Yes. Under Section 141.1 of the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, any person who hires a contractor to perform construction work must ensure that the contactor has registered with the WSIB and paid its premiums. Getting the contractor to produce a valid and current WSIB Clearance Certificate is acceptable proof that the contractor is compliant and all paid up.
Exception: You don’t need a Clearance Certificate from contractors who perform what’s known as “exempt home renovation work,” which is defined (Sec. 10) as construction work that performed by:
(a) by an independent operator, a sole proprietor, a partner in a partnership or an executive officer of a corporation, and
(b) on an existing private residence that is occupied or to be occupied by the person who directly retains the independent operator, sole proprietor, partnership or corporation, or by a member of the person’s family.
Painters and snow removal contractors would NOT qualify for the exemption because they’re doing work at your business–unless, of course, you do your business from your home, which is a private residence.
Hope that answers your Q and thanks for asking it. Glenn
