Item - 2021.GL25.17

The General Government and Licensing Committee recommends that:  

1. City Council receive the End of Year 2020 Occupational Health and Safety Report (August 31, 2021) from the Chief People Officer for information.

This report provides information on the status of the City’s health and safety system, specifically performance for 2020 and actions and priorities to address identified hazards.

There was a 9.7 percent increase in the number of lost time injuries in 2020 relative to 2019. This increase was primarily due to workplace exposures to COVID-19. There was a decrease in lost time injuries across all other categories primarily due to a delay in the resumption of services or decreased service delivery as a result of COVID-19. There was a 45.7 percent decrease in the number of recurrences and a 36.0 percent decrease in the number of medical aid injuries in 2020 relative to 2019.

The overall invoiced costs related to the City's current Workplace Safety and Insurance Board firm number increased from $32.3 million in 2019 to $38.3 million in 2020.  This increase in costs is primarily attributed to mental/emotional illnesses or disorders including traumatic mental stress and post-traumatic stress disorder in First Responders. Legislation introduced in 2016 presumes that if a first responder or other designated worker is diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder by a psychiatrist or psychologist, the condition is work-related.

Toronto Fire Services and Toronto Paramedic Services created Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Prevention Plans that were submitted to and approved by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development. The plans have been updated regularly and both services have focused on "Road to Mental Recovery" training, de-briefings after all traumatic calls and provision of a dedicated staff psychologist to support employees. Senior leadership in both services are fully committed to their mental health programs.