MOL Inspection Initiatives for Summer and Fall 2019
The MOL undertakes a series of workplace inspection initiatives every year, and summer is a busy season for inspections!
The inspection initiatives target specific sectors to protect workers' rights under both the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Employment Standards Act. The MOL also focuses on increasing employers' awareness of their responsibilities.
Remember, due diligence requires more than just checking off a list of safety courses! Contact MidSoutWest to schedule a workplace H&S audit today!
To ensure that employees stay safe, MidSouthWest recommends that employers and workers participate in regular refresher training classes even if it is not mandated by the MOL. Refresher training can help remind employees of safe practices and prevent bad habits from creeping into the workplace.
The inspection initiatives target specific sectors to protect workers' rights under both the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Employment Standards Act. The MOL also focuses on increasing employers' awareness of their responsibilities.
Remember, due diligence requires more than just checking off a list of safety courses! Contact MidSoutWest to schedule a workplace H&S audit today!
To ensure that employees stay safe, MidSouthWest recommends that employers and workers participate in regular refresher training classes even if it is not mandated by the MOL. Refresher training can help remind employees of safe practices and prevent bad habits from creeping into the workplace.
Summer & Fall 2019 Inspection InitiativesMay - August
July - September
September - December |
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Suspended access equipment
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From July 2 to September 27, 2019 the MOL will run an initiative focusing on suspended access equipment targeted at the construction sector. The ministry will continue to focus on fall protection following the slips, trips and falls.
What sectors will be targeted?
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What will inspectors be looking for?
How can you ensure that you comply?
- Appropriate construction, inspection, testing and maintenance of suspended access equipment
- Workers have received appropriate training, such as Aerial Work Platform Training
- Appropriate work area protection for workers who are not operators (i.e., pedestrian safety)
- Refer to sections 137 – 142 of Ontario Regulation 213/91: Construction Projects for specific requirements about suspended work platforms and boatswain’s chair
How can you ensure that you comply?
- All equipment should be properly inspected, tested and maintained according to the manufacturers' requirements and MOL standards
- Ensure that employees are properly trained and aware of hazards that can cause slip, trips and falls
- It is the employers responsibility to ensure that all reasonable precautions are taken
- Regularly evaluate employees' knowledge of health and safety best practices, for example, MidSouthWest offers a free online safety knowledge evaluation tool
Workplace violence prevention
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From July 22 to September 27, 2019, MOL inspectors will focus on workplace violence prevention in long-term care, retirement homes and community care workplaces to raise awareness of workplace hazards and promote compliance with the OHSA.
What sectors will be targeted?
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What will inspectors be looking for?
How can you ensure that you comply?
- All workers should have appropriate Workplace Violence and Harassment Training
- Employees are familiar with their workplace violence policy
- Workers have access to assistance with workplace violence occurs
- Employers have put in place measures and procedures for reporting incidents related to workplace violence, including how the employer will deal with violent incidents
- Employers are providing written notification of a workplace injury, including the steps taken to prevent re-occurrence
How can you ensure that you comply?
- Ensure that employees are aware of your workplace violence and harassment policy
- Provide employees with Workplace Violence and Harassment Training
- Ensure that appropriate incident reporting procedures are in place for situations when incidents occur
- MidSouthWest provides a free Hazard Report Form for employees and managers when reporting workplace violence incidents
New and young workers
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From May 1 to August 30, 2019, the MOL will conduct an enforcement initiative to continue promoting health and safety for new and young workers the industrial sector.
What sectors will be targeted?
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What will inspectors be looking for?
How can you ensure that you comply?
- There are two focus groups:
- young workers who are 14-24 years old and
- new workers who are 25 years of age or older
- Employees have received appropriate Health and Safety Awareness Training
- Supervisors have received appropriate Supervisor Competency Training
- Adequate Internal Responsibility System, e.g., Joint Health and Safety Committee representation and training
- Workplace violence and harassment policy and appropriate worker training
- Minimum age requirements (where the industrial regulations apply)
- Heat stress precautions
How can you ensure that you comply?
- Ensure that employees and supervisors have received appropriate workplace health and safety training, even if they are temporary workers!
- Contact MidSouthWest to conduct and health and safety policy and training audit
- Regularly evaluate employees' knowledge of health and safety best practices, for example, MidSouthWest offers a free online safety knowledge evaluation tool
Healthy workers in healthy workplaces – musculoskeletal disorders and respiratory hazard
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Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) will be the focus of this initiative.
In 2017, MSDs represented approximately one-third of all accepted WSIB lost time claims. There were over:
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What will inspectors be looking for?
How can you ensure that you comply?
- Ensuring that workers have received training on safe manual materials handing
- Items are being manually handled safely, including in the office environment
- Safe storage of items
- Safe work areas and travel paths free from obstructions
- Safe use of ladders and appropriate working at heights training
How can you ensure that you comply?
- Download our free Office Ergonomics Poster to provide workers and managers with accurate information about ergonomics best practices
- Ensure that employees are properly trained and aware of hazards that could cause MSDs, including high forces, awkward postures and repetitive motions are commonly found when workers are required to lift, carry, push, pull or lower materials
- It is the employers responsibility to ensure that all reasonable precautions are taken
- Remember, due diligence requires more than just checking off a list of safety course!
- To ensure that employees stay safe, MidSouthWest recommends that employers and workers participate in regular refresher training classes even if it is not mandated by the MOL. Refresher training can help remind employees of safe practices and prevent bad habits from creeping into the workplace.
Questions?
Not sure where to start? Chat with us online for a quick Q&A session, or contact us to schedule a workplace health and safety training audit or a Due Diligence for Management Training class.
Last updated July 5, 2019
