Fearful for their safety on the job but afraid to speak out

According to Ontario’s WSIB, things are looking better out there claims-wise, so says their spokesperson, Tonya Johnson, who says, “Lost time claims fell to 41,500 in 2013, down from 62,000 in 2008, a drop of 33%”

Johnston adds: “This could be the result of a number of factors, including tremendous strides by worker and employer groups, agencies like ours and the Ministry of Labour in strengthening prevention and health and safety awareness.”

Maybe WSIB thinks it’s good to pat oneself on the back, but maybe the hidden truth is better seen through the eyes of Sid Ryan, president of the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) when he says in response that the WSIB numbers don’t tell the full story.

“All too often employers hide claims by intimidating workers not to file a claim with the WSIB,” Ryan said. “There are also incentives that employers use to encourage workers not to file after an injury. The money at stake for many employers can add up to millions of dollars”

“The OFL hears from workers who are fearful for their safety on the job but afraid to speak out, and almost 400 such complaints have been filed over the last two years with the Ontario Labour Relations Board”.

My article last week on the WSIB: Time to heat up their phone lines at their ‘Fair Practices Commission” is maybe worth a read. You’ll see the numbers to call in that article.

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