Overview

This page describes some of the hazards in industrial workplaces (including retail, government services, education and emergency services) and employers’ responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and its regulations, including the industrial establishments regulation (Regulation 851). Contact your health and safety association for guidance on removing or managing hazards. You can also refer to the narrative portion of the field visit report, if you received one.

Activities that may lead to musculoskeletal disorders

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) can be serious and disabling. Pain and suffering can range from discomfort to severe disability.

MSD is not a medical diagnosis. MSD is an umbrella term for a group of injuries. Some of these injuries include: back pain, muscle strain, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff syndrome, tennis elbow and shoulder pain.

Treat hazards related to poor ergonomics the same as you would any other workplace hazard. They need to be:

  • recognized and identified
  • assessed
  • controlled or eliminated

Employers must ensure:

  • equipment, materials and protective devices are kept in good repair [OHSA clause 25(1)(b)]
  • information and instruction on MSD hazards is provided to workers [OHSA clause 25(2)(a)]
  • workers or their supervisors know about MSD hazards in their work [OHSA clause 25(2)(d)]
  • every reasonable precaution in the circumstances for the protection of workers is taken, including protecting workers from MSD hazards [OHSA clause 25(2)(h)]
  • lighting is adequate and shadows and glare are reduced to a minimum [Regulation 851, section 21]
  • materials, articles and things are manually:
    • lifted, carried or moved so that a worker is not endangered [Regulation 851, section 45(a)]
    • placed or stored so that they can be withdrawn without endangering the safety of a worker [Regulation 851, section 45(b)]
    • removed from a storage area, pile or rack without endangering the safety of a worker [Regulation 851, section 45(c)]

Visit the musculoskeletal disorders/ergonomics webpage for more information.

Chemicals and drugs

Workers in emergency medical services and police services may encounter chemicals, including drugs in places such as accident scenes, clandestine drug labs and marijuana “grow ops” (growhouses).

Employers must ensure they put appropriate precautions into place such as:

  • training workers to recognize hazards
  • providing and making available appropriate personal protective equipment, as required
  • ensuring appropriate decontamination processes are put into place, as needed
  • developing procedures for the safe handling and storage of evidence which may be contaminated

Chemical exposures

Workers can be exposed to chemical hazards by:

  • inhalation
  • skin/eye contact
  • ingestion
  • injection

Injuries as a result may include:

  • chemical burns to skin
  • irritation to eyes and airways
  • serious and irreparable damage to organs
  • in severe incidents, permanent disability or death

Employers should identify and assess the risk to workers where chemicals are used or processed in the workplace and develop a plan for controlling worker exposure. Chemicals may include:

  • common cleaners (products for cleaning, maintenance operations or other purposes)
  • laboratory chemicals
  • disinfectants
  • common acids (hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, chromic acid, acetic acid and hydrofluoric acid)
  • common bases (ammonium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide (caustic potash))
  • sodium hydroxide (caustic soda)
  • any other chemicals which may be present in the workplace

Employers must ensure:

  • appropriate skin protection is provided to workers (Regulation 851, section 84)
  • appropriate eye protection is provided to workers (Regulation 851, section 81)
  • appropriate emergency eyewash equipment is provided to workers (Regulation 851, section 124)
  • appropriate emergency shower facilities are provided where necessary (Regulation 851, section 125)
  • workers required to wear or use personal protective clothing or equipment are trained in its care and use (Regulation 851, section 79)
  • workers are trained on emergency procedures and precautions [OHSA, 25(2)(a)]

Employers must also ensure compliance with the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), Regulation 860.

WHMIS is in the process of adopting new international standards for classifying hazardous materials and providing information on labels and safety data sheets. This is part of the Globally Harmonized System for the Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) which is being phased in across Canada between February 2015 and December 2018. The original WHMIS requirements are generally referred to as WHMIS 1988 and the newer ones are called WHMIS 2015.

For individual hazardous products, both the label and safety data sheet must comply with either WHMIS 1988 or WHMIS 2015, not a combination.

The transition to WHMIS 2015 must be completed by December 1, 2018. There should be no hazardous products in the workplace with WHMIS 1988 labels and safety data sheets.

For further information on WHMIS and the transition: “Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System – A guide to the legislation.”

Employers must also ensure compliance with the requirements to monitor and control exposure limits as identified in Control of Exposure to Biological or Chemical Agents (Regulation 833) where applicable.

Farming sector

Employers have a duty under OHSA clause 25(2)(h) to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to protect workers.

Employers should:

  • carry out an assessment of the workplace and determine if workers will be exposed to hazardous biological, chemical or physical agents and develop a plan for controlling worker exposure
  • provide information, instruction and supervision to workers exposed to hazardous biological, chemical or physical agents
  • ensure the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) where workers are exposed to hazardous biological, chemical or physical agents, if it is not possible to control exposure by means such as substituting a safer material, or re-designing the work process. For chemical agents, the protective equipment required will generally be identified on either the product label or safety data sheet, where available.
  • instruct workers on safe handling procedures and proper personal hygiene techniques to minimize contact with chemical or biological hazards

General workplace environment

Hazards related to the general workplace environment may include exposure to fumes and other contaminants related to poor or inadequate ventilation.

Exposure to cold or heat may also be a hazard. Heat or cold puts stress on your body. When heat or cold is combined with other stresses such as hard physical work, loss of fluids, fatigue or some pre-existing medical conditions, it may lead to heat- or cold-related illness, disability and even death. Employers have a duty under OHSA clause 25(2)(h) to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to protect workers.

Employers must ensure:

  • workplace ventilation is adequate (Regulation 851, sections 127 and 128)
  • the workplace is adequately heated where appropriate (Regulation 851, section 129)
  • sources of heat or excessive temperatures in the workplace are identified
  • adequate controls are in place to protect workers from sources of heat or excessive temperatures

Cold/heat stress

Exposure to cold or heat may be a hazard to worker health and safety.

Employers must ensure:

  • the workplace is adequately heated where appropriate (Regulation 851, section 129)
  • sources of heat or excessive temperatures in the workplace are reviewed
  • adequate controls are in place to protect workers

Confined space

The regulation for confined spaces (O. Reg. 632/05) sets out workplace requirements for them.

A “confined space” is a fully or partly enclosed space that is not designed and constructed for continuous human occupancy, and in which atmospheric hazards may occur because of its construction, location or contents or because of work that is done in it.

Workers may experience loss of consciousness or may sustain an injury as a result of the loss of consciousness. Worker injuries can lead to permanent disability or death from:

  • lack of oxygen
  • inhaling toxic substances
  • explosive atmosphere (where flammable gases, mist, vapours or dust can create a fire or explosion)

Employers must:

  • identify work locations meeting the definition of a “confined space”
  • develop and maintain a written program for confined spaces (O. Reg. 632/05 section 5)
  • ensure adequate assessments of the confined spaces are carried out (O. Reg. 632/05 section 6)
  • develop and put in place an adequate written plan for confined space entry (O. Reg. 632/05 section 7)
  • ensure entry permits are issued (O. Reg. 632/05 section 10)
  • develop adequate written on-site rescue procedures (O. Reg. 632/05 subsection 1)
  • provide workers with adequate training (O. Reg. 632/05 section 8 and 9)

The Ministry of Labour has published a confined space guideline to help explain the confined space provisions in the Confined Spaces Regulation under the OHSA. Review the regulation for Confined Spaces, O. Reg. 632/05, for all requirements about confined spaces.

Farming sector

There are many examples of potentially dangerous confined spaces on a farm, including silos, grain bins, manure pits and spreaders, mixing or holding tanks, cisterns, valve pits and pump houses. Farmers and workers who enter a confined space, and those who attempt a rescue in an emergency, could quickly be overcome by a hazardous atmosphere, resulting in injury or death.

Refer to the alert on Atmospheric Hazards Associated with Oxygen-Limited Structures (Silos) on Farms for more information.

Designated substances

Designated substances are a group of chemical agents that are prescribed by regulation. There are 11 “designated substances” including materials such as asbestos, acrylonitrile, isocyanates, silica, coke oven emissions and vinyl chloride. Workplaces must ensure that they comply with the designated substances regulation (O. Reg. 490/09).

Employers should do an inventory of all designated substances to determine their presence and develop control programs as required under the regulation for designated substances  (O. Reg. 490/09).

Asbestos is a designated substance found in many older buildings and in after-market motor vehicle brakes. Refer to the regulatory requirements as outlined in Designated Substance – Asbestos on Construction Projects and in Building Repair Operations (O. Reg. 278/05) and Designated Substances (O. Reg. 490/09).

Vehicle sales and service sector

Isocyanates are often found in resins and paints used in workplaces where auto-body repair work occurs. If products in the workplace contain isocyanates, the employer must comply with the requirements of the Designated Substances regulation (O. Reg. 490/09).

Ceramics, glass and stone sector

Dusts in workplaces may cause respiratory hazards. Silica, in particular, is a respiratory hazard that can result in serious occupational illness called silicosis. Workplaces must comply with the designated substances regulation (O. Reg. 490/09) if silica dust or dust containing silica is present and may be breathed in.

Electrical contact

Injures from electrical shock can be serious or fatal, and can include:

  • loss of consciousness
  • burns
  • lacerations (cuts)
  • fractures (broken bones) from contact with live electrical apparatus
  • serious head, neck and back injuries from falls

Regulation 851 sets out requirements for working with electrical equipment and around electrical installations in sections 40 to 44.2 and 60.

Employers must ensure:

  • appropriate procedures are followed when performing electrical maintenance (sections 42-44.2)
  • proper lock-out procedures are followed [subsections 42(1) and 42(7)]
  • workers are provided information, instruction and supervision about electrical lockout [OHSA clause 25(2)(a)]
  • work on an electrical transmission system or outdoor distribution system rated more than 750 volts is performed in accordance with the Electrical Utility Safety Rules (EUSR) revised in 2014
  • minimum clearance and precautions between an operated vehicle, crane or similar equipment and live power lines [subsection 60(1) and (2)]

Electrical and electronics sector

High Potential Tests (“hi-pot”), commonly known as high voltage tests or dielectric tests are conducted to test dielectric strength of the insulation in electrical equipment and devices. Testing is performed with the use of electrical safety testing instruments by adding high voltage to determine the amount of leakage current through the insulation of such electrical equipment and devices.

Employers must ensure:

  • electrical equipment, insulating materials and conductors are:
    • suitable for their use, and
    • certified by the Canadian Standards Association or the Electrical Safety Authority
  • worker isolation from electrical hi-pot equipment (distance, cage or room)
  • personal protective equipment (PPE) is used when required (section 79)
  • workers required to perform testing of electrical systems and devices are qualified and trained
  • all workers exposed to hazards have been provided appropriate training [OHSA clauses 25(2)(a) and 25(2)(d)]

Infectious agents

Workers may encounter infectious agents from specific tasks or from contact with others who are sick or infected with a communicable disease.

Employers must ensure that there are appropriate precautions in place.

Workers need to be educated about routine infection control precautions appropriate for their work. Employers must make appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) available.

Falls: Aerial devices, ladder trucks, boom truck and bucket trucks

Injuries to workers can include fractures (broken bones), lacerations (cuts) and loss of consciousness.

In extreme circumstances they can lead to permanent disability or death.

Employers must ensure:

  • working at heights policy and procedures are reviewed
  • workers follow the requirements for fall protection
  • workers have been trained on the care and use of the fall arrest equipment
  • workers are safely using ladders
  • workers are provided with information, instruction and supervision on the hazards expected with working from heights (aerial device operation) [OHSA clauses 25(2)(a) and 25(2)(d)]

Fire: Pyrotechnics and other special effects

Injuries from fire or explosion can include burns, lacerations, fractures and loss of consciousness. In extreme circumstances, injuries can lead to permanent disability or death.

Employers must provide:

  • workers with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect them from fire hazards
  • workers with training on the care, use and limitations of the personal protective equipment [OHSA clauses 25(2)(a) and 25(2)(d)]
  • workers and supervisors with appropriate training about using pyrotechnics and other special effects equipment [OHSA clauses 25(2)(a) and 25(2)(d)]

Fire and explosion: Dust collectors

Industrial dust collectors, hoppers, and bins can contain combustible dusts, including metal shavings. The regulation for industrial establishments (Regulation 851) sets out requirements for dust collectors in sections 63, 64 and 65.

Pre-start health and safety review

A pre-start review (PSR) may be required by section 7 of the industrial establishments regulation (Regulation 851) where dust collectors are used and there is a risk of fire or explosion. Section 7 applies to a factory as defined by the OHSA and is intended to ensure that hazards are removed or controlled before an apparatus or process is started up.

Information about pre-start reviews can be found in the Ministry of Labour Guidelines for Pre-Start Health and Safety Reviews: How to Apply Section 7 of the Industrial Establishments Regulation.

For further information, contact your health and safety association or the Professional Engineers of Ontario for guidance in conducting a PSR or contact a professional engineer or engineering company that performs PSRs.

Fire and explosion: Flammable liquids

Workers can suffer burns, lacerations, fractures and loss of consciousness from fire or explosion. Serious injuries can lead to permanent disability or death.

Flammable liquids are defined in Regulation 851 as: “a liquid having a flash point below 37.8°C [100°F] and vapour pressure below 275 kilopascals absolute [40 psi] at 37.8°C.” While this definition covers flammable liquids in general, those that have a “flash point below 22.8°C [73°F] and a boiling point below 37.8°C” are highly volatile and require greater control.

Regulation 851 sets out requirements for storage and dispensing of flammable liquids in in sections 22, 23, 61 and 63.

Employers must ensure:

  • the safe handling, storage and dispensing of flammable liquids in the workplace (for example, solvents such as acetone, toluene and solvent parts washers) (Regulation 851 section 22)
  • dispensing areas have required protections and are mechanically ventilated (Regulation 851 sections 22 and 63)
  • containers and dispensing equipment are bonded and grounded [Regulation 851 clause 22(4)(b)]
  • compliance with required procedures for the storage and dispensing of gasoline (Regulation 851 section 61)

Employers must also ensure compliance with Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), Regulation 860. WHMIS is in the process of changing to adopt new international standards for classifying hazardous materials and providing information on labels and safety data sheets. This is part of the Globally Harmonized System for the Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) which is being phased in across Canada between February 2015 and December 2018. The original WHMIS requirements are generally referred to as WHMIS 1988 and the new ones are called WHMIS 2015. For individual hazardous products, both the label and safety data sheet must comply with either WHMIS 1988 or WHMIS 2015, not a combination. The transition to WHMIS 2015 must be completed by December 1, 2018. There should be no hazardous products in the workplace with WHMIS 1988 labels and safety data sheets. For further information on WHMIS and the transition, refer to the “Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System – A guide to the legislation.”

Employers must also ensure compliance with the requirements to monitor and control exposure limits as identified in the regulation for control of exposure to biological or chemical agents (Regulation 833), where applicable.

Pre-start health and safety review

A pre-start review (PSR) may be required by section 7 of the industrial establishments regulation (Regulation 851) where flammable liquids are located or dispensed in a workplace. Section 7 applies to a factory as defined by the OHSA to ensure that hazards are removed or controlled before an apparatus or process is started up.

Information about pre-start reviews can be found in the Ministry of Labour Guidelines for Pre-Start Health and Safety Reviews: How to Apply Section 7 of the Industrial Establishments Regulation.

For further information contact your health and safety association or the Professional Engineers of Ontario for guidance conducting a PSR. Alternatively, contact a professional engineer or engineering company that performs PSRs.

Fire and oxygen-deficient atmospheres

Workers can suffer burns, lacerations, fractures and loss of consciousness from fire, explosion or lack of oxygen.

In extreme circumstances, injuries can lead to permanent disability or death.

Employers must ensure:

  • appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided to a worker to protect the worker from the hazard of fire and oxygen-deficient atmospheres [OHSA clause 25(2)(h)]
  • training is provided to a worker on the care, use and limitations of the personal protective equipment provided [OHSA clauses 25(2)(a) and 25(2)(d)] and [Regulation 851 section 79]
  • personal protective equipment is kept in good condition [OHSA clause 25(1)(b)]

Hang-ups: Tree and branch

A hang up is a tree that has not fallen to the ground after being partly or wholly separated from its stump, or displaced from its natural position.

Under Regulation 851, section 110, when a hang up occurs, the logger must

  • keep the felling area clear of all workers
  • fell the hang up immediately by winching or pulling with chain or cable from a safe distance or use other safe means.

A worker must not climb the hang up. The hang up must not

  • be lowered by felling another tree into or onto it
  • be removed by cutting the supporting tree

Machine (and powered equipment) hazards

Pre-start health and safety review

A pre-start review (PSR) may be required by section 7 of the regulation for industrial establishments (Regulation 851). Section 7 applies to a factory as defined by the OHSA. It is intended to ensure that hazards are removed or controlled before an apparatus or process is started up. If required, the PSR must be completed prior to the complete installation (in-service and operating) of any apparatus, structure, or protective element.

Information about pre-start reviews can be found in the Ministry of Labour Guidelines for Pre-Start Health and Safety Reviews: How to Apply Section 7 of the Industrial Establishments Regulation.

For further information contact your health and safety association or the Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO) for guidance in conducting a PSR. Alternatively, contact a professional engineer or engineering company that performs PSRs.

Machine or transmission start-up (improper lockout)

Workers can suffer lacerations, crushing and amputations from accidental machine start-up. Sometimes these injuries can cause permanent disability or death.

The regulation for industrial establishments (Regulation 851) sets out requirements for worker protection against machine start-up in sections 75 and 76 and for working with electrical equipment and around electrical installations in sections 40 to 44.2 and 60.

Under Regulation 851 employers must:

  • review the requirements for the repair and maintenance of machinery (section 75)
  • ensure compliance with lockout procedures (sections 75 and 76)
  • ensure proper procedures are followed when performing electrical maintenance (sections 42-44.2)
  • ensure proper lock-out procedures are followed [subsections 42(1) and 42(7)]
  • provide workers with training on the hazards and requirements to isolate and lockout hazardous energy [OHSA clauses 25(2)(a) and 25(2)(d)]

Unguarded equipment

Workers may suffer lacerations, amputations, crushing by entanglement and loss of consciousness from unguarded equipment. Serious injuries can lead to permanent disability or death.

Workers using unguarded equipment can be exposed to pinch points, moving (rotating) equipment, and in-running nip hazards. Equipment that have exposed moving parts include:

  • cutting operations/equipment
  • conveyors
  • augers
  • equipment using power take-off
  • exposed drive-motor assemblies used to power compressors and/or ventilation fans

Regulation 851 – Industrial Establishments sets out requirements for guarding of equipment in sections 24, 25, 26, 28, 31 and 32.

Employers must ensure:

  • exposed moving parts on a prime movers, or transmission equipment is equipped with a guard (Regulation 851 section 24)
  • pinch points are guarded (Regulation 851 section 25)

Farming sector

Farm equipment may include any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform a variety of tasks. Examples include:

  • balers
  • conveyors
  • manure spreaders
  • bale choppers
  • mowers
  • shredders
  • harvesters
  • grinders
  • blowers
  • power washers
  • augers

The OHSA requires employers to take “every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker.” In most circumstances, the most reasonable precaution would be to provide a guard or other device, or a physical barrier to prevent workers from coming into contact with moving parts such as roller shafts or with moving machines.

Machine or equipment tip/roll-over

Workers can suffer fractures, loss of consciousness, internal injuries and lacerations from machine or equipment roll over. Severe incidents can lead to permanent disability or death.

The roll-over protective structures regulation (Regulation 856) applies to all workplaces (except farming operations) covered by the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Regulation 856 sets out the requirements regarding roll-over protective structures (ROPS).

The ROPS regulation applies to a “lawn tractor” or “lawn and garden tractor” that is designed to accommodate other implements and that is rated at more than 15 kW (20 hp) or weighs more than 700 kg (1,500 lb).

Requirements of section 2 of Regulation 856 should be reviewed to determine where roll-over protective structures are required. Exceptions include equipment which is:

  1. 15 kW [20 hp] or less or 700 kg [1,500 lb] or less
  2. manufactured before 1980

The smaller riding lawn mowers can’t accommodate implements, and are not tractors within the commonly understood meaning of the term, and are not machines to which the ROPS regulation applies.

Employers must:

  • ensure workers comply with the requirement to use a seatbelt [subsection 3(1)]
  • acquaint a worker of any known hazards [OHSA clause 25(2)(d)]
  • ensure workers are provided information, instruction and supervision related to the operation of machines and the requirement of ROPS [OHSA clause 25(2)(a)]

Farming sector

Serious, sometimes fatal, operator injuries are associated with using farming equipment without roll-over protection.

Employers have a duty under the OHSA clause 25(2)(h) to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to protect workers. This may include developing procedures to protect workers from roll-over of equipment such as farming equipment.

Material handling: Struck by objects, caught between or crushed by objects

Injuries associated with material handling can include workers being struck by objects, caught between objects and/or crushed by mechanical compression. Manual material handling may also lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

The regulation for industrial establishments (Regulation 851) applies to industrial establishments and sets out requirements for material handling in sections 45 to 50. Section 51 contains requirements regarding mechanical lifting devices.

Employers must ensure:

  • materials, articles and things are:
    • lifted, carried or moved so that a worker is not endangered [Regulation 851 section 45(a)]
    • placed or stored so that they can be withdrawn without endangering the safety of a worker [Regulation 851 section 45(b)]
    • removed from a storage area, pile or rack without endangering the safety of a worker [Regulation 851 section 45(c)]
  • machinery, equipment, or material/product that may tip or fall are secured (Regulation 851 section 46)
  • that mechanical lifting devices are maintained in good condition, are operated by a competent person and are capable of handling loads (Regulation 851 section 51)

Farming sector

Injuries from handling large animals and other farm equipment may be included when workers are being struck by, caught between and/or crushed by objects. Employers have a duty under OHSA clause 25(2)(h) to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker. This may include developing procedures to protect workers from hazards in farm environments.

Employers must:

  • provide workers with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when coming into contact with an animal
  • provide training to a worker on the handling of large farm animals and must ensure that the worker is competent to do so safely [OHSA 25(2)(a)]
  • acquaint workers with hazards in the work such as transmissible diseases that the animal may carry and instructed on how to prevent transmission to themselves and to other animals  [OHSA 25(2)(a) and 25(2)(d)]
  • ensure that workers know how to safely separate themselves from an animal while working in an enclosure occupied by animals

Material handling: Hot liquid burns

Workers handling hot liquids may suffer burns and scalds if precautions are not in place.

Employers must:

  • ensure compliance with requirements of material handling while transferring hot (boiling) liquids such as oil, grease or water to prevent injury [section 45 and clauses 84(c), (e), and (f)]
  • provide workers with appropriate protective clothing to protect from being burned by hot liquids [clause 84(c), (e), and (f)]
  • provide workers with training on the care, use and limitations of personal protective equipment [section 79]
  • provide workers with information, instruction and supervision related to use of equipment and personal protective equipment [OHSA clause 25(2)(a)]

Molten materials

Molten metals can cause severe burns. Where molten metals are present, employers must ensure that workers are protected.

Section 87.1 to 87.6 of the regulation for industrial establishments (Reg. 851) sets out specific requirements for foundries.

Where the industrial establishments regulation applies, sections 88 to 102 sets out requirements for all workplaces where molten materials are handled.

Noise

Workers can suffer noise-induced hearing loss.

The noise regulation, O. Reg. 381/15, sets out workplace requirements regarding noise.

Employers must ensure:

  • no worker is exposed to a sound level greater than 85dBA, Lex,8 [O. Reg. 381/15 subsection 2(4)]
  • engineering controls and administrative controls (work practices) are in place to reduce noise levels and exposures (for example, mufflers on air exhausts, mechanical damping, vibration isolators, enclosures, limiting worker’s exposure time) [O. Reg. 381/15 subsection 2(2)]
  • hearing protective devices provided are adequate [O. Reg. 381/15 subsection 4(1)]
  • hearing protection devices are used and maintained in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions [O. Reg. 381/15 subsection 4(2)]
  • warning signs are placed approaching noisy areas [O. Reg. 381/15 subsection 2(7)]
  • workers are properly trained in the care and use of the hearing protection device [O. Reg. 381/15 section 3]

Workers should use personal protective equipment only as a last resort. Instead, engineering controls and work practices must be used when practical [O. Reg. 381/15 subsection 2(5)].

 The Ministry of Labour has published “A Guide to the Noise Regulation (O. Reg. 381) under the Occupational Health and Safety Act” to provide information and help to workplace parties in complying with the Noise Regulation. Employers must review the Noise regulation, O. Reg. 381/15, for all requirements regarding noise.

Occupational illness from exposures

If someone notifies an employer that a worker has an occupational illness or that a claim for an occupational illness has been filed with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), the employer must notify a director of the Ministry of Labour, the joint health and safety committee (or health and safety representative) and the union, if any, within four days.

This notice must be in writing and must contain any prescribed information [OHSA subsection 52(2)]. The duty to notify applies not only to current workers of the employer but also to former ones [OHSA subsection 52(3)].

Occupational asthma

Employers should review the engineering controls in the workplace and the effective use of adequate and properly fitted personal protective equipment (PPE). Workers must be trained on the care, use and limitations of the PPE provided by the employer.

Cold/heat stress

Exposure to cold or heat may be a hazard to workers causing illnesses such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Employers must ensure:

  • the workplace is adequately heated where appropriate (Regulation 851 section 129)
  • sources of heat or excessive temperatures in the workplace are reviewed
  • adequate controls are in place to protect workers
  • engineering/administrative controls are reviewed related to ventilation and heat reduction, policy and procedures (hot weather plan), work and rest practices and personal protective equipment to protect workers [OHSA clause 25(2)(h)]

Occupational cancers

Employers should review workplace hazards that could expose a worker to a known or suspected carcinogen.

Slips, trips and falls

Slips, trips and falls can result in fractures, lacerations and loss of consciousness. In extreme circumstances, injuries caused from a fall can lead to permanent disability or death.

The regulation for industrial establishments (Regulation 851), applies to industrial establishments (such as an office building, factory, arena, shop or office or any land, buildings and structures pertaining there to) and sets out a number of requirements for worker protection against slips, trips and falls, including but not limited to sections 11, 13, 14, 15, 73, and 85.

Under Regulation 851 employers must ensure:

  • floors and other surfaces used by workers are free of obstructions, hazards, accumulations of ice and snow and not have a slippery surface (section 11)
  • compliance with guardrail requirements (sections 13 and 14)
  • compliance with fall arrest system requirements when working from heights (section 85)
  • portable ladders are maintained (section 73)
  • workers are provided with training on the use of protective clothing and equipment (i.e. fall arrest equipment) (section 79)
  • workers are provided with training on slip, trip and fall hazards from the same level and working from heights as required under the OHSA [clause 25(2)(a)]

Beginning November 27, 2017, the ministry amended the OHSA to prevent employers from requiring a worker to wear footwear with an elevated heel unless it is required for the worker to perform his or her work safely (section 25.1).

There is an exception for employers of workers who work as performers in the entertainment and advertising industry as defined in subsection 25.1(3) of the OHSA, as wearing footwear with an elevated heel may be a valid job requirement.

This amendment to the OHSA does not affect any personal protective equipment requirements about footwear in the regulations made under the act. Employers should consult the footwear provisions in the regulations.

Tire explosion: Pyrolysis

Workers can suffer injuries from contact with wheel, rim and tire parts. They can include cuts, bruises, lacerations, fractures and severe impact trauma to the body. In extreme circumstances, injuries can lead to permanent disability or death.

Large rubber tires for trucks and heavy equipment have the potential to explode with devastating force as a result of decomposition. This can occur when the tire overheats or is exposed to a heat source, and is known as pyrolysis. It can occur:

  • after the vehicle comes near or touches a high voltage power line
  • after a brake has been overheated
  • after the wheel has been heated with a torch
  • after a stud has been cut off a wheel
  • by welding on the wheel

The decomposition can create a rapid rise in pressure inside the tire that can lead to an explosion. Workers and others may sustain critical or fatal injuries as a result.

Employers must:

  • implement controls to prevent worker injury during tire/rim replacement
  • protect workers from blow-off (Regulation 851 section 77)
  • acquaint a worker with any known hazards, such as the risk of pyrolysis [OHSA clause 25(2)(d)]
  • provide workers with training on the hazards of pyrolysis [OHSA clauses 25(2)(a)]

Transportation equipment and vehicle traffic (collisions or being struck by a vehicle)

Workers can be involved in serious collisions resulting in fractures, lacerations and loss of consciousness. In extreme circumstances, injuries can lead to permanent disability or death.

Injuries can occur when workers are struck by or come into contact with motorized equipment or vehicles.

A workplace includes a motor vehicle that a worker operates. Employers should encourage a culture of safety that includes a focus on safe driving.

Where vehicles or motorized equipment are present, employers must:

  • review locations where pedestrians and vehicles may be present in or at a workplace, including roadways
  • ensure that controls are in place to adequately protect workers from vehicle traffic, including proper barriers, warning signs or other safeguards (Regulation 851, section 20)
  • ensure that vehicles used by workers are maintained in good condition and are safe to use [OHSA 25(1)(b)]

A comprehensive program to protect workers may include:

  • an assessment of the risks
  • putting in place such measures and procedures as warning lights, signs, signalers, barriers and worker training
  • the use of reflective clothing

You can refer to The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standard CSA Z96-15 which contains performance criteria for high visibility garments. CSA Standard Z96-15 - High-visibility safety apparel is available through the Canadian Standards Association.

Water hazards

Workers exposed to water hazards may suffer from hypothermia or drown.

Employers must ensure:

  • fishing or water operation safety procedures are reviewed
  • appropriate personal protective equipment required to protect a worker from the hazard of drowning is provided (Regulation 851 section 86)
  • personal protective equipment is kept in good condition [OHSA clause 25(1)(b)]
  • workers are provided with training on the care and use of the personal protective equipment (Regulation 851 section 79)
  • appropriate information, instruction and supervision is provided to workers on the hazards of working around open water [OHSA clauses 25(2)(a) and 25(2)(d)]

Workplace violence and workplace harassment

The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) sets out requirements for workplace violence and harassment in sections 32.0.1 to 32.0.8.

Under the OHSA employers must:

  • establish appropriate workplace violence and harassment policies (section 32.0.1)
  • conduct a workplace violence risk assessment or re-assessment (section 32.0.3)
  • develop and maintain workplace violence and harassment programs to implement the policies (sections 32.0.2 and 32.0.6)
  • provide workers with training on the workplace violence and harassment policies and programs (sections 32.0.5 and 32.0.7)
  • subject to some conditions, provide information, including personal information, to a worker related to the risk of workplace violence from a person with a history of violent behaviour [subsection 32.0.5(3)]

You can find further information about the requirements around workplace violence in the Ministry of Labour guide Workplace Violence and Harassment: Understanding the Law.

Additional information, including information about new workplace harassment provisions, is on the Ministry of Labour webpages for Workplace Violence and Workplace Harassment. Fact sheets are available to help workers and employers understand their duties. Employers can use the Ministry’s Code of Practice to address workplace harassment under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.