News & Updates
New Round of Workplace Inspection Blitzes April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019
May 01, 2018
The Ontario Ministry of Labour regularly conducts workplace inspection blitzes. Each year the Ministry announces the focus of its blitzes and initiatives and posts the schedules online. However, individual workplaces do not receive advance notice of an inspection. The purpose of Ministry inspections is to ensure compliance with employments standards and health and safety.
Employment Standards
Industries with a history of violations or workplaces with vulnerable workers such as young or foreign workers are the usual targets of safety blitzes. The focus is usually on standards regarding:
- minimum wage
- hours of work
- overtime pay
- public holidays
- paid vacation
During the previous employment standards inspection blitz, the Ministry conducted 1,654 field visits and visited 1,442 workplaces. The ministry issued 5,516 orders and requirements under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations, including 206 stop work orders. The Ministry has the power to issue compliance orders and fines.
Employment Standards
The next round of workplace employment standards inspection blitzes include the following:
|
Business Type |
Ontario Location |
Dates |
|---|---|---|
|
Construction |
Ontario |
May 1 to Aug 31, 2018 |
|
Smaller/independent retailers |
Central East |
Sep 1 to Dec 31, 2018 |
|
Retail trade (non-restaurant or grocery stores) |
Central West |
Oct 1 to Jan, 2019 |
|
Small retail/grocers |
Eastern |
Jun 1 to Sep 28, 2018 |
|
Hotel/motel accommodations |
Northern |
Aug 1 to Oct 31, 2018 |
|
Golf courses |
Western |
Jun 1 to Sep 30, 2018 |
Health and Safety
Ontario businesses can expect the following health and safety blitzes:
|
Blitz Focus |
Ontario Location |
Dates |
|---|---|---|
|
Working at heights – fall protection training |
Ontario |
Phase 1: May 1 to May 31, 2018 Phase 2: Jun 1 to Jun 30, 2018 |
|
Reversing Equipment on construction projects |
Ontario |
Phase 1: Sep 1 to Sep 30, 2018 Phase 2: Oct 1 to Oct 31, 2018 |
|
Industrial – new and young workers |
Ontario |
May 1 to Aug 31, 2018 |
|
Industrial – machine guarding |
Ontario |
Feb 1 to Mar 29, 2019 |
|
“Big Box” retailers |
Ontario |
Oct 1 to Nov 23, 2018 |
|
Construction – internal responsibility system |
Ontario |
Jun 1, 2018 to Mar 31, 2019 |
|
Industrial – internal responsibility system – newly registered small businesses |
Ontario |
Apr 1, 2018 to Mar 31, 2019 |
|
Health Care – internal responsibility system – workplace violence prevention |
Ontario |
Phase 1: Apr 1, 2018 to Mar 31, 2019 Phase 2: Jul 1, 2018 to Mar 31, 2019 |
|
Health Care – high hazards |
Ontario |
Apr 1 to June 30, 2018 |
|
Chemical manufacturing, chemical handling |
Ontario |
Apr 1, 2018 to Mar 31, 2019 |
|
WHMIS |
Ontario |
Apr 1, 2018 to Mar 31, 2019 |
|
Ergonomics related to falls (ladders, stairs, access platforms) |
Ontario |
Apr 1, 2018 to Mar 31, 2019 |
|
Musculoskeletal disorder prevention in metal fabrication |
Ontario |
Apr 1, 2018 to Mar 31, 2019 |
|
Municipalities |
Ontario |
Phase 1: Apr 1, 2018 to Mar 31, 2019 Phase 2: Apr 1, 2019 to Mar 31, 2020 |
|
Industrial & construction workplaces that use temporary help agencies |
Central East |
Apr 1, 2018 to Mar 31, 2019 |
|
Road construction projects |
Central West |
May 1 to 31, 2018 |
|
Temporary labour agencies |
Central West |
Jun 1, 2018 to Mar 31, 2019 |
|
Chainsaw operation and maintenance |
Eastern |
Apr 1, 2018 to Mar 31, 2019 |
|
Quarry blasting operations |
Eastern |
May 1, 2018 to Mar 31, 2019 |
|
Utility work |
Eastern |
May 1 to August 31, 2018 |
|
Sawmills, etc. |
Northern |
May 1, 2018 to Mar 31, 2019 |
|
Golf courses |
Western |
Apr 1, 2018 to Mar 31, 2019 |
|
Temporary and foreign workers |
Western |
Apr 1, 2018 to Mar 31, 2019 |
|
Hotels |
Western |
Phase 1: Apr 1, 2018 to Mar 31, 2019 Phase 2: Apr 1, 2019 to Mar 31, 2020 |
For more information and to determine whether your business or industry will be subject to workplace inspection blitzes or initiatives go to the Ministry’s website.
The employment lawyers at Dale & Lessmann LLP would be pleased to speak to you regarding your company’s statutory compliance requirements as well as any other employment and business related issues.
*****
Christina J. Wallis is a Partner lawyer practising civil litigation with a focus in Employment Law at Dale & Lessmann LLP Toronto, Ontario, Canada, a full service business law firm. To speak to Christina please call 416-369-7832 or send an email message to her at cwallis@dalelessmann.com.
Tags: Employment
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