Holly and Nancy have been spending their Friday mornings with the WSIB for the past six weeks learning what the WSIB and their validators are looking for in terms of evidence for the WSIB Excellence program. We’ve learned a lot, and the WSIB is making a huge shift in what they want to see from employers, in comparison to previous programs we’ve been involved in. The WSIB wants to see pieces of evidence that prove the topic is “living and breathing” in your workplace. The WSIB are not focused on a training record; they want to hear or see what the employees know and understand about the topics implemented in the workplace. They are taking the approach of “talk the talk” and “walk the walk”.
This new approach means we need to think outside the box that we have become used to. Take a moment and think about what would prove the topics implemented are alive and well in your workplace. Such items could include an interview with a worker, whether that be a video of the interview, an audio file, or a written transcript of the conversation. Consider documenting a conversation had during a one-on-one with a staff member or include notes from a JHSC meeting where numerous hazards were reported as a result of the Recognition of Hazards topic being implemented. The options are endless, and we suggest getting creative with your evidence.
However, just because the WSIB isn’t looking for a training record, doesn’t mean a training record isn’t needed. Should the WSIB have any questions about what you’ve done to implement your topics, they will ask you for these items, and you need to be able to provide them to the WSIB within 60 days of their request. The alternative evidence approach doesn’t mean you can haphazardly implement your topics. You still need to use the 5 Steps of Implementation for your topics and keep proof of your work along the way. If WSIB performs an onsite visit they will be looking for the evidence of the 5 steps.
When you have your evidence items proving your topics are living and breathing, you must provide the WSIB validators a convincing story about what you have done to implement your topics. In your evidence story, tell the validators what you did, when it was done, who was involved, why, and how you implemented your topics. Keep in mind you only have one chance to explain your work, so ensure the story you tell does not leave any unanswered questions or leave anything open to interpretation. Be clear, be concise, and be convincing. Afterall, you’ve worked hard on these topics. Don’t let your efforts fall by the wayside. Tell a good story and earn that rebate!
Dunk & Associates has templates for the Evidence Story and the Evidence Upload portion of the program. They are located on the Dunk Excellence Portal (www.dunkexcellence.com) in the Program Resources Icon. As always, if you have any questions, concerns, or would like to discuss the next steps, please call Holly at 1-866-754-8839 or email excellence@systems24-7.com.