What are the WSIB requirements for hiring construction cleaning workers in Ontario?

WSIB is one of the first things to ask about when you hire a cleaning company in Ontario, and it helps to understand what you can and cannot assume before you sign anything.

What to Know About WSIB When Hiring a Cleaning Company

WSIB (the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board) runs Ontario's workplace insurance system. For the construction industry, the rule is that people who own or run a construction business, with or without employees, must have WSIB coverage, with some exceptions — including independent operators doing only exempt home renovation work on a home lived in by the person who hires them. Whether a particular cleaning company falls under those construction rules depends on how its business is classified, so don't assume either way.

The practical step is simple: ask whether they have WSIB coverage or a clearance certificate. A clearance certificate is a document a business can provide to show its standing with WSIB, and WSIB offers an online way to check one. If a company gives you a certificate, check the dates on it and ask for a current one rather than an old copy.

Post-construction cleaning involves real physical hazards — ladders, cleaning chemicals, heavy floor machines and construction dust — so it is reasonable to ask how the company protects its crew and what happens if someone is hurt on your property. A company that answers these questions clearly and in writing is easier to deal with than one that changes the subject.

WSIB and liability insurance are not the same thing. Workplace insurance relates to workers. Damage to your home — a scratched new floor, a broken window, water damage — is a question for the company's liability insurance. Ask for proof of liability insurance and what it covers, separately from the WSIB answer, and verify both independently.

Quotes for a full residential post-construction clean in Ottawa can run roughly $800 to $3,000 depending on the size of the home and the amount of construction dust and debris, so ask for itemized written quotes, and collect the WSIB answer and insurance certificate before you sign any agreement. The Ottawa Construction Network directory at justynrookcontracting.com is a helpful starting point for finding cleaning companies in the Ottawa area.

---

Looking for experienced contractors? The Ottawa Construction Network connects homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Homeupgraders
• RenoMotion Inc.
• Pure Flow Water Solutions inc.
• The Fixer
• ALM Construction & Landscaping Inc.