The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has received some much-needed funding.

On September 10, federal Labour Minister Filomena Tassi announced that the centre would receive $2.5 million in new funding over the next two years to ensure it can continue to provide safety advice and resources to workers and businesses.

“COVID-19 has created challenges on many fronts for Canadian workers and businesses,” said Tassi. “As more workplaces reopen, the health and safety of workers is a priority. This new funding for CCOHS will make more advice and information available to workplaces as they take steps to operate safely and responsibly during this pandemic.”

CCOHS has developed a number of resources for businesses and workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, including free tip sheets that can be customized to help protect workers from illness as well as prevent the spread of infection. It has also created the Pandemic Info Share site—an online forum that enables businesses and organizations to share their pandemic-related good practices and resources.

“The need for reliable information and tools to protect the health of workers has never been greater,” said CCOHS president and CEO Anne Tennier. “This funding support will give CCOHS even greater capacity to provide health and safety guidance and learning modules for specific higher-risk sectors and occupations. This will help employers quickly gain the knowledge they need to ensure a safe and orderly reopening and return to work for all.”

This new funding enables CCOHS to continue its important work; including creating more sector-specific guidance and new e-learning tools that will help Canadian workplaces operate safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The funding is part of a coordinated response by federal, provincial and territorial governments, public health authorities and CCOHS to the COVID-19 pandemic. These entities are making sure that businesses have all the necessary tools and resources to protect workers’ health and safety during and beyond COVID-19. 

CCOHS was established in 1978 under the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Act to promote the well-being of working Canadians by providing information, training, education, management systems and solutions that support health, safety and wellness programs.