January 18, 2012

Ontario Ministry of Labour releases safety blitz results

TORONTO

Safe use of access equipment and fall protection continue to be the two major health and safety concerns related to access equipment on construction projects, according to the Ontario Ministry of Labour.

The Ministry recently released results from an August 2011 blitz involving all types of access equipment at Ontario construction sites. Inspectors checked on compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and its regulations.

From Aug. 1 to 31, 2011, ministry inspectors conducted 998 visits to 903 workplaces and issued 2,955 orders under the OHSA, including 243 stop-work orders.

More than 16 per cent of the orders were for contraventions related to the unsafe use of access equipment and more than 10 per cent of orders pertained to fall protection. Inspectors also noted a lack of compliance with personal protective equipment and housekeeping requirements.

The most commonly issued orders were for lack of adequate supervision and training, and inadequate implementation of a well functioning internal responsibility system (IRS). Between 2003 and 2008, more than one-third of fatal falls involving construction workers involved access equipment. In total, 61 construction workers died from falls at construction sites. Of those, 24 fatalities involved access equipment.

On Dec. 24, 2009, four workers fell 13 storeys to their deaths when a swing stage came apart at a Toronto construction site. A fifth worker survived the fall. This incident prompted a review of Ontario's occupational health and safety system, which led to recommendations for major changes that are currently being implemented by the ministry.

The Ministry said the findings from the August 2011 blitz indicate a need for increased worker supervision and a better understanding of legislative knowledge among supervisors. The absence of basic safety-related personal protective equipment also demonstrates a need for increased importance to be placed on fundamental safety practices on construction projects. The relatively high percentage of orders related to emergency procedures (seventh on the list of most issued orders) is an indicator that workers are not exercising their OHSA rights to know, participate and refuse unsafe work.

There is a need for increased engagement in health and safety practices among all workplace parties. Employers should focus on training, self-compliance, personal protective equipment, fall protection, utilizing tools and equipment as per manufacturers' instructions, hazard assessments and emergency procedures. In December, the Ministry of Labour announced the “Prevention Starts Here” program, which introduces workers to the provincial Occupational Health and Safety Act through an e-learning program, workbook and posters.

Inspection blitzes aim to raise awareness of known workplace hazards and promote compliance with the OHSA and its regulations.

Inspectors’ findings may impact the frequency of future inspections to particular types of workplaces. Inspectors may also refer employers to health and safety associations for workplace compliance assistance and training.

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