Food, beverage and tobacco

Sector summary

This sector includes workplaces that produce and/or manufacture food products, beverages, distillery products, brewery products, wine products and tobacco products. It also includes slaughter houses and meat, fish and poultry processing plants.

Key hazards

The following list represents hazards to which workers are commonly exposed in the food, beverage and tobacco sector:

• activities that may lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)
• slips, trips and falls
• machine (and powered equipment) hazards such as improper lock-out and unguarded equipment
• material handling hazards (such as workers being struck by objects, caught or crushed between objects)
• exposures (such as chemicals and environmental conditions)
• noise
• confined spaces.

In general, hazards that are not covered by a regulation and hazards in workplaces not covered by a sector-specific regulation are addressed through the application of the general duty clause 25(2)(h) of the Occupational health and safety Act (OHSA).

Workplace parties are to refer to the narrative portion of the field visit report, if they have received one, for further information or contact their health and safety association for guidance.

In addition to any other hazards which may be present in a workplace, all employers covered by the OHSA must comply with the requirements for workplace violence and harassment. The act sets out requirements for workplace violence and harassment in sections 32.0.1 to 32.0.8. Further information regarding the requirements related to workplace violence can be found in the Ministry of Labour (MOL) guide Workplace violence and harassment: Understanding the law.

Additional information, including more information about new workplace harassment provisions, can be found on the MOL topic webpages for Workplace Violence and Workplace Harassment. Employers may wish to consider the use of the ministry’s Code of Practice to Address Workplace Harassment under the Occupational health and safety Act.

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)

Workplace pains and strains can be serious and disabling for workers, causing pain and suffering ranging from discomfort to severe disability.

MSD is not a medical diagnosis; it is an umbrella term for a group of injuries. Some of these injuries include: back pain, muscle strain, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), rotator cuff syndrome, tennis elbow and shoulder pain.

• Identify and assess job-related MSD risk factors (i.e. identify tasks and activities involving manual material handling, use of ladders, static or repetitive movements etc.).
• Review training on job-specific MSD risk factors.
• Assess controls to reduce worker exposure to MSDs.
• Contact your health and safety association for guidance in assessments and prevention of MSDs.

Slips, trips and falls

Slips, trips and falls hazards include hazards that result in workers falling onto the same surface or falling from a height.

Injuries to workers can include fractures, lacerations and loss of consciousness. In extreme circumstances injuries caused from a fall can lead to permanent disability or death.

The Regulation for Industrial Establishments (Regulation 851) applies to industrial establishments (such as an office building, factory, arena, shop or office or any land, buildings and structures pertaining thereto) and sets out a number of requirements for worker protection against slips, trips and falls, including but not limited to sections 11, 13, 14, 15, 73 and 85.

• Floors and other surfaces used by workers must be free of obstructions, hazards, accumulations of ice and snow and not have a slippery surface. [section 11].
• Review requirements for guardrails to protect from falls [sections 13 and 14].
• Review fall protection equipment required when working from heights [section 85].
• Ensure that training is provided to a worker on the use of protective clothing and equipment i.e. fall arrest equipment) [section 79].
• In areas requiring ladder use, review compliance with section 73.
• Employers must provide information, instruction and supervision to protect workers from slips, trips and falls and acquaint workers with the hazards [OHSA clauses 25(2)(a) and 25(2)(d)].

Machine hazards

A Pre-start health and safety review may be required (as per section 7 of Regulation 851) if new equipment (or modifications to equipment) are installed that interface with certain electrical safeguarding devices. Please see the section Pre-start health and safety review found later in this document for more information.

Machine or transmission start-up (improper lockout)

Injuries experienced by accidental machine start-up can include lacerations, crushing and amputations. In some circumstances these injuries can cause permanent disability or death.

The Regulation for Industrial Establishments (Regulation 851) sets out requirements for worker protection against machine start-up in sections 75 and 76.

• Review repair/maintenance of machinery [section 75].
• Ensure requirement/compliance with lockout procedures [sections 75 and 76].
• Ensure that instruction and information is provided to a worker on the hazard and the requirements to isolate and lockout hazardous energy [OHSA clauses 25(2)(a) and 25(2)(d)].

Unguarded equipment

Injuries to workers can include lacerations, amputations, crush by entanglement and loss of consciousness. Serious injuries can lead to permanent disability or death.

Hazards due to unguarded equipment include worker exposure to pinch points, moving (rotating) equipment and in-running nip hazards. Equipment that has exposed moving parts such as cutting equipment, conveyors, augers and exposed drive-motor assemblies used to power compressors and/or ventilation fans may endanger a worker. Regulation 851 sets out requirements for guarding of equipment in sections 24, 25, 26, 28, 31 and 32.

• Ensure that the requirements for the guarding of prime movers or transmission equipment are followed [section 24].
• Ensure that pinch points are guarded [section 25].

Material handling hazards: struck by objects, caught between or crushed by objects

Injuries associated with material handling can include workers being struck by objects, caught between objects and/or crushed by mechanical compression. Manual material handling may also lead to MSDs.

Regulation 851 sets out requirements for material handling in sections 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 and 50. Section 51 contains requirements regarding mechanical lifting devices.

• Review operations/processes involving the movement of raw material and product from receiving area to production line and from production line to shipping area [section 45].
• Review operations/processes involving assembly line or similar style of raw material or product movement [clause 45(a)].
• Review warehousing/storage operations [clause 45(b)].
• Ensure that mechanical lifting devices are maintained in good condition, are operated by a competent person and are capable of handling loads [section 51].

Exposures

Chemical exposures

Workers can be exposed to chemical hazards by a variety of different routes such as causing chemical burns to skin, irritation to eyes and airways and by absorption or injection into the body.

• Review the use of chemicals used in the workplace such as common cleaners and other chemicals used in the workplace.
• Ensure that appropriate skin protection is provided.
• Ensure that appropriate eye protection is provided to workers.
• Ensure that appropriate emergency eyewash equipment is provided.
• Ensure that appropriate emergency shower facilities are provided where necessary.
• Ensure that workers are trained about precautions to take, use of protective equipment and emergency procedures.
• Ensure that the requirements outlined in the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) (Regulation 860) and the requirements to monitor and control exposure limits as identified in the Control of Exposure to Biological or Chemical Agents (Regulation 833) are followed.

General workplace environment

Workplace hazards related to the general workplace environment may include exposure to fumes and other contaminants related to poor or inadequate ventilation. Exposure to cold or heat may also be a hazard to worker health and safety.

• Ensure workplace ventilation is adequate [Regulation 851, sections 127 and 128].
• Ensure that a workplace is adequately heated where appropriate [section 129].
• Review sources of heat or excessive temperatures in the workplace and ensure that adequate controls are in place to protect workers.

Noise

Injuries to workers can include varying degrees of noise-induced hearing loss.

The Noise Regulation O. Reg. 381/15 sets out workplace requirements regarding noise.

• Review the engineering controls and administrative (work practices) controls in place to reduce noise levels and exposures (mufflers on air exhausts, mechanical damping, vibration isolators, enclosures, limiting worker’s exposure time) [subsection 2(2)].
• Review the availability and use of hearing protection [subsection 2(6)].
• Review the type of hearing protection provided [subsection 4(1)].
• Review placement of warning signs at approaches to noisy areas [subsection 2(7)].
• Review the training provided to workers [section 3].
• Personal protective equipment is to be used only as a last resort. Engineering controls and work practices must be used where practicable [subsection 2(5)].

Confined space

A confined space means a fully or partially enclosed space that is not both designed and constructed for continuous human occupancy, and in which atmospheric hazards may occur because of its construction, location or contents or because of work that is done in it.

Injuries to workers can include loss of consciousness and collateral injuries sustained as a result of loss of consciousness.

In some circumstances such as oxygen depletion, toxic substance inhalation or explosive atmosphere, injuries to workers can lead to permanent disability or death.

The Regulation for Confined Spaces (O. Reg. 632/05) sets out workplace requirements regarding confined spaces.

• Review work locations that meet the definition of confined space.
• Ensure compliance with the requirement to have a program in place for confined spaces [section 5].
• Ensure compliance with the requirement to have adequate assessments of confined spaces carried out [section 6].
• Ensure compliance with requirement to have an adequate plan developed and implemented for confined space entry [section 7].
• Review compliance with requirement for worker training [section 9].

Trends

• Only critical injury events reported to the ministry are included here.
• These represent data that were reported to the ministry and may not represent what actually occurred at the workplace.
• The critical injury numbers represent critical injuries reported to the ministry and not necessarily critical injuries as defined by the Occupational health and safety Act.
• Non-workers who are critically injured may also be included in the ministry’s data.
• The Ministry of Labour tracks and reports fatalities at workplaces covered by the OHSA. This excludes death from natural causes, death of non-workers at a workplace, suicides, death as a result of a criminal act or traffic accident (unless the OHSA is also implicated) and death from occupational exposures that occurred many years ago.
• Data are subject to change because of inspectors’ updates to the database.

Most common orders issued under the OHSA

From April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017 the most common orders issued by the Ministry of Labour under the OHSA were:

• An employer shall ensure that, the equipment, materials and protective devices provided by the employer are maintained in good condition [OHSA clause 25(1)(b)].
• An employer shall prepare and review at least annually a written occupational health and safety policy and develop and maintain a program to implement that policy [clause 25(2)(j)].
• An employer shall post, in the workplace, a copy of this act and any explanatory material prepared by the ministry, both in English and the majority language of the workplace, outlining the rights, responsibilities and duties of workers [clause 25(2)(i)].
• At a project or other workplace where no committee is required under section 9 and where the number of workers regularly exceeds five, the constructor or employer shall cause the workers to select at least one health and safety representative from among the workers at the workplace who do not exercise managerial functions [subsection 8(1)].
• Orders issued to an employer related to workplace violence and harassment provisions [sections 32.0.1 through 32.0.8].

Most common orders issued under the Industrial Regulations

From April 1, 2016, to March 31, 2017, the most common orders issued by the Ministry of Labour under Regulation 851 were:

• Where a machine or prime mover or transmission equipment has an exposed moving part that may endanger the safety of any worker, the machine or prime mover or transmission equipment shall be equipped with and guarded by a guard or other device that prevents access to the moving part [section 24].
• An in-running nip hazard or any part of a machine, device or thing that may endanger the safety of any worker shall be equipped with and guarded by a guard or other device that prevents access to the pinch point [section 25].
• A floor or other surface used by any worker shall be kept free of obstructions, hazards, and accumulations of refuse, snow or ice; and not have any finish or protective material used on it that is likely to make the surface slippery [section 11].
• Where a worker is exposed to a potential hazard of injury to the eye due to contact with a biological or chemical substance, an eyewash fountain shall be provided [section 124]
• A lifting device shall be so constructed, of such strength and be equipped with suitable ropes, chains, slings and other fittings so as to adequately ensure the safety of all workers be thoroughly examined by a competent person to determine its capability of handling the maximum load as rated, prior to being used for the first time, and thereafter as often as necessary but not less frequently than recommended by the manufacturer and in any case, at least once a year, and a permanent record shall be kept, signed by the competent person doing the examination [section 51].

Industrial Regulations identified by section

Inspectors may issue orders in the food, beverage and tobacco sector under the following sections of the Regulation for Industrial Establishments where appropriate.

• Section 7 – pre-start health and safety review requirement
• Section 11 – safe work surfaces
• Sections 13 and 14 – guardrails
• Sections 24, 25, 26, 28 and 32 – guarding of equipment
• Section 34 – conveyor guarding
• Section 45 – material handling and storage
• Clause 51(1)(a) – examination of lifting device
• Clause 51(1)(b) – maximum rated load plainly marked on lifting device
• Section 73 – portable ladder
• Section 76 – machine lockout
• Section 79 – personal protective equipment instruction
• Section 80 – head protection
• Section 81 – eye protection
• Section 82 – foot protection

Pre-start health and safety review

A pre-start review (PSR) may be required by section 7 of Regulation 851. Section 7 applies to a factory as defined by the OHSA and is intended to ensure that hazards are removed or controlled before an apparatus or process is started up. If required, the PSR must be completed prior to the complete installation (in-service and operating) of any apparatus, structure or protective element.

Information about pre-start reviews can be found in the Ministry of Labour Guidelines for Pre-Start Health and Safety Reviews: How to Apply Section 7 of the Industrial Establishments Regulation.

For further information contact your health and safety association or the Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO) for guidance in conducting a PSR or contact a professional engineer or engineering company that performs PSRs.

Applicable regulations

• Critical Injury – Defined Regulation 834
• Confined Spaces O. Reg. 632/05
• Control of Exposure to Biological or Chemical Agents Regulation 833
• Designated Substances O. Reg. 490/09
• Designated Substance – Asbestos on Construction Projects and in Building Repair Operations Regulation, O. Reg. 278/05
• Noise Regulation O. Reg. 381/15
• Occupational Health and Safety Awareness and Training O. Reg. 297/13
• Regulation for Industrial Establishments Regulation 851
• Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Regulation 860

Construction

Employers should be aware that in situations where construction work is undertaken, the Construction Projects Regulation (O. Reg. 213/91) may apply.

Construction work can be described as new work, additions, alterations, or maintenance and repairs. The Occupational health and safety Act defines construction as including erection, alteration, repair, dismantling, demolition, structural maintenance, painting, land clearing, earth moving, grading, excavating, trenching, digging, boring, drilling, blasting, or concreting, the installation of any machinery or plant, and any work or undertaking in connection with a project but does not include any work or undertaking underground in a mine.

General resources

Publications | Ministry of Labour

For information and Guides, Fact Sheets, Information Bulletins, Guidelines, Alerts, Engineering Data Sheets, Extracts, Reports, Consultations, Codes, and Standards.

Videos and photos | Ministry of Labour

To view Ministry of Labour videos and photos.

Health and Safety Partners

To learn about sector-assigned health and safety associations.

By the numbers: WSIB statistical report

To review Workplace safety and insurance board (WSIB) injury experience data.