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JOINT HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE CERTIFICATION TRAINING
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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.
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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.
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Part Two Workplace Specific Training
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Part Two Workplace Specific Certification training focuses on the significant hazards in your workplace and how to assess, control and/or eliminate them.
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Refresher Certification Training
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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.
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Visit our website to register for the Part 1, Part 2 or Refresher Certification Courses.
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Worker's Fall from Platform Results in $60,000 Fine for Caledon Company
September 21, 2020
A worker received critical injuries after fall from a platform. Two workers were working on a masonry project and were on a platform about 9.14 metres (30 ft) from the ground. The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development determined there was no guardrail on the platform which is required by law for any platform about 24 metres (7.87 ft). The Company was fined $60,000 plus a 25% victim surcharge.
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Worker's Propane Burns Result in $150,000 Fine for Alberta Company
A worker suffered burns while transferring propane from a tank truck to propane tanks at a private residence in Chesley, Ontario. Following a guilty please, Parkland Fuel Corporation was fined $150,000 in provincial offences court. The court also imposed a 25% victim surcharge. The injured worker had only started working for the company earlier in the same month as the incident and had received one day of online training. The employee did not receive the correct propane training as per the Regulations require, was not wearing adequate PPE, and the employee;s clothing was not fire resistant.
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 In Canada, 67% of workplace falls happen on the same level resulting from slips and trips. Preventing falls in the workplace comes down to three factors: - Housekeeping, such as cleaning up spills, removing clutter and obstacles, securing carpets and rugs and/or ensuring proper lighting at all times;
- Flooring - re-coating or replacing floors, installing mats or flooring that reduces foot fatigue; and,
- Footwear that is fitted properly and prevents fatigue. Dependent on the workplace, anti-slip footwear may be beneficial for oily or wet floors or when employees spend considerable amount of time outside.
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We are now entering our eighth month of the COVID-19 Pandemic in our communities. For many Canadians, their mental health state may not be optimal. The following is a list of community resources to aid you, your family and your employees or co-workers to assist in these stressful and uncertain times includes:
- 24/7 Crisis Line for Kingston & Frontenac 613.544.4229
- 24/7 Crisis Line for Lennox & Addington 613.354.7388
- Kids Help Phone (under 18 years old) - 1.800.668.6868
- Crisis Services Canada 24/7 crisis line - 7.833.546.4566
- Addictions & Mental Health Services KFL&A (for information) - 613.544.1356
As always, for any emergencies or if you require immediate care, please call 911 or visit your nearest emergency department.
For a list of community and social services in your area, visit 211 Ontario.
For a list of additional services related to mental health and domestic violence, click here to find resources recommended by KFL&A Public Health.
Reminder: If you are interested in learning more about mental health and are looking for tools to help you deal with an individual in crisis or experiencing a mental health problem, we offer the Basic Mental Health First Aid course at Wilkens Health and Safety Solutions. You can find course dates on our website or in the training calendar below.
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Health and Safety Excellence program
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Upcoming Meetings:
A friendly reminder that for current members, we will be hosting an additional meeting focused on the validation process with John Carr, Health and Safety Excellence Consultant with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). This meeting is being held virtually on Tuesday, October 20 at 9:00 am. Additional details will be sent out to all current members by email shortly.
Program status:
At this point, all companies should have chosen their topics with the WHSS team and completed their Action Plans. If you have not yet done this, you need to speak with us at WHSS as soon as possible to complete this important initial step.
For those companies who have paid for the Premium membership, we are working on your topic policies and will have them ready for you prior to submitting your validation documents.
REMINDER: Our program still runs on a calendar year basis. For you to qualify for the next rebate cycle, you must submit all documentation by November 30, 2020 to receive your financial recognition.
2021 Program:
Registration for the 2021 Health and Safety Excellence program is now open! You can register for the program with Wilkens Health and Safety Solutions until March 31, 2021.
If you have questions about the program or would like to register or the 2021 program, please contact us at 613.546.9814 or by emailing info@whss.ca.
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 Gathering Sizes
On September 19, 2020, the Ontario government announced new measures to limit the number of people allowed at an unmonitored, private social gathering. The current allowable levels are: - 10 people at an indoor event or gathering; or
- 25 people at an outdoor event or gathering.
A reminder that these gathering limits do not apply to a workplace or worksite and do no apply to gatherings held in staffed businesses or facilities, such as bars, restaurants, convention centres and gyms.
For more information on this announcement, please click here.
Screening Tool
As of September 25, 2020, it is now mandatory that all businesses in Ontario screen all of their employees for COVID-19 before they report to work. This also includes all "essential visitors" which are defined as delivery, maintenance, or contract workers. Screening is not required for customers or patrons.
For more information and to see the Ontario Government's screening tool, click here.
New Federal Benefits
On October 2, the COVID-19 Response Measures Act (Bill C-4) received Royal Assent. This new legislation provides Canadians with three (3) new financial benefits: - Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit provides $500 per week, for up to two (2) weeks for workers who have to self-isolate and cannot work remotely due to COVID-19, or have underlying conditions, are undergoing treatments or have contracted other sicknesses that make them more susceptible to COVID-19. This benefit became available as of September 27, 2020 and is effective from September 27, 2020 to September 25, 2021.
- Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit provides $500 per week, for up to 26 weeks and is for employees who are unable to work because they need to provide care to children or support family members that require supervision. This is benefit became effective on September 27, 2020 and runs through to September 25, 2021. NOTE: Only one family member can receive a payment in any given week.
- Canada Recovery Benefit provides $500 per week for up to 26 weeks for those who have stopped working and are not eligible for EI or have had their employment/self-employment reduced by at least 50% due to COVID-19. This benefit became effective on September 27, 2020 and runs through to September 25, 2021.
All benefits are accessed through and delivered by the Canada Revenue Agency. Applications for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit and Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit are available on October 5 and October 12 for the Canada Recovery Benefit.
For more information on these new benefits and the application process, click here.
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 Wilkens Health and Safety Solutions is looking for a qualified candidate to serve our high risk clients including the construction, industrial and surface mining sectors. The successful candidate must have experience working in these industries and have a strong working knowledge of the health and safety legislation and sector specific requirements for these groups of businesses. This position is part-time with the potential of full-time work in the future.
If you would like more information or would like to apply for this position, please email your questions or application to Wiebke Wilkens at wwilkens@whss.ca.
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Infectious Disease Emergency Leave
On September 3, 2020, the Ontario Government extended the provisions under the Infectious Disease Emergency Leave that were set to expire on September 4, 2020. The extension runs through to until January 2, 2021.
For employers, this means that any employees who are currently laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic can remain on temporary layoff until January 2, 2021. This prevents the employer from having to pay termination and severance pay until that date and provides employers with a longer period of time to determine whether or not they will recall the employee back to work.
For employees, this provides job protected leave for those who must remain home to isolate, quarantine, or take care of a loved one due to COVID-19. This includes parents who decided not to send their children back to school.
For more information on this leave of absence, please click here.
Minimum Wage
On October 1, 2020 minimum wage increased to the following rates:
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Previous
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October 1, 2020 Rate
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Regular
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$14.00
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$14.25
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Student
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$13.15
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$13.40
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Servers
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$12.20
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$12.45
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For a list of all Minimum Wage Rates in Ontario, click here.
Employment Standards Poster
The employment Standards poster has been updated to Version 9. This poster must be given to all current and new employees within 30 days of it's release or within 30 days of hire.
Click here to get the latest version of the poster. For more information on your responsibilities as an employer under the Employment Standards Act, contact Sarah Salisbury, Associate Consultant at 613.546.9814 ext. 222 or by email.
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Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development Program Initiatives
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Upcoming Provincial / Eastern Ontario Inspection Initiatives
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Program
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Focus
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Sector / Business
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Date
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Health & Safety
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Health Workers in Healthy Workplaces - Occupational Disease
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All Sectors
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October 1 - December 28, 2020
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Health & Safety
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Excavations and Utility Contacts
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Construction
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September 2 - November 2, 2020
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Health & Safety
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Tower Crane Inspection and Maintenance
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Construction
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August 31, 2020 - December 31, 2020
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Health & Safety
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Safe Transition/Transfer of Care
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Health Care
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June 1, 2020 - February 1, 2021
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Health & Safety
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Workplace Violence in Education
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Industrial
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April 1, 2020 - March 31, 2021
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Health & Safety
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Warehousing (Ergonomics)
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Specialized Professional Services
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April 1, 2020 - March 31, 2021
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Health & Safety
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Radiation Protection - Training and Education
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Veterinary Clinics
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September 2, 2020 - November 2, 2020
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*Please note that the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development has stated that these dates may be adjusted due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. We will keep you informed as updates become available.
View the full schedule here.
For help preparing for an upcoming inspection, contact us today.
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Register your employees today!
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Course
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Date
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Time
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JHSC Certification Part 2 - Healthcare
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October 22 - 23, 2020
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8:30 am - 4:30 pm
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Mental Health First Aid
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October 29 - 30, 2020
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8:30 am - 4:30 pm
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JHSC Refresher*
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November 6, 2020
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8:30 am - 4:30 pm
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JHSC Certification Part 2 - Industrial
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November 12 - 13, 2020
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8:30 am - 4:30 pm
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JHSC Certification Part 1 - Basic
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November 18 - 20, 2020
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8:30 am - 4:30 pm
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JHSC Refresher*
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November 27, 2020
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8:30 am - 4:30 pm
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JHSC Certification Part 2 - Healthcare
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December 3 - 4, 2020
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8:30 am - 4:30 pm
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JHSC Certification Part 2 - Industrial
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December 14 - 15, 2020
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8:30 am - 4:30 pm
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*The Ministry of Labour Training and Skills Development has set November 30, 2020 as the deadline for anyone to take their one-day refresher JHSC Certification course if they were due for a Refresher Course between March and November 30, 2020. To avoid having to re-do your full certification training (both Part 1 Basic and Part 2 Worksite Specific) please register for the one day refresher as soon as possible.
All courses scheduled are offered following safe distancing protocols, as well as all other mandated safety protocols- this means fewer people being allowed to register for each course - allowing for safe participation.
Private on-site courses can also be arranged for groups of six (6) or more. Please contact Sheena Smith 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 Sheena Smith by email or 613.546.9814 ext. 224 for more details.
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