New powers assigned to MOL inspectors

In addition to issuing compliance and stop-work orders, the Ministry of Labour's 200 enforcement officers can now - under the Provincial Offences Act - issue on-the-spot "tickets" for non-compliance. The tickets carry fines of $200 or $300, depending on the offence. If ticketed, you have two options: pay the fine or appear in a provincial court to dispute the offence. Tickets could be triggered by dozens of different offences; for example:

•	Failure to provide and/or use adequate guarding for a machine.
•	Failure to ensure a lifting devise is operated safely.
•	Failure to provide and/or use fall protection equipment, such as a harness.

MOL announces "Last Chance" opportunity

Beware the catchy label - this campaign is here to stay (for at least five years). Labour Minister Chris Bentley's "Last Chance Initiative," announced March 22, requires the WSIB and five health and safety associations - OSSA among them - to offer assistance to 5,000 workplaces per year for five years. The 5,000 workplaces will be selected from the 10% of workplaces with the province's highest injury rates and costs. If the assistance fails to result in significant improvement, those businesses will move into the MOL’s High Risk Initiative: i.e. the 2% of workplaces with the highest injury rates and costs (see next story).

Expecting a visit from the MOL? Don't wait for it!

Close to 1,000 service sector firms have been or will be visited in the next few weeks by MOL inspectors as part of the MOL’s High Risk Initiative, part of the MOL’s four-year plan to reduce workplace injuries by 20%. The second round of visits begins in a month or two. Don't wait until that visit to learn you're not in compliance and face potential orders, tickets and fines. The OSSA has communicated with each of the MOL inspectors, understands the process, and has already helped many service sector firms meet their compliance requirements. Here's how to protect your company’s assets.

Workwell audit packs two surprises

In 2005, over 145 service sector firms will undergo Workwell audits by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). Surprise #1: the audit is not based just on compliance requirements under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, but also on many "best practices."

About 75% of firms traditionally fail the first audit, resulting in a report with findings and detailed recommendations. The organization then gets six months to close these gaps before they face a second audit. Surprise #2: the WSIB considers this program such a success that it may increase the number of auditors, and subsequently, the number of firms it will audit in 2006.

OSSA has been working with WSIB representatives from the Workwell Program to develop products and services to assist targeted organizations who are facing a first or second audit, or who just want information on requirements.

Count 'em: a litany of "shoulds" (and coulds) for Ontario's health and safety system

Ontario's health and safety system should have a funding strategy that is rational and consistent. Prevention funding should be the result of deliberation between industry and government to ensure resources are available. Funding allocations should be clear, transparent and accountable to the health and safety association receiving it, to the employers supporting it, and to the employees benefiting from it. Funding should be visibly identified as a separate line of resources and expenses via the WSIB, and not obscured within insurance premiums as part of administration costs and budgets. Prevention should not (and does not) end with zero injuries. Prevention should receive continuing support to help claim-free employers remain claim free (the service sector never gets a break from the need for outreach and new training driven by its seasonal, part-time and high-turnover employment patterns). All stakeholders with a vested interest in preventing injuries, illness and new claims should actively engage in the dialogue to devise a prevention funding strategy for Ontario.

What are your views? Write to Elizabeth Mills, President and CEO, Ontario Service Safety Alliance.

Eliminating workplace illness and disease: have you been heard?

Ride the wave of new strategies for recognizing and preventing occupational disease by participating in a Web-based poll sponsored by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) before April 29, 2005. Learn about the results from the first groundbreaking forum on this important topic.

The latest MOL convictions for service sector health & safety violations

•	Costco Wholesale Corporation, Mississauga, fined $75,000: no barriers or other safeguards protecting staff from vehicular traffic.
•	Lumsden Brothers Limited, Brantford, fined $55,000: 17-year-old worker (first day on job) not shown manual or provided training in use of power jack.
•	The Great Atlantic & Pacific Company of Canada Limited, Scarborough, fined $150,000: failed to maintain lift truck in good condition.

Check out these recent WSIB charges for violations

•	Wal-Mart, Toronto: 25 charges of failing to notify the WSIB within three days of a worker injury. Fined $500,000 plus Victim Fine Surcharge of $125,000.
•	Kall Personnel and R&E Personnel Services, Toronto: five charges of failing to notify. Fined $12,500.
•	Unicco Facility Services Canada Company: three charges for failing to notify. Fined $16,500.

Two other common reasons (besides not reporting injuries and illnesses) for a WSIB fine:

1.	not registering with the WSIB as an employer
2.	not registering all your employees

Remember, no matter how small your organization, you must register your temps and occasional workers. That includes drivers for fast-food take-outs.

New ergonomics panel formed to reduce repetitive strain injuries

The Ontario government has set up an ergonomics advisory group to protect workers in Ontario’s manufacturing sector and automotive, retail and restaurant businesses. The panel will report to Minister of Labour Chris Bentley in October with strategies to reduce ergonomic injuries.

NAOSH Week coming up: May 1 to 7, 2005

Tools, checklists, event and activity ideas - all yours at no charge. Check out what's available to service sector firms interested in acquainting community, government representatives and media with their health and safety successes at North American Occupational Safety and Health Week.

New compliance audit for employers

WSIB has introduced a Compliance Audit for Employers that will allow you to test the strength of your company's management systems as they relate to these key responsibilities under WSIB legislation and policies.

•	Registration and coverage
•	First Aid/Health and Safety
•	Reporting on Workplace Injuries
•	Early and Safe Return to Work
•	Ongoing Revenue Obligations
•	Closing Your Business

New from OSSA: SAFELARN online Certification Part I Find out more about our WSIB-approved e-learning solution that allows you to comply with regulations:

•	Online Certification Part I testing and test submission to WSIB
•	24/7 availability: reduce travel and management costs by training at your own pace at any location
•	Expert health and safety content
•	Five self-paced training modules and content support materials
•	Scalable for large groups and multiple locations
•	Learn more at www.safelearn.com

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.

New products to help you create healthier and safer workplaces

OSSA will soon offer an even wider range of sector-specific products to meet your needs: Auto-Lift Vehicle-Lift Safety Training (Auto-lift-VLST); a web-based e-learning program; an HACCP-based food safety management system; a food safety audit that is based on the Food Code and industry best practices; first Aid, CPR and emergency training; occupational health clinics, on-site medicals for companies with isocyanates; and emergency preparedness products. Contact Deborah Thompson, Director, Marketing and Communication, (416) 250-2187.

Classroom training dates for 2005 at OSSA Headquarters

OSSA is taking registrations for 2005 Certification Part I and WHMIS training courses. These courses, delivered by OSSA's Authorized Training Professionals, provide participants with the information and knowledge to implement and improve health and safety in their workplace. For information about registration, contact Maria Pontes, Training and Events Coordinator, 416-250-2180 or visit www.ossa.com for 2005 training dates, locations and registration fees.