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JOINT HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE CERTIFICATION TRAINING
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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.
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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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Clean Water Works Inc. Fined after worker permanently injured
May 9, 2019
A worker received a permanent critical injury after being caught in a moving conveyor. Following a guilty plea, Clean Water Works Inc. was fined $100,000. 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.
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Multiple Convictions Lead to Jail Term for Belleville Roofer
A worker was observed by a MOL inspector working on a pitched roof without wearing fall protection as required by law. Following a guilty plea, Steven Bell, owner of the company, was sentenced to 7 days in incarceration. Bell has three previous convictions under the OHSA.
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Generations of the Work Force
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Preparing for Generation Z
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For the first time ever, the work force has four different generations working together and each have very different defining factors, but all play a role in the ever-changing work environment.
- Baby Boomers - born between 1946 and 1964
- Generation X - born between 1965 and 1980
- Millennials - born between 1981 and 1995
- Generation Z - born between 1996 and 2010
With Millennials stepping into management positions, the newest group entering the work force is Generation Z, with the oldest of this group being in their early twenties. They are rapidly entering the work force and will soon surpass Millennials as the fastest growing percentage of the work force.
What Makes Generation Z different than other generations:
- They are too young to remember 9/11, but have grown up in a time where there was an increased emphasis on security, privacy and personal safety;
- They watched their parents during the recession in the late 2000's and seek stability and "future-proof" jobs; and
- They do not know a world without technology and are guiding the technology trends.
These factors have an impact on what they are looking for in the workforce and they are focused on finding companies and jobs that address the following:
- Social Causes - Gen Z expect that companies support causes that they are passionate about and no longer considered a bonus perk of the company.
- Security - Unlike Millennials who are seen as job-hoppers, Gen Z'ers are looking for security and independence in their careers.
- Technology - This will play a HUGE role when working with a company. This generation relies on technology and artificial intelligence (AI) more than ever before, but this also means that they are also used to multi-tasking more than any other generation.
- Authenticity - Gen Z is looking for a company that is authentic, relatable, and trustworthy.
As difficult as it can be to meet some of these needs and create change in the work environment, eventually employers failing to do so, will be losing out on new top talent!
For more information on Generation Z and how to recruit them into your business, check out this handy guide, contact our office at 613-546-9814.
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Construction Zone Driving Tips
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With warm weather fast approaching, summer road construction is also popping up across our roadways. It is important to use extreme caution when driving through construction zones and areas where people are working on or near the road.
To help you drive safely through construction zones, the following tips can help both you and constructions road workers arrive home safely:
1. Be alert and expect the unexpected!
Diamond-shaped orange warning signs are generally posted in advance. These advise you of reduced speed limits, traffic lane changes and that people and vehicles may be working on or near the road ahead.
2. Drive defensively - don't follow too close!
Rear-end collisions are the most common motor vehicle accident (MVA) in highway work zones. Remember to leave a large distance between you and the vehicle ahead, traffic barriers, construction equipment and construction workers. Most rear-end MVAs occur because of following too close and travelling too fast for conditions.
3. Obey posted signs and directions given by the flagger.
Stay alert and be prepared to obey the flagger's directions. In some work zones - like line painting, road patching and mowing - areas where mobile equipment is moving, moving down the road as the work is finished. Just because you don't see the workers immediately after the warning sign, does not mean they're not out there.
4. Be patient in road construction zones.
Construction zones aren't there to personally inconvenience you. They're necessary to improve the roads for everyone.
5. Expect delays; plan for them and leave early to reach your destination on time.
Highway agencies use many different ways to inform motorists about the location and duration of major work zones. Often, the agencies will suggest a detour to help you avoid the work zones entirely. Plan ahead, stay alert and stay safe, so you get home safely!
For more information about driving safely in construction zones, please see the Ministry of Transportation website
here
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Critical Injury Requirements
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Reporting requirements related to workplace injuries or illnesses vary depending on the severity and nature of the incident.
It is important to note that the critical injury definition covers incidents that happen to a person, not strictly to an employee. If a person is critically injured in the workplace and the incident could have reasonably happened to an employee in the course of their work, then you must notify the MOL.
*Critical Injury
is defined by Regulation 834/92 as an injury of a serious nature that:
- Places life in jeopardy,
- Produces unconsciousness,
- Results in a substantial loss of blood,
- Involves the fracture of an arm or leg,
- Involves the amputation of a leg, arm, hand or foot but not a finger or toe,
- Consists of burns to a major portion of the body, or
- Causes the loss of sight in an eye.
Critical injuries must be
reported to the MOL
, the JHSC and the union, if any, immediately by direct means such as telephone. A written report must be submitted to the MOL within forty-eight (48) hours and to the JHSC within four (4) days. WSIB reporting requirements are the same as those for Lost Time injuries.
*The Ministry of Labour released a clarification document in early 2017 and now interprets fractures to include fractures of wrists, hand, ankle or foot. They also consider the fracture or amputation of more than one finger or toe a critical injury.
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What is Distracted Driving and what are the Fines Associated with Distracted Driving.
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Driving is an inherently dangerous work and daily life activity for most adults. Driving requires your full attention every time you get behind the wheel. Any secondary activity will detract from your ability to drive properly and safely. For the past several years, MVAs have been one of the leading causes of work-related fatalities and the number one cause of MVAs is Distracted Driving. You must reduce distractions and focus on your driving.
- Using devices such as GPS systems, stereos, CD and DVD players, radios, cell phones, laptops, PDAs and MP3 players;
- Reading maps, directions or other material;
- Grooming (combing hair, putting on make-up or shaving);
- Eating or drinking;
- Taking notes;
- Talking with passengers;
- Tending to children or pets;
- Adjusting the controls in your vehicle (radio, CD player or climate control); and,
- Visual distractions outside your vehicle, such as collisions or police activity
Careless driving is a serious offence. Police can charge drivers with careless driving if drivers do not pay full attention to their driving. If you are convicted of careless driving, you will receive six demerit points and may be fined up to $2,000 and sentenced to up to six months in jail. In some cases, your license may be suspended for up to two years.
Always remember to focus on your driving. A split-second distraction behind the wheel can result in a collision.
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Health and Safety in the Workplace
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What is a Health and Safety Representative?
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The health and safety representative is a worker, selected by workers at the workplace who do not exercise managerial functions or by the union where the workplace is unionized [subsection 8(5)].
In workplaces, including construction projects, at which the number of workers regularly exceeds five and at which no joint health and safety committee is required, employers or constructors must ensure that workers select a health and safety representative [subsection 8(1)].
Like joint health and safety committee members, the representative plays an important role in being committed to the improving health and safety conditions in the workplace.
Does a health and safety representative have different responsibilities from a joint health and safety committee member?
Generally speaking, a health and safety representative has the same responsibilities and powers as a joint health and safety committee member. These include:
- identifying actual and potential workplace hazards [subsection 8(10)];
- inspecting the workplace at least once a month [subsection 8(6)] or, if that is not practical, inspecting the workplace at least once a year and at least part of the workplace each month [subsection 8(7)] in accordance with a schedule agreed upon by the representative and the employer (constructor) [subsection 8(8)];
- being consulted about and being present at the beginning of health and safety-related testing in the workplace [subsection 8(11)];
- making recommendations to the employer [subsection 8(10)] about health and safety in the workplace; and,
- participating in the first and second stage investigation of work refusals [subsections 43(4) and (7)] and inspecting workplaces when there are critical injuries or fatalities [subsection 8(14)].
At the present time, the Act does not require that the representative be specifically trained. However, there have been amendments to the
Occupational Health and Safety Act
(OHSA), which relate to training requirements for health and safety representatives, but which have not yet been put into effect. When these amendments do come into effect, they will require that, unless otherwise prescribed, the employer or constructor ensure that the representative receives training that enables him or her to effectively exercise the powers and perform the duties of a health and safety representative [subsection 8(5.1)].
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WHSS will be taking a summer break from our 10 Minute Talk Sessions and we will resume in the Fall. Stay tuned for our next date.
We hope everyone has a safe summer!
Friendly reminder that we can always be reached at 613.546.9814 for both Health & Safety and Human Resources consulting services
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Changes to Excess Weekly Hours and Averaging Agreements
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On April 3, 2019, the Ontario Government made some changes to the Employment Standards Act, in regard to worker agreements. Employers no longer have to receive approval from the Director of Employment Standards for employees wanting to work more than 48 hours per week or for employers who average their overtime over a certain period. However, there still must be a written agreement made between the employer and the employee, and the averaging hours cannot exceed four (4) weeks.
In addition, to these changes, employers no longer have to post the Employment Standards Poster titled "Fair at Work Ontario", but all employees still must receive an electronic or hard copy upon hire or when changes have been made.
At WHSS, we strongly recommend having your agreements signed during orientation and to continue to post the ESA poster in your workplace. For clarification on these new changes, please contact Sarah Salisbury, Assistant Consultant - Human Resources by email or at 613.546.9814 ext. 222.
For more information on these changes, check out the updated Employment Standards Guide, by clicking here.
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Ministry of Labour Program Initiatives
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Upcoming Provincial / Eastern Ontario Inspection Initiatives
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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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Suspended
access equipment
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Construction
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July 2 - Sept. 27, 2019
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Health & Safety
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Workplace Violence Prevention
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Healthcare
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July 22 -Sept. 27,
2019
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Health & Safety
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New and young workers
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I
ndustrial
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May 1 - Aug 30, 2019
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Health & Safety
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High risk traumatic hazards - Slips, trips and falls
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All Sectors
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March 18 - July 12, 2019
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View the full schedule
here
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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 1 - Basic
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June 10 - 12, 2019
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8:30 am - 4:00 pm
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JHSC Certification Part 2 - Office, Retail and Light Industrial
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June 20 - 21, 2019
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8:30 am - 4:00 pm
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JHSC Certification Part 2 - Healthcare
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July 25 - 26, 2019
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8:30 am - 4:00 pm
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JHSC Certification Part 2 - Office, Retail and Light Industrial
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August 8 - 9, 2019
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8:30 am - 4:00 pm
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JHSC Certification Part 1 - Basic
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August 21 - 23, 2019
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8:30 am - 4:00 pm
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JHSC Certification Part 2 - Healthcare
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September 16-17, 2019
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8:30 am - 4:00 pm
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JHSC Certification Part 2 - Office, Retail and Light Industrial
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September 30- October 1, 2019
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8:30 am - 4:00 pm
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JHSC Certification Part 1 - Basic
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October 21-23, 2019
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8:30 am - 4:00 pm
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Private on-site courses can also be arranged for groups of six (6) or more. Please contact Christina Soos 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.
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