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Industrial program
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 2016-17, ministry inspectors – in addition to their regular inspection duties – conducted three inspection blitzes focusing specifically on reducing hazards related to falls, new and young workers and handling chemical materials.
Fall hazards
In Ontario’s industrial sector, falls of less than three metres (under 10 feet) are one of the leading causes of injuries that result in workers missing time from work. In 2015, there were eight work-related deaths from falls at industrial workplaces.
Employers are responsible for protecting workers from fall hazards in the workplace.
The fall hazards blitz ran from May 16, 2016 to July 15, 2016. Inspectors visited workplaces, such as retail establishments, restaurants, offices and related services, and tourism, hospitality and recreation services, where workers might be exposed to falls of less than three metres.
The blitz results show that workers continue to be exposed to workplace fall hazards related to guardrails, portable ladders and floors or other work surfaces.
During routine inspections of Ontario’s industrial workplaces, the ministry will continue to target fall hazards. Inspectors will check that workers:
- are informed, instructed and supervised, as required
- are working in accordance with the requirements of the Ontario Health and Safety Act
| Program activities | Number |
|---|---|
| Field visits | 1,532 |
| Workplaces visited | 1,254 |
| Orders issued | 4,416 |
| Stop work orders | 162 |
| Orders and requirements per field visit | 2.88 |
| Orders and requirements per workplace visited | 3.52 |
Resources
- Detailed description of Blitz Results: Fall Hazards 2016
- Fall Hazards
- Ladder Safety Fast Fact
- Health and Safety Partners
- Fact Sheet: Slips and Falls
- Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
New and young workers
New and young workers in Ontario are more likely than other workers to be injured on the job. The enforcement blitz, which ran from July 18 to September 2, 2016, focused on:
- new and young workers aged 14 to 24 years
- new workers who have been on the job less than six months or who have been reassigned to a new job
During the blitz, inspectors targeted workplaces where many new and young workers were employed, including: agricultural services (landscapers, veterinary services); tourism, hospitality and recreation services (hotels and motels, golf courses); restaurants; and retail settings.
| Program activities | Number |
|---|---|
| Field visits | 1,144 |
| Workplaces visited | 905 |
| Orders and requirements issued | 3,113 |
| Stop work orders | 44 |
| Orders and requirements per field visit | 2.72 |
| Orders and requirements per workplace visited | 3.44 |
Resources
- Detailed description of Blitz Results: New and Young Workers 2016
- New and Young Workers
- Health and Safety Partners
Chemical handling
Hazards involving chemical handling can lead to serious worker injuries, occupational diseases and even death. From 2005 to 2014, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board data recorded 16,207 chemical-related lost-time injuries from exposure to caustic, noxious or allergenic substances.
The proper handling of chemicals is vital to workplaces in Ontario. Employers are responsible for protecting workers from chemical handling hazards.
From September 19 to October 31, 2016, Ministry of Labour inspectors conducted an enforcement blitz targeting chemical handling hazards at workplaces in Ontario. The inspectors checked that employers were taking appropriate action to assess and address these hazards.
The blitz’s goals were to:
- raise awareness of chemical handling hazards in workplaces
- increase workplace compliance with the safe handling and use of chemicals
- prevent worker injuries, illness, and death
The blitz results show that employers need to be diligent in ensuring equipment, materials and protective devices are maintained in good condition. They should give more attention to training workers about chemical handling, including basic awareness and training related to chemicals in use in the workplace as well as the use and care of personal protective equipment.
| Program activities | Number |
|---|---|
| Field visits | 803 |
| Workplaces visited | 638 |
| Orders and requirements | 2,887 |
| Stop work orders | 47 |
| Orders and requirements per field visit | 3.60 |
| Orders and requirements per workplace visited | 4.53 |
Resources
- Detailed description of Blitz Results: Chemical Handling 2016
- Topics and Publications: Health and Safety
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
Provincial industrial enforcement initiatives
New small business registrations and Internal Responsibility System initiative
Small businesses (i.e. 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 resources, and be unaware of the materials and compliance assistance available through the ministry and from health and safety associations.
In a strong Internal Responsibility System, everyone plays a key role in ensuring a safe and healthy workplace: employers, supervisors and workers.
In this provincial enforcement initiative, inspectors worked to register small businesses and educate them about the Internal Responsibility System and resources.
The results of the initiative suggest small businesses need to be more aware of their requirements under the Act. The highest percentage of orders were issued for lack of compliance with administrative and training requirements.
| Program activities | Number |
|---|---|
| Field visits | 3,045 |
| Workplaces visited | 2,335 |
| Orders and requirements issued | 8,386 |
| Stop work orders | 99 |
| Orders and requirements per field visit | 2.75 |
| Orders and requirements per workplace visited | 3.59 |
Resources
- Small business
- The Internal Responsibility System
- Health and Safety Partners
- Health and Safety Awareness Training for Workers and Supervisors
Regional industrial enforcement initiatives
Central East Region
Heavy raw material handling
In 2016-17, the Central East Region targeted their proactive compliance and enforcement activities related to raw material handling to workplaces with a history of complaints, injuries and prosecutions. In addition to focusing on compliance with the Internal Responsibility System, this initiative also looked specifically at other conditions associated with heavy raw material handling, such as:
- lift-trucks and other lifting devices
- mobile/transport equipment
- workplace layout/design and storage systems
- hygiene and personal protective equipment (PPE)
- manual material handling
- worker training
- workplace supervision
Inspectors made proactive visits to workplaces that had been investigated by the ministry or prosecuted in the last five years. During this initiative, the most frequently issued orders were related to requirements to:
- post the Occupational Health and Safety Act
- examine a lifting device to determine its ability to handle the maximum rated load
- provide health and safety awareness training
- maintain equipment in good condition
| Program activities | Number |
|---|---|
| Field visits | 59 |
| Workplaces visited | 38 |
| Orders and requirements issued | 167 |
| Stop work orders | 7 |
| Orders and requirements per field visit | 2.83 |
| Orders and requirements per workplace visited | 4.39 |
Central West Region
Marble and granite shops
In 2016-17, industrial inspectors from Central West Region visited marble, granite and stone shops. To prepare for the initiative and conduct stakeholder outreach, the region partnered with the Marble Institute of America and Central East Region, who conducted a similar initiative (i.e. heavy raw materials handling). The Workplace Safety and Prevention Services Association was also part of a communication strategy for workplaces in this subsector.
During the year-long initiative, the most frequently issued orders were related to requirements to:
- inspect lifting device annually
- maintain equipment in good condition
- take every reasonable precaution to protect worker safety
- post a copy of the Act and the “Prevention Starts Here” poster
| Program activities | Number |
|---|---|
| Field visits | 82 |
| Workplaces visited | 45 |
| Orders and requirements issued | 364 |
| Stop work orders | 18 |
| Orders and requirements per field visit | 4.4 |
| Orders and requirements per workplace visited | 8.1 |
Landscapers and snow removal services
To discuss strategies for introducing this initiative and review the sector’s training needs, the ministry met with representatives of Landscape Ontario and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, who contacted their respective stakeholders and arranged training sessions.
This initiative focused on compliance with the Internal Responsibility System, guarding of machinery, safe vehicle operation during inclement weather conditions, ergonomics and worker training.
During the five-month initiative, the most frequently issued orders were related to:
- maintaining equipment in good condition
- taking every reasonable precaution to protect worker safety
- transporting, placing and storing materials so they will not tip or fall
- providing workers with basic health and safety awareness training
| Program activities | Number |
|---|---|
| Field visits | 10 |
| Workplaces visited | 7 |
| Orders and requirements issued | 31 |
| Stop work orders | 1 |
| Orders and requirements per field visit | 3.1 |
| Orders and requirements per workplace visited | 4.4 |
Eastern Region
Property management services
Property management companies operate in a wide range of commercial, industrial and apartment/condominium properties. The companies offer a range of services, including landscaping, electrical, plumbing, janitorial and waste services, and general maintenance and repair. Past incidents include electrical contacts and a fatality in a garbage compactor.
Inspections focused on property management/maintenance activities. During the year-long initiative, the most frequently issued orders were related to:
- machine guarding
- maintaining equipment in good condition
- awareness training for workers and supervisors
| Program activities | Number |
|---|---|
| Field visits | 37 |
| Workplaces visited | 31 |
| Orders and requirements issued | 171 |
| Stop work orders | 6 |
| Orders and requirements per field visit | 4.6 |
| Orders and requirements per workplace visited | 5.5 |
Electrical hazards in retail
The retail sector has had a number of injuries involving electrical contacts, so this initiative focused on electrical hazards such as maintenance of cords, panels and outlets, using the wrong tools (e.g. meters without fused links), lack of training, materials blocking access to panels and failure to de-energize and lockout.
The most frequently issued orders were related to:
- awareness training for workers and supervisors
- posting of the Act and poster
- posting of workplace violence and harassment policies
| Program activities | Number |
|---|---|
| Field visits | 34 |
| Workplaces visited | 32 |
| Orders and requirements issued | 108 |
| Stop work orders | 0 |
| Orders and requirements per field visit | 3.2 |
| Orders and requirements per workplace visited | 3.4 |
Northern Region
Forestry equipment
The Northern Region’s forestry equipment initiative focused on hazards associated with both mechanical harvesting and traditional cut and skid logging, such as:
- working within danger zones, including both the equipment itself and the material being handled
- maintenance and repair of equipment including using proper immobilization, blocking, de-energizing and lockout procedures
- risk of falls
- use of chain saws
- working remotely
Workplaces are expected to have in place policies and procedures to reduce these hazards, including safe management and use of equipment and material, falls prevention, emergency plans and mandatory training using a specific module developed by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development.
| Program activities | Number |
|---|---|
| Field visits | 175 |
| Workplaces visited | 113 |
| Orders and requirements issued | 93 |
| Stop work orders | 10 |
| Orders and requirements per field visit | 0.5 |
| Orders and requirements per workplace visited | 0.8 |
Struck-by mobile equipment/vehicles
This initiative focused on mobile equipment/vehicle hazards associated with poor visibility, line of sight, lighting, traffic plans and pedestrian and vehicular traffic interactions.
| Program activities | Number |
|---|---|
| Field visits | 44 |
| Workplaces visited | 33 |
| Orders and requirements issued | 85 |
| Stop work orders | 5 |
| Orders and requirements per field visit | 1.9 |
| Orders and requirements per workplace visited | 2.6 |
Western Region
Industrial malls and re-purposed factories
Industrial malls and re-purposed factories have become more common throughout the Western Region. These workplaces provide specialized services or products and operate with minimal advertising or promotion. These businesses, which tend to be small and blend into a larger physical location or structure, can be easily overlooked.
Because these businesses operate in a low key manner (e.g. few employees, transient workforces, lack of employer presence), enforcement activity for this type of workplace has been sporadic and complaint driven.
With this initiative, which concluded on December 31, 2017, inspectors proactively contacted these businesses to enforce the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations, and ensure that employers had established an Internal Responsibility System. Employers were visited twice:
- Inspectors used the first visit to discuss the Internal Responsibility System and give employers resources on workplace health and safety and employment standards.
- The second visit focused on overall compliance with the legislation and included a fulsome physical inspection of the workplace.
During this initiative, inspectors also had the opportunity to refer workplaces to the Employment Standards Program.
| Program activities | Number |
|---|---|
| Field visits | 87 |
| Workplaces visited | 57 |
| Orders and requirements issued | 358 |
| Stop work orders | 11 |
| Orders and requirements per field visit | 4.11 |
| Orders and requirements per workplace visited | 6.28 |
Small manufacturing
Small manufacturers often struggle to compete due to issues such as fluctuation in the value of the dollar, limited resources and an inability to attract and keep skilled workers. 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
This industry is a priority for the Ministry of Labour because it employs many temporary and/or unskilled workers – many of whom are vulnerable workers and unaware of their rights in the workplace.
Led by the Operations Health and Safety Program, the Western Region’s two-year small manufacturing initiative was a partnership with the Health and Safety Program, Employment Standards Program, 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 were designed 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.
The enforcement phase of this initiative ended July 1, 2016. In total, between April 1, 2016 and July 1, 2016, inspectors made 36 field visits and issued 55 orders. Enforcement activities from previous years can be seen in the 2015-16 annual report.
| Program activities | Number |
|---|---|
| Field visits | 36 |
| Workplaces visited | 32 |
| Orders and requirements issued | 55 |
| Stop work orders | 0 |
| Orders and requirements per workplace visited | 1.72 |
| Orders and requirements per field visit | 1.53 |
Utility sector
To improve safety in the utility sector, the Western Region:
- held strategic partnership planning meetings with the Electrical Safety Association and the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association
- provided outreach and awareness at the annual general meeting of the Association for Electrical Safety Professionals and with the Brantford and Elgin Chapters of the Ontario Electrical League
- is currently working with the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association to develop an Electrical Utilities Safety Association rule book training for inspectors
The health and safety associations are also working with local distribution companies to review the elements of a health and safety inspection.
Field visits began after April 1, 2017, so they will be reported next year.
Elevated work platforms in the farming sector
In recent years, the Ministry of Labour has investigated three serious incidents involving falls from elevated work platforms, particularly pipe/rail mounted trolleys.
Under certain circumstances, the trolleys can become unstable and tip over while on the pipe/rails. Ministry of Labour investigations determined that the tip overs were the result of unstable equipment caused by pipe rails that are not level and/or the improper use of equipment, including worker activity, placement of product on the platform and unauthorized modification of the equipment.
During the initiative, inspectors focused on:
- improper pipe/rail installation on uneven ground, which can lead to improper levelling
- pipe rails placed on soft or wet soil that compacts unevenly over time
- unsecured pipe rail supports or improper shimming of the pipe rails
- inadequate rail support spacing
- improper maintenance such as not checking and adjusting level over time
- overloading of raised platforms
- unbalanced loads on raised platforms
- moving the trolley along the pipe/rails while raising or lowering platform
- moving trolley while in raised position
- overreaching from the trolley, which can lead to a fall or can unbalance the trolley and cause it to tip over
- activities that cause side loading such as power washing from the platform
- inappropriate use of the equipment such as for maintenance or construction.
| Program activities | Number |
|---|---|
| Field visits | 9 |
| Workplaces visited | 7 |
| Orders and requirements issued | 6 |
| Stop work orders | 0 |
| Orders and requirements per field visit | 0.66 |
| Orders and requirements per workplace visited | 0.86 |