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Hear, hear: MOL launches occupational noise initiative. #AvoidNoise

by Fatema Bhabrawala in News

The Ontario Ministry of Labour, through Workplace Safety & Prevention Services, wants to help businesses protect their workers from noise.

This comes after a new noise regulation that was passed in July 2016 that requires employers to follow a “hierarchy of controls” to protect workers. Engineering controls and work practices come before personal protective equipment (such as earplugs and ear muffs), the reasoning being that controlling noise everywhere eliminates the reliance on workers to wear protection.

How big of a deal is this?

One in five adults aged 19 to 79 already have mild hearing loss or more in at least one ear, according to experts. Chances are, with time and continued exposure their hearing will worsen.

It’s one reason the Ministry of Labour has launched the initiative, which will run through March 31, 2018. During this time, inspectors will be looking at how—and how well—employers are protecting workers from noise.

4 steps you can take to prepare:

1. Determine if your workers are exposed to high levels of noise. Be sure to pinpoint the sources of noise and who’s going to be affected where.

2. Conduct a risk assessment. Performing a rudimentary assessment can be done by walking around and listening. You can also rent a sound meter if you’re looking for preliminary numbers. Apps for a smartphone can also be used as a screening tool, although they should be used cautiously and not relied upon for complete accuracy. If an app provides a number that hovers around 85 decibels (the current occupational limit over eight hours), call in an occupational hygienist to do a proper survey.

3. Determine the best way to protect employees. This step includes starting with engineering controls. Can you reduce noise at the source or along the path of transmission? Next, look at work practices such as doing any repairs that might make machines less noisy. Finally, consider Personal Protective Equipment if other controls are not possible.

4. Ensure your controls are working. Implement a surveillance program that includes audiometric testing to make sure people are using hearing protection correctly and not suffering hearing loss.

More information on the issue of hearing protection is available at www.wsps.ca/noise.

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Purolator Discount Offering

by Fatema Bhabrawala in Uncategorized

You can save up to 45% when you ship products, critical documents and much more with Purolator.

Purolator offers:

  • An extensive network that reaches nearly every corner of the country
  • A complete suite of services, including online shipping and time-guaranteed delivery
  • Best-in-class performance rates

As part of the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce and network, be sure not to miss out on these negotiated rates exclusively for  members.

If you have already signed up, then enjoy the savings! If not, just visit www.purolator.com/occ to enroll and start taking advantage of these special rates.

 

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Businesses asked to weigh in on internet service needs

by Fatema Bhabrawala in News

An organization dedicated to improving internet broadband service throughout the area is encouraging businesses and farmers, especially those with membership in the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce, to participate in a survey designed to help them determine where to invest funding.

The survey can be found online at www.swiftnetwork.ca/survey. Those without internet access can complete the survey through a nearby Lambton County Library branch.

SWIFT—Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology Inc.—is a project initiated by the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus in 2011.

At a July 5, 2017 meeting, Lambton County Council entered into a partnership agreement with SWIFT that allows the County to benefit from significant funding from municipal partners and senior levels of government. A combined funding of $180 million for Southwestern Ontario was made to SWIFT from the federal and provincial governments. A portion of that funding will go to projects in Lambton County.

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Transit levy and tree bylaw consultations continue

by Fatema Bhabrawala in Advocacy, Uncategorized

Sarnia City Council decided on June 19, 2017 to extend consultations over the summer on two important issues: a proposal to impose the transit levy on properties that don’t have access to conventional bus services, and a proposed bylaw that would regulate trees located on private properties.

Residents wanting to comment on the transit levy now have until August 4 to complete the survey: http://clerks.smartsarnia.com/transit-service-property-taxation/. Comments can also be shared by emailing transittax@sarnia.ca or calling 519-332-0330. A staff report and final recommendations will be presented to Council on September 11.

Residents wanting to comment on the tree bylaw now have until October 1 to complete the survey: http://planning.smartsarnia.com/tree-by-law-questionnaire/ . Comments can be emailed to trees@sarnia.ca. Council will review the draft bylaw at their meeting on October 23.

If you would like to share your questions or concerns with the Chamber, contact us at speakup@slchamber.ca or 519-336-2400.

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Participate in Bill 148 public hearings

by Fatema Bhabrawala in Advocacy, Members, News

This fall, the Ontario government will vote on Bill 148 (Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs), which proposes a $15 minimum wage and a number of other measures impacting vacation time, scheduling, temp agency employees and unionization.

If you have any questions or comments about this legislation, please contact the Chamber at speakup@slchamber.ca.

You also have the opportunity to voice your opinion directly to the government. You can do so by registering to participate in a public hearing or by writing to the committee that is reviewing Bill 148.

Public Hearings:

Friday, July 14 at St. Clair College Centre for the Arts, International Room, 201 Riverside Drive West, Windsor, Ontario –Agenda

Monday, July 17 at Delta London Armouries, 325 Dundas St., Gunnery Ballroom, London, ON – Agenda

The deadline to register to speak has passed, but the public is welcome to attend and observe.

Written submissions:

Letters can be sent to Clerk of the Committee at erennie@ola.org, or Room 1405, Whitney Block, Queen’s Park, Toronto, ON  M7A 1A2 no later than 5:30 P.M on Friday, July 21.

More details can be found here.

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Business Awards brighten up Sarnia downtown

by Fatema Bhabrawala in Members, News

Sixteen Chamber members took home awards last Friday evening after a sold-out celebration at the Imperial Theatre. The 28th annual Outstanding Business Achievement Awards (OBAAs), sponsored by Libro Credit Union, is one of the highlights of the Chamber calendar.

The OBAAs recognize local businesses and individuals for their vital role in creating a vibrant, diverse and prosperous community.  It is the culmination of a selection process that began last December when nominations were officially opened. The general public was invited to nominate their favourite businesses and those who accepted their nominations submitted a nomination package, which was judged by an independent group. The nomination and selection process is one that is well-respected and done so in a way that there is genuine surprise and delight when the winners are announced.

Shirley de Silva, the Chamber’s president and CEO, said the quality of this year’s nominees has never been better. “We have some of the most progressive businesses of any region in the province or even the nation,” she said. “Being able to celebrate their successes in this way is really something that we can all get behind and enjoy on a night like this.”

“All nominees are to be congratulated for having been selected in this process,” said de Silva. “As is often said, it is truly an honour to have been nominated. To go on to win is the icing on the cake.”

And the winners are:

Employee Relations
LEHDER Environmental Services
www.lehder.com

Exporter of the Year
www.cargill.com

Young Entrepreneur
Mike Rondinelli, Lambton Family Dental
lambtonfamilydental@gmail.com

Business Leadership
Rob Taylor, Sarnia Lambton Industrial Educational Cooperative
www.sarniasafety.com

Marketing and Promotions
Sunripe
www.sunripe.ca

Health, Safety and Environment
Pollutech Enviroquatics Ltd.
www.pollutechgroup.com

Social Profit
Sarnia-Lambton Rebound
www.reboundonline.com

Member of the Year
Peter Sparks, All Seasons Trophies & Signs
www.allseasonstrophies.ca

Small Business of the Year
Centrepoint I.D.A. Pharmacy
www.centrepointida.com

Large Business of the Year
Bluewater Power
www.bluewaterpower.com

Agri-Business
Alton Farms Estate Winery
www.altonfarmsestatewinery.com

Inclusivity
The Studio
www.brianslaughter.zumba.com

Customer Service—Large
Lambton KIA
www.lambtonkia.com

Customer Service—Small
Lilith Boutique
www.lilithboutique.com
Customer Service—Individual
Bea Vasey, Altered Elegance
www.facebook.com/beavasey

Innovation
Terrapure Environment
www.terrapureenv.com

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10 ways to address Ontario’s skills mismatch

by Fatema Bhabrawala in Advocacy, Uncategorized

One of the greatest challenges we hear from businesses is finding the right talent. A survey of Ontario Chamber of Commerce members found that 82% of the businesses that were recruiting in 2016 found it difficult to recruit workers with the right technical training, certifications, and/or “soft skills” such as communications, entrepreneurship and organizational awareness.

The problem is due to a combination of lower unemployment rates, an aging population, youth pursuing longer educations, and students choosing university degrees over obtaining a skilled trade.

It’s not just employers that are worried. More than half of Ontario’s workers fear that their skills will not be useful a decade from now because of automation and changes in the economy.

The impact of this “skills mismatch” is increased turnover rates, reduced productivity, increased unemployment, job dissatisfaction and highly educated people working in positions for which they are overqualified (think of a Master’s graduate working at Starbucks).

In its newest report, “Talent in Transition: Addressing the Skills Mismatch in Ontario”, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce recommends 10 way to address this problem.

  1. Help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) offer “experiential learning opportunities” like co-ops, internships and apprenticeships.
  2. Increase SME’s awareness of experiential learning opportunities that exist in Ontario.
  3. Increase labour market participation of females, indigenous and disabled persons through experiential learning opportunities.
  4. Make it easier for job-seekers to use Employment Ontario services.
  5. Consider evaluating the success of employment programs based on the number of clients finding long term, sustainable employment.
  6. Revise the journey-person to apprenticeship ratio to create more opportunities for apprentices.
  7. Increase support for apprenticeship consortiums that help SMEs hire apprentices.
  8. Simplify the apprenticeship application process.
  9. Reform the College of Trades so that it can better promote careers in the skilled trades.
  10. Increase awareness of the benefits of obtaining a career in the skilled trades.

Addressing the skills mismatch is a challenge for both government and business.  Small businesses in particular find it challenging to sort through government programs and employment services. Given that the majority of private sector jobs in Ontario are in small business, it’s essential that solutions are aimed at helping this sector find and retain qualified talent.

 

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Could a new downtown ‘urban plaza’ be good for business?

by Fatema Bhabrawala in Advocacy, News, Uncategorized

City seeking views on outdoor beer garden proposal

The City of Sarnia is seeking input on a proposal for the development of an “urban plaza”, which could involve an outdoor beer garden operating out of modified shipping containers in downtown Sarnia. The location being considered is in the parking lot at George and Front streets, which could require moving the lot to another location. 

The idea was inspired by a similar project in Midland, Michigan.

For more details about the proposal, links to staff reports and consultation opportunities visit smartsarnia.com.

Chamber members are encouraged to comment now by completing this survey.

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