Ontario. Ministry of Labour. Special Studies and Services Branch

• Special Studies and Services Branch

This branch, located in the Occupational Health and Safety Division, was created in 1977. It assumed certain of the responsibilities of the Occupational Health Protection Branch.

In 1987, this branch was disbanded. The Health Studies Service and the Safety Studies Service became part of the new Policy and Regulations Branch, while the Radiation Protection Service was placed in the new Health and Safety Support Services Branch.

The function of the Special Studies and Services Branch was to carry out studies in occupational safety, particularly in regards to the health of specific groups of workers, about the hazards of specific agents, and about radioactive materials.

By 1987, the branch was carrying out its functions through four sections.The first, the Health Studies Service, conducted occupational health research studies and provided consultative advice on the effects of occupational and environmental exposure to chemical or physical agents on human health.

The Safety Studies Service conducted studies in occupational safety and maintained contact with organizations involved in accident prevention.

The Radiation Protection Service directed a program to protect employees and the public from the harmful effects of radiation, including industrial x-rays, radioactive materials, microwaves and lasers. The Radiation Protection Service had a regional office at Elliot Lake.

The Radiation Protection Laboratory analyzed radioactive materials for uranium mines, mills, processing plants, nuclear reactors and users of radioactive isotopes; it also developed monitoring techniques to identify radioactive sources.

RAD: Rules for Archival Description, 2nd edn (2008)

2026-11-16: migrated to AtoM

KWIC Index to Government Services 1984; RG 7 inventory

Archivist(s):
John Dirks