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JOINT HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE CERTIFICATION TRAINING
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Wilkens Health and Safety Solutions (WHSS) is the only Ministry of Labour (MOL) 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 B
asic 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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Trenton Company Fined $55,000 After Worker Injured by Steel Struts
November 22, 2017
A steel fabrication company in Trenton, Ontario, called Fraser Industrial Company but operate as Fracan, was fined $55,000 after a worker suffered permanent crushing injuries. The injury occurred on March 8, 2016 when an outer steel strut in the bundle moved inward.
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Roofing Company Fined Again, Director Receives Jail Sentence
November 23, 2017
Sunny Roofing was fined a total of $56,000 and the Director, Dong Mo, was sentenced to 20 days in jail. The company and its director have been previously convicted of the same violations: failure to ensure workers used protective apparel/fall protection, and obstructing an inspector.
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Winter Related Slips, Trips, & Falls
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Update your Fall Prevention Program
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With any season, slips, trips, and falls are prevalent, but winter ice and snow create a more hazardous environment that increases the risk of worker injuries.
To prevent slips, trips, and falls, employers should ensure winter hazards are included in their fall prevention program. In addition, the following five safety tips will help reduce the likelihood of workplace injuries:
- Parking lots, walkways, stairs and other work areas should be cleared immediately following a storm to protect against buildup.
- Remove hazards, such as water on floors and snow on sidewalks, immediately.
- Ensure the outdoor lighting is adequate, and turning on at the correct time.
- Workers should avoid carrying heavy loads that may compromise their balance.
- Hazardous areas should be appropriately marked with temporary signs, cones, barricades, or floor stands to warn passing workers.
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Motor vehicle incidents account for more than 38 percent of all worker traumatic fatalities. It is one of the highest risk activities an employee can undertake- especially in the winter
months. When you include powered industrial vehicles including forklifts, pallet trucks, and scissor lifts, this number increases to 45 percent.
If your company has vehicles that will be on the road, preparing those vehicles for winter in the autumn is recommended. A thorough check of brakes, battery, lights, windshield wipers, heating and cooling system, and of course the tires. Switching to winter tires is the safest way to travel when temperatures hit 7 degrees Celsius or below.
Having a winter driving safety kit in each vehicle is also a very good idea. Click here to view a list of items that each industrial vehicle should have inside.
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Frostbite & Hypothermia at Work
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Foolproof ways to avoid frostbite and hypothermia
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Winter is on its way and so are the hazards that accompany the season. Cold weather injuries such as frostbite and hypothermia are main concerns for this time of year. Both injuries can cause lasting harm, but with the proper personal protective equipment, working safely outdoors is painless.
Here are 4 ways you can protect yourself and your employees from Old Man Winter:
- Keep your head covered. Body heat escapes through the top of your head, so wearing only a hard hat or a baseball cap isn't enough. Your scalp, ears, nose, neck, and basically every part of your face but your eyes need to have thermal protection. Wear close-fitting clothing and insulating hoods to help keep the heat in.
- Avoid overexertion and stay dry. Sweat leaves your clothes damp which increases the loss of body heat. Feet are the biggest concern for the winter months, so warm socks should be worn, even if they get damp. Layers should also be worn on your body as well as moisture wicking clothing close to your skin.
- Don't work alone. Mild hypothermia symptoms include fatigue, confusion, and lack of coordination. Moderate hypothermia can impair decision-making. Work with someone who can recognize the symptoms before the hypothermia advances.
- Always wear your PPE. Personal protective equipment is the most important part of any job, but especially in the winter. Your hands are very important for doing a good job, so keep them safe from frostbite and hypothermia by wearing gloves. Add thermal glove liners for extra protection.
Click here to learn more.
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A Plan for Fair Workplaces and Better Jobs
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Ontario passes the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017 (Bill 148)
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On November 22, 2017, the Government of Ontario passed landmark legislation that will bring more fairness to Ontario workplaces and their families.
The legislation includes changes to both the Employment Standards Act, 2000, and the Labour Relations Act, 1995.
Some of the changes coming include:
- Raising the minimum wage
- Equal pay for equal work for part-time, casual, and contract workers
- Fairer scheduling rules
- Minimum of three weeks' vacation after five years of service with the same employer
- Expanded personal emergency leave
- Up to 17 weeks of job protected leave for domestic or sexual violence experiences
Read more details on Bill 148 here.
Coming soon!
Wilkens Health & Safety Solutions will be bringing you a Special Edition Employment Standards Newsletter!
With help from our Employment Standards Consultant, we will outline all of the pertinent details of Bill 148 that will affect your workplace. This newsletter will also address the changes to the WSIB's policy on work-related Chronic Mental Stress claims.
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December is Safe Toys & Gifts Month
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Keep Christmas safe for your family and friends
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Research shows that toy-related injuries have been on the rise for many years.
Prevent Blindness America has declared December as Safe Toys and Gifts Awareness Month.
The group encourages buyers to consider if the toys they wish to give is suitable for the age, individual skills, and abilities of the child who will receive it. This is especially so for infants and children under age three.
Here are some simple tips for choosing safe toys this holiday:
- Inspect all toys for broken, or tiny pieces that could be swallowed when purchasing and after opening
- Look for "Safety Inspected" labels
- Protective equipment should always be given for gifts of sports equipment (helmets, elbow pads)
- Check for "nontoxic" or "BPA Free" labels on boxes
- Check the box for the recommended age range of each toy
Learn more tips for buying safe gifts
here.
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Ensure your employees who are covered by the Employment Standards Act are paid for the upcoming Public Holidays.
These holidays include:
- December 25, Christmas Day
- December 26, Boxing Day
- January 1, New Year's Day
For more information, contact our Employment Standards Consultant
,
Patti Conboy today.
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"10 Minute Talks"- Winter 2018 Edition
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| Stay tuned for more information regarding our event! |
On January 17, 2018, Toast & Jam will be hosting the Wilkens Health & Safety team for our fourth "10 Minute Talks" event.
Don't miss out on the opportunity to speak with our industry experts about vital health & safety and employment standards issues in your workplace.
For more information, contact Holly today!
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Safety Groups Recruitment 2018 |
Interested in joining a WSIB Safety Groups Program?
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The WSIB Safety Groups program is a great resource to help organizations establish a comprehensive health and safety program. The program is a performance-based rebate program developed by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).
If you wish to join KPSC's multi-sector Safety Group, please fill out the
applications
and submit by fax to 613-546-5513 or
email
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Ministry of Labour Blitzes
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Upcoming Provincial / Eastern Ontario Blitzes
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The 2018 workplace inspection blitz schedule has been announced. Ensure your workplace is prepared for upcoming focuses:
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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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Machine Guarding and Electrical Hazards
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Industrial
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Jan. 15 - Feb. 28, 2018
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| Health & Safety |
Compliance on PPE & High Visibility Clothing |
Mining |
Feb. 1 - Mar. 31, 2018 |
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 - Office & Light Manufacturing
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Dec. 4 - 5, 2017
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8:30 am - 4:30 pm
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| Working at Heights |
Dec. 7, 2017
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8:00 am - 4:00 pm
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JHSC Certification Part 1
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Dec. 13 - 15, 2017
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8:30 am - 4:30 pm
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| ESA "Need to Know"- Wages |
Jan. 9, 2018
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8:30 am - 10:00 am |
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JHSC Certification Part 2 - Health Care
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Jan. 11 - 12, 2018
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8:30 am - 4:30 pm
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JHSC Certification Part 1
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Jan. 31 - Feb. 2, 2018
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8:30 am - 4:30 pm
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| ESA "Need to Know"- Hours of Work |
Feb. 6, 2018 |
8:30 am 10:00 am |
| JHSC Certification Part 2 - Office & Light Manufacturing |
Feb. 22 - 23, 2018 |
8:30 am - 4:30 pm |
For a complete listing of upcoming courses, click here.
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