The Ontario Ministry of Labour will conduct a safety blitz of industrial workplaces from November 3rd to December 14th, 2014.
Although the MOL’s bulletin regarding this blitz does not say it, employers should ensure that all of their health and safety postings are up, and that all workers have received the mandatory health and safety awareness training; inspectors will likely be checking those items.
The MOL states that its inspectors will “visit wood and metal fabrication, manufacturing, chemical and plastics and automotive plants and other industrial sector workplaces.” This description includes a large number of workplaces.
The inspectors will be checking for machines that are not properly guarded, locked out or blocked. The MOL says that inspectors will also check that workplaces have a strong internal responsibility system in place; that employers are “working to prevent awkward postures and repetitive motions that could lead to musculoskeletal disorders involving injuries and disorders of the muscles, tendons, nerves, joints and spinal discs”; and that workers are protected from exposure to chemicals (such as metalworking fluids and degreasing solvents) that could cause occupational disease.
The MOL’s Bulletin on the blitz may be accessed here.
