Enforcement initiatives are part of the province’s Safe At Work Ontario compliance strategy.

They may be announced to sectors in advance although individual workplaces are not identified in advance.

Results from province-wide initiatives are posted on the ministry’s website. The initiatives are intended to raise awareness of workplace hazards and promote compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and its regulations.

Inspectors’ findings may influence the frequency and level of future inspections of individual workplaces. Inspectors may also refer employers to health and safety associations for compliance assistance and training.

Ground control

In 2017-2018, the Mining Health and Safety Program (MHSP) will continue to focus on surface and underground mines, including:

  • review ground control plan (Mining Regulation section 6)
  • unsupported underground openings (Mining Regulation section 6.1)
  • ground support quality control (Mining Regulation section 73), and
  • ground instability record keeping (Mining Regulation section 72).

Inspectors will check that a ground support quality control program:

  • has been developed to cover all types of ground support in use at a mine and meets the requirements of mine design under Mining Regulation section 6
  • has properly installed and has effective ground support and meets the mine design requirements
  • is being implemented, as required by the Mining Regulations
  • has test records available for review
  • has test records available to the mine’s Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC)

In addition, the inspector will check:

  • that the mine has a complete, up-to-date record of all occurrences of rockbursts and uncontrolled falls of ground at the mine
  • who maintains and updates the record and that the record is used to update the mine design
  • that all record entries (reportable under Mining Regulation sections 21(5)(e) and (f)) have been reported to the Ministry of Labour.
  • that ground left unsupported complies with section 6.1

Joint Health and Safety Committee

In 2017-2018, the MHSP will focus on mines and mining plants, including:

  • a functioning JHSC or health and safety representative (HSR) exists in the workplace where required and safety training has been provided to committee members and representatives, as required by the OHSA
  • consultation with JHSC or HSR where required by the OHSA and its regulations
  • election of the certified members of the JHSC representing employers and workers as required by the OHSA [subsection 9(12) of the OHSA]
  • functions of the JHSC as described in [subsection 9(18) OHSA]
  • requirement to establish a committee under this section and post and keep posted the names and work locations of the committee members in a conspicuous place or places where they are most likely to come to the attention of the workers [subsection 9(32) OHSA]
  • maintaining and keeping minutes of its proceedings and make the same available for examination and review by an inspector [subsection 9 (22) OHSA]
  • inspecting the physical condition of the workplace at least once a month [sections 8, 9 of the OHSA]
  • if not practical to inspect the workplace at least once a month the member designated or health and safety representative shall inspect the physical condition of the workplace at least once a year, inspecting at least a part of the workplace in each month [sections 8, 9 of the OHSA]
  • acCommittee shall meet at least once every three months at the workplace and may be required to meet by order of the Minister [subsection 9 (33) OHSA]

Inspectors will also check:

  • compliance for JHSC training requirements, including new requirements for certified workers.
  • required JHSC or HSR involvement in the development of programs under OHSA.
  • building on the key concepts of the internal responsibility system in the workplace

Noise

In 2017-2018, Mining inspectors along with Specialized Professional Service (SPS) staff will focus on the Noise regulation.

This initiative will look at workplace exposures to noise to ensure they are eliminated or properly controlled to protect workers from noise-induced hearing loss.

When the prescribed exposure limit would be exceeded, employers are required to put in place protective measures to proactively reduce workers’ noise exposure. Inspectors and SPS staff will look at measures to prevent noise induced hearing loss. These include:

  • engineering controls to reduce noise at the source or along the path of transmission;
  • work practices such as equipment maintenance (to keep it quieter) or scheduling to limit a worker’s exposure time;
  • personal protective equipment in the form of hearing protection devices (HPDs), subject to the restrictions stated in the Regulation.
  • where it is practicable to do so, employers must post a clearly visible warning sign at every approach to an area in the workplace where the sound level regularly exceeds 85 dBA.

Inspectors and SPS staff will also focus on worker training and selection of HPDs. Employers who provide workers with HPDs must provide them with adequate training and instruction on their care and use that include:

  • limitations of the device(s)
  • proper fit
  • inspection and maintenance, and, if applicable
  • cleaning and disinfection.
    • the regulation requires HPDs to be selected with regard to the:
    • sound levels to which a worker is exposed;
    • attenuation or reduction in sound level provided by the HPD;
    • manufacturer’s information about its use and limitations.

    The Regulation also requires HPDs to be used and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

    Resources/compliance support

    Electrical/Mechanical — Mine Hoist Plant

    For 2017-2018, Electrical/Mechanical (E/M) inspectors will continue to focus on mine hoisting plants to ensure requirements are being met.

    Inspectors will check the following critical points:

    • shaft inspection procedures
    • shaft log book entries
    • conveyance guides are being measured for wear
    • frequency of measurements

    In addition, inspectors will focus on other areas, including:

    • a review of the shaft design and ensure that it has been certified by a certified professional engineer
    • a review of the shaft log book and the required entries as required by the Mining Regulations
    • a review of the communication system in place that will allow communication between persons at the shaft collar, shaft and hoist room
    • design and maintenance of shaft lining and infrastructure.

    Inspectors will check that:

    • there is sufficient height to provide a distance for an overwind at the headframe that exceeds twice the stopping distance of the hoist at the speed permitted by the hoist controls or that at least three metres’ distance be maintained
    • there are sufficient clearances at the shaft bottom for the conveyances for an underwind
    • shaft obstructions identified and displayed on depth indicators
    • a barrier or an obstruction has been installed to prevent the conveyances being lowered into water shaft bottom
    • there is a high-water probe alarm installed in the hoist room.

    Also, inspectors will check that shaft loading and dump zones

    • are being maintained and as per design
    • there is adequate access to the area for workers
    • barriers and lighting are adequate
    • controls are in place to prevent accidental operation of the loading cycle, and
    • lock-and-tag procedures are in place to protect workers.

    Inspectors will also focus on the automation of mine hoists.

    The initiative will focus on:

    • Training for hoist trades (electrical and mechanical). Checking the level of understanding of the control systems and the level of understanding. E/M inspectors will review requirements for safety circuits. Accessibility of programmable logic control (PLC) — access to automated systems (level of protection).
    • Focus on training of maintenance personnel for hoists, hoist plants, adequately trained supervisors and workers.
    • Focus on hoist operators workload. Hoist instructions between workers while the hoist is in operation, conveyance chairing practices.

    Tools