Welcome to Occupational Health and Educational Services

Necessary in person safety training is still permitted, however should be reserved for very urgent circumstances. I have included a list of frequently asked questions regarding training certificates (including how they may be impacted by COVID-19). If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

The Safety Branch does not offer training and therefore cannot issue extensions on behalf of the training providers. It is the responsibility of the employer to evaluate if the individual is competent to continue working.

If training certifications expire soon and training cannot be completed due to the current situation, will the Safety Branch be issuing Compliance Orders or offering temporary extensions?

We will evaluate each situation on a case by case basis, including the length of time training has lapsed, number of previous recertifications and work experience, but plan to be reasonable with respect to access to training and items beyond the workplace control.

If the training certificates are expired, then it is the employer’s decision to accept or reject that the employee is adequately trained to perform the work.
The Safety Branch will be taking a reasonable approach to each circumstance in the case where the competency of a worker may need to be evaluated.

Employers are responsible to ensure they have workers who are competent to perform the work. This includes knowledge, training, and experience.

Experienced Workers:

Are the training certificates recently expired?
Are there any available training organizations to deliver the training?
How many times has the worker received such training?
Have there been multiple re-certifications for the training?
Is it reasonable to justify the lapse in time since expiry?
Is the worker experienced in the work to be performed?
Is on-line training available for the theory portion of the training?

New Workers:

Is the worker new to the industry?
Has the new worker ever received such training previously?
Are there any available training organizations to deliver the training?
Do they have a reference from a previous employer who can verify training?

The Safety Branch does not offer first aid training and therefore cannot issue extensions on behalf of the training providers. Please check with your provider for information on available training and any direction they have provided for extensions.

We recognize that the classroom/practical component of first aid training will not be available in the near future. As an employer, you must endeavor to meet the first aider requirements as best as you can. If you have a first aider with a recently expired certificate, you must be satisfied that the first aider is confident in his/her ability to deliver first aid when required. To ensure competence, it is recommended that the first aider should:

The employer should attempt to make other arrangements, including:
Entering into a written agreement with another employer to collectively provide and maintain at each of their worksites the first aid supplies, services and first aid attendants.
Nominating an employee to attend the on-line portion of a blended first aid course, followed up with distance coaching from a certified instructor and formal classroom instruction as soon as possible after the restrictions on training have been lifted.

Due to the many changes we have all experienced because of Covid-19, we will be moving to a new business model starting June 1st, 2021 and closing our Burnside office. When classroom training does return, we will be using conference rooms in various places around the province or if you have enough of your own staff to make a class we can hold the training at your location.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, just over 98% of our clients have shifted away from in-class training for their safety needs, to the NEW OHES On-line training system. We have 80 online courses available. Most are completed entirely online, while others, such as forklift, scissor lift, fall protection etc., are BLENDED courses, where the theory is done online and then a practical portion along with a skills evaluation takes place at your workplace/site. Even though our clients moved in this direction because of the pandemic restrictions, they like the fact that it is a much more efficient way to keep up with their safety training that doesn't impact their day-to-day operations.

2) You can assign a company administrator that we would set-up with the ability to assign courses to your staff with a PO # and will invoice your company once per month.

3) Your company can take your safety program completely electronic with an annual subscription to our Client Portal. This will allow you full, UNLIMITED access to all on-line training (except for the 10-part CSO course). We also convert all of the many paper forms that you and your staff fill out and file every month to electronic forms that are filled out on your phone/tablet/computer and are stored electronically so that you have full access to them at all times. We convert your safety manual, committee minutes, incident reports etc. to electronic formats. There are reminder emails sent to managers to ensure that all of your inspections, training etc. is always up to date. Even your annual WCB Safety Certification Audit can be done virtually though the Client Portal and, if necessary, a Zoom meeting.

allow for easy breathing
fit securely to the head with ties or ear loops
maintain their shape after washing and drying
be changed as soon as possible if damp or dirty
be comfortable and not require frequent adjustment
be made of at least 2 layers of tightly woven material fabric (like cotton or linen)
be large enough to completely (and comfortably) cover the nose and mouth without gaping
Some masks include a pocket to accommodate a paper towel or disposable coffee filter to help increase the effectiveness.

impair vision or interfere with tasks
be made of plastic or other non-breathable materials
be secured with tape or other inappropriate materials
be made exclusively of materials that easily fall apart, such as tissues
be shared with others
have exhalation valves
Masks with exhalation valves are not recommended, because they don't protect others from COVID-19 and don't limit the spread of the virus.

Occupational Health & Educational Services (2002) Inc is comprised of a team of professional and technically adaptable consultants who have helped many organizations improve their health and safety performance over the past 23 years. We provide our clients with the confidence and continuity of a single source “one stop shop” for all workplace occupational health, safety and environmental needs.

Since our Occupational Health and Safety Programs and Services are not only designed to resolve operational issues, but also regulatory issues, consistency and quality of products and services is of paramount importance to us.

Even though we meet or exceed recognized standards and back that up with Errors and Omissions insurance, we do not rest until we have done everything possible to allay any fears that our clients may have regarding our abilities. Thus, we are also ISO 9001/ 2015 Registered. This certification is, again, assurance that our services meet an internationally recognized standard for quality systems and processes.

Jim Benoit - Jim has worked over 30 years in the occupational health & safety field. He is WCB Safety Certified Auditor, a Certified Safety Officer and is certified as an ISO 9001 internal auditor. Jim began working with Occupational Health & Educational Services almost 20 years ago and purchased OHES 4 years later. Since purchasing the company, OHES has grown over 300%. Under Jim's leadership, OHES one of the recognized Safety Certified Program auditing companies for the Nova Scotia Workers Compensation Board. Jim has developed hundreds of Federal and Provincial safety management systems. Jim has conducted over 2000 audits, provides various safety training at all levels and leads site inspections.

Michael Doucette - After leaving the military in 1992, Michael worked in the automotive industry starting on the bodyshop floor to the assembly plant and eventually managing collision centres for large dealerships. Although heavily involved in safety as a manager, Michael became involved full time in the safety field and obtained his CSO and CRSP designations, certified as an ISO 9001 internal auditor, Health & Safety Auditor.

Michael has taken his years of field level experience and assists companies in developing and implementing safety programs into their company's workflow providing a seamless integration of safety and productivity. Michael provides various safety training classes, including Red Cross First Aid and also develops comprehensive Fire Safety Programs.

Michael has experience with different industries such as: Forestry, Construction, Trucking, Heavy Equipment and Health Care Infection Control for working in Construction and also Infectious Control for Janitorial Cleaning in Health & Care environment.