Public administration expert to discuss keeping OHS laws current

October 17, 2012 (Toronto, Ontario) —Just how well do occupational health and safety (OHS) laws enacted over 30 years ago protect today’s workers? Do they reflect a labour force now characterized by aging workers, declining unionization, a growing number of newcomers, a decline in long-term employment relationships and an increase in independent contracting and temporary employment?

Dr. Michael Silverstein, a professor in the University of Washington’s School of Public Health and former assistant director of Industrial Safety and Health with the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, will tackle these timely questions at the Alf Nachemson Memorial Lecture to be held Thursday, November 15 in Toronto. This free annual event, hosted by the Institute for Work and Health (IWH), showcases the research of a prominent national or international expert in the field of work and health.

Drawing on his vast experience and expertise in the public administration of occupational health and safety programs, Dr. Silverstein will present his views on how we can bring our OHS regulatory standards and practices on par with current and ongoing changes to the working world of the 21st century. He will also address the challenge of using research to inform and implement OHS policies and programs.

In his career, Dr. Silverstein has made strong contributions as a regulatory policy-maker to making work safer, says IWH President Dr. Cameron Mustard. I look forward to his insight and advice on modernizing regulatory standards and practices to keep pace with the changing world of work.

Full details are below:

Dr. Michael Silverstein
2012 Nachemson Memorial Lecture: 
Thirty years after OHSA—Keeping pace with the changing world of work
Thursday, November 15, 2012, 4.30 p.m.
Design Exchange, 2nd Floor
234 Bay St., Toronto, Ontario

Please register for this event at: www.iwh.on.ca/nachemson-lecture/form