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.
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Updating psychological safety.
February 13, 2023
John Dujay - Tool to assess psychosocial factors upgraded to align with international standard.
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Why the asynchronous work approach makes sense.
February 18, 2023
John Dujay – One of the newest ways to enact day-to-day business in the wake of COVID, and ongoing globalization, is asynchronously so events or processes are not always done at the same time.
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Celebrating Women in Construction Week! |
Women In Construction Week 2023 takes place from March 5 – 11, tracing the history of women in construction, their challenges, and the ways they’ve been able to overcome them. This week is observed to appreciate the women who have taken the bold step to enter the construction industry, and to encourage other women to do the same!
Women In Construction Week is an important recognition event as:
- It celebrates confident and hardworking women.
- It opens the door for more women to consider seeking construction opportunities. Women are positively influenced by others who share their stories during this week.
- It encourages gender balance.
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The Deadline for Electronic Monitoring Policies is Here |
A reminder that March 1, 2023, is the deadline to have your electronic monitoring policy in place. Businesses with 25 or more employees must have a written policy on the electronic monitoring of employees. The policy must state whether the employer electronically monitors employees.
If the employer does, the policy must include:
- a description of how and in what circumstances the employer may electronically monitor employees
- the purposes for which the information obtained through electronic monitoring may be used by the employer
- the date the policy was prepared
- the date any changes were made to the policy
An employer must, within the specified timeframes, provide a copy of the written policy to all of their employees and to all assignment employees who are assigned to perform work for that employer. These requirements were added to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) on April 11, 2022.
If you require any assistance getting your health and safety or human resources regulations up to current requirements, please do not hesitate to contact the team at Wilkens Health and Safety Solutions. We would be happy to assist you!
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Stay Safe This St. Patrick’s Day |
The team at Wilkens Health and Safety Solutions wanted to provide you with a reminder to stay safe while celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. Although it’s a great time to get out and celebrate with friends, it’s also known for high rates of motor vehicle incidents due to driving under the influence.
Keep yourself safe by ensuring you have a designated driver, if attending an event. If you are the driver, ensure you are not under the influence wear your seatbelt, and ensure all passengers do as well. This remains the #1 defence against injury if your vehicle is involved in a collision. If you witness a driver who may be under the influence, we highly suggest you pull over and inform the police to keep others and yourself safe.
If you are consuming alcohol, please remember to do so with awareness. Eat well and stay hydrated, and don’t head out alone. Never drink and drive: call a taxi, UBER, or a family member/friend to come and get you. Use extra caution as a pedestrian if you choose to walk home. Stay safe, and Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
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Poison Prevention Week – March 19 to 25, 2023 |
#RethinkPoisons and raise awareness on preventing unintentional poisoning during Parachute’s Poison Prevention Week, coming up from March 19 to 25
Each year, 4,000 Canadians lose their lives due to poisoning. Annual unintentional poisoning deaths have now surpassed transport-related causes of deaths in Canada. With many potential poisons, such as medications, household cleaners and cannabis products in Canadian homes, it is important to know how to safely use and store them.
Here are some simple tips from Parachute on safely storing poisons and preventing unintentional poisoning:
- Keep all potential poisons/medications locked up high, out of sight and out of reach of children.
- Keep products in their original, child-resistant packaging.
- Keep medications, cleaners and other products in their original, labelled packaging to ensure you have instructions for safe use, avoid mix-ups and have information about the contents should you need to call a poison centre.
- Always read the label and check the dosage each time you give or take medicine.
- Avoid mixing different cleaning products together. Mixing incompatible chemicals can cause chemical reactions that produce dangerous gases.
- Avoid using cannabis products and e-cigarettes in front of children. Children often want to do the same things their parents and caregivers do.
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Consultant Exemptions from the ESA |
Another notable change to the Employment Standards Act (ESA) is one around consultant exemptions. Effective January 1, 2023, Bill 88 excludes business consultants and information technology (“IT”) consultants from the ESA, meaning consultants who meet these new definitions under the ESA will not be entitled to minimum employee standards provided under the legislation.
The business consultant exemption is available for individuals who provide advice or services to a business or organization regarding the performance of the business or organization (which can include a broad range of topics including operations, management, finance or accounting or human resources). Individuals may qualify for the IT consultant exemption if they provide advice and services regarding information technology systems.
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Helping You With Onboarding This Spring
Is your business planning to bringing back employees you laid off during the slow winter months? Perhaps you’re starting the hiring process for your spring and summer seasons? If you need some extra help implementing an onboarding program or orientation protocols into your workplace, we are here to help you!
Remember, your employees require the following workplace-specific training before they start, such as:
- Violence and Harassment Prevention Training
- Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities (AODA) Training
- Health and Safety Awareness Training for Workers and/or Supervisors
- WHMIS training and,
- Worksite specific Safety instruction
Please contact the team at Wilkens Health and Safety Solutions to begin.
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Prevent the Spread of Respiratory Viruses |
Although we have now all learned to “live” with COVID-19 in its endemic state, respiratory viruses, including influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and SARS-CoV-2 which causes COVID-19 are still impacting communities globally. Most respiratory infections spread through prolonged close contact with someone who is carrying the virus. It’s still so important to help keep workplaces, homes and neighbourhoods safe by preventing the spread of germs. Both employers and workers can take precautions to help keep workplaces and communities safe.
Here are some measures you can consider:
- Allow for remote work, facilitated through technologies such as teleconferencing, virtual meetings, and online forms.
- Consider indoor air ventilation and filtration and installing physical barriers or motion-activated devices to prevent contact with high-touch surfaces.
- Adjust your furniture and workstation layout to maximize physical distancing.
- Ensure high-touch surfaces and objects should be cleaned often.
- Offer contactless payment and other touchless or online options.
For all Individuals:
- Consider getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu and keeping your vaccinations current.
- Practice healthy hygiene habits by washing or sanitizing your hands frequently and coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, instead of your hand.
- Wear the highest quality, well-constructed and well-fitting mask available to you when indoors, especially in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces.
- When possible, improve ventilation by opening doors and windows to get outside air.
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Join the 25th Annual Mining Health and Safety Conference |
Sudbury’s 2023 Mining Health and Safety Conference is back in-person April 18-20, 2023. This year’s Conference is being hosted by Workplace Safety North in Sudbury at the Holiday Inn. The theme this year is “Evolution of mining safety: Past reflections and future innovations.” This conference will celebrate 25 years of helping make Ontario mining operations safer.
Key areas of focus for presentations include:
- High-risk hazards specific to underground work
- Workplace well-being and mental health
- Safety culture and management systems
- Research and innovation
- Emergency preparedness and mine rescue
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Upcoming WHSS Courses
Register Your Employees Today!
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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
Amy Fortington at 613.546.9814 ext. 224 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 Amy Fortington at afortington@whss.ca by email or 613.546.9814 ext. 224 for more details.
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