Ontario workplace health and safety compliance initiatives in 2022–23
On hold during the pandemic, the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD) has announced workplace inspection blitzes planned for 2022–2023.
The inspection initiatives are designed to help raise awareness of workplace health and safety hazards, and to increase compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and its regulations.
The two compliance initiatives that apply to all workplace sectors in Ontario focus on two high-risk areas. The first risk is being struck by vehicles, mobile equipment, objects, or machinery; these types of injuries are often serious or fatal. The second risk, even more relevant since COVID-19, is occupational disease.
All-sector compliance initiatives
High-risk traumatic hazards: Struck-by, motor vehicles, mobile equipment
From April 1 to June 30, the ministry focuses high-risk traumatic hazards, specifically ‘struck-by’ hazards including being struck by objects, machinery, motor vehicles and mobile equipment. The education, outreach, and awareness phase occurs from April 1 to June 30, 2022, with compliance support from all health and safety associations. The inspection blitz is underway May 1 to June 26 across Ontario.
Healthy workers in healthy workplaces – occupational disease
From October 3 to December 30, the ministry focus is on occupational disease. Education, outreach, and awareness occurs from October 3 to December 30, with compliance support from all health and safety associations. The inspection blitz sees focused inspections across Ontario from October 31 to December 28.
Construction initiatives
From September 5 to November 4, the ministry focus is on excavations and utility contacts. Education, outreach, and awareness occurs between September 5 and November 4, with compliance support from all health and safety associations, including the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association. The inspection blitz sees focused inspections across Ontario from October 3 to November 4.
Specialized professional services initiatives – Respiratory protection (hygiene)
Education, outreach, and awareness phase is from April 1 to March 31, 2023, with compliance support from all health and safety associations. The inspection blitz phase occurs from January 4 to March 31, 2023.
Employment standards in the workplace
Inspections also check that employers across the province are upholding employment standards. For example, employment standards officers inspect workplaces for minimum wage, hours of work, overtime pay, public holidays, and paid vacation.
The Ministry focuses on sectors with a history of violations, where vulnerable workers are employed, and sectors where the number of people working is on the rise.
This article was originally published on the Workplace Safety North website on May 20, 2022.