The Ministry of Labour (MOL) is launching a safety blitz around hazards that could lead to crushing or other injuries at workplaces across the province.
From now until Dec. 14, MOL inspectors will visit wood and metal fabrication, manufacturing, chemical, plastics and automotive plants as well as other industrial workplaces to ensure employers are taking the necessary steps to assess and address possible hazards.
This includes machines that are not properly guarded, locked out or blocked.
The MOL states machine guards prevent workers from accessing moving parts of machinery, and lockouts ensure machines do not start up unexpectedly.
Blocking prevents a machine that is temporarily raised from falling or moving during work such as maintenance.
Inspectors will also check that workplaces have a "strong internal responsibility system in place that promotes compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations," states a release.
Making sure employers are trying to prevent awkward postures and repetitive motions will also be examined.
These postures and motions could lead to musculoskeletal disorders involving injuries and disorders of the muscles, tendons, nerves, joints and spinal discs, the MOL explains.
Being protected from exposure to chemicals such as metalworking fluids and degreasing solvents that could cause occupational disease the MOL is also inspecting.
"Our top priority is worker safety in Ontario," says Kevin Flynn, minister of labour, in a statement.
"Blitzes such as this one ensure we continue to do what we can to prevent injuries and deaths so men and women get home safely to their families each and every night."
The blitz is part of the government’s Safe At Work Ontario enforcement initiative.
"Hazards involving machines not properly guarded, musculoskeletal disorders, or exposure to chemicals can result in injuries, occupational disease or even death. We’re working to improve the health and safety of workers in Ontario," adds George Gritziotis, chief prevention officer in the release.
The MOL notes, in 2013, 17 per cent of all compliance orders issued by inspectors under the Regulations for Industrial Establishments were for machine guarding and lockout violations.
Since 2008, ministry inspectors have conducted more than 345,000 field visits and 68 blitzes.
Inspectors have issued more than 560,000 orders in Ontario workplaces, the release explains.
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