Tag: Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)
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Government needs to stop treating heroes like zeroes
Many public service workers rush towards emergencies. Why do we abandon them when their courage causes them mental harm? By Wendy Lee, Local 575, InSolidarity Committee Violence. Extreme distress. Catastrophic injuries and wounds. For many front-line workers, these are an inevitable part of the job, taking an inevitable toll on their mental health. And yet,…
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KPMG’s timeline changes to WSIB appeals process will result in more lost appeals for workers: OPSEU/SEFPO Disability Rights Caucus
OPSEU/SEFPO’s Disability Rights Caucus is sounding the alarm on a new Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) process that will harm injured workers. The WSIB has unilaterally decided to implement a 30-day time limit on workers to provide supporting documents when they appeal WSIB decisions. This time limit, recommended by KPMG in a value-for-money audit,…
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WSIB Facts 5 – Work-Related Stress
PDF version Traumatic mental stress (TMS) Chronic mental stress (CMS) Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in First Responders and Other Designated Workers A worker may be entitled to benefits for work related mental stress arising out of and in the course of employment. However, a worker is not entitled to benefits for work-related stress caused by…
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WSIB Facts 4 – Return to Work
PDF version Rehabilitation and Return to Work (RTW) planning begins the day of the worker’s absence from work or when the worker requires accommodation as a result of a workplace injury or illness. The RTW process should: ensure a health recovery process for the injured worker provide a safe return to work as soon as…
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WSIB Facts 3 – Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Assistance
PDF version How The Worker Safety Unit Can Help You If you disagree with a WSIB decision denying entitlements or benefits, the first step is to complete and submit a WSIB Intent to Object (ITO) form. Please refer to WSIB Fact Sheet #2 Appealing a Workplace Safety and Insurance Decision. It is your responsibility to…
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WSIB Facts 2 – Appealing a Workplace Safety and Insurance Decision
PDF version If the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) denies or terminates your claim and you do not agree with the decision, you have the right to appeal. There are definite appeal time limits that need to be met according to the issue under dispute. Failure to meet the appeal deadlines will prevent you…
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WSIB Facts 1 – Reporting and Filing Workplace Accidents
PDF version When Should You Report an Accident/Injury/Illness? A work related accident/injury/illness should be reported immediately. If that is not possible, it should be reported to your supervisor before leaving the workplace on the day of the injury. Accidents must be reported to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) no later than 6 months…
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Injured workers demand fairness and respect
Every June 1, labour activists and injured workers mobilize in a show of solidarity on the lawn of Queen’s Park to send a clear message to the government: “Worker’s compensation is a right!” In 2019, with the government’s reckless decision to slash 13.5 per cent, or $16 million, from the budget of the Ministry of…
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Letter from Warren (Smokey) Thomas to Premier Wynne re: new WSIB policies
Warren (Smokey) Thomas, President of OPSEU, sent the following letter to Premier Kathleen Wynne regarding new policies that the WSIB has adopted on chronic mental stress and traumatic mental stress. November 2, 2017 The Honourable Kathleen Wynne Premier of Ontario Room 281, Legislative Building Queen’s Park, Toronto ON M7A 1A1 Re: New WSIB policies on…
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Help on the way for ailing miners
Former OPSEU Local 604 member-activist Janice Martell has spent years fighting for justice for miners whose health has been harmed by exposure to aluminum-based McIntyre powder. The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board has now reversed a policy that prevented workers from seeking compensation for neurological diseases they may have acquired by inhaling the powder. To…
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June 1: a day to fight for injured workers
OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas released the following statement today to mark Injured Workers Day in Ontario. June 1 marks Injured Workers Day in Ontario, a date set aside each year to defend the interests of tens of thousands of workers in our province who are injured on the job. We observe this day to…