CCOHS on the issues, trends, and events to keep an eye on in the year ahead
As Canadian workplaces adapt to shifting dynamics and new challenges, safety professionals are at a crossroads of tradition and innovation. Anne Tennier, president and CEO of the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), outlines the roadmap ahead for workplace safety, emphasizing the need for accessibility, inclusivity, and vigilance.
“We need to recognize that the users of safety guidance—the regulated community—don’t necessarily have a lot of time on their hands,” Tennier begins. “We really need to simplify health and safety guidance so it’s accessible to everybody.” This call for plain language and easily digestible information stems from the changing fabric of the workforce, particularly the influx of newcomers, young workers, and employees in small-to-medium enterprises that often lack dedicated safety specialists.
A push for inclusivity in PPE
Inclusivity, particularly in the realm of personal protective equipment (PPE), is a critical focus for 2025. CCOHS continues to champion PPE that fits all body types, particularly women, who have historically been underserved in this area. “Ill-fitting personal protective equipment presents serious dangers on worksites,” Tennier stresses, applauding Ontario’s expansion of its Working for Workers Act to mandate properly fitting PPE across all industries. She notes, “it’s encouraging to see jurisdictions like Ontario and BC making strides, but we need suppliers and employers to ensure this equipment is not only available but also used effectively.”
Role of Generative AI in safety
Generative AI, which emerged prominently in 2024, also holds significant promise and challenges for safety professionals. “These tools can help save time and automate tasks,” Tennier acknowledges. However, she cautions, “health and safety professionals need to scrutinize the credibility of AI-generated information. At the end of the day, the health and safety of workers is on the line, and you don’t want to provide non-credible information to the workplace.”
Maintaining focus on core risks
While new technologies and initiatives take center stage, Tennier warns against neglecting perennial concerns like occupational diseases, chemical safety, and musculoskeletal injuries. “These issues will always be there,” she reminds safety professionals. “We can’t let them fade from focus, even as we tackle emerging challenges.”
CCOHS initiatives in 2025
The upcoming year is packed with events and initiatives aimed at advancing workplace safety. CCOHS’s flagship event, Forum 2025, will take place in Calgary on May 27-28, offering thought-provoking discussions on topics like heat stress, climate change, and Indigenous perspectives on workplace safety. Tennier highlights the conference’s commitment to innovation, stating, “we’re not your usual health and safety conference. We really want to provide topics and speakers that make people think differently.”
Safety and Health Week in May and other national observances like Repetitive Strain Injury Awareness Day (February 28) and the Day of Mourning (April 28) will also take center stage. Beyond events, CCOHS plans to expand its support for small-to-medium businesses through its Business Safety Portal and unveil a new workplace mental health toolkit. “This new resource moves beyond the assessment phase,” Tennier shares, “providing practical guidance on what to do next.”
For Tennier and her team, the mission is clear: to ensure Canadian workplaces are equipped to meet the challenges of 2025 and beyond. “It’s always a busy year for CCOHS, but that’s how it should be when it comes to protecting workers,” she says. “We must stay adaptable, vigilant, and committed to inclusivity.”
