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Province Strengthening Protections for Occupational Illness

Tuesday, 10 October 2023 12:34

By Linda Morgan

Registry to start in 2025

The Ontario government is looking to increase protections for workers suffering from workplace-related illnesses. 

Labour Minister David Piccini says the province will create the country's first Occupational Exposure Registry. 

He says this will help track harmful exposure levels, diagnose workplace diseases faster and improve worker compensation. 

This morning, the province released a review of the occupational illness landscape. 

The report found in cases where symptoms don't appear until a long time after exposure to a toxin, many workers don't get a prompt diagnosis or compensation. 

"While Ontario has one of the strongest health and safety records of any jurisdiction anywhere, too many workers are falling through the cracks when it comes to occupational illness," said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. "Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government will leave no stone unturned to ensure we have the best science and data needed to protect workers and make room for everyone’s voice at the table as we build a stronger system that works for everyone."

The report's key recommendations include creating an occupational disease surveillance system, improving workplace medical screening, and launching a public awareness campaign on the link between work and health. 

Officials say the new registry would include comprehensive exposure records, increase earlier diagnoses and identify workers at risk. 

The registry is expected to to kick off in 2025. 

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