We all feel it: the nature of work is undergoing vast change. And, with recent trends such as globalization and changing technologies, as well as sudden crises, such as large-scale natural disasters and the economic downturn, it’s clear we’re in for yet more change. Top that off with changing demographics – masses of aging baby boomers, large waves of immigration, greater numbers of women, young workers, contingent workers, and so on in the workforce – and it’s enough to send any safety professional’s head spinning.

Yet, change is not new. There have been waves of immigration before, with the accompanying struggles of new Canadians to find work, and of employers trying to understand their needs. In fact, it was the 1960 Hogg’s Hollow Disaster, in which five Italian immigrant workers were killed, that provided the impetus for much needed reforms to workplace health and safety legislation in the 60s and 70s. There have also been large demographics shifts throughout history.