Arbitrator Finds Three-Dose Mandatory Vaccination Requirement Reasonable In Long-Term Care Homes
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 […]
Favorite
Federal Government Launches New Greenhouse Gas Offset Credits System
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 8, […]
Favorite
OK to Use Surveillance Tape to Prove Worker Faked Her Injuries
An avionics installation worker got fired for faking the injuries she supposedly suffered as a result of slipping on black ice in the company parking lot. Exhibit A was the […]
Favorite
Arbitrator Upholds Mandatory 3-Dose Vaccination Policy
Having lost its case against the previous 2-dose mandatory COVID vaccination policy, the union challenged the new 3-dose policy that the long-term care homes operator unilaterally implemented in response to […]
Favorite
Arbitrator Shouldn’t Have Upheld Random Drug Testing Policy
An airport required safety-sensitive workers to submit to random drug and alcohol testing. The union filed a grievance but the arbitrator rejected it. But the Ontario appeals court said the […]
Favorite
Recycling Company Fined $125,000 for Machine Fatality
A recycling company worker got killed while removing a bin of waste materials to be carted away. MOL inspectors determined that the mechanical safety devices designed to keep the bin […]
Favorite
Worker Accused of Sexual Assault Can’t Sue Accuser for Defamation
A Canada Post worker accused a fellow letter carrier of sexual harassment and assault. After an internal investigation, a union disciplinary panel dismissed the charges. But the battle was far […]
Favorite
Union Loses Bid to Overturn Mandatory Vaccination Policy for Lack of Notice
Sec. 54 of the Labour Relations Code requires employers to give at least 60 days’ notice before introducing a policy “that affects the terms, conditions or security of employment” of […]
Favorite
Disabling Braking Device Is Just Cause to Fire Transit Worker
A rapid transit worker with 8 years of service and no disciplinary record was fired for disabling a safety braking device called a deadman switch. The union claimed the discipline […]
Favorite
Home Improvement Center Fined $330K for Repeat Storage Rack Violations
A WorkSafeBC inspector issued a stop-use order for a storage rack after noticing visible damage to its cross-bracing and vertical members. He also cited the home improvement center operator for […]
Favorite
Auto Technician Wasn’t Fired for Complaining about Indoor Smoking
An automotive technician repeatedly complained to his employer about the smoking taking place in the repair shop. But his complaints went unheeded and the technician felt he had to quit […]
Favorite
Minor Chemical Spill Isn’t Serious Enough to Justify Post-Incident Drug Testing
A worker had to undergo post-incident testing after a chemical spill in the bed of the truck she was driving caused some minor equipment damage. The test came back positive […]
Favorite
When Is a Worker Guilty of an OHS Violation?
Workers have not only OHS rights but also OHS duties. Under the Internal Responsibility System (IRS) theory on which Canadian OHS laws are based, all persons that have a stake in […]
Favorite
How Truck Drivers Can Stay Safe on the Long Haul
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 […]
Favorite
New OHS Work Refusal Reassignment Laws Take Effect in BC
Responding to work refusals in BC just got trickier. While the right to refuse dangerous work is an essential safety protection, it can also be highly disruptive. Responding to a work […]
Favorite
Reassigning Work Subject to an OHS Work Refusal – Know The Laws of Your Province
Most jurisdictions require a written response within 30 days of receiving a JHSC recommendation. Workers’ rights to refuse dangerous work would be meaningless if employers could just simply reassign refused work […]
Favorite
Work Refusal Notification Form
You’re not allowed to assign somebody to perform work that’s currently subject to another worker’s work refusal unless and until you notify the worker to whom you propose to assign […]
Favorite
Preventing Back Injuries with Ergonomics – At Home & At Work
Date: Oct 5, 2022 Time: 9:00AM-10:30AM (PST) Speaker: Rachel Mitchell, R.Kin., CCPE, Manager Ergonomics Services ERGO Inc. Low back pain is a common issue that most people experience at some point in their lives, with an increased […]
Favorite
Rigging for Turn Arounds & Shut Downs
Date: September 28, 2022 Time: 9:00AM-10:30AM (PT) Speaker: Tony Ragusa, Cranemasters On plant shutdowns, it is common for riggers to move loads in areas where there is restrictive movement and space. It is in situations like these […]
Favorite
Keeping Virtual Workers Safe & Healthy with Ergonomics
Many organizations have welcomed employees back to the office while incorporating a hybrid working model so that employees can work virtually from home a couple of days per week. Employers […]
Favorite
ISO 9001 – Lessons from the Trenches
Date: September 7, 2022 Time: 9:00 AM-10:30 AM PDT Speaker: Daniel Clark, Clark Health and Safety Ltd. Webinar Details Themes – ISO 9001 is so widely implemented that, by design, it applies to any kind of organization. This […]
Favorite
AEDs in the Workplace – Compliance Game Plan
Workplace AED programs are highly recommended everywhere and will soon be mandatory in Ontario. Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is the second leading cause of death in Canada, taking more lives than […]
Favorite
Ergonomics Risk Reduction Strategies In Healthcare
Working in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other healthcare environments can place high physical demands on workers. This work often requires manual handling, forceful exertions, and awkward postures, typically over […]
Favorite
AEDs Re-Stocking Form
It’s important to replace AED equipment immediately after each use so that the device is ready for effective use without delay. Here’s a form you can adapt to ensure effective […]
Favorite
AEDs Post-Incident Cleaning Protocol
It’s important to clean the AED and replace the pads and other equipment immediately after each use so that the device is ready for effective use without delay. Here’s a […]
Favorite
AEDs Incident Report Form
Record of AED Use & First Aid Rendered Here’s a form, which comes from the Canadian Red Cross, that you should complete any time you use your AED in a first […]
Favorite
AEDs in the Workplace – Know the Laws of Your Province
Ontario has passed mandatory workplace AEDs legislation but it hasn’t yet taken effect. In addition to their life savings potential, Automated External Defribrillators (AEDs) are fairly inexpensive, easy to use and […]
Favorite
AEDs in Workplace Policy
Sudden cardiac arrest is the second leading cause of death in Canada. While not required by laws (although that could change soon in Ontario), implementing a workplace automated external defibrillator […]
Favorite
Climate Change And Working Conditions: Could Your Employer Be Responsible For Providing You An Air Conditioner?
980CKNW The Jas Johal Show Geoff Mason is a guest on 980CKNW's The Jas Johal Show discussing how climate change is impacting the workplace and whether employers are legally contracted to provide their employees […]
Favorite
Ontario Company Fined $125K For COVID-19 Outbreak And Fatality
In a significant first, an employer in Ontario has been prosecuted for a COVID-19 related death. On June 6, 2022, Scotlynn Sweetpac Growers Inc. ("Scotlynn") pleaded guilty and was convicted of […]
Favorite