In this issue:

 Preparing for the Holidays and 2020
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
Fatality Results in $125,000 Fine for Sudbury Construction Company


 


November 20, 2019


A worker was killed after jumping from a tuck that was rolling backward and downhill. Following a guilty plea, Teranorth Construction & Engineering Ltd was fined $125,000. 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's Fatal Injuries Result in $150,000 Fine for Toronto Metal Processor




September 6, 2019

A worker was killed after becoming caught in the pinch point of a machine. Following a guilty plea, Venture Steel 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.
Mental Health
Mental Wellbeing During the Holidays 

The holidays can be a difficult time for our mental health, from emotions, memories, and stressful moments like financial strain, travelling, and overwhelm. This can lead to some unhealthy behaviours, such as overindulging in food, alcohol or other risky activities. Here are some tips to keep you and your employees healthy during the holiday season

  1. Set realistic expectations about the holidays and ask for support and help to alleviate stress.
  2. Put things into perspective and determine "what is important about this day?"
  3. Set a budget.
  4. Give yourself a break.
  5. Ask for support.
Shortly after the holidays, Bell's annual Let's Talk Day is on January 29, 2020. Support the initiative by posting on social media platforms, sending a text or talking on the phone over Bell's network. To learn more, click here.

For more details on these tips click here.

Ministry of Labour Updates
Supporting Ontario's Safe Employers

On November 22, the Ontario Ministry of Labour launched their new accreditation program, Supporting Ontario's Safe Employers. This program "will formally recognize employers who successfully implement health and safety programs in their workplaces" and will provide financial rewards form the WSIB over a three (3) year period.

According to the Ministry, "research has shown that organized, systemic approaches to health and safety increase worker participation in health and safety practices, encourage ongoing improvement and reduce workplace injuries and illness.

This is all the more reason to join the Wilkens Health and Safety Solutions Health and Safety Excellence program!

For more information on the Ministry's announcement, click here.

Health and Safety Excellence program
How to Join

Want to make your workplace safer? 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 existing WSIB rebate program firms (i.e.: Safety Groups, Small Business and Workwell) into the new program.

For more information about the Health and Safety Excellence program, please visit our website by clicking  here.

To register, please contact Ciara Keech, Program Assistant at 613.546.9814 ext. 225 or by email.

New Course Offerings!
Joint Health and Safety Committee Refresher Training

Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) Refresher Training is a one-day review of Part One and Part Two JHSC Training. All JHSC certified members, certified under the new standard which came into effect on March 1, 2016, are required to take refresher training every three (3) years to maintain their certification. Any certification that was obtained prior to that date does not expire and members of a JHSC are grandfathered into the previous standard and are not required to take refresher training. However, at Wilkens Health & Safety Solutions, we strongly encourage employers to have all of their certified members take the refresher training to ensure that they are up-to-date with current health and safety legislation and requirements.

Wiebke Wilkens, Owner and Principal Consultant of Wilkens Health and Safety Solutions is the primary trainer for JHSC Part One, JHSC Part Two, and now JHSC Refresher Training.

Mental Health First Aid

"Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is the help provided to a person developing a mental health problem, experiencing a mental health crisis, or a worsening of their mental health." (MHCC, 2019). This course is an educational program to increase awareness, increase confidence and decrease the stigma about mental health problems.

Our in-house instructor, Sarah Salisbury is offering the MHFA - Basic Certification course to individuals and businesses in Kingston and the surrounding communities. We are limiting our class size to a maximum of ten (10) participants to ensure a comfortable session for this important topic.

To register for a course, click here.

Employment Standards
  
Year End Reminders

Public Holidays: Public Holiday Pay is paid for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day. Christmas Eve and New Years Eve are not considered public holidays.

Vacation: If employees have unusued vacation, it's highly suggested that you pay out these hours before th end of the year, unless you and the employee have agreed to carry over some time to the next year.

Leaves of Absence: All leaves are alotted on a calendar year basis and are not carried over to the next year.

If you have any questions about Public Holiday entitlements, 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
Musculoskeletal disorders and respiratory hazards
All Sectors
September 1 - December 27, 2019
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
December 4-6, 2019
8:30 am - 4:00 pm
JHSC Refresher Certification
December 13, 2019
8:30 am - 4:00 pm
JHSC Certification Part 2 - Healthcare
January 9-10, 2020
8:30 am - 4:00 pm
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 Certification Part 1 - Basic
March 4-6, 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
e:   info@whss.ca
      www.whss.ca

"Specializing in incident prevention and mitigation strategies."

- Wiebke Wilkens