On/Off Employers' Premises - Archived December 5, 2024

Policy

A worker is considered to be in the course of employment on entering the employer's premises, as defined, at the proper time, using the accepted means for entering and leaving to perform activities for the purpose of the employer's business. The "In the course of employment" status ends on leaving the employer's premises, unless the worker leaves the premises for the purpose of the employment.

The employer's premises are defined as the building, plant, or location in which the worker is entitled to be, including entrances, exits, stairs, elevators, lobbies, parking lots, passageways, and roads controlled by the employer for the use of the workers when entering or leaving the work site.

An accident shall be considered to arise out of the employment when it happens on the employer's premises as defined, unless at the time of the happening of the accident

the accident is occasioned by the injured worker using, for personal reasons, any instrument of added peril such as an automobile, motorcycle, or bicycle, except when the accident was caused by the condition of the road or happening under the control of the employer, or
the worker is performing an act not incidental to his work or employment obligations.

Guidelines

It is generally considered that workers are in the course of the employment when they reach the employer's premises or place of work. A worker is generally not considered to be in the course of the employment when travelling to or from the workplace, although there are exceptions to this general rule. (See 15-03-05, Travelling.) The WSIB's practice in respect of accidents occurring on an employer's premises centre on geographical location as a determining factor as to whether or not a worker was in the course of employment at the time of the accident. Location has been adopted as the line to be drawn between personal activities and work-related activities.

Without limitation to the following, the WSIB will consider entitlement in claims where a worker is injured when

going to or from work in transport under the control and supervision of, or chartered by, the employer
obtaining pay or depositing tools, etc., on the employer's premises after actual work hours
participating in a work-related sports activity, for example, school teachers and camp counselors, when the employer condones these activities by making the premises available and/or exercising a form of supervision and control
attending compulsory evening courses
travelling on company business, by the most direct and uninterrupted route, under the supervision and control of the employer
travelling to or from a convention and/or participating in convention activities, and
on a lunch, break, or other non-work period (period of leisure) by ordinary hazards of the employer's premises.

Application date

This policy applies to all decisions made on or after June 1, 1989, for all accidents.

Document History

This document replaces 03-02-02 dated June 1989.

References

Legislative Authority

Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997, as amended
Section 13(1)

Workers' Compensation Act, R.S.O. 1990, as amended
Section 4(1)

Minute

Administrative
#18, June 25, 2004, Page 381