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Upcoming WHSS Events:
JOINT HEALTH & SAFETY CERTIFICATION TRAINING
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Wilkens Health and Safety Solutions (WHSS) is the only MOL approved Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) certification training provider located in Kingston.
As most workplaces with 20 or more workers must have a JHSC established, we regularly hold training sessions. At least one worker and one management representative of this committee must be certified completing the prescribed training standards set by the Ministry of Labour (MOL).
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Part One
Basic Certification Training
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Part one basic certification training provides an overall knowledge of the Health and Safety legislation that applies to most workplaces.
Upcoming Part 1 Training Dates:
- June 3 & 4, 2015
- July 8 & 9, 2015
- August 12 & 13, 2015
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Part Two
Workplace-Specific Hazard Training
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Part two workplace-specific hazard training focuses on significant hazards in your workplace. It covers how to access those hazards and ways to control and/or eliminate them. Depending on your industry, and sector, Part Two, Workplace-Specific Hazard Training is either a 1-day or 2-day session.
Upcoming Part 2 Training Dates:
- May 29, 2015
- June 18, 2015
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Contact our office to register for the Basic Training Course or to set up your part two certification training.
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WHSS Sponsors the ALCDSB Director's Charity Golf Tournament
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The WHSS team is supporting the ALCDSB Director's Chair Golf Tournament for the 10th year running. WHSS will have a team playing in the tournament as well as supporting the
June 29, 2015 event as a silver sponsor.
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Company, Owners Fined Over Kingston Construction Site Fire
May 19, 2015- KINGSTON, ON:
A company and three individuals have been fined after pleading guilty to charges arising from a fire at a Kingston construction project that saw a crane operator rescued by a military helicopter.
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| Supermarket Convicted In Forklift Death May 14, 2015- TORONTO, ON: 1039145 Ontario Inc., operating as Tuong Phat Supermarket in North York, has pleaded guilty and has been fined $140,000 in the death of a worker crushed by a forklift truck. Read more... |
2014 ESA Vulnerable and Temporary Foreign Workers Blitz Results
For Vulnerable Workers 206 workplace inspections were made- 35 of those employers were found compliant with no violations. Over $175,390 was recovered for 1,406 employees.
Read More...
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HR legally entitled to a "better doctor's note"
April, 27 2015- An employer that refused to return one employee to work until he provided a more substantive doctor's note cannot be held accountable for constructive dismissal, rules Court of Appeal.
Read more...
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Heat Stress: Ensure Your Employees Are Safe When Working in the Summer Heat!
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As the heat and humidity of the summer will soon be upon us, ensure to always provide safe working conditions for your employees. Heat stress can happen when hot, humid conditions and physical activity overcomes your body's natural cooling system.
Heat combined with stresses such as hard physical work, loss of fluids, fatigue or some preexisting medical conditions could lead to heat-related illness, disability and even death.
Heat stress is especially relevant in the early summer, when people are not used to the heat yet.
For workplaces that require their employees to work in hot weather, a hot weather plan should be established.
The plan would indicate "triggers" that would serve as criteria to put the plan into effect. The criteria could include weather/environmental indicator triggers such as:
- Humidex reaching or exceeding 35
- Environment Canada humidex advisory
- Environment Canada weather reports
- Heat waves (three or more days of temperatures 32?C or more)
- Ontario Ministry of the Environment smog alert
Read More from the Ministry of Labour on the effects of Heat Stress and how to avoid it.
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| Updated ESA Poster 6.0 & Self-Audit Requirements |
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In addition to the mandatory posting requirements in your place of work, a copy of the poster must be distributed to all workers by Friday June 19, 2015 for existing employees and within 30 days of hire for new employees.
Self-Audits:
In addition to the new poster requirements, as of May 20, 2015 the self-audit provisions of the ESA also came into force. This permits an Employment Standards Officer (ESO) to require an employer to conduct an examination of their records and practices to self-determine compliance with the ESA and its regulations. Results must be reported to the ESO.
For more information on this process or how to prepare, please contact our employment standards consultant, Patti Conboy at 613.546.9814 x.225 or pconboy@whss.ca
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As of October 1, 2015 minimum wage rates will increase as follows:
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Minimum Wage Rate
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Current Rates
(Jun. 1, 2014- Sept. 30, 2015)
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Rates that will apply as of Oct. 1, 2015 |
General Minimum Wage
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$11.00
per hour
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$11.25
per hour
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Student Minimum Wage
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$10.30
per hour
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$10.55
per hour
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Liquor Servers Minimum Wage
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$9.55
per hour
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$9.80
per hour
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Hunting and Fishing Guides Minimum Wage
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$55.00
Rate for working less than five consecutive hours in a day
$110.00
Rate for working five or more hours in a day whether or not the hours are consecutive
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$56.30
Rate for working less than five consecutive hours in a day
$112.60
Rate for working five or more hours in a day whether or not the hours are consecutive
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Homeworkers Wage
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$12.10
per hour
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$12.40
per hour
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While most employees are eligible for minimum wage there are a few exemptions. To find out which industries or jobs are exempt or have special rules please use the MOL's special rule tool.
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Important Ministry of Labour Updates |
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Be Prepared for Summer & Fall Inspection Safety Blitzes
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Be sure to stay attuned with the Ontario Ministry of Labour Safety Blitz schedule. The schedule timelines the workplace inspection blitzes that will be taking place between May 2015 and March 2016.
In the coming summer and early fall months be prepared for the following blitzes:
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Sector/Business Type |
Date |
Precarious Employment (Employment Standards)
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Janitorial, Security, Business Services, Fitness and Recreation Centres, Amusement & Recreation Industries
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May- July 2015
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| Struck by Hazards (Health & Safety) |
Construction |
May - June 2015
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Temporary Foreign Workers (Employment Standards)
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Restaurants and other sectors known to employ Temporary Foreign Workers
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May- July 2015
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New & Young Worker (Health & Safety)
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Industrial
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May- July 2015
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| Trenching Hazards (Health & Safety) |
Construction |
July-August 2015
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| Internships (Employment Standards) |
Information Technology and other sectors known to have internships |
September - December 2015
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Have any questions on how to prepare? Call WHSS at 613.546.9814
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