The Ministry of Labour is asking for stakeholders for feedback on its occupational health and safety compliance strategy for 2020–2021.

Every year, the ministry of Labour reaches out to stakeholders to gather information for its strategic planning processes for the year ahead. This year, it wants specific feedback about a number of issues, including: hazards, health and safety initiatives, education, outreach and awareness, and sector-specific topics.

Top 10 hazards and violations

The ministry publishes a top-10 list of hazards and violations based on the number of orders its inspectors issue each year for violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and its associated regulations. In 2018, those hazards included workplace violence and harassment, fall protection, lack of personal protective equipment, improper access and egress, a lack of basic occupational health and safety awareness training, lack of equipment maintenance, and a lack of machine or equipment guarding.

It is asking stakeholders for opinions and information about how companies address such issues in their workplaces, and which strategies the ministry might employ to address these issues and violations.

Health and safety initiatives: two-phased approach

The ministry recently changed its approach to conducting health and safety related initiatives. It now adopts a two-phased approach. Phase one sees the ministry work with health and safety associations to raise awareness and provide resources, training and education to workplace parties on the initiative's focus. After about a month of compliance support, the second phase with focused inspections begins.

The ministry is asking whether stakeholders like this new approach, and what they might change to make it more effective.

Education, outreach and awareness

On education, outreach and awareness, the ministry provides information and resources to stakeholders to help them comply with the OHSA and its regulations. It also monitors emerging hazards through sources such as stakeholder feedback, and may issue alerts or guidelines to address new hazards.

It is asking which channels stakeholders use to access information on workplace health and safety, and what formats they prefer to receive such information.

Sector-specific initiatives

The ministry has published a variety of questions pertaining to sector-specific initiatives. For the construction industry, it asks just one question: how can it help the construction sector find and develop solutions to address falls.

Feedback due October 31

Anyone who would like to provide feedback on these issues should look up the Safe At Work Ontario 2020–21 consultation document on Ontario.ca, and send written feedback to SAWOConsultations@ontario.ca by October 31.