IPAC Basic Awareness Training will help workers familiarize themselves with infectious hazards, including COVID-19, and help workplace parties prevent them as more workplaces reopen. 

TORONTO – Public Services Health & Safety Association (PSHSA) has launched a free eLearning program to help Ontario employers, supervisors and workers recognize infectious hazards and prevent infections in the workplace. Developed in consultation with infection control consultants and epidemiologists, this 30-minute program is available in French and English and relevant for all workers across all sectors in Ontario.

As we have learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, infectious hazards can have a devastating impact on our health. While many people tend to think that infectious hazards are only relevant for healthcare environments, we see how they may exist in any type of workplace and that Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) is an integral component of any workplace’s occupational health and safety program. It is everyone’s responsibility (e.g. employer, supervisor and worker) to recognize and control these hazards with the same diligence as other workplace health and safety hazards.

Infection Prevention and Control at Work: Basic Awareness Training equips workers with an understanding of what IPAC is and why it’s important, how infections spread and what steps can be taken to prevent and control infections in the workplace.

“The 41,000 COVID-19 related workplace inspections our ministry has conducted to date show the vast majority of employers are following COVID-19 health and safety requirements, but we can’t let our guard down,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. “This free training will reinforce how workers can help prevent infectious diseases like COVID-19 from spreading on the job.”

All Ontario workers are encouraged to take the training to better understand the roles and responsibilities of workplace parties in recognizing and controlling infectious hazards in the workplace. Additional options are also extended to employers wishing to host the training program on their Learning Management Systems. 

“As Ontario seeks safe ways to reopen, the time is right to help enable and inspire workers and their employers to practice infection prevention and control measures,” said Ron Kelusky, Ontario’s Chief Prevention Officer. “This will help workers and employers protect themselves, their colleagues and, ultimately, everyone’s communities.”

Start learning today at pshsa.ca/ipacelearning (English) and pshsa.ca/pcielearning (French).  

For more information, please contact:

Amanda Allan
Manager, Marketing and Communications
aallan@pshsa.ca

About PSHSA

Public Services Health & Safety Association (PSHSA) is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development and works with employers and workers within Ontario’s public and broader public sector, providing training, consulting and resources to reduce workplace risks and prevent occupational injuries and illnesses. www.pshsa.ca