Risk-based audits more efficient

Re Increase oversight of temp agencies, Editorial, March 7

Ontario businesses have obligations when it comes to health and safety, including reporting injuries to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).

We take compliance seriously. The vast majority of Ontario businesses meet their obligations, as they should. For those who struggle to do so, we help with outreach and education to put the proper reporting in place.

For the small number who do not meet their obligations, our audit program will find them and bring them in line.

Previously, we randomly selected businesses to audit. That meant, in most years, more than half of audits found no compliance issues at all. That’s not a good use of our resources and not a good use of time for a lot of businesses.

Moving to a risk-based model will mean our audit team can concentrate on those who are much more likely to be non-compliant.

This means that if, for example, temporary employment agencies have a higher risk, more audits will occur in that sector.

It’s a smarter, more efficient way to make sure that businesses are meeting their obligations and improve health and safety at work for all Ontarians. Tom Bell, chief risk officer, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, Toronto