CUPE Ontario’s Health & Safety Committee works to promote a healthy and safe work environment for all members in the province. We focus on campaigns for better health and safety legislation, and support locals working to improve health and safety provisions in their collective agreements. We also support education efforts designed to ensure CUPE members are able to defend their rights to healthy and safe workplaces.
The volunteer Health & Safety Committee includes one member from the CUPE Ontario Executive Board, one member elected from each sector, and two members at large from any sector who are elected at the Health & Safety Conference every even-year.
Resources
Local Union Resources
1. Internal CUPE Local Occupational Health and Safety Evaluation – All Sectors
A checklist to evaluate the performance and relationship between the CUPE Local Executive and its health and safety representative(s). It is intended to be filled out by the CUPE worker side of the Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) or the Health and Safety Representative (HSR), as applicable.
2. OHSA Compliance Checklist for Locals in the Health Care, Developmental Services, Community Living and Long-term Care sectors
A checklist to determine compliance with important legal requirements under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Regulations for workplaces under the Health Care and Residential Facilities (e.g. hospitals, long-term care homes, group assisted living residences, mental and physical disability services for children). It is intended to be filled out by the worker side of the Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) or the Health and Safety Representative (HSR), as applicable.
3. OHSA Compliance Checklist for Locals in the Municipal, School Board and Post-Secondary sectors
A checklist to determine compliance with important legal requirements under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Regulations that typically fall under Industrial Establishments Regulation (e.g., offices, libraries, sports facilities, child care, schools, post-secondary buildings). It is intended to be filled out by the worker side of the Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) or the Health and Safety Representative (HSR), as applicable.
COVID-19
Health & Safety Essential Information
Click here to download the COVID-19 Stop the Spread Poster | September 9, 2020
Health & Safety Checklist for CUPE University Workers | September 9, 2020
Preventing exposure to COVID-19 Post-Secondary Education Sector | September 9, 2020
WSIB Benefits and COVID-19 | May 7, 2020
Health & Safety Survey for All Workers | May 7, 2020
Health & Safety Survey for Health Care Workers | May 7, 2020
Mental Health Services | April 27, 2020
Guide: COVID-19 and the right to refuse unsafe work | April 21, 2020
Procedure for refusing work that endangers health and safety | April 21, 2020
Help for individuals facing domestic/intimate partner violence | April 20, 2020
PPE Use and Care | April 14, 2020
COVID-19 & Use of Masks and Respirators | April 14, 2020
COVID-19 & Public Health Units | April 6, 2020
COVID-19 and Flight Attendants | March 19, 2020
General occupational guidelines for COVID-19 | March 18, 2020
COVID-19 Fact Sheet | March 17, 2020
COVID-19 Quarantine Information: A Guide for Members in Ontario | March 17, 2020
Webinars
Click the video below to watch the Health & Safety Webinar for Hospitals and Municipal Health i.e. Public Health/Paramedics
Click the video below to watch the Health & Safety Webinar for Social Services; Developmental Services; Community Living; Homes; Shelters; Child Care; CAS; Assisted and Co-Living
Click the video below to watch the Health & Safety Webinar for Long Term Care and Retirement Homes
Click the video below to watch the Health & Safety Webinar for Municipal/Libraries; Inside/Outside Workers
Click the video below to watch the Health & Safety Webinar for School Boards and Universities
Latest News
Upcoming Health and Safety Virtual Workshop Opportunities
CUPE – Health and Safety – An Introduction – (Online Learning Series) – English
The CUPE Health and Safety Learning Series gives participants a wide range of knowledge and skills related to workplace health and safety. After taking the introductory workshop, members can complete other workshop modules from the Health and Safety Learning Series. To receive a certificate, participants need to complete the introduction workshop, all four skills workshops, at least three perspectives workshops, and at least three specific hazard workshops.
Health & Safety Award Nominations are open.
There will be 1 award winner selected for this award. Please submit one form per nomination. Please note: the closing date for nominations is April 30, 2023.
Click here to access the Health & Safety Award Nomination form.
Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) Day: February 28, 2023
Every year on the last day of February, the occupational health and safety community comes together to raise awareness on Repetitive Strain Injuries, also called musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).
Recent News
CUPE Ontario Health and Safety Award Winner: 2022
2021 Virtual Conference: Sector Reports
2020 Virtual Conference Documents
Report It
Creating safe workplaces is everyone’s job. Do your part by reporting workplace hazards, incidents and injuries. Reporting them now can save lives in the long run.
Members in Action – Health and Safety Committee:
Health and Safety Award 2019
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