July 2005

The Advocate is sent in HTML format. If you do not use an HTML compatible e-mail program, you can view The Advocate at http://www.ossa.com/content/advocate/advocate20072005.cfm.

WSIB poised to raise premium rates in 2006

The Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) concluded its series of information sessions on its long-term funding strategy on June 23. During the consultation process, the employer community was invited to propose options on how to eliminate the unfunded liability by 2014. The Board has indicated that cost pressures require an increase in premiums, and it appears it intends to implement this strategy effective 2006. A decision will be made by the WSIB's Board of Directors on July 20, 2005. Stay tuned for more information in the next Advocate.

Have you been targeted for a visit from MOL inspectors?

Many service-sector firms have been surprised by the Ministry of Labour's (MOL) High Risk and Last Chance initiatives , and forced to re-examine their health and safety programs and compliance with regulations. Surprises are the antithesis of autonomy. Here's how to stay or get back in the driver's seat, and avoid or reduce the costs associated with rework and penalties.

Unclear whether you can expect a visit from one of the MOL's 200 inspectors?

•	The best offence is a good defence: find out if you're on the roster before inspectors come knocking.
	a.	Determine your firm's frequency rate and how you compare with your WSIB rate group average. If you're unsure, call your WSIB account manager, who has this information.
	b.	Anticipate your weaknesses. You're likely on a list if: a) your frequency rate is 50% or more above the rate group average; b) you have a recent history of fatalities, critical injuries or fatalities.
	c.	Do a self-evaluation. OSSA can help you get on track and minimize repercussions -- give us a call (1-888-478-6772).

Have inspectors already arrived at your front door?

•	The best offence is to cooperate.
•	Orders often have short deadlines, so don't procrastinate: invest whatever time and money is required to implement your fix, fast.
•	Don't walk this road alone: the Ontario Service Safety Alliance (OSSA) is your WSIB-approved provider of health and safety solutions. We have the experience and expertise you need to get out of trouble, and more important, help you build a durable health and safety culture in your organization. Call OSSA's client services line: 1-888-478-6772.

The best part about being proactive? Autonomy. You implement a health and safety program on your terms, at your pace, bearing your brand.

How serious is the MOL about reducing injury rates?

Here's a snapshot of the MOL's commitment to reducing injury rates based on its resources, activities and results (as of March 2005). This information was shared by Deputy Minister Paavo Kivisto at OSSA's volunteer appreciation event on June 9.

•	Goal: reduce injury rates by 20% within 4 years, resulting in 60,000 fewer injured workers per year
•	MOL is focusing on 2% (6,000) poorest performers (High Risk Initiative)
•	WSIB and Safety Associations (e.g. OSSA) focusing on next 8% poorest performers (Last Chance Initiative)
•	100 new inspectors hired and in the field as of March 2005
•	Inspectors targeting 2,836 workplaces this year for inspections
•	3,966 inspections and 10,263 orders written to date
•	Results reported to date by MOL:
	–	Reduced lost-time injuries (LTI) (1,581 to 1,275)
	–	23% reduction in LTI frequency (3.39 to 2.62)
	–	43% reduction in WSIB costs ($7.14M to $4.03M)
•	OSSA is working with 15 "Last Chance" corporate accounts, 185 medium-sized firms, and numerous small businesses

The latest MOL convictions for service-sector health & safety violations

•	Wal-Mart Canada Corp., Sudbury, fined $60,000: mobile ladder stand not maintained in good condition (serious ankle injuries).
•	The Great Atlantic & Pacific Company of Canada Limited (supermarkets), Brampton, fined $80,000: bread-slicing machine not equipped with or guarded by a device to prevent access to the pinch point (lost part of finger).
•	DeGroot's Nurseries Limited, Sarnia, fined $50,000: stones for stone staircase not properly rigged; workers were young, inexperienced students and inadequately trained (serious internal injuries).
•	Rosie and Josie Restaurant Ltd., Thunder Bay, fined $75,000: interlock device not working on pasta maker's mixing hopper, and failure to provide information, instruction and supervision (serious arm injury leading to amputation).
•	Metro Collision Services Inc., St. Catharines, fined $50,000: truck cabstand not positioned properly and cab slid off the stand (broken arm).
•	Windsor Raceway Inc., Windsor, fined $100,000: no safeguards for the lifting, carrying or moving of hot oil (serious burns to young worker).
•	Queen's Landing Inn Ltd., Niagara-on-the-Lake, fined $50,000: no policies and procedures for the safe handling and disposal of hot oil (burns).

The latest WSIB charges for violations

•

National Grocers Co. Ltd., Toronto: five charges for knowingly making a false or misleading statement to the WSIB in relation to a worker's claim for benefits, and four counts of failing to notify the WSIB within three days of learning of injuries to its workers. Fined $145,000, plus a Victim Fine Surcharge of undisclosed amount.

CEO Health & Safety Leadership Charter

To date, 23 service sector firms have signed the CEO Health & Safety Leadership Charter -many at a special breakfast on June 9 hosted by the Ontario Service Safety Alliance (OSSA), and led by Duncan Hawthorne, President and CEO of Bruce Power, and the Honourable Christopher Bentley, previous Minister of Labour. The Charter initiative calls on top Canadian business executives to:

•	Acknowledge that the make-or-break element of a successful health and safety program is executive buy-in;
•	Complete a health and safety self-assessment for their firm;
•	Reaffirm their commitment to healthy and safe workplaces by signing the Charter;
•	Volunteer to partner with other firms to share or draw on one another's areas of strength.

Interested in adding your voice and signature to the cause? Call Michael Strait, Vice President, Corporate Development, OSSA, at 416-250-2202 (mstrait@ossa.com). Also check out www.ceosafety.com.

Got students? Two new government programs boost employers in protecting this vulnerable group

A. Help from MOL for special-needs students entering co-op placements and summer jobs
Service sector firms that employ, or aspire to employ, students with special needs-- including those who are deaf, blind or have a learning disability--have been given a helping hand from the Ministry of Labour. In May 2005, the Ministry announced a new health and safety education resource for all district school boards so that teachers can help at-risk students understand the basics of workplace safety before they begin co-op placements, volunteer work, summer jobs or part-time employment. If you're interested in aligning your workplace health and safety messages with the resource material, or want more information, check out the Live Safe! Work Smart! web site.

B. Help from WSIB: launches Health & Safety 101 e-learning course
The WSIB has developed a four-module Health & Safety 101 e-course--complete with TV clips, audio and interactive quizzes--to acquaint workers 24 years and younger with information about causes and costs of workplace injuries, why it's important, and laws that can protect them. Health & Safety 101 prepares young workers for the Passport to Safety test and online transcript program. (Through the Passport program, workers have the opportunity to receive a nationally recognized certificate--an added bonus when applying for a job.)

Did you know?: Workers are six times more likely to suffer an injury when new on the job. Check out OSSA's Dare to Care video-based training program: an award-winning tool designed for Ontario's service sector that targets both at-risk groups: new employees and new managers. A creative health and safety orientation program that captures the imagination of young people can save lives, prevent injuries, and leave a lasting legacy in terms of improving job performance and judgement.

More money for injured workers

On June 1, the WSIB announced that it has changed the way it factors Canada Pension Plan disability payments into its own benefit calculations for disabled workers. The change--resulting from the MOL's consultation with workers and employers about the need to improve services--is retroactive to January 1, 2004, and means more than 3,000 injured workers and their survivors will receive more money. Two groups of workers and survivors will be affected by the changes:

1.	Workers with CPP disability benefits offset from partial Future Economic Loss (FEL) or Loss of Earnings (LOE) benefits when their post-injury earnings are deemed (estimated);
2.	Survivors with CPP children's survivors' benefits offset from WSIB survivors' benefits.

The change does not affect employer premiums. More information...

Advantage Pricing - Save on your next health and safety order!

OSSA is committed to providing customers with current products at great prices. We are extending Advantage Pricing to customers who make volume purchases from our vast array of products. Find out more.

Heads up: reader survey coming

The OSSA will approach a representative sample of readers this fall to find out whether The Advocate is meeting your information needs and what we could be doing better.

Advocate Past Issues

•	March 30, 2005 Issue.
•	December 7, 2004 Issue.