A moving video about four people whose lives were forever changed by a workplace accident. It is a story of success that unfortunately had to begin with a tragedy.

Acklands-Grainger president Sean O'Brien talks about the company's involvement as a title sponsor for Canada's Safest Employers Award.

It starts with a simple request: “We are looking for volunteers to help us improve safety.  Those who are interested, please tell the safety manager.” A couple of weeks pass and the number of interested parties who stepped forward is a bit less than desirable. Do you start selecting people?

The recent decision of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice has overturned an arbitrator’s decision relating to a paramedic’s vision disability. This recent decision addresses the important question of the balance between protecting the human rights of disabled workers, on the one hand, and protecting the health and safety of patients and the public, on the other hand. 

In a decision released on May 22, 2009, the Ontario Court of Appeal concluded that Imperial Oil’s policy of random drug testing of employees in safety-sensitive positions at its petroleum refinery in Nanticoke, Ontario was a violation of Imperial Oil’s collective agreement with the union. The decision is a disappointment to employers wishing to implement random drug testing as part of a program to ensure safety in unionized workplaces in Ontario.

Incidents of violence occurring in the workplace are very high in the health care sector, many of them go unreported, and a few even turn fatal. In this eye-opening COS special report, workers tell their own story of the violence and abuse they endure at their workplace on a daily basis. Is it part of their job?

Watch the video

Ontario's Workplace Safety and Insurance Board recently announced that the 2009 preliminary average premium rate for Schedule 1 employers will remain at $2.26 - unchanged from 2007 and 2008.

The rate is based on careful financial analysis, and an expectation that improvements will occur in health-and safety and return-to-work outcomes consistent with the WSIB's Road to Zero and Prevention Strategies.

The decision comes after the WSIB sought input from stakeholders on the WSIB funding
Framework in February and March 2008. Discussions with employer stakeholders
concerning premium rates were reflected in a revised Funding Framework, which was
approved by the WSIB Board of Directors in April 2008.

"Collaborative, aligned, and effective partnerships are vital to promoting prevention and
better health care and return to work outcomes," says WSIB Chair Steve Mahoney. .  "Reaching and surpassing targets set out in the WSIB's Five Year Strategic Plan 2008-2012, The Road to Zero, will ultimately result in the reduction of the unfunded liability (UFL) and more stable and predictable premium rates for employers."

Based on the preliminary average rate, the WSIB has calculated preliminary 2009 premium rates for all employer rate groups. These will be posted on the WSIB website shortly.

For more information, and rates as they are posted, visit www.wsib.on.ca.