Spring 2016: In This Issue

Thursday April 28 is National Day of Mourning.

This Thursday April 28, join us in remembering those who have lost their lives, or suffered injury or illness on the job. National Day of Mourning not only allows us to remember and honour the number of people who are affected by workplace tragedies, but also is a day to renew our commitment to improve health and safety in the workplace. There will be a pause for a moment of silence at 11:00 a.m.
JOINT HEALTH & SAFETY CERTIFICATION TRAINING
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).  

Part One  Basic Certification Training 
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:
  • May 11, 12 & 13
  • June 27, 28 & 29
  • July 20, 21 & 22
  • August 15, 16 & 17
Contact our office to register for the Basic Training Course.
IN THE NEWS
Ontario Receives Public Input on the Gender Wage Gap Strategy
April 19, 2016

The province has received thousands of ideas from Ontarians throughout the province about how to address the gender wage gap in Ontario after 18 weeks of engaging with the public in-person, online, and in writing.

Steel Company Fined $100,000 After Worker Injured By Falling Steel Slab
April 19, 2016 

MISSISSAUGA, ON - Schmolz + Bickenbach Canada Inc., an international manufacturer, producer and distributor of steel products, pleaded guilty and has been fined $100,000 after a worker suffered injuries that resulted in amputation.

North American Occupational Health & Safety Week
   May 1 - 7, 2016

Take this as a time to evaluate the health and safety initiatives at your workplace. If you wish to attend the NAOSH Week launch on May 2, 2016, you can find more information here.


What initiatives would make your workplace safer?


ESA Tip of the Month 
  Tips and Gratuities 
As of June 10, 2016, it will be illegal for employers to keep any or all of an employees' tips or gratuities as result of Bill 12 -Protecting Employees' Tips Act, 2014.
  • Tips & gratuities include money given by a customer directly to the employee or indirectly by using debit, credit, in a tip jar or service charges imposed by an employer (eg: banquet or catering service fees)
  • Exceptions to the rule would include where tips are collected and then redistributed to all employees (tip pooling) or if a statue or court order is placed against an employee.

Changes to the Noise Regulation 
Comes into effect July 1, 2016
The changes to the regulation will help protect Ontario's workers from noise-induced hearing loss, a leading cause of occupational disease for Ontario workers. It will include:
  • New clothing requirements
  • New PPE requirements

Read more on the changes to the noise regulation here.


 
 Ministry of Labour Blitzes
Who can expect inspection blitzes this spring?

Be prepared for the provincial and district Ministry of Labour safety blitzes. The MOL is going into a zero tolerance enforcement mode. If your sector is being targeted, contact us for assistance preparing.

Upcoming Provincial/ Eastern Ontario Blitzes:
Date Sector Focus Program
April 1- Sept. 30, 2016 Construction Inspections of wood frame structures Health & Safety
May 2- June 30, 2016 Food services, Retail and Construction Temporary foreign workers and young workers Employment Standards
May 16- July 15, 2016 Construction Falls Health & Safety
May 16- July 15, 2016 Industrial Falls Health & Safety
May 16-July 15, 2016 Mining Falls Health & Safety
July 18- Sept. 2, 2016 Industrial New and Young Workers Health & Safety


Upcoming WHSS Courses
Register your employees today:

Course Date Time
JHSC Certification Part One
May 11, 12 & 13, 2016 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
ESA Overview May 17, 2016 8:00 am- 11:00 am
ESA Overview June 14, 2016 8:00 am- 11:00 am
JHSC Certification Part One
June 27, 28 & 29, 2016 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
ESA Overview July 12, 2016 8:00 am- 11:00 am
JHSC Certification Part One
July 20, 21 & 22, 2016 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
JHSC Certification Part One
August 15, 16 & 17, 2016 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Working at Heights:
We are in the process of scheduling our upcoming WAH training dates, please check our training calendar for updates.
Contact  Wilkens Health & Safety Solutions

 

t: 613-546-9814

e: info@whss.ca   

www.whss.ca

 


"Specializing in incident prevention and mitigation strategies." 
 - Wiebke Wilkens