December 13, 2013 – On 12/12/2013, the Radiation Safety Institute of Canada (RSIC) and representatives from the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA), Public Services Health and Safety Association (PSHSA), Workplace Safety and Prevention Services Association (WSPS) and Workplace Safety North Association (WSN) came together to celebrate a year of successful collaboration and partnerships.

In his welcoming speech Hon. Steven W Mahoney, President and CEO of the Radiation Safety Institute of Canada, underlined the importance of prevention and public awareness in all matters of radiation.

“This is an exciting initiative bringing together so many professionals who deal with Prevention of illness, injuries and fatalities in the workplace. Collaboration of these Health and Safety groups will add significantly to Ontario’s prevention agenda”,  said Mahoney.

The Guest of Honour, George Gritziotis, CPO of the Ontario Ministry of Labour, thanked the HSAs and RSIC for their joint efforts in advancing the Prevention Agenda in Ontario.

Mike Haynes, RSIC’s Chief Scientist, highlighted the Institute’s educational, laboratory and toll-free inquiry services that result in a healthier and safer environment throughout all sectors in Canada.

Natalia Mozayani, RSIC’s Executive Director, introduced the pilot initiative “Educational Series in Radiation Safety”. It  was developed in consultation with PSHSA and will see in 2014 a series of on-line courses and videos, targeting frontline healthcare workers and  emergency response teams, about minimizing radiation exposure risks.

The last speaker, Dr Michael Quinn, Consultant to RSIC , presented an overview of Root Cause Analysis  – which applies to almost every industry and is aimed at investigating accidents, near mishaps and help preventing such events from recurrence.

The Meeting ended with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding by Ron Kelusky, President & CEO of PSHSA, Alan Beattie, President & CEO of IHSA, Elizabeth Mills, President and CEO of WSPS, and Steven W. Mahoney of RSIC. Candys Ballanger-Michaud, President & CEO of WSN, attended via teleconference due to weather conditions and  has agreed to sign the MOU.

For more information please visit RSIC’s website at www.radiationsafety.ca.