Workplace Safety & Prevention Services | 8
Starting the Season in the Era of COVID-19 – With the pandemic stretching into its second year, farming
operations were under increasing pressure to ensure the safety of workers. WSPS stepped in to help.
With the support of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), WSPS assisted agri-food
businesses in keeping workers – particularly international agriculture workers – safe from the risks presented by
COVID-19. Through the development of policies and procedures, provision of safety training, and the creation of
free resources, such as videos, in multiple languages, WSPS was able to digitally reach
186,289 individuals,
connect with
633 companies, and engage 495 participants through information sessions. To empower
workplaces to continue operating as essential services during the pandemic, WSPS also produced
15 short
virtual training webinars. In March of 2022, WSPS translated an additional
7 videos/webinars to assist
temporary workers coming into Ontario for the
upcoming season.
Farming operations and small food processors
(up to 49 employees) could also access $2000
worth of WSPS consulting services towards
the creation of a COVID-19 safety plan. The
funding was available through the Canadian
Agricultural Partnership, a five-year investment
by federal, provincial and territorial governments
to strengthen and grow Canada's agriculture and
agri-food sector.
64 businesses accessed the
funded consulting services and
169 businesses
attended the free webinars to learn how to
manage the risks.
Supporting Sectors
AGRICULTURE
STAYING SAFE
ON THE ROAD
A series of videos
produced by the Rural
Road Safety Committee
(Waterloo Regional
Police Services, WSPS
and the Ontario Ministry
of Transportation) were
awarded the Ministry of
Transportation (MTO)
Road Safety Award
for Collaboration! The
videos cover topics such
as distracted driving,
performing safe turns,
and more.
