since we have released a quarterly newsletter of current and upcoming initiatives and safety tips for workers and businesses.  As legislation changes, Wilkens Health and Safety Solutions (WHSS) aims to keep you informed and connected with Ministry of Labour initiatives, Health and Safety policy preparations, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) and Employment Standards guidance, while providing seasonal specific legislative compliance tips.  As we aim to improve communication with you, our valued past and present clients, we encourage you to share this newsletter with coworkers and friends.  Work smart, work safe!

With temperatures rising and summer in full swing keep in mind working or playing where it is hot puts stress on your body's cooling system.  When heat is combined with other stresses such as hard physical work, loss of fluids, fatigue or some pre-existing medical conditions, it may lead to heat-related illness, disability and even death.

This can happen to anybody - even the young and fit.  In Ontario, hear stress is usually a concern during the summer.  This is especially true in early summer, when people are not used to the heat.

Employers have a duty under clause 25(2)(h) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act to take every precaution reasonable  in the circumstances for the protection of a worker.  This includes developing policies and procedures to protect workers in environments that are hot because of hot processes and/or weather.

For compliance purposes, the Ministry of Labour recommends employers follow the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) for Heat Stress and Heat Strain published by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH).  These values are based on preventing workers' core body temperatures from rising above 38�C.

• Drink Water
• Wear Light, Loose Clothing
• Schedule More Frequent Breaks
• Use Sunscreen & Keep Your Head Covered Outdoors
• Schedule Work For A Cooler Part Of The Day

Focus	Sector/Business Type	Date
New and Young Workers	Industrial	May - August 2014
Fall Protection/Hazards	Construction	July - August 2014
Explosives	Mining	July - August 2014

In the Eastern Region (Ottawa, Kingston and Peterborough), the Ministry of Labour are completing the following workplace inspections in order to enhance employer's awareness of their responsibilities and highlight the importance the ministry places on protecting workers' rights under the Occupational Health and Safety Act:

Minimum wage went up June 1, 2014:

	Previous Wage Rates	Came into Effect June 1, 2014
General Minimum Wage	$10.25 per hour	$11.00 per hour
Student Minimum Wage: Students under 18 and working not more than 28 hours per week or during a school holiday	$9.60 per hour	$10.30 per hour
Liquor Servers Minimum Wage	$8.90 per hour	$9.55 per hour
Homeworkers Wage: Employees and dependent contractors doing paid work in their home	$11.28 per hour	$12.10 per hour

With seventeen years experience, Patti offers extensive experience in employment standards including employment inquiries, human resources manual development and creating customized training sessions for your business.  

The WSIB underwent major transformational changes in order to keep up with the ever changing work environment. They were striving to create a new era of innovation in order to best serve injured workers and employers while still ensuring long-term sustainability of the company. The WSIB has confirmed that the implemented changes have made them a modern, sustainable and accountable workplace insurance system. They are committed to serving Ontario's employees and employers. In a presentation for the Standing Committee of Public Accounts, WSIB Chair, Elizabeth Witmer said, "Our goal is to provide fair benefits and stability to injured workers, while ensuring fairness and predictability to employers, for generations to come".

1.  Assumptions exist to be challenged;
2. Efficiencies don't have to mean service reductions;
3. Demonstrate leadership in times of organizational change; and,
4. Stakeholder interests don't have to be mutually exclusive. 

• October 9, 2013 - Brockville, ON: The Gravel Doctor pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to provide the WSIB with statements of total wages earned by its workers. The Gravel Doctor was fined $6000, plus a 25% Victim Fine Surcharge.
• October 15, 2013 - Toronto, ON: 1495075 Ontario Inc. operating as Pizza Pizza pleaded guilty to one count of failing to notify the WSIB within three days after learning of an accident to one of their employees. They were fined $4000, plus a 25% Victim Fine Surcharge.
• January 22, 2014 - Addison, ON: Gary Hosea Legault operating as A1 General Construction pleaded guilty to one count of failing to register with the WSIB within 10 days of becoming an employer. He was fined $1000, plus a 25% Victim Fine Surcharge.