Four months of targeted inspections starts May 1
The Ontario Ministry of Labour is launching a four-month inspection safety blitz targeting workplaces where new and young workers are employed full-time or in summer jobs.
The blitz starts May 1.
Health and safety inspectors from the Ministry of Labour will check that employers are complying with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, ensuring young workers:
•are protected by required safety measures, equipment and procedures to prevent injuries
•have proper instructions, training and supervision on the job •meet minimum age requirements Between 2006 and 2010, 34 young workers aged 15 to 24 died in work-related incidents. The highest number of lost-time-at-work claims for on-the-job injuries involved young workers employed in occupations such as sales and service, transport/equipment operators and labourers in processing, manufacturing and utilities, according to Ministry statistics.
"The inspectors will shut down unsafe work sites when necessary and employers could face fines through the Occupational Health and Safety Act," a Ministry of Labour statement said.
New and young workers are four times more likely to be injured during the first month of employment than at any other time, according to the Ministry.
