Message from the President and CEO

As this is the first ESAO newsletter of 2009, I will take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy new year.  It’s hard to believe that a year has passed since I was given the honour of repre-senting ESAO as its new President and CEO.  ESAO underwent a trans-formation throughout 2008, one that saw the organization pursue a path

Bill 119 has recently received Royal Assent (November 27, 2008) and will be proclaimed in 2012. This legislation will impact the education sector and, particularly, smaller employers who hire independent contractors for many services. It will also help to ensure that independent contractors working in the education sector are registered and that the interests of the Owners are protected.

A self-employed independent contractor – one who does not have any other paid staff and operates independently – will need to pay premiums to the WSIB, starting in 2012. Increased contractor costs (WSIB premium) will be passed onto the Owner. This legislation is specific to those self-employed contractors who provide a service defined as ‘construction’ (see Class G of Schedule 1, WSIB Act).

A cursory review shows that this legislation applies to electrical and incidental constructive services, mechanical and sheet metal work, inside finishing (drywall, painting, carpeting, etc.), roofing, etc. All these activities occur regularly in our sector.

Snow-clearing contractors are listed under ‘Trucking’ and are not covered by this legislation. Instead, such independent contractors can obtain a letter of ‘Independent Operator Status’ from the WSIB.

Those who work with independent contractors will need to ensure, starting in 2012, that contractors have WSIB coverage. It is also important for contractors to  provide the Owner with a WSIB ‘clearance certificate.’ Clearance certificates must be kept for three years by the person requesting the work (the Owner). The legislation may require contractors to carry identification cards, to allow for easy monitoring.

If the independent contractor loses or withdraws from WSIB coverage, the contractor is required to notify the Owner.

An independent contractor, who works on a regular base with an Owner, uses the Owner’s equipment, and receives direction regarding work times, could be considered an employee of the Owner. Being registered under this legislation, however, the independent contractor would not be considered an employee.

If you have any questions or require additional information on the new legislation, please send your queries to Guido Raso, Manager, Revenue Policy, at guido_raso@wsib.on.ca.

towards a more customer-focused strategy and rebuilding of relationships with many client groups.  I am extremely happy to say that this strategy has been successful and ESAO is working with all stakeholders throughout the education sector, taking advantage of leveraging the many positive initiatives throughout the sector in order to improve safety. 

In a previous communication, I outlined efforts that were beginning to take shape regarding a realignment of the prevention system in Ontario and, in particular, the complete overhaul of the prevention system structure.  I would like to provide you with an update. 

A system review was completed in 2008 and evaluated with the leadership of the WSIB and the Occupational Health and Safety Council of Ontario (OHSCO), which is represented by the Health and Safety Associations, the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers, the Workers’ Centre, and the Ministry of Labour. The review identified four key areas, including:

1.  Insufficient resources at the frontline

2.  A lack of coordinated use of current resources

3.  Disproportionate services and outcomes, and

4.  A delay in responding to changes in customer needs

In response to these challenges, a new model was put forward, designed to maximize the system-wide potential to reduce fatalities, injuries and illnesses through:

a) increased frontline services and the use of the volunteer system

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New Pricing for Basic Certification Part I

On January 1st, member pricing on Basic Certification Part I was increased to $225 to accommodate increased costs associated with the presentation of this program.  All other prices remain unchanged at this time. ESAO continues its commitment to delivering outstanding customer service, consultation, and training during the coming year. We look forward to continuing to work closely with all our valued clients.

Winter Driving

There are a few issues to consider when it comes to driving in the winter. The pavement and rubber are not at the ideal temperatures for good traction and there is always the possibility of sliding on snow and ice. Without winter tires, our stopping distance increases significantly. Other concerns may include unclear windows (e.g. windows that are foggy, icy, or covered in snow), brake lights hidden by snow, the possibility of ice falling from another vehicle or structure, and highway spray.

Often, when driving in the dark and in inclement weather conditions, we forget about the pedestrian, bundled up in a dark coat, possibility with a hood that muffles oncoming traffic and obstructs the person’s vision. High snow banks can conceal cars and pedestrians.

Finally, the speed at which we travel must be adjusted, as it’s important to remember that speed signs indicate a safe speed of travel under ideal weather conditions.

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Your Workplace Accident / Injury Prevention Plan

Guest Column by Tim Lauzon, I. H., Health & Safety Officer, GECDSB

The Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB) has developed and implements an accident/injury prevention plan on an annual basis. These annual plans have commenced in the 2006-2007 academic year and are carried out in addition to our Board’s existing Health & Safety Management Program. 

Our annual prevention plan is our continued effort to further educate and promote health and safety and to prevent accidents and injuries within our Board.

The fundamental element of our plan entails the ongoing review and monitoring of a number of processes and policies, such as:

1.         Our previous and current WSIB accident/injury stats and trends

2.         Our existing health and safety programs and required updates

3.         Legislative changes/updates

4.         Implementation of tools (new and old), such as step ladders

5.         Implementation of personal protective equipment (new and old), such as safety glasses for custodians

6.         Training requirements (new and old)

7.         Promotion of health and safety awareness

8.         Consultation with all applicable parties

This academic year, we have created the Think Campaign as an awareness tool for health and safety accident/injury prevention. 

Our Think Campaign provides awareness to all our staff on the most frequent health and safety accidents/injuries at our Board.  The campaign includes six posters (high and low resolutions are available for download below)      

low resolution 1.05 MB      high resolution 5 MB

 We look forward to presenting this program and our accident/injury prevention plan at the May 2009 ESAO Conference.

Sponsorship Program at this Year's Conference

ESAO's Annual Health and Safety Conference Update

The Education Safety Association of Ontario (ESAO) will hold its 9^th annual health and safety Conference from May 26^th to May 28^th at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel. This year’s event, Create, Innovate, and Celebrate: Lead the Way in Health and Safety, features an exciting lineup of inspiring and entertaining keynote speakers. This year’s speakers are Carl Hiebert, an award-winning motivational speaker, and Susan Stewart, a stand-up comic, human resources professional and inspirational speaker. On Wednesday, May 27^th, ESAO will host a Client Recognition Banquet, during which James Cunningham, a stand-up comedian, will provide the evening’s entertainment.

In addition to many topical education sessions, three panel discussions will be held, with thought-provoking discussions during which delegates will have a chance to pose questions to members of the panels. The panels will be on the topics of Violence in the Workplace, Young Worker/Co-Op, and Return to Work.  

Delegates are invited to visit the trade show booths during breaks, as well as at lunch. The trade show exhibitors will provide the delegates with information on relevant products and services.

For those who wish to learn more about their health and wellness, this year, a wellness clinic will be held at the Conference. Delegates are welcome to visit the clinic at their convenience.

For more information on this year’s Conference, and to register, please visit www.esao.on.ca or call 416-250-8005 (1-877-732-3726). If contacting ESAO by phone, please press 1 to dial by department, and then press 1 again to speak with Client Services.

If you wish to become involved in the upcoming annual ESAO Conference, you may be interested in sponsoring this year’s event. Sponsors of the 2009 ESAO Conference and trade show would not only have an opportunity to showcase their products and services at this great event, but would also demonstrate to the education sector of Ontario their commitment  to workplace health and safety practices and procedures. Sponsors will be able to position themselves strategically with senior management personnel within the sector.

For more information on sponsorship, and the additional benefits available, please contact Neil Dalhouse, ESAO Conference Coordinator, at 416-712-4242. A complete sponsorship package will also be sent to you at your request.

Safe at Work - Ontario

McGuinty Government's New Plan to Build on Success

Understanding Workplace Electrical Safety

Ontario has achieved a 20 per cent reduction in the annual rate of workplace injuries.  To build on this success, the province has launched a new four-year plan: Safe at Work Ontario. The new strategic plan will emphasize both the safety of workers and the increased productivity that safe workplaces contribute to Ontario's economy.

The goal of the plan is to enforce the Occupational Health and Safety Act while educating workers about the importance of workplace safety and lessening the burden on the health care system. To achieve this, inspectors will work with employers to develop a stronger health and safety culture.

For additional information on the four-year plan, please visit

http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/sawo/index.html  

One of the most common misconceptions in workplaces stems from differences in terminology. Canada’s first Workplace Electrical Safety Standard (Canadian Standards Association - CSA Z462) focuses strictly on ‘arc flash,’ while the new standard also includes a guideline on electrical shock. The CSA standard is more comprehensive and far-reaching, representing a broad cultural shift in workplace electrical safety.

It is important that workplace electrical safety be treated with the same respect as other health and safety hazards, such as fall arrest and confined space entry.  From these guidelines, an electrical safety program may be developed and could become a component of the institution’s health and safety program. It is not just about issuing personal protective equipment, but also providing training or conducting an arc flash hazard assessment. 

To help review the basics of arc flash safety, we spoke with Len Cicero, the founder of LENCO Training & Technical Services.

Question #1: Can a CSA standard be enforced as legislation by the Ministry of Labour?

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please e-mail Katia Grodecki at kgrodecki@esao.on.ca