Workplace Safety & Insurance Board
(WSIB)
Transportation Companies are listed under the description of “General Trucking” and are placed in Rate Group 570. The 2008 rate for this category is 5.7 % of payroll. To register for an account you must forward the following documents to the WSIB office at 200 Front St. West, Toronto, ON M5V 3J1
- A fully completed and signed Employer Registration Form 0775A.
- A copy of your Corporation Documents and/or Business Registration.
- A copy of the vehicle registration for all tractors or straight trucks.
- A copy of your GST Registration.
WSIB insurance is not compulsory for people considered by the WSIB to be executive officers. However, executive officers may voluntarily request to be considered a worker by the WSIB and in by so doing request coverage by filing Form 1034A.
Office Staff, Dispatchers, Safety Compliance Officers, Operations Managers, and Drivers i.e. all individuals and entities who are not executive officers, are considered to be workers under the Act, and as such are subject to the applicable WSIB insurance fees. There are a couple of situations that present themselves as follows:
- Office staff will register or incorporate a business and enter into a contract with the carrier as an Independent Contractor or Consultant so that the carrier will not have to include these wages as part of the payroll.
- A driver will register or incorporate a business and that company will then lease a truck/tractor from the carrier or a leasing company that the carrier has set up. There is usually a 24, 36, or 48 month buy-out. Again, the purpose is so that the carrier will not have to include these wages as part of the payroll.
In both of these scenarios the carrier should file Form 1158A (Determining Worker/ Independent Operator Status) along with a copy of the contracts, lease agreements etc. In both cases it is highly unlikely that the carrier will be exempted form paying WSIB premiums.
Owner Operators may be considered exempt as long as Form 1149A is submitted along with the appropriate documents. The vehicle must be owned by or leased from a recognized leasing company to the individual or his company. The owner operator has the option of requesting optional insurance coverage or declining optional coverage. The carrier will receive an ID number for the owner operator releasing him from liability. In the event that the carrier does not submit Form 1149A he could be considered liable should the owner operator become injured. If the owner operator hires a driver he should register with WSIB and the carrier should insist on a clearance certificate, otherwise the carrier again may be considered liable. |
