses the ways technology is improving the ability to recognize and control hazards in construction, such as the use of drones for site inspections and the Building Information Modeling (BIM) equipment, which visualizes a project before the construction begins. Scott also shares additional safety tips for workers and safety professionals when using the hierarchy of controls. Free resources Hierarchy of Controls to Ensure Workers’ Safety Basics of Supervising Training Training Requirements Chart Safety Talks See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    44 min
  6. A Day in the Life of a Construction Supervisor Part 2 – Self-care

    12/09/2025

    A Day in the Life of a Construction Supervisor Part 2 – Self-care

    This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses mental health and self-care within the construction industry and features construction supervisor Andy Fournier.  Andy discusses areas of supervising that can lead to stress, such as tight schedules and deadlines. One way he manages stress is to set realistic expectations and understand that deadlines can change due to unforeseen factors. It’s better if a project is delayed than to cut corners and put lives at risk. It's also important to be open and honest with clients about deadlines and adjusting their expectations. Andy states that prioritizing self-care is vital and should include actions like focusing on the most important tasks and setting boundaries to prevent burnout. He makes it a point to disconnect from work outside of work hours, which has been good for his mental health. Although the stigma around mental health remains, more individuals are starting to talk more openly and freely about stress and emotional challenges with coworkers or those who have experienced similar struggles and can relate. Andy highlights his practice of incorporating mental health discussions into safety meetings, encouraging workers to talk about their challenges and support one another. Free resources Mental Health at Work - A Mental Health Guide for Construction Small Businesses Mental Health Safety Talks: Facilitator's Guide The Role of a Supervisor What Supervisors Need to Know The Working Minds for the Trades - Manager See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    34 min
  7. A Day in the Life of a Construction Supervisor Part 1 – Taking Care of Business

    11/23/2025

    A Day in the Life of a Construction Supervisor Part 1 – Taking Care of Business

    This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses the legal responsibilities, safety standards, and regulatory framework that every construction supervisor needs to know and features construction supervisor Andy Fournier. Andy discusses the most important supervisory responsibilities on a construction project, one of which is prioritizing safety above all else. He speaks against a culture that puts schedule and deadlines over safety, stating that while no one may remember how quickly a project is completed, everyone will always remember the impact of safety oversights, such as incidents that result in serious injuries or fatalities. Jobsites should promote a culture in which taking the extra time to do things correctly is valued, even if it means the project takes longer than planned. Another responsibility Andy prioritizes as a supervisor is proper planning. Poor planning can lead to frustration and chaos on jobsites, which makes it crucial that supervisors stay ahead of potential issues with adequate planning. Andy further discusses some tips on being able to handle different types of personalities and also shares some tools and resources that have improved his understanding of the different construction regulations.   Free resources The Role of a Supervisor The Competent Supervisor What Supervisors Need to Know The Working Minds for the Trades - Manager Basics of Supervising See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    29 min
  8. The Role of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in Workplace Safety

    11/11/2025

    The Role of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in Workplace Safety

    This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses personal protective equipment (PPE) and features Ryan Smith, health and safety consultant at IHSA. Ryan highlights the necessity of having the appropriate PPE fit and proper training on how to use them. The right fit, the right gear, and the right training could mean the difference between going home safe and not going home at all. Ryan identifies common PPE mistakes on construction sites, such as not wearing hard hats at all times when on site, not wearing appropriate eye protection where there's a risk to the worker's eye, and not using fall prevention or fall protection as required. He also mentions comfort as one of the key factors employers should consider when it comes to PPE use. Investing in high-quality PPE appropriate for a specific task is critical, as it encourages and promotes regular use and proper maintenance, both of which enhance safety on the job. Ryan also emphasizes the need for consistent enforcement from leadership in following the primary safety measures on jobsites so that workers don’t have to rely solely on PPE to stay safe. Any positive change in site culture should begin at the top and spread downward; hence, employers must put in the effort to ensure their workplace safety culture is high-standard and compliant.   Free resources Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Construction Health & Safety Manual Safety Talks See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    23 min
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About

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. 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

Information

  • Creator
    IHSA Safety Podcast
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    128
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2021 Copyright 2021
  • Show Website
    IHSA Safety Podcast

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