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Industrial program
The Industrial Health and Safety Program is the largest and most diverse of the ministry’s four occupational health and safety programs. The program is responsible for enforcing the Occupational Health and Safety Act and regulations in 29 complex industries. Most workers in provincially regulated workplaces in Ontario are covered by the Industrial Health and Safety Program.
Industrial blitzes
In 2015-16, ministry inspectors – in addition to their regular inspection duties – conducted three inspection blitzes focusing specifically on reducing hazards for new and young workers as well as those related to handling materials and operating machinery.
Every year, new and young workers begin new employment opportunities. This blitz is a success because the results continue to demonstrate the need for the Ministry of Labour to visit workplaces where new and young workers are employed. These inspections ensure employers fulfill their duties under the ccupational Health and Safety Act for new and young workers.
Vivien Wharton-Szatan
Provincial Coordinator, Industrial Health and Safety Program
New and young workers blitz
New and young workers in Ontario are three times more likely to be injured during their first month on the job than at any other time. This enforcement blitz, which ran from May 1 to August 31, 2015, focused on:
- new and young workers ages 14 to 24 years
- new workers ages 25 and older who were on the job for less than six months or reassigned to a new job.
| Program inspector activities | Number |
|---|---|
| Field visits | 3,396 |
| Workplaces visited | 2,704 |
| Orders and requirements issued | 11,470 |
| Stop work orders | 209 |
| Orders and requirements per workplace visited | 4.2 |
| Orders and requirements per field visit | 3.4 |
Resources
Material handling blitz
Most lost time injuries occur when workers are handling materials or equipment. Workers handling, moving and storing materials in workplaces are at risk of injuries such as musculoskeletal disorders. They are also at risk of being struck by or hitting objects and equipment.
In 2013, 37% of all lost-time injuries involved musculoskeletal disorders while, in 2014, more than 27% of compensation claims were from workers who had been struck by or hit objects and equipment and whose injuries resulted in missed time at work. Together, these two types of injuries have consistently accounted for almost 70% of all lost-time injuries at work.
The material handling blitz, which ran from September 14 to October 23, 2015, focused on helping workplaces comply with requirements for safe material handling.
| Program inspector activities | Number |
|---|---|
| Field visits | 1,224 |
| Workplaces visited | 1,014 |
| Orders and requirements issued | 4,393 |
| Stop work orders | 107 |
| Orders and requirements per workplace visited | 4.3 |
| Orders and requirements per field visit | 3.6 |
Resources
Safe operation of machinery blitz
Workers working with machines may be exposed to hazards that can result in serious injuries such as loss of a limb or even death. Workers using unguarded equipment can be exposed to pinch points, moving (rotating) equipment and in-running nip hazards. Equipment that has exposed moving parts – such as cutting operations, conveyors, augers, equipment using power take-off (PTO) and exposed drive-motor on compressors and ventilation fans – can endanger workers. The greatest hazards occur when:
- machines have improper or missing guards
- machines have improper or inadequate lockout procedures
- work is being conducted on energized electrical equipment.
During the safe operation of machinery blitz (January 18 to February 26, 2016), inspectors checked specifically to see whether employers were complying with requirements for safe operation of machinery, including checking that equipment guards were in place, lockout procedures were followed and equipment was de-energized prior to any maintenance work.
| Program inspector activities | Number |
|---|---|
| Field visits | 1,315 |
| Workplaces visited | 1,023 |
| Orders and requirements issued | 4,853 |
| Stop work orders | 125 |
| Orders and requirements per workplace visited | 4.7 |
| Orders and requirements per field visit | 3.7 |
Resources
Provincial industrial enforcement initiatives
New small business registrations and Internal Responsibility System initiative
Small businesses (with 50 or fewer workers) present unique health and safety challenges and are a priority in Healthy and Safe Ontario Workplaces: A Strategy for Transforming Occupational Health and Safety. Because they are small, these businesses may not be aware of the roles and responsibilities of workplace parties under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. They may also lack expertise and resources and be unaware of the materials and compliance assistance available through the ministry and health and safety associations.
In a strong Internal Responsibility System (IRS), everyone – employers, supervisors and workers – plays a key role in ensuring a safe and healthy workplace.
In this provincial enforcement initiative, inspectors worked to register small businesses and educate them about the Internal Responsibility System and resources.
| Program inspector activities | Number |
|---|---|
| Field visits | 3,101 |
| Workplaces visited | 2,414 |
| Orders and requirements issued | 8.807 |
| Stop work orders | 89 |
| Orders and requirements per workplace visited | 3.6 |
| Orders and requirements per field visit | 2.8 |
Resources
- Small business
- The Internal Responsibility System
- Health & Safety Ontario
- Health and safety awareness training for workers and supervisors
Regional industrial enforcement initiatives
Central East Region
Building (residential/commercial) property management initiative
Recently Central East Region had several fatalities as well as many injuries and complaints involving workers employed by property management companies responsible for both commercial and residential sites. The building property management initiative used available field intelligence information and existing ministry data to identify workplaces – many of which were small businesses – that should be targeted. Inspectors made visits, provided education and conducted inspections.
| Program inspector activities | Number |
|---|---|
| Field visits | 53 |
| Workplaces visited | 30 |
| Orders and requirements issued | 121 |
| Stop work orders | 1 |
| Orders and requirements per workplace visited | 4.03 |
| Orders and requirements per field visit | 2.28 |
Holistic treatment clinics initiative
During 2014-15, two inspectors investigated complaints regarding body rub workplaces. Their findings led to proactive visits to other workplaces which, in turn, led in 2015-16 to a holistic treatment clinic or spa initiative to focus on health and safety issues encountered by vulnerable workers in this industry. This initiative helps address a number of ministry priorities including new, young and vulnerable workers and small businesses. It also dovetails with the radiation protection services initiative to inspect lasers used in cosmetic procedures.
As a result of this initiative, seven inspectors conducted a total of 119 field visits at 70 different establishments and issued 95 orders.
| Program inspector activities | Number |
|---|---|
| Field visits | 119 |
| Workplaces visited | 70 |
| Orders and requirements issued | 95 |
| Stop work orders | 0 |
| Orders and requirements per workplace visited | 1.36 |
| Orders and requirements per field visit | 0.80 |
Central West Region
Farming operations initiative
Since June 30, 2006, the Occupational Health and Safety Act has applied to all farming operations that have paid workers (with some exceptions). To support compliance, the ministry and its system partners developed eight guidelines for farming operations and distributed hazard alerts to the farming community related to the risks associated with augers, racking in greenhouses, vine puller machines, concrete block storage used for material storage and oxygen-deficient atmospheres in silos.
Despite these efforts to educate the sector, small farming operations may not be aware of their responsibilities and workers may be at risk. To close this knowledge gap, Central West Region selected farming as one sector for the Vulnerable New and Young Worker blitz. Over a two-year period (April 2014-March 2016), inspectors made field visits to farming operations. During the first year, they distributed an information binder outlining employer and worker rights and responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act as well as an employment standards package with information on employers’ and workers’ rights and responsibilities under the Employment Standards Act. During the second year, they made follow-up field visits to the same locations to assess the impact of the initiative on health and safety.
Results were mixed. According to inspector feedback and analysis, some workplaces benefitted from the information package and implemented the guidance. Others did not believe the legislation applied to their workplace and did not find the package worthwhile.
As part of the initiative, inspectors issued 36 orders, most notably for:
- machine guarding
- administrative requirements such as the need for a Health and Safety Representative, Joint Health and Safety Committee
- training.
| Program inspector activities | Number |
|---|---|
| Field visits | 27 |
| Workplaces visited | 20 |
| Orders and requirements issued | 36 |
| Stop work orders | 0 |
| Orders and requirements per workplace visited | 1.8 |
| Orders and requirements per field visit | 1.3 |
Eastern Region
Focused compliance of the Internal Responsibility System at workplaces with history of complaints, injuries and prosecutions
In 2015-16, the Eastern Region targeted workplaces with a history of complaints, injuries and prosecutions for proactive compliance and enforcement activities. This initiative, which focused on compliance with the Internal Responsibility System, involved visits to workplaces that the ministry had investigated or that had been prosecuted in the last five years. During reactive visits to investigate complaints, inspectors focus on the specific incident and may not be able to complete a full inspection. However, complaints are often a sign of a poor health and safety culture and the lack of an effective Internal Responsibility System. Proactive visits to workplaces that have had health and safety issues in the past may be a highly effective and efficient way to prevent future problems.
During the year-long initiative, the most frequently issued orders were for:
- machine guarding
- maintaining equipment in good condition
- securing materials and equipment so they will not fall
- health and safety awareness training for workers and supervisors.
| Program inspector activities | Number |
|---|---|
| Field visits | 55 |
| Workplaces visited | 50 |
| Orders and requirements issued | 177 |
| Stop work orders | 7 |
| Orders and requirements per workplace visited | 3.5 |
| Orders and requirements per field visit | 3.2 |
Northern Region
The Northern Region implemented three initiatives in 2015-2016.
Forestry initiative
This 2015-16 initiative built on visits conducted in previous years. In addition to the usual mill, mechanical/conventional logging and hauling inspections, inspectors looked at silvicultural activities, such as:
- tree plantation thinning using brush saws
- manual/mechanical seed collection
- ground and aerial spray applications
- site preparation.
They also inspected the base camps for these operations.
As in past years, the region focused on tree planting operations with a large number of young workers.
| Program inspector activities | Number |
|---|---|
| Field visits | 164 |
| Workplaces visited | 85 |
| Orders and requirements issued | 67 |
| Stop work orders | 3 |
| Orders and requirements per workplace visited | 0.79 |
| Orders and requirements per field visit | 0.41 |
Maintenance/shutdowns/lockouts initiative
In this initiative, inspectors examined maintenance shutdown activities as well as other regular maintenance activities, which may not be observed during routine inspections. Inspectors focused on concerns/contraventions related to:
- properly shutting down equipment
- de-energizing, blocking and locking out sources of energy.
They also asked about workplace maintenance practices and reviewed all pertinent policies and procedures with the employer, operators and maintenance staff.
| Program inspector activities | Number |
|---|---|
| Field visits | 4 |
| Workplaces visited | 4 |
| Orders and requirements issued | 36 |
| Stop work orders | 4 |
| Orders and requirements per workplace visited | 9.0 |
| Orders and requirements per field visit | 9.0 |
Falls from ladders initiative
In an effort to reduce injuries related to falls from ladders, this initiative focused on the use of portable ladders, step ladders, step stools and fixed extension ladders in the workplace. Inspectors inspected and discussed how this equipment was being used in the workplace with workers, management and the Joint Health and Safety Committee.
The review/discussion included:
- proper rating and maintenance of ladders
- non-slip feet on ladders
- proper climbing footwear
- policies and procedures on equipment being properly secured
- proper training on ladder usage
- ensuring equipment is used on level/solid ground with protection from vehicular or worker traffic
- ergonomic issues when handling material and three point contact.
The review of fixed access ladders (including ladders for indoor access to roof) included:
- how maintenance workers are accessing the roof
- three point contact
- raising or lowering equipment and material
- how workers are opening the roof access hatch and climbing safely onto the roof.
| Program inspector activities | Number |
|---|---|
| Field visits | 21 |
| Workplaces visited | 17 |
| Orders and requirements issued | 53 |
| Stop work orders | 3 |
| Orders and requirements per workplace visited | 3.1 |
| Orders and requirements per field visit | 2.5 |
Western Region
Small manufacturing initiative
Small manufacturers often struggle to compete due to issues such as fluctuation in the value of the dollar, an inability to attract and keep skilled workers, and limited resources. Because these stakeholders are focused on competing, surviving and growing their business, they report that they have little time and/or resources to devote to regulatory compliance. As a result, workers in small manufacturing facilities may be exposed to hazards such as:
- working with machinery that has exposed hazardous moving parts
- exposure to stored hazardous energy when maintaining, servicing or setting up equipment
- working around high traffic areas often associated with the movement of materials
- musculoskeletal disorder injuries associated with repetitive work and/or excessive demands for manual material handling.
The small manufacturing industry is a large consumer of temporary and/or unskilled workers, many of whom are vulnerable and often unaware of their rights in terms of both employment standards and occupational health and safety.
Led by the Operations Health and Safety Program, the Western Region’s two-year joint initiative involved Health and Safety, Employment Standards, Workplace Safety and Prevention Services and The Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium. The first one and a half years were devoted to education and outreach to small manufacturing firms across the region. Education sessions provided information to improve stakeholder awareness of and compliance with both health and safety and employment standards.
The last six months focused on enforcement. Inspectors visited small manufacturing firms and distributed resources. During the initial visit, inspectors looked specifically at administrative aspects of the health and safety program as a way to improve the workplace’s Internal Responsibility System. During follow-up visits, they examined the broader range of hazards associated with manufacturing.
| Program inspector activities | Number |
|---|---|
| Field visits | 141 |
| Workplaces visited | 117 |
| Orders and requirements issued | 601 |
| Stop work orders | 9 |
| Orders and requirements per workplace visited | 5.14 |
| Orders and requirements per field visit | 4.26 |