An article by Hicks Morley’s Thomas Agnew was published in the Labour and Employment Law section of the OBA’s June 2011 newsletter. In an article entitled, “Expanding the Definition of Employment Under Health and Safety Legislation” Thomas discusses the Ontario Court of Appeal’s recent decision to encompass independent contractors within the definition of “employment” under…
Practice Area: Occupational Health
Nadine Zacks Quoted in Law Times
Hicks Morley’s Nadine Zacks was quoted in the June 13, 2011 edition of Law Times in an article entitled “Safety Ruling Turns Heads.” In the article, Nadine comments on the Divisional Court’s recent decision that will require employers to report a critical injury or fatality suffered by a non-worker in the “workplace” to the Ministry…
Bill 160 OHSA Amendments Receive Royal Assent
On June 1, 2011, Bill 160, the Occupational Health and Safety Statute Law Amendment Act, 2011, received Royal Assent. As previously reported, the Bill 160 amendments are intended to respond to the recommendations provided by the Expert Panel on Occupational Health and Safety and significantly amend the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The Bill should…
Blue Mountain Required to Report Non-Worker Injury
A recent decision of the Divisional Court confirms that employers and contractors are required to report a critical injury or fatality suffered by a non-worker in the “workplace” to the Ministry of Labour, regardless of whether workers were present at the time of the occurrence. In this FTR Now we consider this decision and what…
Occupational Health and Safety Legislation Passes
On May 18, 2011, Bill 160, the Occupational Health and Safety Statute Law Amendment Act, 2011, passed at Third Reading, as amended by the Standing Committee on Social Policy. It is expected to receive Royal Assent shortly. As previously reported, the proposed Bill 160 amendments are intended to respond to the recommendations provided by the…
Occupational Health and Safety Legislation Ordered for Third Reading
On May 4, 2011, Bill 160, the Occupational Health and Safety Statute Law Amendment Act, 2011, was reported with amendments by the Standing Committee on Social Policy and ordered for Third Reading. As previously reported, the proposed Bill 160 amendments are intended to respond to the recommendations provided by the Expert Panel on Occupational Health…
Ontario Announces Safety Blitz Focusing On Young Workers
On April 27, 2011, the Ontario government announced that it will launch a safety blitz on May 1 intended to protect young workers by ensuring that employers are complying with regulations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. In part, the initiative will focus on whether young workers are: being instructed, trained and supervised on…
Consolidated “Confined Spaces” OHSA Regulation Filed
On March 29, 2011, the Ontario government filed amendments to Regulation 632/05 (Confined Spaces) that come into force on July 1, 2011. O. Reg. 95/11 will effectively consolidate regulatory requirements relating to confined spaces from various other regulations into the existing Regulation 632/05, including those applicable to industrial establishments, construction projects, healthcare and residential facilities…
Occupational Health and Safety Legislation Passes Second Reading
On March 29, 2011, Bill 160, the Occupational Health and Safety Statute Law Amendment Act, 2011 passed second reading and was ordered referred to the Standing Committee on Social Policy. As previously reported, the proposed Bill 160 amendments are intended to respond to the recommendations provided by the Expert Panel on Occupational Health and Safety…
Ontario to Amend Occupational Health and Safety Legislation
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“)….