Ontario Workplace Health and Safety Records Now Available Online

Updated:
March 14, 2019

Ontario's Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) recently launched a new online tool to make health and safety a matter of public record. Compass lets Ontarians find and compare health and safety statistics for businesses across Ontario.

Specifically, Compass allows users to do the following.

Find information related to the number and types of injuries that occur in a particular workplace.

Get a sense of the seriousness of workplace injuries by examining the following:

  1. How many accident victims were off work past the day of an incident
  2. How many accident victims were still receiving benefits a year after an accident

Compare health and safety statistics between specific businesses with users being able to narrow their search by business name, type and size.

Accessibility

Compass will make workplace data more accessible, and it's critical that organizations continue to enforce workplace health and safety practices to a high standard.

Failing to do so not only jeopardizes the well-being of a workforce, but it could also lead to a poor public image now that safety records are accessible to everyone. Easily accessible health and safety data has a number of additional benefits, including the following:

  1. Informs and improves workplace decision-making on health and safety, prevention, and return to work strategies.
  2. Allows organizations and the general public to see injury claims and benefit payments by year.
  3. Creates downloadable information for research, planning, and presentations.
  4. Allows companies to compare themselves to similar workplaces.
  5. Allows larger enterprises to compare internal divisions or departments that are separately registered with the WSIB.
  6. Gives potential and current employees the opportunity to review health and safety records.

It should be noted that Compass is part of a larger initiative, the Province of Ontario's Open Government Initiative. This initiative, along with the Province of Ontario's Open Data Directive, is intended to make the government and businesses more transparent by maximized public access to data that is not of a legal, private, sensitive or confidential nature.

The WSIB said that Compass will be rolled out in phases, with future versions giving businesses additional information to improve health and safety as well as return to work and injury prevention outcomes.

For an instructional video on how to use Compass, click here.

FAQs

What is financial advising?

Financial advising involves providing guidance and advice to individuals, families, or businesses to help them make informed decisions about their financial matters. This can include various aspects such as investment planning, retirement planning, tax planning, estate planning, and more. Financial advisors analyze their clients' financial situations, goals, and risk tolerance to create customized strategies that align with their objectives.

Why is financial planning important?

Financial planning is crucial for several reasons:

Goal Achievement: It helps individuals set and achieve financial goals, whether they are short-term, such as buying a home, or long-term, like funding a comfortable retirement.

Risk Management: Financial planning addresses risks by considering insurance, emergency funds, and other protective measures.

Budgeting and Saving: It promotes responsible money management through budgeting and saving, fostering financial stability.

Wealth Building: Effective financial planning can lead to wealth accumulation and the creation of a secure financial future.

Can financial advisors help with debt?

Yes, financial advisors can help with debt management. They can assess your overall financial situation, create a budget, and develop strategies to pay down debt efficiently. They may also negotiate with creditors on your behalf, provide debt consolidation recommendations, and offer guidance on prioritizing and managing debt repayment.

What exactly does a financial advisor do?

The specific responsibilities of a financial advisor can vary, but generally, they:

  1. Conduct a thorough analysis of a client's financial situation, including income, expenses, assets, and liabilities.
  2. Develop personalized financial plans based on the client's goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon.
  3. Provide investment advice and portfolio management services.
  4. Offer guidance on retirement planning, estate planning, tax planning, and insurance.
  5. Monitor and adjust financial plans as needed based on changes in the client's life or market conditions.
  6. Educate clients on financial matters and empower them to make informed decisions.
What is the average fee for a financial advisor?

The fees charged by financial advisors can vary widely based on factors such as the advisor's experience, the services provided, and the region.

Common fee structures include:

Hourly Fees: Advisors charge an hourly rate for their services.
Flat or Fixed Fees: A set fee is charged for specific services or a comprehensive financial plan.
Asset-based Fees: Fees are a percentage of the assets under management (AUM).
Commission-based Fees: Advisors earn commissions on financial products they sell.
Combination of Fees: Advisors may use a combination of the above fee structures.
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It's important to discuss and clarify fee arrangements with a potential financial advisor before engaging in their services.