Window Cleaning and WSIB
Window Cleaning and WSIB
As a homeowner or business owner you no doubt want anyone working on your property to be properly insured and following all government regulations. That way in the event of an unfortunate accident you will not be held liable for a work place injury.
It is important for you to know that as of Jan 1 2013 the Laws regarding window cleaning have changed.
Basically according to WSIB window cleaning falls into 2 categories.
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What this means for you as a homeowner or Business Owner is, that if at any time a worker is using a ladder or something else they are climbing to access a window they must have the Above Ground Window Cleaning Coverage. (this includes a 2′ stepladder to the biggest ladder you can buy)
Seems simple doesn’t it.
The problem is, that the vast majority of window cleaning companies do not comply with this Law.
Since the cost to a company is quite high to have workers classified as above ground window cleaners they either fail to register with WSIB or they only classify themselves as Ground Level Window Cleaners.
Now this may all seem great at first, since you as a home or business owner may experience a lower quote from these companies, and the company itself only has to pay out a fraction of WSIB costs. However, should an accident occur WSIB will do an investigation. Which could lead to huge fines for the company and perhaps you as a homeowner.
What can you do to protect yourself?
ALWAYS ask a window cleaning company if they have ABOVE GROUND COVERAGE FOR WINDOW CLEANING. Or if you are a business get in the habit of requesting a clearance certificate from WSIB for any work being done on your property. You will be able to see if a particular company has the appropriate coverage.
Now you will likely get all kinds of answers saying we don’t need it, or it doesn’t apply to our company, or because i’m working directly for you i don’t need it, or we send a guy who is his own company to do the work and he pays us a commission so he doesn’t need it, or a host of other excuses.
These companies may feel they are compliant, and even advertise that they are WSIB compliant.
At the end of the day though, they just don’t have the proper coverage!
Wouldn’t you feel more comfortable dealing with a company that can say yes we are covered. There is no reason to worry.
That is what we at Sunrise Window Cleaning can say!
Below you can see a copy of our WSIB remittance Form. Clearly indicating the 2 categories.
As you can see there is quite a difference in cost associated with cleaning windows from the ground only ($3.73 Per $100) vs cleaning windows on a ladder or anything else ($18.31 Per $100)
Hopefully this will help you to make an educated decision when choosing a window cleaning company.
