The primary purpose of a clearance certificate is to from financial liability. Clearances | WSIB
A very specific topic!
The risks of ignoring clearance certificates are severe. Consider a hypothetical scenario: A residential homebuilder hires a roofing company that presents a forged or expired clearance certificate. A roofer falls and sustains a permanent disability. If the roofing company has failed to pay its WSIB premiums for months, the WSIB will pursue the homebuilder for the entire cost of the roofer’s lifetime benefits—potentially millions of dollars. Beyond financial ruin, the homebuilder may face stop-work orders, legal penalties, and debarment from future public or private contracts. The WSIB also has the authority to inspect sites and demand proof of clearance. Employers found without valid certificates can be fined up to $25,000 for an individual and $100,000 for a corporation, in addition to any outstanding premium liabilities. Thus, the clearance certificate is not merely a shield for the principal; it is a sword that the WSIB wields to enforce systemic compliance. wsib clearance certificates