Your Complete Guide to Health and Safety in the Workplace

Please check our website for our 2025 course dates!

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 Basic 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.

Ontario’s Minimum Wage Has Changed

The team at Wilkens Health and Safety Solutions would like to remind our contacts that Ontario’s minimum wage rates are set to increase TODAY, October 1st, 2025. These changes may impact your business, and now is the time to ensure you’re prepared.

Here’s what’s changing:

General minimum wage increases to $17.60/hour (up from $17.20/hour). This rate also applies to alcohol servers.

Student minimum wage increases to $16.60/hour. This applies to students under 18 who work 28 hours/week or fewer while school is in session, or who work during breaks and summer holidays.

Hunting, fishing, and wilderness guides minimum wage increases to $88.05 (for fewer than five consecutive hours in a day) or $176.15 (for five or more hours in a day, consecutive or not).

Homeworkers minimum wage increases to $19.35/hour. This applies to employees who perform paid work in their own home.

Note: if students of any age are employed as homeworkers, they must be paid this rate.

With these updates, it’s a great time to revisit your obligations as an employer. If you have questions about HR, health and safety, or employment standards, our team is here to help.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

This month, nearly 2,600 Canadians will hear the words, “You have breast cancer.” As the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Canada, breast cancer touches countless families and communities.

By supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month, you help fund world-leading research that improves early detection, treatment, and survivorship. Your gift can also honour or remember a loved one, or provide steady support through monthly donations—ensuring no one has to face breast cancer alone.

Together, we can raise awareness, inspire hope, and drive progress toward a future without breast cancer.

Learn more & make a difference: cancer.ca/bcam

Daylight Saving Time Ends November 2nd

The clocks “fall back” soon, and while that extra hour of sleep is welcome, the shift can affect alertness and safety—especially on the road.

Here are a few quick tips to help you adjust and stay safe:

Rest up: Head to bed a little earlier and ease up on caffeine late in the day. A good night’s sleep will help you stay alert during the transition.

Drive with caution: Allow extra time at intersections, reduce speed in school and retirement zones, and be extra cautious at crosswalks.



Use your headlights: The time change often shifts regular routines into twilight hours when visibility is lower. Headlights on at dawn and dusk can make all the difference.

Share the road: Give vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians extra space. Fall lighting can affect depth perception, so double-check before crossing or turning.

Prepare for winter: Swap on snow tires, top up washer fluid, check wipers, and add a snow brush to your car. Always clear your windows fully before driving on frosty mornings.

Take it slow, stay alert, and enjoy the season safely.

Certification Management System (CMS)

The CMS is the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development’s online system for managing approved health and safety training such as Working at Heights (WAH) and Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) certification.

With CMS you can:

Create an account

• Go to the CMS Portal
• Click Learners → Register → Create Account
• Enter your email and password, agree to the Terms of Service
• Verify your email with the one-time code sent to you
• Complete your profile details and authorization

Log in anytime

• Click Login on the homepage
• Enter your email and password
• Follow the verification steps
• Access the My Training Records landing page

Manage your profile

• From the left-hand menu, click My Profile
• Scroll down and click Edit profile
• Update sharing permissions and subscription preferences
• Save changes (contact the Ministry if locked details need updates)

View & share records

• Open My Training Records to see all your certificates
• Use the drop-down arrow for more details
• Download or share records as needed
• Submit a one-time JHSC exemption request if eligible

Enrol in training

• Go to My Training Schedules → Marketplace
• Enter search criteria to find approved training programs
• Select a course and click Enrol
• Review details, choose subscriptions, and Submit enrolment request
• Track your request status in My Schedules

Check eligibility

• Click the Check worker eligibility tab
• Enter your Learner ID (or name) plus email, phone, or postal code
• Select the course and planned training date
• System will confirm if you’re eligible or not before enrolling

Need help?

CMS Portal

1-877-202-0008

PreventionFeedback@ontario.ca

October Road Safety Initiatives

October is a busy month for road safety awareness, with several important campaigns focused on keeping our communities safe:

Pedestrian Safety Month – A reminder to slow down, stay alert, and watch for

pedestrians in all settings.

International Walk to School Month (Ontario Active School Travel) –

Encouraging students and families to choose safe, active transportation.

Operation Impact (Oct 10–13, Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police) – A

national traffic enforcement initiative promoting safe driving behaviours.

School Bus Safety Week (Oct 20–24, School Bus Ontario) – Highlighting the

importance of school bus safety for students and drivers alike.

Canadian Youth Road Safety Week (Oct 20–26, Parachute Canada) –

Empowering youth to speak up and take action for safer roads.

Together, these initiatives raise awareness and encourage positive habits that help reduce collisions, injuries, and tragedies on our roads.

Steps For Life 2025 Impact

Thanks to your incredible support, Steps for Life 2025 had a greater impact than ever! Together, we honoured loved ones, raised awareness, and strengthened the movement for safer workplaces.

2025 Results at a Glance:

• Funds raised: $1,156,044.11
• Walkers registered: 5,800
• Steps taken: 40.6 million

The Impact of Your Support:

Janesse, who lost her cousin Christopher in a workplace tragedy, shares:

“Steps for Life gives families and communities the opportunity to honour our loved ones and raise awareness around the importance of health and safety… By working together, we can end workplace tragedies and save lives that should never have been lost.”

Because of your generosity, Threads of Life continues to reach more families:

• 4,000 individuals and family members supported
• 280 new members welcomed in 2024
• 274 attendees at Family Forums
• 233 participants in online webinars
• 22 presentations delivered to young workers

Where Your Donations Go:

Every dollar raised funds programs that support people affected by work-related tragedy—family forums, online webinars, volunteer training, outreach, and prevention. Your contributions also help workplaces take steps to prevent future tragedies.

Accountability Matters:

Threads of Life is proud to be accredited through the Imagine Canada Standards program, ensuring transparency and accountability. Annual reports and financial statements are available on their website.

Thank you for walking with us in 2025!

Stay Protected This Season

As we move into the colder months, it’s important to protect yourself, your family, and your community by keeping vaccinations up to date. The flu shot and other recommended vaccines are simple, effective ways to reduce illness, prevent serious complications, and keep workplaces and households healthy.

• Book your appointment with your family doctor, local pharmacy, or public health unit.
• Encourage coworkers and loved ones to get vaccinated.
• Remember: vaccination not only protects you, but also those around you.

Let’s work together to stay safe, healthy, and resilient this season.

RELEVANT UPDATES

_{Upcoming WHSS Courses}

_Register Your Employees Today!

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 Rebecca Sousa at 613.546.9814 ext. 2224 for more 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 a suitable training location.

For a complete listing of upcoming courses, click here or contact Rebecca Sousa at rsousa@whss.ca  by email or 613.546.9814 ext. 2224 for more details.

Contact Us

t: 613-546-9814 e: info@whss.ca

www.whss.ca