Safety Third? How to Check a Towing Company’s Reputation!
When you need a towing company, safety should be your top priority. Choosing the right company can make all the difference in ensuring a smooth and secure experience. This guide will show you how to hire a reliable towing company. You will check their safety records and WCB clearance. We’ll show you how to use resources like the Employer Records website and the WCB website. This will help you make an informed decision.
There’s so much information on the internet today. Sometimes it’s hard to determine what’s true and what is not. Fortunately, both the Alberta Government and the Workers’ Compensation Board of Alberta have websites. These sites share reports and other information with the public. Now you can make an Informed Decision when looking for companies to use!
Check out our other post where we talk about COR which involves insurance and safety heavily HERE.
Step 1: Check the Company’s Safety Records on the Employer Records Website
Before hiring a towing company, it’s essential to check their safety records. This will give you an idea of their commitment to safety and help you avoid potential hazards. To do this, you can visit the Employer Records website
On this website, you can search for a company by their name or their Alberta Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) account number. The search results will show key company details, like injury records and any OH&S orders against them. By reviewing this data, you can ensure that the towing company you’re considering has a strong safety record.
To note, you have to search for their ‘legal’ name, and for reference, ours is Tuber Transport Inc. for complete clarity. Go ahead, check us out. 🙂
Step 2: Verify the Company’s WCB Clearance
In addition to checking a company’s safety records, it’s crucial to confirm their WCB clearance. This will ensure the towing company has proper insurance coverage. It will also confirm it is in good standing with the Workers’ Compensation Board.
To check a company’s WCB clearance, you can visit the WCB website
Under the heading “I’m hiring a company and need clearance on their account.” Enter the company’s name or WCB account number. You can then quickly confirm if they follow WCB rules.
If the company name doesn’t come up, it means they DO NOT HAVE WCB. If their name comes up, that doesn’t confirm verification. You need to proceed to next step and read the clearance letter.
A company that doesn’t pass, their letter will look like this:
Thank you for checking into the status of this contractor or subcontractor. Under Section 126 of the Workers’ Compensation Act, you must get a clearance for your contractor or subcontractor. This can release you from liability for any unpaid WCB premiums they owe.
At this time, we cannot issue a clearance for the above named. You should maintain sufficient holdback to offset any liability you may have. If you would like help to determine the possible amount of your liability, please call WCB-Alberta at (780) 498-3999.
A company (Tuber Towing) will have a letter with this information:
Thank you for checking into the status of this contractor or subcontractor. Under Section 126 of the Workers’ Compensation Act, you must get a clearance for your contractor or subcontractor. This clearance releases you from liability for any unpaid WCB premiums they owe. Please ensure clearance has been issued in the correct name and that there is coverage in the industry(jes) for which work was performed.
Please accept this letter as a clearance for work completed between the effective date of the account and the date of this letter. For this account, you are not liable under Section 126 of the Workers’ Compensation Act up to the date of this letter. Any holdback may be released for contracts completed, and/or for work completed to the date of this letter. For an account that shows closed under the effective date, the clearance is only valid for work completed up to the close date. If work has not started, obtain a clearance prior to releasing final payment.
Please note: If any corporation directors are injured at work, you are protected from a lawsuit. This applies if they have personal coverage. If they do not have personal coverage, you may not be protected in the case of a workplace injury.
Note that both letters refer to Section 126. This makes the letters legally binding. It means the company and you must protect employees and yourself when hiring
Step 3: Consider Other Factors When Choosing a Towing Company
While safety records and WCB clearance matter when choosing a reliable towing company, other factors matter too. These include:
- Experience: A company with years of industry experience is more likely to offer quality service. It will also have well-trained staff.
- Customer Reviews: Read online reviews to gain insight into the company’s customer service and overall satisfaction.
- Services Offered: Make sure the towing company offers the services you need. These may include flatbed towing, roadside assistance, or long-distance towing.
- Response Time: A quick response time is crucial in emergency situations. Choose a company that offers 24/7 availability and rapid response times.
- Pricing: Compare pricing among different towing companies to ensure you’re getting a fair and competitive rate.
Conclusion:
Hiring the right towing company is crucial for a safe and seamless towing experience. By checking the company’s safety records on the Employer Records website, you can make an informed decision. Verify their WCB clearance to choose a towing company you can trust. Additionally, consider experience, customer reviews, services offered, response time, and pricing. This will help you find a reliable towing company that values safety and customer satisfaction.