The price of environmental violations may soon be going up in Ontario. Like just about all other costs, the price of committing environmental offences in Ontario is about to
Increasingly, employers are faced with the challenging task of responding to a wide range of complaints in the workplace. When made aware of a workplace complaint, it is crucial that
Many employees use laptop computers due to their portability and convenience. Staff can take their laptops to meetings, on the road, and back to their home office. Unfortunately, the laptop’s
Following industry standards can help a company comply with OHS requirements for material handling that are broadly written and don’t provide specifics. For example, it could be reasonable to follow
OHS violations can happen even when you try hard to comply. But at least the due diligence defence is there to bail you out. As long as you exercise
You won’t be held liable for violating an OHS law if you can show that you used due diligence, that is, took all reasonable steps to comply with the
It depends on whether the worker’s violation was reasonably foreseeable. Lack of machine guarding is a common cause of serious workplace injuries and OHS penalties. But what if companies do
Investing $100 in mental wellness may return $1,800 in productivity enhancements. Employer healthcare plans have traditionally been reactive. Coverage kicked in only if and when the employee required medical care.
In December 2022, the Alberta Government introduced legislation which will amend Alberta's Occupational Health and Safety Code (the "Code") effective March 31, 2023 (the "Amendment Regulation"). The changes brought by the Amendment Regulation will
Company vehicle fleets would have to be 100% electric or hybrid by 2035. On December 21, 2022, the federal government proposed ambitious new regulations to promote the sales of
Accommodating workers’ mental health disabilities is a legal, moral and business imperative. In any given week, at least 500,000 Canadians are unable to work due to mental health problems. And
Workplace bullying and harassment is a significant issue for employers in British Columbia. In 2021 alone, WorkSafeBC received 3400 inquiries related to workplace bullying. The organization also noted that most employers did
A solid understanding of both the fundamentals, and the nuances, of legal privilege is key to legal practice. The client's right to privilege underscores long-standing values of the importance of
Due diligence defences worked in only 3 of 18 OHS cases in 2022. EMPLOYER WINS ON DUE DILIGENCE (3 cases) Ontario: Failure to Furnish Cold Water Protective Devices Not Unreasonable
The 6 things BC companies need to know about Bill 41, including the new re-employment duties. BC just passed workers comp reform legislation that will have a significant impact on
The year in due diligence and the practical lessons for your own OHS program. Are you doing everything necessary to comply with the OHS laws of your jurisdiction? While
It depends, in part, on whether it was reasonable to rely on the bad advice. Because environmental regulations are so complex, it’s not uncommon for companies to ask government
How to ensure worker safety and manage liability risks during the winter. Cold weather, ice and snow creates a number of safety and liability management challenges for OHS coordinators. Ensuring
There’s another side of due diligence that can protect your company against OHS liability. As an OHS coordinator, you probably know what “due diligence” is. You probably also know that
PPE turnover ratio, or fixed asset turnover, tells you how many dollars of sales your company receives for each dollar invested in property, plant, and equipment (PPE). How to calculate PPE turnover depends on all three of these assets. In other
Carbon pricing system changes will take effect in Ontario in 2023. Ontario officially launched its Emissions Performance Standards (EPS) Program on January 1, 2022. On August 26, the Ministry
You can’t just make a different worker do a job that another worker has refused While workers’ right to refuse dangerous work is an essential safety protection, it can
No, if the resulting illness is covered by workers comp. Once upon a time, the only real legal option for workers who got hurt on the job was to sue
Every workplace has hazards that pose potential threats to workers. Construction sites, for example, regularly expose workers to high elevations, heavy machinery, and dangerous construction materials, putting workers at risk
In Regional Municipality of York v Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 905 (Long Term Care Unit), Arbitrator Stephen Raymond found that a mandatory vaccination policy (Policy) which required long-term care
Companies can earn credits toward compliance with GHG emissions reduction targets. After years of preparation, the federal government finally launched the Canadian Greenhouse Gas Offset Credit System Regulations on June
Various regulatory bodies and different jurisdictions makes it challenging to remain in compliance while transporting dangerous goods. It's been said that no matter what you do for work, the most
Identifying a confined space sounds simple, but there is no single, simple definition of what constitutes a confined space. Confined space safety can be complicated. There are a lot of variables
Thoroughly vetting vendors isn't just a necessary precaution - it's a way to minimize your chances of being affected by supply chain disruptions. Your vendors and suppliers aren't simply companies
Driving a truck can be a long haul - both literally and figuratively. The demands of the industry mean that American truckers work an average of 60 hours per week
