Brock experts available to speak about workplace health and safety ahead of National Day of Mourning

Tuesday, April 24, 2018 | By

EXPERT ADVISORY: 24 April 2018 – R00086

National Day of Mourning is observed on April 28 in tribute to those who have been killed, injured or suffered illness as a result of work-related incidents.

On Saturday, April 28, flags will fly at half-mast across the country in remembrance of the many tragedies stemming from workplace accidents. Brock University has two experts available to speak about the issue.

Deborah McPhee, Associate Professor of Human Resources Management and Occupational Health and Safety at Brock’s Goodman School of Business, is an expert on workplace health and safety issues. Simon Black, Assistant Professor in the Department of Labour Studies, is an expert in labour relations.

In an article published Tuesday on The Conversation Canada, McPhee explains that while Canada has some of the most stringent workplace laws, there is more work to be done to address workplace safety and minimize the number of workplace incidents affecting Canadians.

“Workers and their families suffer the consequences when workplace safety is not taken seriously by everyone in the workplace,” said McPhee.

McPhee is available to speak about:

  • Why workplace accidents, injuries and illnesses continue to happen despite bolstered policies and legislation in place.
  • Why it is important for employees to know their rights.
  • What employers can do to prevent workplace accidents.

Black’s research focuses on labour relations, and he says this year unions in Canada are calling on the federal government to do more to address workplace violence and harassment. He pointed to the recently introduced Bill C-65, which would treat harassment and violence in the workplace the same way other occupational health and safety hazards are treated.

“Bill C-65 will have certain implications for how governments regulate health and safety,” Black said. “It’s really through the struggles of women both within the labour movement and movements like #MeToo and #TimesUp that attention is being to the issue of harassment and violence as workplace health and safety issues.”

Black is available to speak about:

  • Federal Bill C-65, which will recognize sexual harassment as a workplace hazard.
  • The need for new measures to make it safe for workers to report harassment and violence.
  • The need to recognize domestic violence as a workplace hazard.

For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

* Dan Dakin, Media Relations Officer, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

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