In this issue:

 Start the New Year Off Right!
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.

IN THE NEWS
Workers' Injuries from Explosion Result in $135,000 Fine for Woodbridge Company


 


December 12, 2019


Two workers were injured when a landing-gear component that they were attempting to disassemble exploded under pressure. Following a guilty plea, Noranco Inc. was fined $135,000. The court also imposed a 25 per-cent surcharge as required by the Provincial Offences Act. The surcharge is credited to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime.
Worker Killed in Excavation, $150,000 Fine for Contracting Company





November 27, 2019

A worker was killed when a 1,600-pound bollard made of steel and cement ell into an excavation and struck a worker. Following a guilty plea, Kurtis Smith Excavating Inc. was fined $150,000. The court also imposed a 25 per-cent surcharge as required by the Provincial Offences Act. The surcharge is credited to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime.
Winter Driving
Are you prepared?

With the change of seasons also comes the change in driving conditions.

Getting prepared for winter driving starts before you even hit the road. You should make sure that your battery, lights, brakes and other mechanical parts of your vehicle are in proper working order. Ensure that
 you have proper tires (*Did you know some areas required you by law to
 have snow tires?) Make sure you check the weather forecast before you leave so you can be prepared or alternatively reschedule your trip for a
 more appropriate day.

Having a first aid and survival kit in your vehicle is also a good idea. Some items you may wish to include may be a small shovel, booster cables, a reflective vest and a blanket.

Check out Transport Canada's website here for additional tips.

Vaping
The Associated Risks

With the new year comes new resolutions, if you are thinking about quitting smoking take a moment to look into your options.

Have you considered Vaping? Although vaping is considered to have fewer health risks associated with it than smoking traditional tobacco cigarettes, there are a few things you should know before picking up that e-cigarette or other such devices.

Vaping is the act of inhaling an aerosol through a mouthpiece of an e-cigarette or other device and exhaling. Most vaping product are battery operated; and use a vaping liquid that may contain any number of chemicals.

Did you know not all health risks are solely associated with inhalation? Many risks can be traced back to malfunctioning devices, skin exposure to chemicals or from ingesting the vaping liquids.

For more information please check out The Government of Canada's website here.

Health and Safety Excellence program
Joining the program

The new WSIB Health and Safety Excellence program has launched and Wilkens Health and Safety Solutions is an approved provider. We are currently accepting new firms, as well as graduates of the previous WSIB health and safety incentive program firms (i.e.: Safety Groups, Small Business and Workwell) into the new program. WHSS has created two annual intake periods. The first intake occurs between January 1, 2020 and end on March 31, 2020.

WHSS will be hosting an information session on January 23, 2020 from 9:00 am - 11:30 am at the Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area for any companies that are considering joining this new program and have not participated in previous WSIB rebate programs. The session is designed to provide more detailed information on the program and about what makes us different. If you have previously been part of a WSIB rebate program and want more information about the new program, you are welcome to attend as well.

For those of you who have already registered with WHSS for the new Health and Safety Excellence program, our first meeting for this calendar year will take place on January 23, 2020 from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm at the Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area.

To register for the program or the information session, please contact Ciara Keech, Program Assistant at 613.546.9814 ext. 225 or by email.

Wilkens Health and Safety Solutions
Changes to Our Office

WHSS will have a new look online! Our website is being rebranded to better support you, the user, as well as our Health and Safety Excellence program members. Have a look at our new look - our official launch is currently underway and is occurring during the week of January 6 to 10, 2020.

We want to welcome Sheena Smith, Program Assistant to the office. Sheena comes with a strong background as a legal assistant and started with WHSS in December 2019. Sheena will be the main contact for all office inquiries as well as assisting with the administration of the Health and Safety Excellence program. Sheena can be reached at 613.546.9814 ext. 224 or by emailing [email protected].

Ciara Keech has been promoted to the position of Program Assistant and will be your main contact for all training course related inquiries and support, current Safety Group member program questions and assisting with the administration of the Health and Safety Excellence program. Ciara can be reached at 613.546.9814 ext. 225 or by emailing [email protected].

Human Resources  
  
Performance Appraisals 

While it is not legislated, we at WHSS, highly suggest conducting regular performance appraisals (or reviews) with all of your employees. Whether performance appraisals are integrated into your business model already, or you have never done them but want to start, the new year is a great time to conduct performance appraisals and to set objectives for the upcoming year.

Here are some benefits to conducting performance appraisals:
  • Giving employees an update on their performance and where they excel or need to improve;
  • They may be connected to pay increases, benefits or other perks that can increase retention of your employees;
  • Allows you and the employee to set goals for the upcoming year and introduce personal development opportunities: and
  • Makes the employee feel like you value them as a member of your organization and care about their work.
If you have any questions about conducting performance appraisals and how to document them, please contact Sarah Salisbury, Associate Consultant by email or at 613.546.9814 ext. 222.
 
 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
Employment Standards
Protecting vulnerable workers
Repeat violators; Temp agencies; Workplaces employing foreign workers
September 1, 2019 - February 14, 2020
 
View the full schedule  here .

For help preparing for an upcoming inspection,  contact us  today. 

Upcoming WHSS Courses
Register your employees today!

Course
Date
Time
JHSC Certification Part 1 - Basic
January 20-22, 2020
8:30 am - 4:00 pm
JHSC Refresher Certification
January 31, 2020
8:30 am - 4:00 pm
JHSC Certification Part 2 - Office, Retail and Light Industrial
February 6-7, 2020
8:30 am - 4:00 pm
JHSC Refresher Certification
February 26, 2019
8:30 am - 4:00 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 - 4:00 pm
JHSC Certification Part 2 - Industrial
March 9-10, 2020
8:30 am - 4:00 pm
JHSC Certification Part 2 - Healthcare
March 26-27, 2020
8:30 am - 4:00 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.
Contact Us

t:   613-546-9814
      www.whss.ca

"Specializing in incident prevention and mitigation strategies."

- Wiebke Wilkens