Highlights

Keynote Speakers

1. Young and New Worker Safety

More than a thousand young workers are injured at work each year in New Brunswick. Young workers and new workers can have unique needs depending on their age, personal development, and work experience. Participants will learn how to keep young and new workers safe through training and supervision, and can share their experiences and discuss views on best practices in young worker injury prevention.

Jessica MacDonald, Business and Community Engagement Co-ordinator, WorkSafeNB

2. Hand-arm Vibration – What do I Need to Know?

Hand-held equipment such as chain saws or jackhammers can be a source of excessive vibration. Exposure to excessive vibration can result in injuries and diseases such as vibration white finger, Raynaud’s phenomenon, and carpal tunnel syndrome. In extreme cases, these injuries and diseases can lead to permanent impairment of the hands and arms. This workshop will focus on the regulatory requirements for daily exposure limits and the components for developing a code of practice to prevent vibration-related injuries.

Evan Campbell, Engineer Compliance and Regulatory Review, WorkSafeNB

3. Workplace Privacy – Rights and Obligations of Workers and Employers (French)

This session will provide an overview of the rights and obligations of employees and employers with regards to privacy in the workplace, touching on topics such as access to medical information, testing, monitoring and surveillance. The session will also look at WorkSafeNB’s obligations under the Right to Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Personal Health Information Access and Privacy Act and what that means in terms of how it collects, uses and discloses personal information.

Anik Cormier, Associate Legal Counsel, WorkSafeNB

4. Effective Joint Health and Safety Committees in Your Workplace

Is your joint health and safety committee (JHSC) effective? Is it meeting its legislative requirements? This session will outline the elements that contribute to JHSC effectiveness and review the latest legislative changes and what they mean for your JHSC. Please come prepared to share your successes and challenges.

Caroline Graham, Education Consultant, WorkSafeNB

5. It’s How We Work – The Surprising Science Behind Getting Your Best Work Done (S.I.)

In an age of disengagement, distraction and fatigue, it seems how we work isn’t working. Michelle Cederberg shares new research that will help change that. She explores how we can work better through four science-backed success factors that will help you get your best work done:

• Why we work.
• How we work it.
• How we own it.
• How we sustain it.

We’ll explore the inter-relatedness of these four success factors, and what you can do to get the best out of yourself and your team in all you do.

Michelle Cederberg, Speaker, Author, Coach and Consultant, Live Out Loud, Inc.

6. Drinking, Drugs, Driving and other Death-Defying Deeds (S.I.)

We all face risk ? at home, at work, and at play. How do alcohol, medications, recreational drugs, infrastructure design, and culture impact our risk of injury or illness? And how can we, as a society, reduce those risks?

Dr. Paul Atkinson, Chief Medical Officer, WorkSafeNB

7. Common Gaps in Workplace Health and Safety Programs

Good safety culture doesn’t happen by accident. Workplaces need to plan to achieve it. Health and safety programs are organized written action plans that can help prevent workplace accidents and occupational disease by identifying and controlling hazards, defining responsibilities and responding to emergencies. The objective of a program is to integrate health and safety into all work behaviours and conditions. Safety programs are required under the OHS Act for New Brunswick workplaces with 20 or more employees. Find out where many workplaces fall short in preparing their health and safety programs, learn about best practices in addressing the gaps and for preparing and maintaining workplace safety programs.

Lisa Waugh, Health and Safety Consultant, WorkSafeNB

8. Safety Implications to Workers During Emergency Events

During large-scale provincial and local emergencies, workers can be exposed to unfamiliar and often difficult situations where they must be mindful of additional risks. This session will explore a variety of hazardous situations that arise during complex emergencies, and how intelligent leadership and dedicated safety supervision can mitigate their potential effects. The focus will be on recent provincial disasters, more specifically ice storms and floods. We will also discuss the provincial responsibilities in the event of a nuclear incident.

Greg MacCallum, Director of New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization, Department of Public Safety, Government of New Brunswick

9. Workplace Violence & Harassment Regulations (French)

New legislation on workplace violence and harassment came into effect April 1. The changes protect New Brunswick’s workers from a wider range of hazards and require all provincial workplaces to develop a code of practice to prevent workplace harassment. Every New Brunswick employer must also conduct a risk assessment for violence and, based on certain criteria, may also be required to develop a code of practice to prevent workplace violence. Learn about your rights and obligations, what defines violence and harassment, what you need to know to be in compliance.

Christien Goguen, Education Consultant, WorkSafeNB

10. WHMIS 2015 has Arrived – Are You in Compliance?

How well do you know WHMIS 2015? WHMIS has been law in Canada for more than 30 years and in February 2015, WHMIS was updated to incorporate the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). Learn about WHMIS requirements, tools and resources. Through facilitated dialogue and exercises, participants will discuss common questions about WHMIS 2015 and will get practical guidance for implementation, including the difference between education and training requirements.

Jennifer Dipper, Manager, Training and Education Services, Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)

11. Creating a Psychologically-Safe Workplace (S.I.)

In 2013, the Canadian Standards Association created the National Standard for Psychological Health in the Workplace. University of Fredericton, with Dr. Joti Samra, created a number of courses that support employee and employer resiliency and psychological health in the workplace. To walk the talk, UFred has strived to incorporate many of the factors to achieve a psychological healthy work environment. During this presentation we will discuss the organizational factors that contribute to psychological health, understand some of the challenges of implementing the standard for psychological health, and explore some of the situations that can present themselves to co-workers and managers trying to achieve the psychologically healthy workplace.

Sheri McKillop, Vice-President, Academics, University of Fredericton

12. Early and Safe Return to Work Panel Discussion (S.I.)

Work is good for physical, mental and social health. It’s especially important for injured workers. Staying at work or early and safe return to work (ESRTW) helps workers heal; it’s a critical part of treatment. ESRTW also has significant benefits for all sizes of workplaces. These include increased productivity, decreased training costs and fewer disability claims. In this panel discussion, we’ll explore the benefits of ESRTW, share the medical evidence supporting it, and provide practical ways for incorporating ESRTW in your organization.

Jason Parker, President and Senior Work Disability Consultant, Centrix Other Panelists TBA

13. The Changing World of Workplace Drug Testing

This session will cover the current state of drug testing in Canada and why there is a fundamental shift from traditional urine-based testing to disruptive oral fluid testing technologies. With the legalization of marijuana, employers are facing more dynamic challenges with drugs and alcohol in the workplace. Addressing these challenges requires multi-pronged strategies, such as testing the mechanism itself. New oral fluid testing technologies, specifically on-site instant screens, are increasingly becoming integral to mitigate workplace drug and alcohol risk.

Learn about the science behind oral fluid testing technologies, how they are integrated within strategies and empowering companies, the difference between how employers and police implement oral fluid testing technologies, as well as available oral fluid technologies today.

Rich Robillard, Managing Director, SBL Testing Technologies

14. Workplace Violence & Harassment Regulations

New legislation on workplace violence and harassment came into effect April 1. The changes protect New Brunswick’s workers from a wider range of hazards and require all provincial workplaces to develop a code of practice to prevent workplace harassment. Every New Brunswick employer must also conduct a risk assessment for violence and, based on certain criteria, may also be required to develop a code of practice to prevent workplace violence.

Learn about your rights and obligations, what defines violence and harassment, what you need to know to be in compliance.

Christien Goguen, Education Consultant, WorkSafeNB

15. Noisy Workplace? Hearing-Loss Prevention

The most common permanent workplace injury is occupational noise-induced hearing loss. There is no visible evidence of a noise-induced hearing loss. It does not hurt as it is occurring and it gradually worsens over time. The effects usually go undetected until long after the damage is done and the injury is permanent. The good news is that it is nearly 100% preventable. This session will provide an overview of the effects of noise, and steps to follow for an effective hearing-loss prevention program.

Michael Sharpe, Audiologist, WHAT Ltd. (Workplace Hearing Assessments & Training Ltd.)

16. Effective Joint Health and Safety Committees in Your Workplace (French)

Is your joint health and safety committee (JHSC) effective? Is it meeting its legislative requirements? This session will outline the elements that contribute to JHSC effectiveness and review the latest legislative changes and what they mean for your JHSC. Please come prepared to share your successes and challenges.

Nicole McLaughlin, Education Consultant, WorkSafeNB

17. Shaping Canadian Safety Standards

The Worker and Public Safety Standards Program has been publishing OHS Standards for more than 70 years, using CSA Group’s accredited standards development process. Currently, there are more than 151 OHS standards, developed by the CSA’s 1,800+ volunteer expert members. More than 70% of these standards are referenced in regulations across Canada, and likely impact workplaces daily. Learn about CSA Group’s Standards Research Program, new standards and editions currently under development, plans for future, and how to get involved in shaping the safety landscape in Canada!

Candace Sellar, Program Manager, Worker and Public Safety, Standards, CSA Group

18. Decriminalized Marijuana – One Year Later (S.I.)

This presentation will explore the workplace lessons that have been learned from nearly a year of legal marijuana. How have workplaces adapted, and what new challenges have arisen? Is there evidence that legal marijuana has increased accident rates inside and outside workplaces? What impact will edibles have when they are made legal for sale?

Matthew R. Letson, Partner, Lawson Creamer

19. The Myth of Multi-tasking – How to Find Focus in a Distracted World (S.I.)

In an era of 24/7 connectedness and ‘nose to the grindstone’ ideologies, multi-tasking has become something of a workplace badge of honour. In fact, it’s often heralded as a ‘work skill’ in interviews and on resumes.

These days overwhelmed with technology and a lack of boundaries between work and the rest of life mean that multi-tasking feels more like a necessity than a choice. The truth is that multi-tasking doesn’t make us more productive; in fact, the exact opposite is true.

This session will:

• Explore the signs of ‘auto-pilot living’.
• Look at how multi-tasking impacts productivity.
• Discuss simple strategies for being more mindful and focused when it matters most.

Michelle Cederberg, Speaker, Author, Coach and Consultant, Live Out Loud, Inc.

20. Early and Safe Return to Work – Best Practices

Return-to-work practices have changed significantly in the past 10 years. Where physicians regularly once wrote “off work” notes on a patient’s first visit after injury, they now consider “stay at work” and gradual or modified return to work as a critical part of treatment. Evidence shows work is good medicine. Businesses are adapting to the changes with flexibility and increased support. Learn about global trends in RTW that are increasingly becoming the standard, and how your organization can achieve a model RTW program.

Jason Parker, President and Senior Work Disability Consultant, Centrix

21. Workplace Privacy – Rights and Obligations of Workers and Employers

This session will provide an overview of the rights and obligations of employees and employers with regards to privacy in the workplace, touching on topics such as access to medical information, testing, monitoring and surveillance. The session will also look at WorkSafeNB’s obligations under the Right to Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Personal Health Information Access and Privacy Act and what that means in terms of how it collects, uses and discloses personal information.

Margaux Savoie-Connolly, Manager of the Decision Review Office, WorkSafeNB

22. Harassment Complaints – Investigate or Mediate?

Since April 2019, New Brunswick legislation requires that employers develop and implement a code of practice to manage workplace harassment. While conducting investigations may be necessary in certain situations, not all harassment complaints need to be investigated. Investigations can have major negative short-and-long-term repercussions on the workplace and employee relationships. Modern conflict management practices require the employers’ code of practice to include an alternative to investigations with a third neutral party to help employees resolve their issues.

Alain Paulin, Chartered Mediator, Sphera Facilitation Inc.

23. Common Gaps in Workplace Health and Safety Programs (French)

Good safety culture doesn’t happen by accident. Workplaces need to plan to achieve it. Health and safety programs are organized written action plans that can help prevent workplace accidents and occupational disease by identifying and controlling hazards, defining responsibilities and responding to emergencies. The objective of a program is to integrate health and safety into all work behaviours and conditions. Safety programs are required under the OHS Act for New Brunswick workplaces with 20 or more employees. Find out where many workplaces fall short in preparing their health and safety programs, learn about best practices in addressing the gaps and for preparing and maintaining workplace safety programs.

Lisa Waugh, Health and Safety Consultant, WorkSafeNB

24. Working to Well – Create Your RTW Program Before an Injury Happens!

For many employers, workplace incidents are rare – and this is good. On the flip side, however, when an injury happens, employers may not have the tools and know-how to act quickly. Time is critical for both worker recovery and business continuity. Having an effective RTW program in place BEFORE an injury happens will help avoid uncertainty and costly delays. In this session, participants will gain a thorough understanding of safe and early RTW programming and walk away with the confidence and tools necessary to create their own workplace program.

Pam Wasson, Resource Manager, OT/PT/Voc Eval., WorkSafeNB
Heather Forster, Team Lead, Claims Management Resources, WorkSafeNB

25. Keeping a Multicultural Organization Safe (S.I.)

Cross-cultural miscommunication often leads to misunderstandings and frustrations, even when everyone involved has the best intentions at heart. In some cases, these misunderstandings can result in near-misses, accidents and, in extreme cases, fatalities. By combining powerful diagrams, insightful (and humorous) anecdote and an interactive experiential exercise, this workshop examines the impact of cultural differences on workplace safety and provides practical solutions that participants can implement immediately in their daily professional activities.

Lionel Laroche, President, MultiCultural Business Solutions Inc.

26. Safety Leadership – How the Art of Storytelling can Affect a Positive Health and Safety Culture (S.I.)

What do NASA, Nike, Microsoft, Motorola, Procter & Gamble, and Kimberly-Clark have in common (besides all being large successful companies!)? They all know the value of storytelling as a leadership tool. They know how to use storytelling to inspire, set a vision, teach important lessons and define and shape the company culture. Find out how, through effective communication and storytelling, you can influence the safety culture at your workplace to drive good behaviours and keep health and safety top of mind.

Nancy Boutcher, Assistant Director, Safety Leadership, WorkSafeNB

27. Silica, Not Just Dust

This presentation will provide an overview of the Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) dust hazards and regulation changes shaping different industries in Canada and the U.S. You will leave with a better understanding of how to determine and control RCS exposure levels. We will review the option to use engineered solutions like dust reduction systems to limit the RCS exposure to those working with or around concrete.

Maria Para, Field Engineer / Project Manager – Atlantic Canada, Hilti Canada

All sessions are in English, unless otherwise noted as French or Simultaneous Interpretation (S.I.)