The government of Ontario will be looking for hazards that can lead to falls during a safety blitz at workplaces across the province from May 16 to July 15.
Falls are a leading cause of worker injuries and deaths in Ontario and the number 1 cause of critical injuries and deaths of construction workers. In 2015, 10 workers died at construction projects from falls. In 2015, there were eight work-related deaths from falls at industrial workplaces in the province. Between 1991 and 2015, 10 workers died in Ontario mines as a result of incidents involving falls.
Ministry of Labour inspectors will check that employers are properly assessing and addressing hazards that could cause workers to fall. They will visit a variety of workplaces in the construction, industrial and mining sectors, including low-rise and high-rise new build and renovation projects; retail, restaurants and other industrial establishments; and mines and mining plants.
In particular, inspectors will check that employers have policies, programs and safe work practices in place to protect workers from falls. They will check that employers have assessed ladders, mobile stands and platforms for hazards, maintained equipment and placed it on firm footing when in use and that safety barriers such as guardrails are installed when needed.
Inspectors will also be making sure workers are trained on the use of appropriate fall protection systems, personal protective equipment and other safety devices when working at heights and employers ensure that workers are working safely on truck beds, trailers or the top of loads.
Falls are a leading cause of worker injuries and deaths in Ontario and the number 1 cause of critical injuries and deaths of construction workers. In 2015, 10 workers died at construction projects from falls. In 2015, there were eight work-related deaths from falls at industrial workplaces in the province. Between 1991 and 2015, 10 workers died in Ontario mines as a result of incidents involving falls.
Ministry of Labour inspectors will check that employers are properly assessing and addressing hazards that could cause workers to fall. They will visit a variety of workplaces in the construction, industrial and mining sectors, including low-rise and high-rise new build and renovation projects; retail, restaurants and other industrial establishments; and mines and mining plants.
In particular, inspectors will check that employers have policies, programs and safe work practices in place to protect workers from falls. They will check that employers have assessed ladders, mobile stands and platforms for hazards, maintained equipment and placed it on firm footing when in use and that safety barriers such as guardrails are installed when needed.
Inspectors will also be making sure workers are trained on the use of appropriate fall protection systems, personal protective equipment and other safety devices when working at heights and employers ensure that workers are working safely on truck beds, trailers or the top of loads.
