Attention: Ontario Inspection Blitz! OHS Inspectors Get Ready as We Deliver the Latest Updates – OHS Insider
Introduction:
Ontario employers in the health care, industrial, mining, and construction sectors should be prepared for Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) inspectors to visit their premises from June 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024. The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development (MLITSD) conducts these inspections to raise awareness of workplace hazards and promote compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). The inspections will focus on various hazards and issues specific to each sector, such as musculoskeletal disorders in health care, material handling hazards in the industrial sector, accredited training programs in the mining sector, and falls from heights and occupational hygiene concerns in the construction sector. The MLITSD offers resources for employers to ensure the safety of their workers. For guidance on compliance or representation in legal matters, organizations can turn to CCPartners, which provides tailored services in occupational health and safety.
Full Article: Attention: Ontario Inspection Blitz! OHS Inspectors Get Ready as We Deliver the Latest Updates – OHS Insider
Ontario Employers in Health Care, Industrial, Mining, and Construction Sectors to Face Health and Safety Inspections
Attention all Ontario employers in the health care, industrial, mining, and construction sectors. Prepare for Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) inspectors to visit your workplace between June 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024. This initiative is in alignment with Ontario’s Health and Safety Inspection Compliance Plans for 2023-2024.
Ministry of Labour Conducts Health and Safety Compliance Initiatives
The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) is responsible for conducting health and safety compliance initiatives and campaigns. These initiatives aim to increase awareness of workplace hazards and promote compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and its regulations. The MLITSD initiates a period of education and outreach, followed by focused inspections. While the MLITSD announces these campaigns to specific sectors, individual workplaces are not identified prior to inspections.
Focus Areas for Inspections
During the 2023-2024 inspections, OHS inspectors will emphasize certain hazards, issues, or topics in each sector. Here are the key areas of focus:
Health Care Sector
- The hazard of musculoskeletal disorders and their causes in health care and community care workplaces.
- About 71% of the businesses selected for this campaign are small businesses with less than 50 workers. The primary sectors targeted include group homes, home health care services, and retirement homes.
Industrial Sector
- Material handling hazards faced by workers in the manufacturing and farming sectors where production occurs.
- The primary focus will be on workplaces involved in lifting, carrying, or moving large or bulky materials that may pose a risk of injury to workers.
Mining Sector
- Establishment and maintenance of accredited Common Core training programs. These programs provide competency-based modular training for all mine and mining plant workers in Ontario, specific to their respective job roles.
Construction Sector
- Falls from heights in roofing and framing activities in single-family residential construction, residential re-roofing, and multi-family residential projects in urban areas.
- Activities where workers may be struck by materials, vehicles, or equipment.
Occupational Hygiene
- Ensuring respiratory protection to prevent workers’ airborne exposure to hazardous substances from exceeding the Occupational Exposure Limit.
- Managing asbestos-containing materials in building structures to minimize worker exposure.
Vulnerable Workers
- Identifying labor trafficking practices in workplaces.
- Making sure employers provide all workers with adequate information, instruction, and supervision related to occupational health and safety.
- Focusing on specific worker groups such as young workers, temporary workers, immigrant workers, workers with disabilities, new workers, indigenous workers, older workers, and racialized workers.
The MLITSD has shared a list of resources from the Ministry and various health and safety partners. These resources can help employers ensure the safety of all workers in their respective sectors. For industry-specific resources and more information about compliance and inspections, clickHERE.
If your organization requires guidance on complying with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations, or if you have concerns about orders or decisions issued by inspectors, CCPartners can offer representation, legal advice, policy implementation, and tailored training services to suit your unique circumstances.
Summary: Attention: Ontario Inspection Blitz! OHS Inspectors Get Ready as We Deliver the Latest Updates – OHS Insider
Ontario employers in the health care, industrial, mining, and construction sectors should be prepared for Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) inspectors to visit between June 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024. The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development conducts compliance campaigns to raise awareness of workplace hazards and promote adherence to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). Inspections will focus on specific hazards in each sector: musculoskeletal disorders in health care, material handling in the industrial sector, Common Core training in mining, falls from heights and worker safety in the construction sector. Occupational hygiene, including respiratory protection and managing asbestos, will also be emphasized, along with vulnerable workers’ protection. Employers can access industry-specific resources and seek guidance from CCPartners for compliance and legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Below are some frequently asked questions related to the article “Heads Up! OHS Inspectors Preparing For Ontario Inspection Blitz! – OHS Insider” along with their answers:
Q1: What is the Ontario Inspection Blitz?
A1: The Ontario Inspection Blitz is a targeted initiative conducted by the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) inspectors of Ontario to inspect workplaces and ensure compliance with OHS regulations.
Q2: When will the Ontario Inspection Blitz take place?
A2: The specific dates for the Ontario Inspection Blitz may vary each year. It is recommended to stay updated with the announcements from OHS officials to know the exact timeframe of the blitz.
Q3: Which workplaces are targeted during the Ontario Inspection Blitz?
A3: The Ontario Inspection Blitz aims to target specific high-risk workplaces such as construction sites, manufacturing plants, warehouses, healthcare facilities, and other industries where OHS hazards are prominent.
Q4: What is the purpose of the Ontario Inspection Blitz?
A4: The primary purpose of the Ontario Inspection Blitz is to raise awareness about workplace health and safety, enforce compliance with OHS regulations, identify potential hazards, and address any violations found during inspections.
Q5: What can employers do to prepare for the Ontario Inspection Blitz?
A5: Employers can take several steps to prepare for the Ontario Inspection Blitz, such as conducting regular self-inspections to identify and rectify any safety issues, providing adequate training to workers on OHS regulations, maintaining proper documentation of safety procedures, and ensuring the availability of necessary safety equipment and resources.
Q6: What happens if an employer is found to be non-compliant during the Ontario Inspection Blitz?
A6: If an employer is found to be non-compliant during the Ontario Inspection Blitz, OHS inspectors may issue orders, penalties, or other enforcement measures based on the severity of the violations. It is important for employers to promptly address any non-compliance issues to avoid penalties and improve workplace safety.
Please note that the answers provided here are general in nature and it is always recommended to consult with local OHS authorities for specific information and guidance regarding the Ontario Inspection Blitz.
