The Ontario Federation of Labour administers the Occupational Disability Response Team (ODRT) as a program service for workplaces and member organizations. It also oversees activities at the Workers Health and Safety Centre (WHSC) and Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW). The OFL works closely with the Office of the Worker Adviser (OWA), an independent agency of the Ontario Ministry of Labour, to coordinate support services for injured workers and their survivors.

OCCUPATIONAL DISABILITY RESPONSE TEAM (ODRT)

The Occupational Disability Response Team (ODRT) is a not-for-profit project set up by the Ontario Federation of Labour in 1990 to provide workers and their representatives with workplace insurance and disability prevention training and advisory services. The ODRT mission is to improve the well-being and working conditions of Ontario workers and their access to appropriate health care, disability benefits, workplace accommodation and fair treatment. The ODRT offers multi-level certificate training on WSIB Rights & Obligations (Level I), Benefits & Services (Level II), Appeals & Dispute Resolution (Level III), Return to Work, Medical Orientation and Occupational Disease. It also offers ongoing topical seminars and information updates through its website and quarterly mailings.

Visit the ODRT website at www.odrt.ca

Click here for a full directory of ODRT Directors and Staff

Workers Health and Safety Centre (WHSC)

The OFL oversees Workers Health & Safety Centre (WHSC), which was first established to help train workers and workplace representatives so they could act with confidence and competence on their considerable legal rights and responsibilities as provided by occupational health and safety law. Meeting and exceeding this legislation remains a focus for the WHSC. In the face of unchecked occupational hazards and much suffering, full implementation of these rights and responsibilities is an absolute necessity, socially and morally.
The WHSC’s unique perspective on occupational health and safety also separates it from other training service providers. The WHSC avoids band-aid solutions and victim blaming tactics. Instead it help get to the root of the problem to control hazardous work conditions or better yet eliminate them altogether.

Visit the WHSC website at www.whsc.on.ca

Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW)

The OFL also oversees the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers Inc. (OHCOW). The mandate of the OHCOW is to prevent occupational illnesses and injury, and to promote the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being of all workers.

OHCOW strives to accomplish this through the identification of workplace factors which are detrimental to the health and well-being of all workers, through the distribution of excellent occupational health, hygiene, and ergonomic information to increase knowledge among workers, employers and the general public; and through the provision of services designed to produce changes to improve workplaces and the health of workers.

Visit the OHCOW website at www.ohcow.on.ca