CUPE Local 1785

WSIB
The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).
A claim must be filed within six months of an accident. For gradual onset injuries, the six month deadline begins from the date the worker reports the injury as work-related. Very important to keep a good record. At the slightest sign of injury send an email to your Direct supervisor.

In the case of an occupational disease, the claim must be filed within six months of the worker learning of the disease.

Reporting an injury/disease
1) Report all incidents immediately to your employer and your union.
o File an incident report and include:
o All areas of the body involved (If you’re not sure, include it.)
o Where it occurred
o When it occurred
o What caused the injury (be specific)
o Who were the witnesses (give full names) VERY IMPORTANT
o TAKE PICTURES, immediately of location Where injury happened, Ice, rain, lighting, conditions, etc.
document everything you see .
it is important to be consistent in reporting as you may have to report your incident / injury many different times. E.g.
Employee Incident Report, Form 6, healthcare provider, claims adjudicator at the Board, manager / supervisor in the
workplace.

2) Seek immediate healthcare. Be sure to tell the healthcare provider that the
injury occurred at work.
o The employer is responsible for transportation arrangements and payment if required.
o Take a medical form with you. The employer pays for the cost of the medical form, if they have requested it.
o Be sure to provide the doctor with full details on how the accident happened. Make sure they examine each
body part that was hurt and make a note of it.
o
3) Be verbal about the pain you feel.
o Tell co-workers, management and your healthcare provider.
o Some injuries may not seem serious initially but if you have problems later, continuity of complaint may help
you substantiate your claim.
4) Track all correspondence.
5) Keep copies of all documentation pertaining to the claim including forms
and doctor’s notes.
6) Stay calm when you communicate with the WSIB. Getting angry will not
benefit you. If you feel that you are being dealt with unfairly you can ask to
speak with a manager.
o The WSIB documents all communications including phone calls.
o When speaking with the Board, keep notes of what was said including time and date. DOCUMENT
EVERYTHING!!!!

Employer’s Responsibilities the Region
The employer must:
o Make sure first aid is given immediately.
o Provide immediate transportation to a hospital, doctor’s office, or home if necessary.
o Give the worker a medical form if worker needs more than first aid.
o Give the worker a Functional Abilities Form if they require one.
o Submit-a Form 7, within 3 calendar days from when they first learn of the injury /disease or find out that a
worker has a work-related injury or occupational disease that causes a worker to:
o Be absent from regular work
o tarn less than regular pay for regular work (e.g. part-time hours)
o Require modified work at less than regular pay
o Require modified work at regular pay for more than seven calendar days following the date of accident /
incident
o Need healthcare that is more than minor first aid
o If eyeglasses, dentures, and / or artificial appliances were damaged as a result of work related injuries.
o Give a copy of the completed Form 7 to the injured worker.
o Pay full wages and benefits for the shift on which the injury occurred.
o Cooperate in the worker’s, Early and Safe Return to Work.

Worker’s Responsibilities
o Get first aid immediately.
o Inform the employer of any injury or possible onset of a work-related disease / condition.
o We advise that you also inform your union of any injury or possible onset of a work-related disease /
condition.
o Seek medical attention.
o Submit Form 6 to the WSIB and give a copy to the employer.
o If the Board sends you a Form 8 (because they have not yet received one from the doctor have them fill it
out and they will send it to the Board.
o Do not change health professionals without permission from
WSIB.
o Co-operate in healthcare treatment.
o Co-operate in Early and Safe Return to Work.
o Complete and return all WSIB forms promptly.
o Report to the Board any changes in income, return to work status, or any medical condition.
o Keep copies of all documents and communications.
o Stay in contact with your employer while you recover:
o Talk with your employer about ways to return to work quickly and safely, including doing different work from
your regular job, or working shorter hours.
o

Filing a WSIB claim
When to claim benefits
If ANY of these statements are true, make a claim:
o Received medical attention and / or lost time or wages from work beyond the day of injury
o Had to do different work for more than 7 days due to the injury, at regular or reduced wages (the employer
must report immediately if the worker still needs different work after 7 days)
o Continued to work, but on a reduced work schedule, at regular or reduced wages.
When NOT to claim benefits
If ALL of these statements are true, do NOT make a claim:
o Only first aid treatment was required
o You did not take any time off work
o Your pay was not affected
o Your job duties did not change as a result of the injury.
How to start a WSIB claim / forms
There are 3 ways to start a WSIB claim. Submitting any of these forms wil trigger the opening of a WSIB claim. All
must be submitted.
What happens if I refuse modified work?
Refusal may mean loss of WSIB benefits.
What medical information do I need to provide to the employer
and the board?

Only medical information relating to the injury or disease is
required.
What do I do if I cannot return to my pre-injury job, but am
capable of doing some other kind of work?

• Employers have a duty to accommodate and your union rep
  can help you to navigate / negotiate this.
• Employment is considered suitable if you have or are able to
  acquire the skills necessary to perform the work and it does not
  pose a health and safety risk to you and your co-workers.

Am I able to utilize my sick time while waiting for WSIB
approval?

• Employees who are absent from the work place because of a
  work place injury / disease are entitled to their sick time as per
  their Collective Agreement.
• A worker may access their sick time as per their Collective
  Agreement.
  What medical costs are covered?
• This can vary from case to case. Contact the WSIB to get
  information on what they will cover for your specific claim!!!
  o They may cover:
  o Medical aids needed because of the work place injury.
  E.g. Broken eyeglasses.
  o Travel to and from medical treatment.
  What is a MATERIAL CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES?
  This is any change that effects whether WSIB has to pay you
  benefits, how much WSIB pays you, or whether WSIB has to
  give you services.
  Examples are:
  o Changes in your medical status.
  o Changes in earnings or income.
  o Changes in your work status.
  o Changes in your availability for:
  o Early and Safe Return to Work activities
  o Healthcare
  o Labor market re-entry program.
  WHAT IF I am experiencing pain or discomfort and / or am
  unable to complete my shift WHILE ON MODIFIED WORK?
  o If rest periods are needed, (e.g. to ice affectea area
  get permission from your supervisor.
  o Rest periods may need to be incorporated in your
  Return to Work plan.
  o If you need to leave, your employer may request to
  have a medical form completed by your Healthcare
  Professional, paid by the employer.
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What to Do If You Get Hurt Outside Normal Work Hours
(3:30 PM – 7 AM)

1. Report the Injury Immediately:

• Email your direct or indirect supervisor right away to document the incident.
• If there’s no response, that’s okay—what matters is that you reported it at the
  time of occurrence for WSIB purposes.

1. Assess the Severity & Seek Help:

• Call for assistance if needed.
• Seek medical attention immediately if required.

1. Medical Treatment:

• Inform the hospital that it’s a workplace injury so they complete the proper
  WSIB documentation.

1. Follow-Up After the Injury:

• Upon returning to work (or if unable to return), contact your union rep.
• The union rep will notify the benefits officer and assist with completing WSIB
  forms.