Friday, May 20th, 2011
Last August, I told you about the horrific scaffolding accident where five workers fell 13 storeys from an apartment building on Christmas Eve 2009. Four died and one suffered serious leg and spinal injuries. At this point, we must learn from this accident in order to ensure it never happens again.
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Tuesday, May 10th, 2011
Occupational health and safety law and human rights law both prohibit reprisals, threats and intimidation against a person for exercising their rights. Employers can be liable for stiff financial penalties for permitting this unacceptable behaviour…
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Friday, January 21st, 2011
The Ontario Court of Appeal just rendered an interesting decision regarding whether independent contractors are to be counted when determining the need to establish and maintain a joint health and safety committee pursuant to subsection 9(2)(a)of Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act.
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Thursday, December 9th, 2010
I guess I’m lucky never to have experienced harassment at work and I certainly never expect to at my current job—unless you count some gentle ribbing at the annual croquet tournament. But nevertheless, First Reference recently had its first mandated workplace violence and harassment training session to educate me and my co-workers on the company’s new mandated policies.
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Friday, November 12th, 2010
I recently read a case coming out of Alberta where a clerical worker developed carpel tunnel syndrome from work. She was promoted in her workplace and had to do even more typing and handwriting with poor quality office furniture and pens. She was not able to take breaks due to the pressure to produce, staff shortages and hiring freezes. Ultimately, the new job aggravated her condition to the point where she required surgery.
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Tuesday, October 26th, 2010
I recently received feedback from a reader stating “I checked with the Ministry of Labour and you don’t need two separate policies to meet your workplace violence and harassment obligations. Your information is wrong.” Always question information you read or are given, double check it, triple check it and then make up your own mind about how you are going to proceed. However, it does not make the information in itself wrong.
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Wednesday, October 13th, 2010
The Toronto Star recently reported that Vadim Kazenelson, 35, of Gormley, Joel Swartz, 51, of Toronto, Benny Saigh, 52 of Toronto, and Metron Construction Corporation have each been charged with criminal negligence causing bodily harm, and four counts of criminal negligence causing death for workplace fatalities. The charges carry…
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Wednesday, October 13th, 2010
On October 5, 2010, the Ontario government introduced Bill 110, the Good Government Act, 2010, an omnibus bill that, if passed, would amend various pieces of legislation, including the Employment Standards Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act. The changes include general housekeeping measures, as well as some technical improvements and modernization measures. Specifically, regarding the employment law related changes, schedule 7 of Bill 110 makes the following key changes…
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Tuesday, October 12th, 2010
Although some readers believe that any kind of workplace violence is inappropriate, there was a consensus that acting within reason to protect yourself is okay—nobody should be expected to “stand there and take a beating”.
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Tuesday, September 28th, 2010
If another worker attacks me at work, I’m going to protect myself. Does this law [the Occupational Health and Safety Act] say I can’t do that? What do you think?
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Friday, August 27th, 2010
Last week, I wrote about the incident in which five migrant workers fell 13 storeys when a platform collapsed on Christmas Eve, 2009. Four died instantly, but one survived. This fifth worker, who suffered grave injuries, has now launched a civil suit for damages.
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Wednesday, August 25th, 2010
According to the Ontario Ministry of Labour and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the leading cause of lost-time injuries in the province. That is why, from September 15 to November 15, 2010, the Ministry of Labour will hold a workplace safety inspection blitz that focuses on MSD hazards in all sectors…
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Friday, August 20th, 2010
The Ministry of Labour just laid charges carrying fines of up to $17,000,000 against two companies that ran and supplied a platform that collapsed last year. There were also charges against executives and supervisors that could carry fines and time in jail.
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Wednesday, June 9th, 2010
Ontario Ministry of Labour health and safety inspectors discuss employers’ responsibilities around workplace violence and harassment…
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Wednesday, June 9th, 2010
To our great surprise, First Reference recently got a visit from an Ontario Ministry of Labour Occupational Health and Safety Inspector. I knew we had nothing to worry about; however, it is still unnerving when an inspector comes knocking at the door…
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