Ontario funds projects to improve Occupational Health and Safety
July 7, 2016 | By MRO Magazine
Ontario is providing $4.38 million to support projects that will improve occupational health and safety for workers across the province. Investing in innovative approaches to health and safety will ensure that the realities of today’s changing workforce are addressed and focus resources where they are truly necessary to save lives and prevent injury.
These projects will be funded through two Ministry of Labour initiatives:
- The Occupational Health and Safety Prevention and Innovation Program (OHSPIP), which supports workplace-focused innovation projects and collaborative partnerships that lead to improvements in occupational health and safety in Ontario.
- The Research Opportunities Program (ROP), which invests in research and educational projects that focus on occupational health and safety system priorities.
Funding will support initiatives that aim to improve safety for workers engaged in high hazard activities, protect vulnerable workers, help small businesses advance their health and safety practices, protect young workers, understand and support workplace mental health and put occupational health and safety research into practice.
The successful projects strongly align with the province’s ongoing prevention priorities and build on work being completed through the Construction Health and Safety Action Plan and Ontario’s Integrated Occupational Health and Safety Strategy.
Improving occupational health and safety is part of the government’s economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and transit in Ontario’s history and is investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.
Quick Facts
- The 2016-17 funding for OHSPIP is approximately $1.9 million.
- The 2016-17 funding for ROP is approximately $2.48 million.
- Funding applications went through a five-step review process, including evaluation by an external body of researchers.
- Since 2003, Ontario’s annual rate of workplace injuries has dropped by more than 40 per cent, making the province’s workplaces among the safest in the world.
Source: Ontario Ministry of Labour
