Overview

From April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025, the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) conducted a health and safety campaign that focused on activities at construction projects where workers may be struck by material, vehicles or equipment.

Education and outreach phase

We began by focusing on education, outreach, and awareness, to provide information to employers, in partnership with Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA).

The goal was to help employers comply with the requirements under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and its regulations prior to focused inspections.

MLITSD inspectors also referred workplace parties to our health and safety partners for compliance assistance and training as appropriate during the enforcement phase.

Enforcement phase

Beginning April 1, 2024, we conducted focused inspections of workplaces to check that employers were complying with regulations under the OSHA. In particular, MLITSD inspectors checked that employers were taking appropriate action with respect to struck-by hazards.

MLITSD inspectors checked for compliance with the OHSA and applicable regulations, specifically:

Inspection results

As a result, MLITSD inspectors:

  • conducted 5,926 field visits with 492 support role activities
  • visited 4,580 workplaces
  • issued 12,985 orders and requirements

“Support role activities” are a professional services staff (such as a hygienist, ergonomist or engineer) or another inspector who accompanies an inspector on a field visit to provide professional support and/or expertise. 

Background

The MLITSD’s Construction Health and Safety Program (CHSP) is working with field staff, IHSA and stakeholders to clearly identify the likely root causes of these incidents in an effort to develop a multi-pronged approach to address this issue.

Full report

Workplace inspection campaigns

Inspection campaigns are part of our compliance strategy. We announce to the sector, in advance, that we will be conducting a campaign. However, individual workplaces are not notified in advance. MLITSD inspectors’ findings may impact the number and level of future inspections of individual workplaces.

MLITSD inspectors may also refer employers to health and safety associations for compliance assistance and training.

Focus of the campaign

This campaign focused on activities at construction projects where workers may be struck by material, vehicles or equipment.

Inspectors checked for compliance in these areas:

  • construction projects were planned and organized to eliminate or reduce the reverse operation of vehicles and construction equipment
  • workplace parties had planned the operation of equipment and pedestrian traffic
  • personal protective equipment, including high visibility safety apparel was worn by workers as required
  • workplace parties operated and maintained equipment per manufacturer’s instructions
  • employers ensured equipment operators are competent and/or qualified
  • employers provided competent traffic control persons and signallers
  • employers ensured hoisting operations are conducted using safe rigging practices
  • employers ensured that rigging equipment was inspected, maintained and adequate for the material handling activity.

MLITSD inspectors took appropriate action to address contraventions, including issuing orders to comply with requirements of the OHSA and its regulations.

Inspection activity summary

Visits to workplaces

  • 5,926 field visits with 492 support role activities
  • 4,580 workplaces visited
  • 12,985 orders and requirements issued under the OHSA and its regulations including:
    • 364 contraventions addressed under the OHSA
    • 1,012 stop work orders
    • 11,018 contraventions addressed under O. Reg. 213/91 for Construction Projects
    • 43 contraventions addressed under O. Reg. 856 Roll-Over Protective Structures (ROPS)
    • 423 requirements issued for the employer to provide an inspector with workplace information
    • 121 contraventions addressed from other regulations such as Asbestos on Construction Projects and Health and Safety Awareness Training
  • an average of 2.52 contraventions were addressed per workplace visited
  • an average of 1.95 contraventions were addressed per field visit

Most frequent contraventions addressed

A total of 11,546 contraventions were addressed under the OHSA and its regulations, and 1,012 stop work orders were issued. The most frequently issued orders involved failure to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), workers exposed to fall related hazards, failure to provide safe work platform and access to a work area, excavation hazards and failure to maintain or operate equipment in accordance with the regulatory requirements.

A total of 11,018 contraventions addressed under O. Reg. 213/91 for Construction Projects. Orders were issued under the following sections (among others):

  • for the employer to protect workers from fall hazards [s.26-26.9, clause 135 (1)(c) and 233(4)]
  • for the employer to provide safe access to and egress from a work area [s.70-84]
  • for the employer to ensure personal protective equipment is worn as required [s.21-25]
  • for the employer to ensure equipment is operated and maintained and material is moved and stored properly [s.37, 39, 93-96, 101-109, 150, 152 and 157]
  • for the employer to ensure workers were protected from vehicular traffic hazards on roadway and on the project [s.67-69.1 and 104-106]

Observations

The results of this campaign indicate that workplace parties need to continue to improve compliance with respect to a variety of hazards at construction projects.

We observed that:

  • fall hazards continue to be issues that can result in serious outcomes
  • the proper operation of equipment, safe material handling and storage procedures continues to be a problem at some workplaces

Conclusion and next steps

Heightened awareness of any hazard can bring change. All workplace parties must continue to be diligent and not allow complacency to enter their daily routines. The risk of being struck-by material, vehicles or equipment can be prevented by raising awareness and taking proper precautions.

Ministry inspectors will continue to monitor the risks to struck-by hazards to ensure that all workplace parties are aware of and adhere to their duties and rights.

A key to workplace health and safety in Ontario is the Internal Responsibility System (IRS). Workplace parties are encouraged to work together to identify and control all hazards.

Help for employers

Please contact our health and safety partners for more information, resources and tools.

Contact us through our Health and Safety Contact Centre. We can provide information about compliance with the OHSA, including where to find information that is relevant to your workplace to assist with compliance regarding safe material handling and operation of vehicles or equipment.

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