How Health and Safety Works in
Ontario
Ministry
of Labour
Established in 1919 to develop and enforce labour legislation,
the Ministry’s mission is to advance safe, fair and
harmonious workplace practices. The Ministry’s key areas
are occupational health and safety, employment rights and
responsibilities, labour relations and internal administration
with its mandate being to set, communicate and enforce workplace
standards while encouraging greater workplace self-reliance.
In Ontario, the Ministry of Labour enforces
the Occupational Health & Safety Act. This means if you’re
not doing what you are supposed to do, the Ministry’s
inspectors can order you to comply and in some cases, issue
fines for severe violations.
With recent amendments to Canada’s Criminal Code, prison terms – maybe for life and fines up to $100,000 now mean that workplace accidents have even more serious consequences. Penalties can apply equally to everyone from the CEO right down to lead hands.
Workplace
Safety Insurance Board (WSIB)
Through the changes introduced by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (1998), the WSIB now oversees Ontario's system
of workplace safety education and training and continues to
administer the province's no-fault workplace insurance for
employers and their workers. As part of this system, they
provide disability benefits, monitor the quality of health
care and assist in early, safe return to work for workers
injured on the job or who contract an occupational disease.
The WSIB provides the insurance coverage
and designates your firm’s membership in one of Ontario’s
health and safety associations – like IAPA. When you
register your firm with the WSIB they will assign you to a safety association.
Firms in these industries comprise IAPA’s
membership:
- Glass, Stone and Ceramic
- Food and Beverage Products
- High-Tech
- Metal Trades
- Printing Trades
- Woodworkers
- Chemical and Plastics
- Agri Business
- Leather, Rubber and Tanners
- Office and Related Services
- Textile and Allied Trades
- Industrial/Auto Sales
Industrial
Accident Prevention Association (IAPA)
Since 1917, IAPA has worked with firms – just like yours
– to prevent and reduce workplace injuries
and illnesses by helping you identify and control workplace
hazards, and develop and improve health and safety systems.
When you are a member of IAPA there are no additional fees
to belong. You’re part of one of Canada’s leading
member-driven, not-for-profit, workplace health and safety
organizations. IAPA represents more than 50,000 businesses and
1.5 million workers from across Ontario to form a powerful,
results-oriented organization.
Registering
with the WSIB
1. Who Needs to Register
In most cases, you will be required to register your company
with the WSIB. There are, however, some industries that
do not have to register
- Banks, trusts and insurance companies
- Private health care practices (like doctors and chiropractors)
- Trade unions
- Private day care centres
- Travel agencies
- Clubs (like health clubs)
- Photographers
- Barbers, hair salons and shoe shine stands
- Taxidermists
- Funeral directing and embalming
Check with the WSIB for a full list of businesses that are
exempt from registering with them.
As a sole proprietor, partner or executive officer you are
not automatically covered under the WSIB insurance plan. Optional
insurance coverage is available. Call the WSIB or Download
the Optional Insurance Application Form and send it to them.
For those firms and sub-contractors working in industries
that do have mandatory coverage under the Workplace Safety
& Insurance Act, private coverage is NOT a substitute
for WSIB coverage.
2. Why Should You Register With the WSIB?
- Protection from Lawsuits
WSIB benefits replace the worker’s right to sue the
employer for similar benefits.
- No-Fault Insurance
The WSIB generally does not consider who is at fault when
determining benefits.
- Workplace Insurance Benefits for Your Workers
WSIB insurance replaces lost earnings, covers health care
costs resulting from work-related injuries and illnesses
and supports return to work.
Workplace illness and injury can deprive you of essential
staff and can seriously affect your company’s productivity.
IAPA can provide you with training and education programs
that can help you prevent these injuries and illnesses from
occurring in the first place – before they cost you
money!
3. How to Register
You’ll need to gather together some necessary information
that you should have on hand as you complete a registration
form. Here’s what you’ll need:
Company Information:
- Mailing address
- Phone and fax numbers
- Organization address
- Account number of any prior registered accounts with WSIB
- Legal name of company and trade name(s)
- Copy of Articles of Incorporation or business registration
form
- Revenue Canada number and/or GST number
- Employer health tax number
- A description of your business activity and proof
- Bank name and branch
- Address, phone and fax numbers for each operating location
- Name, location and phone number for the contact person
for payroll records (if different from work location)
- Dates workers were first employed·The number of
workers
- The estimated insurable earning for the current year
- Name and address of any associated employer/contractors,
plus any account numbers, if possible
- If you have more than one business activity, which is
the predominant payroll
- Any associated employers
- Name of competitors to verify accuracy of classification
- Website/email address
Owner/Executive Details:
- Name of directors or owner of the company
- Address of the director/owner
- Birth date of director/owner
- Social insurance number
- Official business title
- Proof of earnings (only if requesting optional insurance)
Download
WSIB Registration Form. Complete it and mail or fax to
the office nearest your location (located at the top of the
form).
If you need help completing this form or you’ve got
questions about setting up your small business, contact
the WSIB’s Small Business Resources Section.
4. How to Return Your Workers to the Job
Getting injured workers back on the job sooner means that
your business can return to full productivity more quickly.
It also means that your insurance claim will be smaller and
your premiums may be reduced. Talk to the WSIB claims management
team to determine how they can help you make this happen.
Click Here if you are ready to
start the Health & Safety Roadmap!
|