CAALL — Canadian Association of Administrators of Labour Legislation
CAALL Bulletin - July 2009
Table of Contents
- Saskatchewan Government Introduces New Minimum Age of Employment
- Increased Worker Safety the Result of Resource Roads Pilot Project in B.C.
- The Commission de la santé et de la sécurité du travail du Québec updates its benefits cost-sharing standards
- Construction Safety Blitz in Ontario Targets Concrete Formwork
- Final Reports of the 2008 Employer and Injured Worker Surveys in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Minister of Labour Welcomes Agreement Between Via Rail and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference
- EmbraceBC Works to Prevent Racism and Promote Diversity
- Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board Announces Preliminary Premium Rates for 2010
- Minimum Wage to Increase on July 1 in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Appointments/Retirements/Announcements
- Parliament/Legislatures/Assemblies
- Upcoming Events
Saskatchewan Government Introduces New Minimum Age of Employment
Changes to the Minimum Wage Regulations will establish age 16 as the general minimum age of employment in Saskatchewan. An ‘absolute' minimum age of 14 has also been established, provided those 14 and 15 year old workers fulfill certain requirements. This regulatory change will come into effect 14 days after being published in the Saskatchewan Gazette.
This change also removes the sector-based application of minimum age provisions so that all sectors of the economy must comply with the minimum age of employment. The amended regulation also establishes that 14 and 15 year olds can work if certain restrictions are met; as well as provides for exceptions in special circumstances.
There are four restrictions to the employment of young people 14 and 15 years of age. Under these restrictions, young people age 14 and 15 who wish to work must:
- obtain the consent of their parent or guardian;
- complete a certificate focusing on occupational health and safety and employment standards;
- not work after 10 p.m. on a day preceding a school day or before the time that school starts on any school day; and
- work no more than a maximum of 16 hours of work during a school week.
Prior to this, only five sectors had a minimum age of employment: hotels, restaurants, educational institutions, hospitals and nursing homes. That restriction was reviewed in May 2009, following a consultation process which began in January.
Current legislation continues to restrict the employment of young people: in casinos and in the sale, handling or service of alcohol; during school hours; and in certain high-risk occupations.
To find out more about Saskatchewan's employment standards, call 1-800-667-1783 or visit www.aeel.gov.sk.ca/ls.
Increased Worker Safety the Result of Resource Roads Pilot Project in B.C.
In July, recommendations based on the findings of the Resource Roads Demonstration Project are being released. Focused on improving worker safety on resource roads, the Project was conducted in the Prince George forestry region and the oil and gas fields southeast of Fort St. John in B.C.
The Project focused on the organization and implementation of a management structure to provide a system of coordination and a process of safety compliance for users of the defined road systems.
Recommendations made to WorkSafeBC, the Ministry of Forests and Range, the BC Forest Safety Council, Enform, and employers who require workers to travel on resource roads focus on:
- road Safety Management Committees being established throughout the province as the administrative structure for safety on resource roads;
- WorkSafeBC taking a leadership role to ensure any system put in place for road administration is compliant with the Workers Compensation Act;
- new technology being reviewed and used appropriately by all road users;
- electronic stability control becoming a standard on light duty trucks and other vehicles when feasible;
- driver training standards being identified, implemented, and enforced; and,
- subcommittees or Road User Groups (RUGs) be put in place at an operational level where work is occurring within each unique road system or road network.
The project concluded that a critical success factor was the participation of the road owner (i.e., Ministry of Forest and Range, the Oil and Gas Commission, or others) in any road safety management initiative.
The entire report is available for download at WorkSafeBC.com (PDF format).
The Commission de la santé et de la sécurité du travail du Québec updates its benefits cost-sharing standards
With a commitment to continuously improve its practices and build strong ties with its partners in the work environment, this fall the Commission de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CSST) will replace the "Table of Maximum Consolidation Times" with a tool that will take into account the Commission's more recent directions on workplace injuries and available data.
In accordance with current jurisprudence, the CSST announced its suspension of the application of "Table of Maximum Consolidation Times." This table presents the means of applying Section 329 of the Act respecting industrial accidents and occupational diseases (LATMP). This section relates to the cost-sharing of benefits granted to workers with a recognized disability.
In the coming weeks, the CSST will work to develop new tools that would take into account the elements raised by the Commission's decisions regarding workplace injuries. This work aims to ensure that cost-sharing is based on the most appropriate statistics under the circumstances. The CSST will consult with representatives of the management team as part of this work.
Construction Safety Blitz in Ontario Targets Concrete Formwork
Ontario is continuing its efforts to reduce workplace injuries by focusing on hazards related to the design, erection and dismantling of forms used in the placement of concrete on building sites.
Throughout August, Ministry of Labour occupational health and safety inspectors will concentrate on a wide range of hazards related to formwork. These include conditions that could cause workers to fall, be electrocuted, sustain injuries in trenches and excavations, or be struck or crushed by vehicles and equipment. Inspectors will also monitor ergonomic issues.
There will be a zero-tolerance approach to contraventions of regulations related to fall-protection, trench shoring and work near high-voltage power lines.
Final Reports of the 2008 Employer and Injured Worker Surveys in Newfoundland and Labrador
The Final Reports of the 2008 Employer and Injured Worker Surveys conducted by Corporate Research Associates on behalf of the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission of Newfoundland and Labrador, are now available on their website under the ‘Publications’ section. These surveys are designed to obtain feedback from employers and injured workers throughout the province with respect to the service they receive from the Commission.
Minister of Labour Welcomes Agreement Between Via Rail and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference
The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Labour, welcomed the agreement reached between VIA Rail Canada Inc. and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference to end the current work stoppage.
The collective agreement covers a unit of 350 running trades’ locomotive engineers, conductors, assistant conductors and yardmasters. The previous agreement between the parties had expired on December 31, 2006.
EmbraceBC Works to Prevent Racism and Promote Diversity
Community groups in B.C. can now access part of a $1.4-million fund to develop projects that embrace cultural diversity and help eliminate racism, announced Ben Stewart, Minister of Citizens’ Services and Minister responsible for Multiculturalism. EmbraceBC is the result of research and engagement with key stakeholders, including members of the Multicultural Advisory Council, over the past year to better deliver the province’s anti-racism and multiculturalism programs. The development of EmbraceBC highlights the importance of partnership between the Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development and the Ministry of Citizens’ Services in delivering effective programs to British Columbians.
The launch of EmbraceBC includes a website, www.Embracebc.ca, which will:
- put multiculturalism and anti-racism materials at all British Columbians’ fingertips;
- provide reliable and current resources to community groups; and,
- help answer youth and parents’ questions about cultural diversity and give help to those who believe they may be victims of racial discrimination.
EmbraceBC replaces the BCAMP (B.C. Anti-racism and Multiculturalism Program), and will continue to support public education about cultural diversity and work towards the elimination of racism through ministry and community-led activities.
Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board Announces Preliminary Premium Rates for 2010
Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) announced in July that it will freeze premium rates for employers in rate groups with good health and safety records.
For 2010, the WSIB intends to use the same method for setting premium rates as has been used in previous years – but with one important change. Premium rates will be frozen for rate groups with good health-and-safety performance, while rate increases will be calculated for poor-performing rate groups in the usual way.
The majority of employers – over 200,000 – will have their premium rates maintained at 2009 levels. 2010 will see a significantly smaller number of employers – approximately 36,000 – facing rate increases compared to recent years, when approximately 90,000 employers per year experienced increases.
The WSIB will post detailed information about the 2010 preliminary premium rates – including details of rate increases for rate groups with poor health and safety records – on its website. The WSIB is releasing preliminary rates as early as possible to assist employers with their financial forecasting and budgeting for next year. Approval of the final premium rates for 2010 is scheduled to take place at the WSIB Board of Directors’ meeting in September.
Minimum Wage to Increase on July 1 in Newfoundland and Labrador
Effective on July 1, the provincial minimum wage will increase by 50 cents to $9.00 per hour. The increase represents another important step by the Provincial Government toward meeting its commitment of achieving a minimum wage of $10 per hour by 2010.
The Provincial Government will continue to increase the minimum wage for provincially-regulated workplaces by 50-cent increments at regular six-month intervals until the target wage of $10 per hour is reached on July 1, 2010. This implementation plan reflects a balanced approach that achieves the Provincial Government’s commitment while recognizing the need for employers to have time to prepare for the increases. The next scheduled increase will take effect on January 1, 2010.
Appointments/Retirements/Announcements
Changes to the Minimum Wage Board in Saskatchewan
Five new members have been appointed to the Board, replacing five outgoing members. New Board members include: Wayne Watts (Saskatoon-Chairperson); Wayne Sannes (Moose Jaw); Margaret Hasein (Biggar); Judith Riddell (Carlyle); and Sandy Ewert (Martensville).
Parliament/Legislatures/Assemblies
| Adjournment date | Resumption date | |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta | June 3, 2009 | October 26, 2009 |
| British Columbia | General Election May 12, 2009 |
|
| House of Commons | June 19, 2009 | September 14, 2009 |
| Manitoba | June 11, 2009 | September 14, 2009 |
| New Brunswick | June 19, 2009 | November 24, 2009 |
| Newfoundland-Labrador | May 28, 2009 | |
| Northwest Territories | June 4, 2009 | October 15, 2009 |
| Nova Scotia | May 4, 2009 | General Election June 9, 2009 |
| Nunavut | June 18, 2009 | November 24, 2009 |
| Ontario | June 4, 2009 | September 14, 2009 |
| Prince Edward Island | May 15, 2009 | |
| Québec | June 18, 2009 | September 15, 2009 |
| Saskatchewan | May 14, 2009 | October 21, 2009 |
| Yukon | May 14, 2009 |
Upcoming Events
| Event | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| B.C. Municipal Occupational Health and Safety Conference | TELUS Convention Centre, Whistler, B.C. | September 13-15, 2009 |
| 68th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association Administrators of Labour Legislation (CAALL) | Delta Bessborough Hotel, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan | September 21-23, 2009 |
| 2009 Annual Convention of the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC) | Minneapolis, Minnesota | September 21-25, 2009 |
| 29th Annual WorkSafeNB Health and Safety Conference | Saint John, New Brunswick | September 27-29, 2009 |
| 13th Annual Conference « Santé, travail et mieux-être » | Hôtel Hilton Lac-Leamy, Gatineau, Quebec | September 30 - October 3, 2009 |
| OHS Compliance Summit 2009: Practical Risk Management Strategies for Canadian OHS Professionals | Toronto, Ontario | October 14-15, 2009 |
| Awards ceremony for innovation in workplace health and safety | Centre des sciences, Montréal, Quebec | October 22, 2009 |
| 8th Annual Alberta Health & Safety Conference and Trade Fair | Calgary Stampede Round Up Centre, Calgary, Alberta | October 26-28, 2009 |
| Grand Rendez-vous en santé et sécurité du travail | Palais des congrès, Montréal, Quebec | November 3-4, 2009 |
| Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) Annual Issues & Research Conference | Boston, Massachusetts | November 4-5, 2009 |
| Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) Forum III | Gatineau, Quebec | March 8-9, 2010 |
| Health & Safety Canada 2010 Industrial Accident Prevention Association (IAPA) Conference and Trade Show | Toronto, Ontario | May 3-5, 2010 |
| International Forum on Disability Management | Los Angeles, California | September 13-16, 2010 |
| 18th Annual National Workers' Compensation and Disability Conference & Expo | Chicago, Illinois | November 18-20, 2010 |