|
JOINT HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE CERTIFICATION TRAINING
|
|
Wilkens Health and Safety Solutions (WHSS) is the only Chief Prevention Officer (CPO) approved Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) Certification training provider located in Kingston.
As most workplaces with twenty (20) or more workers must have a JHSC established, we regularly hold training sessions. At least one (1) worker and one (1) management representative of this committee must be certified by completing the prescribed training standards set by the MOL.
|
|
Part One
Basic Certification Training
|
Part One B
asic Certification training
provides an overall knowledge of the Health and Safety Legislation that applies to most workplaces.
|
|
Part Two Workplace Specific
Training
|
Part Two Workplace Specific
Certification training focuses on the significant hazards in your workplace and how to assess, control and/or eliminate them.
|
|
Refresher Certification
Training
|
This course is designed to include all sectors and reviews the essentials of the Part 1 and 2 Certification training as well as highlight any legislative changes that have occurred within the last three years.
|
Visit our website
to register for the Part 1, Part 2 or Refresher Certification Courses.
|
Creative Penalty for Toronto construction company
February 10, 2020
Vixman Construction, a Toronto construction company was convicted for two offences under the OHSA in December 2019 in relation to a workplace fatality that occurred on March 27, 2018. It was only the second time in Ontario that a corporation has revived probationary terms as part of a sentence for a violation of the OHSA.
|
Employee falls on stairs, Employer fined $60,000.00
On March 23, 2018 a worker was injured when assisting a co-worker in carrying a piece of equipment and ascending two stairs to reach the top of a platform. The worker fell, injuring themselves as they were ascending the second stair. The Employer was fined $60,000.00 due the Ministry of Labour's findings that the stairs were inconsistent in their rise.
|
|
 |
|
Although slips, trips, and falls can happen at any point in the year, winter is a time of year where they are more likely to occur, especially with the variation in temperature and weather conditions. With the constant thawing and freezing of this current winter, it is more important than ever to be aware of your role and responsibilities as an employer when it comes to slips, trips, and fall prevention.
Slips, trips, and falls can be caused by numerous situations in your workplace including: uneven surfaces, tripping hazards such as electrical cords left across walking areas, out of place objects - causing trip hazards, incorrect footwear, poor lighting, wet floors, and of course icy or slippery paths. Under Ontario's Occupiers' Liability Act anyone who suffers an accident due improper maintenance of their property, including failure to properly clear snow or ice, may pursue compensation from the owner.
In accordance to Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act, the employer is required to take "every precaution reasonable to protect workers". For snowy or icy walkways this includes removing all snow and ice from walkways and salting and sanding. We expect municipalities to clear all roads by plowing and sanding so that they are safe for travel, so too will your employees and customers expect the same to occur on your property.
|
Every year the common cold and flu spread throughout workplaces. Through some very simple techniques we can reduce the transmission and sharing of these common illnessess.
What can you and your employees do to help?
- Obtain appropriate vaccinations:
- Stay home if you are ill;
- Practice Proper handwashing techniques; and
- Do Not share cutlery, dishes or glassware.
What can an Employer do?
- Have an infection control plan;
- Provide alcohol based sanitizers;
- Provide tissues and encourage their use; and
- Make sure ventilation systems are working properly.
Did you know not all health risks are solely associated with inhalation of contaminants or infectious agents? Many risks can be traced back to malfunctioning devices, skin exposures or from ingesting contaminants.
For more tips on keeping a safe and healthy workplace click
here
to learn more.
|
Health and Safety Excellence program
|
The new WSIB Health and Safety Excellence program has launched and Wilkens Health and Safety Solutions is halfway through our first intake period. We are currently accepting new firms, as well as participants of the previous WSIB health and safety incentive programs (i.e.: Safety Groups, Small Business and Workwell) until March 31, 2020. WHSS has created two annual intake periods. The second intake will occur between April 1, 2020 and June 30, 2020.
WHSS will be hosting an information session on March 3, 2020 from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm at the Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area for any companies that are considering joining this new program and have either not participated in previous WSIB rebate programs or were previous participants in past years. The session is designed to provide more detailed information on the program and will detail what makes our approach different from other providers.
For those of you who have already registered with WHSS for the new Health and Safety Excellence program, you should be in the process of registering online and completing your initial assessment. Our second meeting for this calendar year will take place on March 26, 2020 from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm at the Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area.
|
Wilkens Health and Safety Solutions Partners with Threads of Life!
|
Wilkens Health and Safety Solutions is proud to announce that our consulting practice has partnered with Threads of Life, a national non-for-profit organization that provides programs for families affected by workplace injuries, illnesses or fatalities, to organize the Kingston 2020 Steps for Life 5K charity walk.
Last year Steps for life raised over $770,000.00 for Threads of Life. This
year's walk will be taking place on Saturday May 2, 2020 at J.R
. Henderson public school in Kingston.
If you would like some additional information about sponsorships or entering a team in this years walk, please contact our office and speak to either Ciara Keech at 613-546-9814 ext. 225 to Sheena Smith at 613-546-9814 ext. 224 or you can sign up on line by clicking
here
.
|
The Ontario Government introduced revised leaves as of January 1, 2019. As of that date, the following
leaves apply to all workers governed by the Ontario Employment Standards legislation. Employees are entitled
to:
3 unpaid sick days
3 unpaid family responsibility leave days
2 unpaid bereavement leave days
As employers, you do have the right to ask for evidence (including a doctor's note) to justify why the employee requires the days off. If you feel that an employee is taking advantage of this or there is a pattern to their days off, this may be grounds for disciplinary action.
If employees feel that they need an accommodation to return back to work, the employer or supervisor, should begin the return to work process for non-work related injuries, just as you would for work related incidents.
For more information, please contact Sarah Salisbury, Associate Consultant at 613.546.9814 ext. 222 or by
email
.
|
|
Ministry of Labour Program Initiatives
|
|
Upcoming Provincial / Eastern Ontario Inspection Initiatives
|
|
Program
|
Focus
|
Sector / Business
|
Date
|
|
Health & Safety
|
Personal Protective Equipment
|
Construction
|
January 6 - March 13, 2020
|
|
Health & Safety
|
Group Homes
|
Healthcare
|
January 20 - March 13, 2020
|
|
Health & Safety
|
Machine Guarding
|
Industrial
|
January 20 - March 31, 2020
|
View the full schedule
here
.
For help preparing for an upcoming inspection,
contact us
today.
|
|
Register your employees today!
|
|
Course
|
Date
|
Time
|
|
JHSC Refresher Certification
|
February 26, 2019
|
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
|
|
Mental Health First Aid
|
February 27-28, 2019
|
8:30 am - 4:00 pm
|
|
JHSC Certification Part 1 - Basic
|
March 4-6, 2020
|
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
|
|
JHSC Certification Part 2 - Industrial
|
March 9-10, 2020
|
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
|
|
JHSC Certification Part 2 - Healthcare
|
March 30-31, 2020
|
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
|
|
JHSC Certification Part 2 - Industrial
|
April 2-3, 2020
|
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
|
|
JHSC Certification Part 1 - Basic
|
April 15-17, 2020
|
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
|
Private on-site courses can also be arranged for groups of six (6) or more. Please contact Ciara Keech for details.
WHSS continues to be a training partner for Working at Heights with the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA). Contact us today to arrange your full or refresher course. Courses are scheduled on an as needed basis and can be held at your site or at the Kingston Construction Association (KCA)
For a complete listing of upcoming courses, click here or contact Ciara Keech by email or at 613.546.9814 ext. 225 for more details.
|
|
|
