On April 3, 2018, a precedent setting conviction has come down from the Toronto South court after the defendant [Santoro Construction Ltd.] plead guilty to failing to provide a worker with the equipment appropriate for situations where work cannot be done on or from the ground without hazard to workers. The worker, who is employed…
$70,000 Fine Demonstrates Importance of OHSA Orders and Workplace Violence and Harassment Requirements An Ontario employer has been fined $70,000 ($87,500 with the surcharge applied) after being convicted of failing to comply with seven Occupational Health and Safety Act (“OHSA”) orders issued to bring the company into compliance with workplace violence and harassment requirements. Under…
COR – Certificate of Recognition BACKGROUND Nationally endorsed by the Canadian Federation of Construction Safety Associations (CFCSA) of which the IHSA is a member. Designed as a Canada-wide certification program that gives companies a tool for assessing end enhancing their health & safety management. ONTARIO PROGRAM The Ontario program consists of 19 elements: Policy Statement…
Workers who regularly work outdoors, such as those in construction, are exposed consistently to the sun and so are at risk of hazards associated with exposure to the sun including heat stress, heat/ sun stroke, skin cancer, etc. Employers who have workers consistently working outside during the summer months, should recognize the sun as a…
In the most recent addition to the growing body of work demonstrating the financial performance benefits associated with excellence in health & safety, a recent study has found a significant link between stock market performance and employee health & safety programs. The study, published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, highlighted how companies…
IMPORTANT NOTICE – REVISED CERTIFICATION STANDARDS Recently, the Ontario Ministry of Labour has introduced new training standards for Joint Health & Safety Committee Certification Training (both Phase 1 and 2). While changes to the curriculum have been made, the most significant changes relate to the time commitment required for Core Certification Training as well as…
UPDATE: MoL INSPECTION BLITZ FOCUS CHANGES As the summer winds to a halt and fall quickly approaches, Ontario employers need to be aware of the changes to the MoL Inspection blitz initiatives, as they relate to all industries. A detailed list of the 2015-2016 Inspection Blitz Focus can be found through the Ministry of Labour…
Here are some helpful tips for dealing with inspectors in the workplace. Tip #1: Designate a Contact Person Your company should designate a member of management as the regular contact person for all safety inspectors. That person should be knowledgeable about your Health & Safety program and workplace safety. The designate should be: Agreeable Cooperative…
Some may think the three mistakes listed below are extremely obvious and although this may be the case, these mistakes are listed as a result of companies continuing to make them and the court cases that commonly ensue. Here are 3 major mistakes you and your company want to avoid making when dealing with a…
As it is that time of year when the weather can cause significant risks for outdoor workers, the WCB has compiled a list of precautionary safety measures to consider for those of us who work outside in the cold. The following measures will help a worker to avoid the risk of cold stress while at…