Are You Exposed? How Contractors and Suppliers Can Affect Your Business

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Super

Did you know that when you contract with an external company or self employed person to conduct work on your premises and you direct their work, then you become a “Contractor” under The Manitoba Workplace Safety & Health Act?

THIS DOES NOT MEAN that you take over the responsibilities of the contracted employer.

IT DOES MEAN that you are responsible for managing the safety and health risks that you can control.

This includes implementing a system to ensure effective management of the safety and health risks associated with the work the contractor will be doing.

If the safety practices of your contracted or self employed workers are substandard, you could be taking on business risk in more ways than just “an accident”. Your risks may also include third party liability, business interruption and more. In addition you could be held partially or entirely responsible under Workplace Safety and Health Legislation for allowing “a hazard” into your workplace.

Join us for a FREE Webinar to learn about simple ways you can limit your risk when hiring contracted and self employed workers.

Join us for a FREE Webinar:

ARE YOU EXPOSED? How Suppliers and Contractors Can Affect Your Business

Date: Wednesday, May 30 at 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM CDT
Guest Experts: Kevin Neiles, President Ranger Insurance, Theo Kowalchuk, President, 1 Life Workplace Safety & Health Ltd.
Register: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/950718352

Contact mySafetyAssistant today for assistance in implementing or simplifying your own Safety Management System and gain access to valuable safety resources that will save you TIME and MONEY.

Posted in COR Certification Manitoba, Compliance, Contractor Liability, Contractor Management, Safety Management Systems, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Is Hiring a Summer Student a Liability?

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Super

The temperatures are rising and summer is finally approaching!  As classes wind down, many students and seasonal workers will be heading back into the workforce.

If you are an employer looking to hire summer students for seasonal work, remember to implement effective Workplace Safety and Health orientation training to reduce the chances of injury, property damage or business interruption.  In 2007, 18% of all injury claims submitted to the Workers’ Compensation Board of Manitoba (WCB) were from workers between the ages of 15 to 24.

Ensure that new workers are given the proper amount of support and training so they are adequately prepared and comfortable with the tasks they are responsible for.  Remember that Employers have a duty under Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health legislation to ensure that:

  • workers are provided with competent supervision
  • Safe Work Procedures are developed in writing with the consultation of workers
  • Workers are trained in the Safe Work Procedures in a manner that ensures that they can apply the training provided

For resources on providing training, supervision and Safe Work Procedures for summer students and seasonal workers, contact mySafetyAssistant today to speak with a safety professional.

Posted in Safety Consultants Manitoba, Safety Program Manitoba, WCB Costs | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Don’t Make These Mistakes!

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Super

With reverse onus on employers when a worker is injured, Workplace Health and Safety is an important area of risk management for all businesses.  In the absence of an effective Safety Management System (also known as a Safety Program), the employers, supervisors and contractors are at risk of Stop Work Orders, heavily fined or even held criminally responsible for incidents resulting in injury or death.

In dealing with many small business owners, we’ve compiled a list of the biggest mistakes an employer can make:

  1. Having a lack of senior management leadership and commitment
  2. Depending on 1 or 2 people to “do safety”
  3. Not delegating responsibility and authority for safety outcomes throughout the organization
  4. Not investing time and resources in good safety training
  5. Citing “the law” or “we’re coving our behinds” as the motivation to implement safety procedures
  6. Not enforcing Workplace Safety and Health policies and rules

Don’t wait until it is too late!  Protect yourself today and avoid impact later. Speak with a mySafetyAssistant safety professional today to learn about how you can mitigate your Workplace Safety related liabilities and ensure your workers return home safely at the end of every work day.

Posted in Compliance, Safety Program Manitoba | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Stay Compliant and Avoid Impact Later

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Super

As Manitoba’s only virtual safety professional, we are committed in providing professional Workplace Safety and Health management tools, resources and training to every business owner in Manitoba. We provide a safety management system that makes it easy for business owners to stay compliant and protected.

We have a database of 500 customizable policies, safe work practices, templates and forms as well as researched and Manitoba-specific safety talks, hazard alerts, signs and posters. Our complete system also offers employee training and record keeping functionality.

Posted in Compliance, Safety Management Systems | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Bill C-45 – Due Diligence or Do Time

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Super

Join us for a FREE WEBINAR April 12, 2012

Bill C-45 came into effect on March 31, 2004 and established criminal liability for corporations and individuals when they fail to take “reasonable steps” to prevent workplace incidents.

According to Section 217.1 of the Criminal Code:

“Every one who undertakes, or has the authority, to direct how another person does work or performs a task is under a legal duty to take reasonable steps to prevent bodily harm to that person, or any other person, arising from that work or task.”

“Reasonable” implies compliance with local Workplace Safety and Health Legislation requirements. These amendments to the criminal code extend legal liability to everyone directing work.   In addition, the employer and company may also be charged for the offence and fined under provincial OH&S legislation.

During the FREE WEBINAR, we’ll cover how the provisions of the criminal code affect corporations and individuals with respect to workplace related incidents, recent charges and convictions and recommended actions to protect your company and your workers.

FACILITATOR: Theo Kowalchuk, CRSP, CHSC, President 1 Life Workplace Safety & Health
Date: Thursday, April 12 at 9AM
Register: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/242687457

Contact mySafetyAssistant today for assistance in implementing your own Safety Management System and gain access to valuable safety resources that will save you TIME and MONEY.

Posted in Bill C-45, Compliance, Workplace Safety Fines | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Real Cost of an Incident

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Super

While incidents (commonly referred to as accidents) are unintentional, many in the workplace can be avoided if a proper Safety Management System is established.  By staying compliant with provincial and national standards, an employer creates standard operating procedures that helps to ensure that all avoidable loss is controlled.  This includes loss to people, property, operational process, stakeholder trust and more.

Did you know? The average fine to an employer convicted of an WSH offence resulting in an amputation is approximately $44,000.

Did you know? Manitoba WSH fines have increased to $250,000 for a first offence, $500,000 for a second offence and 6 months imprisonment

Recent fines for serious incidents have exceeded $100,000 in Manitoba.  No insurance can be purchased for this kind of liability.

In addition to monetary fines, the real impact of an incident lies with the workers who can experience physical pain and rehabilitation, inability to carry on with work, home and community roles, emotional suffering, stress, anger, pain and even depression, a decrease in the quality of life, and health care costs – all of which have a debilitating effect on the individual worker and to workplace morale.

Protect yourself now and avoid the impact later. Contact mySafetyAssistant today to speak with our safety professional or to receive a free consultation for your business.  We’ll help you mitigate your Workplace Safety related risks and liabilities.

Posted in Safety Program Manitoba, WCB Costs, Workplace Safety Fines | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

What is COR?

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Super

CORHaving a Safety Management System (often referred to as a Safety Program) that meets national standards is paramount in importance to the operation of a company.  Far too often, small business owners fail to recognize this fact and as a result of not being compliant, are burdened by fines and losses that otherwise could have been avoided.  COR was created as an occupational health and safety accreditation program that helps companies implement and achieve programs that meet national standards.

COR is national trademarked and endorsed by members of the Canadian Federation of Construction Safety Associations (CFCSA).  COR standing must be requested in the province which the company operates and must be granted by the Authority Having Jurisdiction to grant the COR certification.

Once achieved, COR is valid for 3 years providing the company maintains their eligibility in the program, all training elements and all auditing elements are maintained with a minimum of 50% in each element and 80% in the overall program.

Every company must go through the following steps in order to achieve COR:

  • Completion of 4 training modules
  • Completion of a company safety manual
  • Implementation of a company safety program
  • Audit by company 3 – 6 months after the implementation of the safety program
  • CSAM Audit
  • And an Independent Audit

As well, in the initial year of COR, the submissions of the following audits are required:

  • Company Self-Audit
  • CSAM Internal Audit
  • Independent Audit

COR is now considered an industry base standard as it is frequently used as a pre-qualification and/or a condition of contract by companies in both the private and public sector.  In Manitoba, COR is also endorsed by the Manitoba Labour, Workplace Safety and Health Division as well as the Workers’ Compensation Board of Manitoba (WCB).

We have assistant many companies to successfully achieve COR Certification!  Contact us today to find out how we can help you too….and save you TIME and MONEY with our award winning Virtual Safety Professional that’s specific to Manitoba Legislation: mySafetyAssistant.

Posted in COR Certification Manitoba | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Employer Fined $90,000: The Working Alone Dilemma

Posted on March 30, 2012 by Super

In February 2011, Garda Canada Security Corp pled guilty to a charge of failing to protect a worker who was working alone at an isolated workplace. The company was convicted and fined over $90,000 under the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act.

A female security guard was working alone performing overnight security duties at a Shoppers Drug Mart under construction when she was viciously sexually assaulted by an intruder. The worker had a telephone to contact Garda dispatch; however she received a recorded message when she called in to report the intruder. No one came to her assistance until the police arrived.

Fatality in Lockport Manitoba , September 2009 – John Gregorchuk fell 18 feet while repairing an air conditioning unit on top of a strip mall. The 42-year-old father of four was not found until the next morning when a worker at a gas station next door was asked to look for him by his family.

Join us for a FREE WEBINAR: The Working Alone Dilemma

Topics include:
  • Legislative requirements in Manitoba for workers working alone or in isolation
  • Mandatory requirements of a Working Alone Plan
  • Implications of 2011 changes to the Manitoba WSH Regulation
  • Requirements for risk assessment and appropriate control measures
  • Practical solutions to protect your workers and your business
GUEST EXPERT : Rial Black, General Manager, ProTELEC Alarms, Servo Systems
Date: Wednesday, April 4 at 1 – 2 pm
Register: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/659350552
Posted in COR Certification Manitoba, Working Alone, Workplace Safety Fines | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Don’t Know About WCB Can Hurt You

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Super

Today we’re sharing 3 Top WCB Tips to help you ensure the control of avoidable loss to your business.

1. EMPLOYEES WORKING ON PERSONAL PROJECTS IN YOUR WORKPLACE. Do you ever allow employees to work in your facilities on personal projects on their own time? If so these employees will not likely be covered by the employers WCB Insurance in the event of an incident in the course of performing work on a personal project.

If the employers’ WCB insurance does not apply then the potential consequences to the employer include the risk of the employee or their family suing for damages.

2. EMPLOYING CONTRACTED WORKERS. Did you know that it is the employers responsibility to ensure contracted workers and their employees are covered by workers compensation? If not, WCB coverage may become the employers’ responsibility.

A recent example is a Winnipeg company whose contracted installer fell from a ladder and suffered a serious back injury. Because the contracted worker did not have WCB Insurance, the business owner became liable for the WCB insurance and will bear the cost burden.

3. WCB RATES ARE EFFECTED BY THE FREQUENCY AND DURATION OF CLAIMS. Rather than accepting a vague doctor’s note stating that an employee must be off work for a specified period of time, the employer has the right to request a doctors note that describes the tasks that the employee can and cannot DO. This may allow for an expedited return to work, improved morale for the employee and reduced WCB costs to the employer.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS FROM WCB RELATED RISK:

1. Establish clear policies and procedures for employees working on personal projects on company property.

2. Ensure that contracted and self employed workers are evaluated prior to starting work to ensure that they are registered with WCB and are in good standing. Check on your contractors at http://www.wcb.mb.ca/clearances

3. Establish a formal Return to Work Program to ensure WCB claims are effectively managed to ensure injured workers are returned to work in a fair but expeditious manner. Both employees and your bottom line will benefit.  Contact us for a FREE 60 minute consultation on how you can protect your WCB related risks.

Posted in COR Certification Manitoba, WCB Costs | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Welcome to mySafetyAssistant

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Super

Welcome to the new mySafetyAssistant website.

Over the past couple months we have been working hard to upgrade our website, so that we can continue to provide our clients with their own virtual Safety Professional. We are proud to unveil our new site today, offering Manitoba business owners a simple yet effective management system, tools and resources to control their risks related work workplace safety and health loss and liability.

We are proud to unveil our new site today, which will provide our clients with fantastic guides that will help them avoid workplace injuries that can lead to costly fines.

While our look has changed, our mission stays the same:

  • To make professional workplace safety and health management tools and training affordable to every business owner in Manitoba.
  • To have an impact on sending people home to their families safe and healthy at the end of every workday.
  • To protect business owners from workplace safety and health related loss and liability.

As you have come to expect from mySafetyAssistant, you will continue to be provided with the best information and support available anywhere in the province.

If you are not yet a member of mySafetyAssistant, please surf through some of our offerings, such as our due diligence quiz and be sure to contact us to learn more about how the team of mySafetyAssistant experts can help your company today.

o Over the past couple months we have been working hard to upgrade our website, so that we can continue to provide our clients with their own virtual Safety Professional. We are proud to unveil our new site today, offering Manitoba Business owners a simple yet effective management system, tools and resources to control their risks related work workplace safety and health loss and liability.

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