Gates’ Wildlife Control through this post, is providing information about the consequences of hiring a company without coverage from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) and a commercial liability insurance company. Our goal is to protect the public and to raise the standard of how wildlife control is to be conducted in Ontario.

The short answer is NO. 

In recent years the wildlife control industry has been inundated with start-up companies that do not concern themselves or cannot afford adequate insurance coverage. Working on ladders and roof-tops can be a risky business. If ever a job site accident should occur, resulting in property damage or personal injury, the monetary consequences to the property owner could be far reaching. 

To be specific the two types of insurance contractor must carry are:

• Workplace Safety Insurance Board insurance coverage is there to financially assist workers who sustained an injury on the job, preventing the employee from filing a law suit against the property owner.   
• Commercial general liability insurance covers damages and mistakes on job sites. Uninsured contractors may be incapable of paying for any property damage, putting the burden of any mishap squarely on the property owner’s shoulders.

Ontario regulation requires employers to ensure all workes in their employ complete a Minstry of Labour-approved, Working at Heights (WAH) training program before working at heights and using a fall protection system. Furthermore, each individual working for the wildlife control company must obtain this training. 

A well managed company will never overlook the importance of having insurance protection for both their employees and the customer. Therefore, to be fully protected from a customer’s perspective, a valid certificate of both the company’s WSIB and the commercial general liability insurance should be requested before entering a contract.

By Brad Gates, B.Sc.

Brad Gates is the owner and president of AAA Gates Wildlife Control. He has over 35 years experience in the humane wildlife removal and prevention industry.