Policy Updates/Clarifications Need more information on the latest word on a policy? Find it here. For copies of past policies, please email km@wsib.on.ca or phone 416-344-4355 or 1-800-387-0750, ext. 416-344-4355. Employers’ Initial Accident-Reporting Obligations We have amended the Employers’ Initial Accident Reporting Obligations policy (15-01-02) in order to clarify: an employers obligation to report diseases an employers obligation to report exposures to infectious diseases through needle stick injury Annual benefit rates review results for 2010 – all new rates effective January 1, 2010 2010 annual benefit rates effective January 1, 2010. Changes to the Hearing Devices policy We have released changes to the Hearing Devices policy 17-07-04 (134k, pdf) effective November 23, 2009. The changes to the policy will implement an approved amount for the purchase of all hearing aids. The cost of the entire hearing aid, including any features, will have an approved amount of up to $1,400 (or $2,800 for two bilateral hearing aids). As a result of the changes to the Hearing Devices policy, we revised the Table of Rates policy 18—01-05 (100k, pdf), effective November 23, 2009. The approved amount includes only the cost of the hearing aid and its integrated options and features, and does not include batteries or hearing related services. Learn more Providers can call the Health Care Practitioner Access Line at 416-344-4526 or toll-free at 1-800-569-7919, Monday to Friday, between 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or review further information on the Health Care Practitioners page. Workers can contact Sandra Follett, Manager, NIHL at 416-344-6699. Specific claim issues should be directed to the adjudicator, case manager or nurse consultant assigned to the claim. Foreign Agricultural Workers policy (#12-04-08) revised Our revisions to the Foreign Agricultural Workers Policy #12-04-08 seek to improve fairness regarding benefits we provide to foreign agricultural workers (TFAW). We developed an Adjudicative Advice document (146k, pdf) to clarify practices regarding these workers. We have also produced a pamphlet called Information for Health Care Professionals: Commonwealth Caribbean and Mexican Seasonal Agricultural Workers (321k, pdf) to guide them if they’re requested to treat a temporary foreign agricultural worker. Determining date of injury Policy clarification eliminates confusion between ‘date of injury’ and ‘date of accident.’ OPM Policy 11-01-04 impacts employers’ obligations to re-employ and to contribute towards their workers’ employment benefits. New regulation and re-employment policies for the construction industry A new regulation for the construction industry with regard to return to work and re-employment took effect on September 1, 2008. The regulation provides several benefits, including: return to work co-operation rules for construction employers and workers that didn’t exist prior to September 1, 2008 re-employment obligations for construction employers that are more clearly articulated improved return to work outcomes for the construction industry a reasonable balance between the interests of employers, workers and the system. Three WSIB operational policies and one overview document were created to support the re-employment provisions of the regulation. These policies also took effect on September 1, 2008 and apply to workers who are injured or become ill on or after that date. Operational policies to support the return to work provisions of the regulation will take effect at a later date. The WSIB operational policy documents are: 19-05-01 Overview – Re-employment in the Construction Industry 19-05-02 Re-employment Obligation in the Construction Industry – Threshold, Duration and Specific Employer Requirements 19-05-03 Compliance with the Re-employment Obligation – Construction Industry 19-05-04 Re-employment Penalties and Payments – Construction Industry. The WSIB considered the input of both construction worker and employer stakeholders in arriving at the new regulation and operational policies. New policy — Fatal Claim Premium Adjustment Under the new Fatal Claim Premium Adjustment policy (14-02-17), the WSIB can apply a premium increase (equivalent to the NEER or CAD 7 refund that would have been received) to an employer that experiences a work-related traumatic fatality. Exceptions to the policy will be deferred to the merits and justice of each case, and there will be a right of appeal to all decisions made under the policy. This policy is not about finding fault or laying blame — it simply reflects the fact that, under the internal responsibility system, the onus is on an employer to protect its workers. When a work-related traumatic fatality occurs, an employer should not receive a rebate unless there are exceptional circumstances. (An example where an exceptional circumstance may exist is a third-party motor vehicle accident.) For more information, contact the Prevention Contact Centre at (416) 344-1016. New Return to Work and Re-employment Regulation for Construction Sector The Government of Ontario has filed a regulation on return to work and re-employment obligations for construction employers and workers. The new regulation has been published on e-laws. Information about this regulation and related policies can be obtained by calling the WSIB at (416) 344-1000 or toll-free at 1-800-387-0750. For more information, please refer to the Q&A. Firefighter Policies Effective December 13, 2007 We have implemented two new policies to support presumptive legislation for heart injuries and for various cancers related to full-time firefighting. These policies are: 23-02-01 Cancers in Full-Time Firefighters and 15-03-12, Heart Injuries in Full-Time Firefighters. The policies were drafted in response to the Ontario Regulation 253/07 pertaining to full-time firefighters, which was passed on June 8, 2007. Also effective December 13, 2007, Policy 23-02-01 Brain Cancer and Lymphoid Leukemia, has been rescinded. Mandatory Retirement at age 65 ends December 12, 2006 (24k, pdf) Do you have questions about WSIB benefits for older workers or employer premiums and obligations for older workers due to the passage of Bill 211? Bill 211 removes the mandatory retirement age of 65 for workers in Ontario as of December 12, 2006. Read the FAQ for answers to these and other questions regarding benefits and services provided by the WSIB for older workers. Questions and Answers – Students, Apprentices and Learners (400k, pdf) This Q & A explains the adjudication of claims when the worker in question is a student, an apprentice or a learner under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act. Information covered in the Q & A includes whether the worker has coverage under the Ontario workplace safety and insurance system, the calculation of earnings, the payment of loss of earnings benefits and the provision of labour market re-entry services. Frequently Asked Questions – Interaction Between WSIB and CPP Benefits (173k, pdf) This FAQ provides basic information about WSIB and CPP benefits, and how these benefits may affect each other. Information is provided about who qualifies for WSIB and CPP benefits, when to apply for benefits, and how CPP benefits are offset from WSIB benefits. Operational Policy Manual Employer Classification Manual (ECM) West Nile Virus Announcement Get information about West Nile Virus contracted at work. SARS Announcement Read about coverage and benefits in cases of job-related SARS. Chronic Pain Report