The Ontario government has proclaimed subsections 1(2), 2(2), 3(2) and 5(1) of Schedule 21 of the Helping Ontario Families and Managing Responsibly Act, 2010, which amends the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997, into force on January 1, 2013. Among other things, the amendments provide for changes to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board’s insurance…
Practice Area: Occupational Health
New WSIB Insurance Fund, Temporary Indexing Regulations Filed
On June 5, 2012, the Ontario government filed O. Reg 141/12 “Insurance Fund,” made under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (“Act”). In part, the regulation requires the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (“WSIB”) to ensure the insurance fund meets the following sufficiency ratios by the following dates: 60 per cent on or before December…
Ontario Government Launches Safety Blitzes
On June 1, 2012, the Ontario government launched a month-long safety blitz targeted at improving the safety of workers at road work and construction sites. Inspectors from the Ministry of Labour will ensure proper traffic control measures are in place when vehicles and large pieces of mobile equipment are on site. Specifically, inspectors will check…
Ontario WSIB Funding Changes Announced on Heels of Arthurs Report
On May 4, 2012, the Ontario government announced that it would file a new regulation under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997, to require the insurance fund of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (“WSIB”) to reach sufficiency of 60 per cent funding in 2017, 80 per cent funding in 2022 and a full…
Bill 160 OHSA Amendments Coming Into Force
The Ontario government has proclaimed that effective April 1, 2012, certain amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (the “Act”) outlined in Bill 160, the Occupational Health and Safety Statute Law Amendment Act, 2011, will come into force. These include: amendments to s. 50 of the Act that allow an inspector to refer a…
New Education Act Amendments Introduced Relating to Concussions
On March 6, 2012, the Ontario government introduced Bill 39, Education Amendment Act (Concussions), 2012, new legislation that would, if passed, amend Part XIII.1 of the Education Act, and empower the Minister of Education to set policies and guidelines respecting head injuries and concussions suffered by pupils. We highlight a few key proposed amendments below….
MOL Safety Blitz Targets High-Risk Construction Trades
The Ontario government has announced that effective March 1, 2012, Ministry of Labour inspectors are targeting high-risk construction trades in a month-long safety blitz intended to protect workers from preventable workplace injuries. Inspectors will visit construction projects employing workers in high-rise formwork, low-rise formwork and masonry, siding and built-up roofing work, and specifically check that:…
William LeMay Interviewed on Business News Network
Hicks Morley’s William LeMay discusses the importance of employer proactiveness when it comes to mental health awareness and support. Watch the interview.
2012 Winter Edition
FOCUS ON OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY Boundaries expanding on occupational health and safety LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS The challenges of accommodating environmental sensitivities in the workplace Ontario WSIB: Tackling unfunded liability issues PROFILE Touching all the bases Download PDF
Hicks Morley Named in 2012 Lexpert®/American Lawyer Guide
Hicks Morley is pleased to announce it has been ranked as the leading law firm in the Labor Relations and Pensions category according to the 2012 Lexpert®/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada. Practice groups included in this category are Employment Law, Labour Relations (Construction Sector), Occupational Health & Safety, Pensions &…