ARE YOU A HIGH OPPORTUNITY COMPANY?
SAFETY FOR AUTO REPAIR
THE MINISTRY OF LABOUR LAUNCHES ITS "NEW AND YOUNG WORKER BLITZ"
AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY GROUP APPROVED BY WSIB
AIR BAGS AND FIRST RESPONDER SAFETY
EMPLOYER ALERT FROM LABOUR MINISTRY- HI PRESSURE TATICS TO...
WSIB WARNS AGAINST BUYING ITS POSTERS FROM 3RD PARTIES
ONTARIO COLLISION REPAIRERS GET LOWER WSIB PREMIUMS AGAIN
APPEAL ON ASSESSMENT FOR VEHICLE SALES AND SERVICE SHOPS AT...
ISOCYANATES AND OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA
HOW YOUR SHOP CAN SAVE $500 DOLLARS
NEW WHMIS TRAINING AVAILABLE

 

Are You A High Opportunity Company?

How to prepare for the new MOL-WSIB health and safety campaign

In the next few months, 11,000 service sector workplaces with room for improvement in their health and safety performance, will be approached by one of Ontario's three prevention partners: the Ontario Service Safety Alliance (OSSA), Ministry of Labour (MOL), or Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB).

The outreach program was launched in April 2008, and replaces the MOL High Risk and Last Chance initiatives with a single, combined program, using new criteria. It is a five-year program intended to help the WSIB and MOL meet an aggressive goal called the "Road to Zero": to reduce lost-time injuries by 35 per cent over the next five years.

Hope for the carrot

If you're one of the 11,000 firms identified as "high opportunity," you want to hope you're one of the lucky ones whose letter comes from your designated health and safety association, the OSSA. This means you're being offered a "carrot"-an opportunity to work voluntarily and collaboratively with OSSA professionals to build on the positive things you may already be doing to drive down injury rates at your firm. Take advantage of this invitation to fine-tune your health and safety system, and avoid reappearing on the list next year.

Prepare for the stick

If, however, your visit or letter comes from the MOL or WSIB, it means you could be facing MOL orders or a Workwell audit. If inspectors have already arrived at your door, the two most important things you can do are cooperate fully, and don't procrastinate. Orders often have short deadlines, so invest whatever time and money is required to implement your fix, fast. See "Don't walk this road alone," below.

Avoid surprises

If you suspect you might be identified as high opportunity, but haven't yet been contacted, be prepared by being informed. Here's how the initiative works:

•  The MOL and WSIB assessed all 200,000 of the active firms registered with the WSIB prior to 2006, comparing each firm's health and safety data with its predominant rate group; 37,000 firms were selected to receive assistance with their health and safety program, 11,000 of them in the service sector.

•  The criteria for selection uses WSIB data and rate groups that firms are already familiar with, so you can understand exactly how you are doing and why you have been approached; for example:

•  Overall injury and illness performance (as per lost-time and no-lost-time injury rates; claim costs; and growth in insurable earnings) in 2006;

•  A traumatic fatality in 2005 or 2006;

•  A record of safety incidents that is higher than that of the firm's peer group;

•  An escalation of safety incidents year over year;

•  Claims associated with one or more of the four priority hazard areas.

Don't walk this road alone

OSSA is your WSIB-approved provider of health and safety solutions. OSSA consultants have the experience and expertise you need to get out of trouble, and more important, help you build a durable health and safety culture in your organization. Ask for these OSSA interventions:

•  Compliance checklist: it will walk you through the regulations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

•  Professional review of your Joint Health & Safety Committee; health and safety policy and program; hazards; and orientation training. Find out what MOL inspectors typically look for.

•  Practice Workwell Audit: be prepared by voluntarily stepping through the process.

•  Customized recovery plan for your firm.

•  Health and safety compliance training.

Do it your way

The best part about being proactive? You implement a health and safety program that prevents injuries, saves lives and reduces your costs-and you do it at your pace, on your terms, and bearing your brand. That's not all. By helping to drive down injury rates and costs across our industry, you'll be contributing to lower WSIB premiums and a happier, more productive workforce across the province.

If you have questions or need help, call the OSSA at 1-888-478-6772 or e-mail info@ossa.com .

(See Headlines)



Got young workers?
Expect a visit from the MOL

The Ministry of Labour launches its 'New and Young Worker Blitz'

Like most service sector businesses, the onset of summer means the hiring of new workers at your establishment. Some of these new workers might be temporary while others continue to work beyond the season. Whatever the tenure, if most of your new workers are also young workers then you'd do well to know what might be coming by way of Ministry of Labour (MOL) enforcement.

What the blitz is all about

The MOL will very soon be implementing a program it calls 'New and Young Worker Blitz'. The program that will commence as early as June 2008 has identified the service sector as one of the major priority areas because of the large numbers of young workers employed by the sector.

MOL Inspectors will visit establishments known to employ young workers over the next month and will focus on ensuring that Health and Safety Representatives or Joint Health and Safety Committees are not only in place but also functioning effectively. Potential hazard areas like ergonomics, material handling, machinery, electrical contact, slips and falls, working along, violence and other workplace-specific hazards would be under special scrutiny.

Why is the MOL focusing on young workers?

Statistics on young workers released by the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board are quite stark - young workers are 24% more likely to be injured on the job than other groups, particularly during the first few days of employment.

Young workers are a priority for the MOL because they -

     •  are often unable to recognize hazards

     •  tend not to ask questions for fear of being considered "stupid"

     •  are easier to train and eager to work

  • may not know about their workplace rights and responsibilities

Prepare. Act.

MOL inspectors made 24,356 field visits and issued 47,287 orders to service sector firms from April 2006 to March 2007. Your firm could very well be one of those that will be approached this year. Be aware that as an employer or supervisor it is your legal responsibility to ensure that your workers perform their duties in accordance with the provisions of the Occupational Health & Safety Act. Failure to do so could subject you to a fine or even a jail term both of which are entirely avoidable and definitely preventable.

Here's where you will be able to find more information on keeping young workers safe at your workplace. http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/tips/tips_supervisors.html . As a service sector enterprise, you are a member of the Ontario Service Safety Alliance (OSSA), your designated health & safety association. Visit their web site www.ossa.com or call them at 1-800-478-6772 to find out how they can help you prepare for a possible MOL visit and protect your young workers.

Article provided courtesy of the Ontario Service Safety Alliance.

(See Headlines)




AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY GROUP APPROVED BY WSIB

Ontario Service Safety Alliance and new car dealers involved

December 12, 2007

Earlier this week the Regional Construction Safety Group, comprised of members from Hamilton-Halton, Toronto and Grand Valley Associations received $837,707 in Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) rebates.

Now a similar program has been announced for automotive shop owners in Ontario to provide opportunities to work together towards improving their collective health and safety.

The reward for this commitment is the potential for premium rebates for all members of the group and a reduction in injury frequency.

The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) endorses the Safety Group Program and the Ontario Service Safety Alliance (OSSA) is the Safety Group Sponsor

Safety group members received rebate cheques of an average of 3.2% of their annual WSIB premiums in 2006. Typically, firms see a reduction of greater that 20% in their injury frequency. Safety Group members attend at least 3 of 5 one-day meetings per year, facilitated by OSSA.

Membership fee registration is required. Contact John Aird at OSSA at 905 614 3001 or jaird@ossa.com before January 11, 2008. For further information and a registration form visit http://www.ossa.com/content/services/OSSASafetyGroup.cfm .

Association members of www.ciia.com or its affiliated collision repair associations already receive a 10% discount on OSSA products, as a membership benefit. Please see www.ciia.com or call 1 866 309 4272 or info@ciia.com for more information

(SEE HEADLINES)



ONTARIO COLLISION REPAIRERS GET LOWER WSIB
PREMIUMS AGAIN


Fifth Year Industry Efforts Have Reduced Shop Costs


Since 2003, efforts by trade associations and others have been positive with the continuing results of lowered WSIB premiums.

The new rate for vehicle service and repair shops for 2007 is $3.33 for every one hundred dollars of payroll. This rate is down 7 cents from last years' rate and down from $3.72 per $100 assessment in 2003.

"Lost time and critical injuries are down again in the sector but strains and sprains continue to be a problem", sys Tony Nigro, President of the Hamilton district Autobody Repair Association (HARA).

HARA is a member of the Vehicle Sales and Service Committee for the Ontario Service Safety Association (OSSA), long a leader in health and safety workplace programs.

"More shop employees than ever before are taking our WHMIS classes both in their shops and in the classroom", says Tony. HARA now offers WHMIS training every third Wednesday at their training facility to meet demand for walk-in students.

"We have also arranged a discount for OSSA health and safety training materials and supplies for members to help them meet their safety obligations."

With increasing enforcement activity by the Ministry of Labour, including a recent jailing of a shop owner for refusing Ministry inspectors entrance, the association is urging shops to call them at 1 866 309 4272 if they are faced with compliance orders or a requirement for health and safety changes in their workplace.

For more information on health and safety issues including
hoist training, please see:
http://www.ciia.com/provinces/ontario/safety.html



Appeal On Assessment For Vehicle Sales And Service
Shops At WSIB Fails

Decision No. 1373/05

Panel: E. Smith (Vice-Chair), Séguin, Lebert

Decision - September 20, 2005

Neutral Citation: 2005 ONWSIAT 2079

Class of employer (automobile service) - Class of employer (dual rates) - Class of employer (retail operation) (integrated).

Employer was retail store that sold computers, televisions, stereos and other household items - Employer started new business activity of installing car stereos - Integrated operations rule in Board policy considered business activity of retail store to be integrated unit - Employer came within exception to integrated operations rule for business activity such as installation, which is considered a distinct business activity when carried out in conjunction with a retail operation.

The employer sold computers, televisions, stereos and some other household items. This business activity was classified in Rate Group 644 for household furniture, appliances, televisions and stereo stores. Beginning in 2000, it also had a business activity of installing car stereos. The Board classified this activity in Rate Group 630 for other vehicle repair shops. The employer appealed, claiming that the activity of car stereo installation should be classified on an integrated basis with the primary business activity of the retail store. The appeal was dismissed.

From January 2000 to May 2001, the best fit for the car stereo installation was in Rate Group 630. The rate group description or even the scope of the rate group should not be read to limit the rate group to retailers with garages carrying out auto repairs. It is common practice for the Board to give additional specificity to its intent in the body of the description, and may often specifically include or exclude functions that might not otherwise be covered.

Rate Group 630 was amended in May 2001, to state that the Board considered the business activity of a Class F retail store to be an integrated unit regardless of whether it includes an activity which might be considered a distinct business activity if carried out as a business in its own right. However, there is an exception for a business activity, such as installing, which is considered a distinct business activity when carried out in conjunction with a retail operation. The employer came within the exception to the integrated operations rule. Accordingly, the employer was also correctly classified in Rate Group 630 after May 2001.


ISOCYANATES AND OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA

Vehicle spray painters are 80 times more likely of contracting occupational asthma than the general population, that's the view of the Health and Safety Executive in Northern Ireland.

In an article to be published in the next edition of the Irish Bodyshop Journal, Margaret Lacey, a health and safety inspector with the HSE Northern Ireland says the single biggest causative agent is isocyanate, which a commonly used agent in the painting process.

She commented: "Many employed or working in bodyshops do not understand the risk that isocyanate paints pose or the health effects that can be caused."

(see headlines)


How your shop can save $500

Just print the poster at the link below:

http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/es/pdf/poster.pdf

Post in the back of your shop and avoid the $500 fine levied by the Ontario Ministry of Labour (see headlines)


For more health and safety answers, visit:
http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/safety_haz/garages/autobody_repair.html


NEW WHMIS TRAINING AVAILABLE

After a number of shops were served notices of non-compliance by the Ontario Ministry of Labour, and to meet the requirements of the proposed CISCO program, a new Health and Safety Training program has been introduced in response.

This Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) training program is mandatory for collision repair and auto refinish shops.

A Video, Student workbook, and Post test package was produced by the Ontario Service Safety Alliance and designed especially for Ontario's Auto Collision Repair and paint shops.

Featuring five video sections and matching workbooks, the video highlights all the areas needed to meet the legislative requirements for automotive repair shops.

This training package also includes:

  • A pocket-sized WHMIS Hazards symbols card for employees
  • A poster for the shop with the WHMIS symbols
  • A profile on how to set up a joint health and safety committee
  • An Isocyanate warning bulletin
  • How to easily set up a health and safety policy statement
  • How to conduct a health and safety inspection tour of a collision repair shop.
  • Guide for a paint shop Isocyanate control program
  • WHMIS Training and Information Checklist
  • Written emergency plan
  • Action planner

This 3.5 hour training course offered to any shop in Ontario can be completed in one evening, or afternoon. Please contact the office at 1-866-309-HARA or hara@ciia.com or www.ciia.com under "Contact Us/Questions" to book your training.

More Information




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Features

Answers to your spray paint questions. See Health & Safety at : www.autobodyhelp.ca
 



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