OHS officers will inspect evenings, weekends
A recent focused inspection campaign on residential construction sites in Alberta show there continues to be room for safety improvements, according to the province.
From Sept.12 to Oct. 11, more than 600 initial and followup inspections involving 387 employers resulted in 394 orders issued, including 83 stop work orders. A lack of fall protection, or of a fall protection plan, accounted for 131 orders, according to the province.
“Clearly, we need to further create a culture of workplace health and safety in all Albertans,” said Minister of Human Services Dave Hancock.
In recent months, the province has carried out a pilot program of evening and weekend inspections, including the recent residential construction campaign. This schedule will continue on a regular basis as part of the ongoing inspection program, according to the government.
“There are many sectors of our province’s workforce that don’t clock in from nine to five,” said Hancock. “Revising the working hours of our OHS officers to include weekends and evenings only makes sense. This, along with our ongoing educational efforts and continuing to work with industry and safety associations, will help improve compliance in the workplace.”
