In this article, Andy Pushalik reviews employer’s duties as they relate to workplace violence and harassment in Ontario.

On June 15, 2010, Ontario’s workplace violence and workplace harassment law came into effect. With this implementation deadline looming, employers rushed to take the necessary steps to ensure their compliance.

Reprinted by permission of Carswell, a division of Thomson Reuters Canada Limited.

To read the full article as published in Legal Alert, Vol. 31, No. 2, May 2012, click here.

Southern Ontario’s summer is off to a scorching start. With temperatures expected to top 36 degrees today and the humidex approaching mid-40s, Toronto’s Chief Medical Officer has extended its Extreme Heat Alert.

In conditions like these, the Ontario Ministry of Labour advises that employers must ensure that they are taking proper precautions to protect their workers from suffering heat-induced illnesses. To help employers, Ontario’s Ministry of Labour has published a Heat Stress Guideline which includes a number of tips on how to stay safe and cool during these hot summer months. In addition, Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board has also made available on its website a number of resources about the dangers of heat exposure and how to prevent it.

Ministry of Labour – Heat Stress Guideline: http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/pubs/gl_heat.php

WSIB – Prevent Heat Stress: http://www.wsib.on.ca/en/community/WSIB/230/ArticleDetail/24338?vgnextoid=f062e35c819d7210VgnVCM100000449c710aRCRD.