On March 3, 2011, the Ontario government introduced Bill 160, the Occupational Health and Safety Statute Law Amendment Act, 2011 (“Bill 160”). The proposed Bill 160 amendments, which are intended to respond to the recommendations provided by the Expert Panel on Occupational Health and Safety, would significantly amend the Occupational Health and Safety Act (“OHSA“)….
Practice Area: Occupational Health
Occupational Health and Safety Legislation Introduced
On March 3, 2011, the Ontario government introduced Bill 160, the Occupational Health and Safety Statute Law Amendment Act, 2011 (PDF). The proposed Bill 160 amendments, which are intended to respond to the recommendations provided by the Expert Panel on Occupational Health and Safety, would significantly amend the Occupational Health and Safety Act (“OHSA”), by:…
2011 Winter Issue
FOCUS ON MUNICIPAL Municipal miracles – doing more with less LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS Attendance management and innocent absenteeism Child-related responsibilities and family status protection PROFILE From farm to firm Download PDF
Expert Panel Tables Recommendations To Improve Health and Safety
On December 16, 2010, the Expert Advisory Panel on Occupational Health and Safety tabled its Report and Recommendations to the Minister of Labour (“Report”) on ways to improve workplace health and safety in Ontario. As recommended by the Report, the government announced the creation of a Chief Prevention Officer position, which will be tasked with…
New OHSA Regulations Filed
On December 6, 2010, the Ontario government filed a number of regulatory amendments under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, including: O. Reg. 480/10 (Firefighters—Protective Equipment), amending O. Reg. 714/94 in respect of protective garment standards for firefighters performing interior structural fire suppression duties; and O. Reg. 479/10 (Designated Substance—Asbestos on Construction Projects and in…
Planning For a Safe Holiday Office Party
It is that time of year again when employers are planning their holiday festivities. Whether the festivity is large or small, it remains as important as ever that employers take proactive steps to ensure the health and safety of their employees who attend office parties or other celebrations. Over the years, a number of court…
WSIB temporary indexing factor of 0.5% extended to 2011 and 2012
On November 1, 2010, the Ontario government published O. Reg. 405/10, made under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997. The regulation amends O. Reg. 454/09, which established, for the purposes of subsections 51(5) and 52(1.3) of the Act, a temporary indexing factor of 0.5% for the year 2010. O.Reg. 405/10 extends the application of…
New OHSA Regulations Filed
On November 5, 2010, the Ontario government filed a number of regulatory amendments under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, including: O. Reg. 419/10, amending Table 1 of Regulation 833 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (Control of Exposure to Biological or Chemical Agents); and O. Reg. 420/10, amending Regulation 851 (Industrial Establishments). The…
WSIB Releases Work Reintegration Policies for Consultation
The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board has released interim Work Reintegration policies and a draft Work Reintegration NEER policy for stakeholder consultation. Stakeholders can submit their responses in writing until February 15, 2011. The interim Work Reintegration policies integrate Early and Safe Return to Work, Re-Employment and Labour Market Re-entry and are to become effective…
Ontario’s Good Government Bill Referred to Committee
On November 4, 2010, Bill 110, the Good Government Act, carried at Second Reading and was referred to the Standing Committee on General Government. As previously reported, Bill 110 is omnibus legislation that would, if passed, make a number of amendments to various Acts, including several employment-related statutes.