Panel will examine impact of underground economy on health and safety practices
Following a spate of worker deaths in the province, the Ontario government has set up an expert advisory panel to conduct a comprehensive review of the province’s occupational health and safety prevention and enforcement system.
"Even one death or injury in a workplace is one too many. That's why we are putting together this panel of industry experts from all sectors. I look forward to receiving their advice and together we can work to ensure that all Ontario workers arrive home safely at the end of each day," said Minister of Labour Peter Fonseca.
Tony Dean, a professor in the school of public policy and governance at the University of Toronto, will chair the panel. Dean has also served as deputy minister of labour.
The panel, comprised of safety experts from labour groups, employers and academic institutions, will recommend options for structural, operational and policy improvements.
The panel will research best-in-class approaches to improving workplace safety in national and international jurisdictions and will look at a range of issues including:
• The continuum of safety practices in a workplace and entry-level safety training.
• The impact of the underground economy on health and safety practices.
• How existing legislation serves worker safety.
Part of the review will be supported by the Institute for Work and Health, an independent research centre for occupational health and safety.
The panel will report back to the government in the fall.
