MOL inspectors are responsible for enforcing the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations at workplaces across the province. As part of the Safe At Work Ontario (OHSA) strategy, they focus on specific industry sectors where there are high injury rates, a history of non-compliance and specific workplace hazards. They will also continue to verify overall compliance with the OHSA and its regulations. Inspectors are not limited to inspecting the issues identified in this document as Safe At Work Ontario areas of focus, and will take enforcement action as appropriate to the situation at each workplace inspected.

Note: Injury and illness trends: The program uses Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) data to identify injury and illness trends. Trend analyses of the number of fatalities, critical injuries, lost-time injuries (LTIs), LTI rates and the costs associated with WSIB claims for each sector are used by the program to identify sectors for blitz initiatives. In addition to this information, inspectors also review the compliance history and known hazards inherent to the type of work to select which workplaces to visit.

In addition to their general inspection duties, industrial inspectors will conduct three province-wide, blitz campaigns in 2017-2018.
Month, YearEnforcement campaign/blitz topicKey points
May 1, 2017 - August 31, 2017New and young workers

Two focus groups in this blitz:

  • new young worker 14-24
  • new worker, older than 25 who has been on the job for less than 6 months or reassigned to a new job

New and young workers continue to have higher rates of injuries than other workers. Inspectors will check to ensure that employers and supervisors are taking steps to ensure the protection of new and young workers.

October 2, 2017 - November 24, 2017Falls – including slips and trips
  • Many injuries continue to occur due to slips, trips and falls, including workers falling on ice and/or snow in parking lots or exterior walkways
  • Focus on housekeeping, the safe use of ladders and maintenance at the workplaces to reduce slipping hazards.
January 15, 2018 - February 28, 2018Machine guarding and electrical hazards
  • Machine guarding focus - including pre-start health and safety reviews as appropriate.
  • Electrical hazards focus - workers performing electrical work within an industrial establishment (i.e. industrial electrician and exemption, training, not working live, etc.)

Tips on how to prepare for an MOL blitz/initiative inspection

Before the inspector’s visit

  • Check your accident experience in relation to the blitz/initiative topic.
  • Review OHSA sections and regulations that may apply based on the Blitz’s/initiative’s focus.
  • Determine whether you are currently meeting or exceeding the minimum legal requirements in those areas.
  • Consult with MOL Health and Safety Partners for specific information and services that may help you prepare.
  • Review the ministry’s blitz-related material.
  • Discuss compliance strategies with your Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) or Health and Safety Representative (HSR).

During the visit

  • Ensure all required documentation is available to the ministry inspector.
  • Ensure supervisor and worker health and safety representative are available.
  • Ensure the workplace parties co-operate with the ministry inspector.

The inspector will focus on:

  • Compliance with the OHSA and its regulations
  • Health and safety programs and policies related to the blitz topic, if applicable
  • Internal Responsibility System (IRS) training requirements and any deficiencies
  • Record of injuries, including blitz/initiative related issues/hazards
  • Workplace specific hazards related to the blitz/initiative.

Note: Inspectors can legally enter a project or workplace at any time without warrant or prior notice (OHSA section 54(1)(a)). An inspector will identify himself/herself by means of ministry identification. No person shall hinder, obstruct, molest or interfere with or attempt to hinder, obstruct, molest or interfere with an inspector in the exercise of a power or the performance of a duty under this act or the regulations or in the execution of a warrant issued under this act or the Provincial Offences Act with respect to a matter under this act or the regulations.

New and young worker blitz

Date:  May 01 to August 31, 2017

Type: Industrial provincial

Ministry inspectors will focus on new and young workers at workplaces in selected sectors.

Rationale

Why focus on the new and young worker?

Any new worker, of any age, is up to three times more likely to be injured during the first month of a new job than at any other time performing that job, according to the Institute for Work and Health.

This applies to any worker who is new to the work he or she is performing, such as a new job with the same employer. For this blitz, new and young workers are defined as:

  • young workers aged 14 to 24 and
  • new workers who are on the job for less than six months or assigned to a new job. This includes both young workers and those 25 and older.

New workers include:

  • any new hire, either permanent or temporary, including supervisors, with or without experience in the industry where they are working
  • current workers who are assigned new jobs
  • student workers, co-op placements or apprentices
  • seasonal workers.

Trends: WSIB statistics

Lost-time claims

According to the 2015 WSIB Statistical Report (Schedule 1), workers between the age groups of 20 - 24 and 50 - 54 represented the largest groups for all allowed lost-time claims.

  • Over the past 10 years, sprains and strains has continued to be the leading nature of injury and in 2015 represented 39 per cent of all allowed lost time claims
  • The leading injuries in the age group 15 - 24 involved being struck by equipment or objects and they experienced mostly hand injuries
  • The leading injuries in the age group 25 - 54 involved overexertion and they experienced mostly back injuries.
  • The leading injuries in the age group 55+ involved falls on the same level and they experienced mostly back injuries.
Selected sectors

Ministry inspectors will focus on new and young worker safety in the following sectors:

  • retail
  • restaurants
  • tourism, Hospitality and Recreational Services
  • food, Beverage and Tobacco

Inspectors may also visit workplaces, based on regional knowledge, in other sectors where new and young workers may work.

Blitz focus

Inspectors will focus on the following key priorities:

Training, orientation and supervision – Inspectors will verify that employers have completed basic mandatory supervisor and worker awareness training and that workers have received information and instruction about the employer’s workplace violence and harassment programs. They will also check that employers have Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) training in place, and that employers provide supervision to workers.

Internal Responsibility System – Inspectors will check on the IRS, check if the HSRs or JHSCs are in place and functioning as required under the OHSA.

Policies and programs – Inspectors will check that employers have policies and programs in place to address workplace violence and harassment.

Minimum age requirements – Inspectors will check that employers are employing workers who meet the minimum age requirements for industrial establishments, where applicable.

Safe work practices – Inspectors will check that employers have safe work practices, including practices for assessing for hazards in the workplace and taking appropriate action to prevent worker injury.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety devices- Inspectors will that check that employers ensure PPE is properly selected, used and maintained for tasks. Inspectors will also check that workers wear the appropriate PPE required by the employer.

Resources/compliance support:

Tips
Guides
Tools
Hazard alerts
Health and safety partners

The ministry works closely with its workplace health and safety partners to protect workers’ health and safety on the job.

Slips, trips and falls blitz

Date: October 2, 2017 to November 24, 2017

Type: Industrial provincial

Ministry inspectors will focus on the safe use of ladders, housekeeping and including maintenance at the workplaces to reduce slipping risks.

Rationale

Why focus on falls?

  • Many injuries continue to occur due to slips, trips and falls.
  • Over the 10-year period from 2005 to 2014, falls accounted for 17.1 per cent of the traumatic fatalities in all programs for Schedule 1 employers.
  • In 2014, fall on same level accounted for 15 per cent of the injury events in all programs for Schedule 1 employers.
  • In 2014, fall on same level accounted for 21 per cent of the injury events in all programs for Schedule 2 employers.
  • Between April 1, 2014, and March 1, 2015, there were 4 work-related deaths and 20 critical injuries from falls involving ladders in industrial establishments.

Selected sectors:

In particular, ministry inspectors will focus on falls in the following sectors:

  • TBD

Blitz focus

Inspectors will focus on the following key priorities:

Worker and Supervisor Health and Safety Awareness Training – Inspectors will verify that employers have completed basic mandatory supervisor and worker awareness training.

Policies and programs – Inspectors will check that employers have taken steps to protect workers from falls such as requirements for safely using ladders.

Access and egress – Inspectors will check that employers are providing appropriate access and egress to work areas.

Safe work practices – Inspectors will check that employers have safe work practices, including practices for assessing hazards in the workplace and taking appropriate action to prevent worker injury. They will also check that employers have safe work practices when workers are using ladders, mobile stands and platforms.

Falls from ladders, mobile stands and platforms – Inspectors will check that employers have assessed ladders, stands and platforms for hazards and that this equipment is maintained and placed on firm footing when in use.

Same level slips and trips – Inspectors will check that employers keep floors and other work surfaces free of obstructions and other hazards (such as oily or greasy floors). Special attention will be paid to walkways, aisles and other areas where there is pedestrian traffic.

Falls from trucks/loads – Inspectors will check that employers ensure workers are using safe work practices where they may be exposed to the hazard of falling from the beds of trucks, trailers or the top of loads.

Ergonomics – Inspectors will check that employers ensure workers are performing tasks in a manner that prevents falls. This may include factors such as workers’ posture, use of force and other ergonomic factors.

Worker training – Inspectors will check that employers provide information, instruction and supervision to workers to prevent injuries and deaths from fall hazards.

Resources/compliance support:

Ontario Ministry of Labour
Guides
Tools
Hazard alerts
Health and safety partners

The ministry works closely with its workplace health and safety partners to protect workers’ health and safety on the job.

Machine guarding and electrical hazards

Date: January 15, 2018 to February 28, 2018

Type: Industrial provincial

Ministry inspectors will focus protection of workers from hazards related to unguarded machines and electrical hazards in workplaces.

Rationale

Why focus on machine guarding and electrical hazards?

Workers can be exposed to a number of hazards when machines are not properly guarded or locked out during maintenance, repair and other activities in industrial sector workplaces. These hazards can result in serious injuries such as amputation of limbs or death.

Hazards can include:

  • exposure to in-running nip hazards, i.e. getting caught up in machinery and moving parts if equipment is not properly guarded.
  • exposure to hazardous motion, such as rotating machine parts, if equipment is not properly locked and blocked during maintenance and repair.
  • exposure to live electrical components, i.e. machinery not locked out prior to electrical work being conducted.

Blitz focus

From January 15 to February 28, 2018, Ministry of Labour inspectors will visit the following sectors:

  • wood and metal fabrication
  • manufacturing
  • chemical and plastics
  • automotive plants.

The blitz will also target workplaces known to have machinery or hazardous processes and or equipment and where complaints have been received.

The inspections will focus on:

  • Worker and Supervisor Health and Safety Awareness Training: Inspectors will verify that employers have their supervisors and workers complete basic mandatory supervisor and worker awareness training.
  • Guarding: Inspectors will check that employers have ensured that pinch points and other hazardous locations on equipment have guarding devices.
  • Locking and blocking: Inspectors will check that employers have ensured that workers are following lockout procedures to prevent machines from starting when the machines are opened or when guarding devices are removed and blocked to prevent accidental movement when required.
  • Electrical hazards: Inspectors will check that employers are ensuring the power supply to electrical installations, equipment or conductors is disconnected, locked out of service and tagged before or during any work done, on or near live exposed parts of installations, equipment or conductors.
  • Power line contact: Inspectors will check that employers are taking every reasonable precaution to protect workers who are at risk of coming in contact with an overhead power line while performing maintenance work on a roof or a roof repair.
  • Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs): Inspectors will check that employers are taking adequate measures to address activities that could lead to MSDs. This includes addressing an increase in awkward postures and/or increased use of force to perform required duties due to the installation or removal of a machine guard.
  • Internal Responsibility System (IRS): Inspectors will check the workplaces’ IRS to see if a health and safety representative or JHSC, if required, is in place and that they were functioning as required under the OHSA.
  • Policies and programs: Inspectors will check that employers have policies and programs in place to protect workers from hazards in the workplace.

Resources/compliance support:

Ontario Ministry of Labour

Guides
Tools
Hazard alerts
Health and safety partners

The ministry works closely with its workplace health and safety partners to protect workers’ health and safety on the job.