b'WSIBthe transition period if theirmaximum insurable earningsoffered in tandem to external, prospective rate is lower than theirceiling for the premium year. Inunaffiliated clients, nor must the actual rate. 2019 that would be about $450,000.business activities share staff, Alternatively, significance cansupplies or business processes. OTHER FEATURES OF THEalso be established if a companys NEWSYSTEM secondary business activity gener- We encourage employers to contact Other features of the new systemates at least 20% of the employersthe OEA for confidential advice are a four-year retroactive assess- total annual insurable earnings. about how the Rate Framework ment period and an experienceimpacts them. transfer policy. The WSIB willIn addition to meeting the signifi-transfer insurable earnings andcance test, the business activitiesMichael Zacks is Director and General claims experience of an employermust not be integrated. TheCounsel at the Office of the Employer that closes then re-opens businessbusiness products or services ofAdviser (OEA). He can be reached at within 12 months, if the employerthe company must not be primarilyMichael.Zacks@ontario.ca. substantially retains the same of any two of the following: employees, clients, suppliers, business processes and equipment, health, safety and disability management programs, or management team.The WSIB will also transfer experi-ence if an employer registers the business under a new name, incor-porates a new company, or obtains a new WSIB account number. INTEGRATEDThe Rate Framework has a newFRAMEassociated employer rule thatCOVER &introduces the concepts of affilia- SYSTEMtion and cooperation to determine if companies are associated. Companies are affiliated if they are owned by family members or the same person(s) control the compa-nies.Affiliated companies will be considered associated if they are ancillary or they provide an integrated operation. Associated companies share experience and the predominant classification.Companies are integrated if they share staff, supplies or business processes, or if they provideIFC MAINTENANCE HOLE SYSTEMcombined products or services toA SOLID, ROBUST, IMPENETRABLE MH SYSTEM THAT LASTS the same customer. MUCH LONGER THAN CONVENTIONAL INSTALLATIONSA companys class for rate settingELIMINATES INFLOW & INFILTRATIONis determined by which of the companys possible classes has theMINIMIZES ROAD DETERIORATION, LONGER LIFE CYCLE predominant share of insurable earnings. Most companies will have one class.However, the RateDIMINISHES MAINTENANCE COSTSFramework allows companies to have multiple classes if theDUCTILE IRON FRAME (220% STRONGER THAN CAST IRON)company meets two threshold tests. The secondary activity mustATER I A L NO MORE WEAK GRADE RINGSbe significant, and it must not beMintegrated with the primary busi- QUICK & EFFICIENT ADJUSTMENTSness activity. Significance is determinedGUAR EE APPROVED, SPECIFIED, LICENSED ACROSS ONTARIOANTby whether a business activity generates at least five times the H 2 OSWCAFall/Winter 2019 25'