On May 17, 2023, Ontario announced changes to the training requirements for working at heights. The province has updated both the program and provider standards for mandatory working at heights training, noting that falling from heights is one of the leading causes of workplace fatality in a number of industries including construction. Currently, workers on…
Practice Area: Workplace Safety & Insurance
Ontario Introduces Bill 91, Less Red Tape, Stronger Economy Act, 2023 and Announces Additional Amendments to Reduce Red Tape
On April 3, 2023, the Ontario government announced a range of measures related to pensions and employment (amongst other matters) in the province. On the same day, the government introduced Bill 91, Less Red Tape, Stronger Economy Act, 2023 (Bill 91) to implement some of those measures. Bill 91 and the additional measures are of…
Ontario Issues Regulations for New Requirements for Construction Sites
On March 15, 2023, Ontario announced proposed changes to jobsite requirements in the construction sector. On March 29, the government filed proposed regulatory changes to amend the Construction Projects Regulation (the Regulation) under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The proposed regulatory changes will amend section 21 of the Regulation, which addresses protective clothing, equipment…
Ontario Expanding Presumptive Cancer Coverage for Firefighters to include Thyroid and Pancreatic Cancers
The Ontario government has announced it will be introducing regulatory amendments to expand the presumptive cancer coverage for firefighters to include thyroid and pancreatic cancers. This expanded coverage will be retroactive to January 1, 1960 and will be applicable to full-time, volunteer and part-time firefighters, firefighters employed by First Nations band councils, and fire investigators….
WSIB Publishes Draft Communicable Illnesses Policy for Consultation
The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) has published a Draft Communicable Illnesses Policy (Draft Policy) for consultation. As stated by the WSIB, the WSIB has adjudicated tens of thousands of COVID-19 claims since the onset of the pandemic. Drawing from its history of adjudicating communicable diseases and the recent COVID-19 claims’ experience, the WSIB…
Successfully overturned initial entitlement based on the argument that there was no accident or injury arising out of and in the course of the worker’s employment.
Successfully overturned initial entitlement based on the argument that there was no accident or injury arising out of and in the course of the worker’s employment.
Successfully argued for the removal of claim costs from the employer’s experience rating due to third-party negligence in a motor vehicle accident.
Successfully argued for the removal of claim costs from the employer’s experience rating due to third-party negligence in a motor vehicle accident.
Successfully argued at the WSIAT that an employer’s offer of modified duties to be performed at home was safe and suitable, and therefore loss of earnings benefits for the worker were not in order.
Successfully argued at the WSIAT that an employer’s offer of modified duties to be performed at home was safe and suitable, and therefore loss of earnings benefits for the worker were not in order.
Obtained 75% SIEF cost relief at a WSIAT appeal for a back injury, based on a pre-accident disability which contributed to the worker’s injury.
Obtained 75% SIEF cost relief at a WSIAT appeal for a back injury, based on a pre-accident disability which contributed to the worker’s injury.
Successfully argued that the employer was not in breach of their re-employment obligation upon the termination of a worker, and successfully argued that the worker was not entitled to loss of earnings benefits post-termination.
Successfully argued that the employer was not in breach of their re-employment obligation upon the termination of a worker, and successfully argued that the worker was not entitled to loss of earnings benefits post-termination.