Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development to resume inspection blitzes

ONTARIO—After being on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD) recently announced the workplace inspection blitzes planned for 2022-2023.

According to a post from Workplace Safety North (WSN), 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, which is even more relevant since COVID-19, is occupational disease.

Until June 30 the ministry will focus on 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 will take place until June, with compliance support from all health and safety associations, including WSN. The inspection blitz across Ontario began May 1 and will run through to June 26.

From October to December, the ministry’s focus will be on occupational disease. Education, outreach and awareness occurs from Oct. 3 to Dec. 30. The blitz sees focused inspections across Ontario from Oct. 31 to Dec. 28.

Other compliance initiatives include:

• Industrial compliance initiatives related to forest products sector

May – Temporary help agencies: Education, outreach, awareness phase is May 2 to Aug. 31, with compliance support from Public Services Health and Safety Association, Workplace Safety and Prevention Services and Workplace Safety North.

• Mining compliance initiatives

July: Storage, use and handling of explosives in surface and underground mines: Education, outreach, and awareness phase is from July 15 to Sept. 20, with compliance support from WSN. The inspection blitz phase occurs from Aug. 1 to Sept. 30.

• Specialized Professional Services Initiative

April: Respiratory protection (hygiene): Education, outreach, and awareness phase runs until Mar. 31, 2023, with compliance support from all health and safety associations, including WSN. The inspection blitz phase occurs until Mar. 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.