Workplace inspectors to visit 1,800 workplaces to enforce safety requirements
Ontario is carrying out targeted provincewide inspections of construction sites starting today.
Overall, 200 workplace inspectors, supported by provincial offences officers, will visit 1,300 constructions sites to enforce safety requirements related to COVID-19.
The inspections will focus on how employers are addressing risks associated with COVID-19, including rules around physical distancing and the wearing of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
"Construction workers continue to be needed on the front lines to build hospitals, testing centres, broadband and other critical infrastructure our province needs," says Monte McNaughton, minister of labour, training and skills development. "We've inspected these worksites regularly throughout the pandemic, but it is more important than ever, with these new variants spreading, that we continue to ensure that construction worksites are following the rules and that workers who still go to work every day are protected."
Calls for greater safety on construction sites, if not shutdowns, along with warehouses and manufacturing have increased in recent days as COVID cases rise and ICUs reach capacity.
“Ontario spinning out of control w/ covid and I'm shocked at how lax some job sites are. I passed 5 construction sites on my run, new homes & renos, not a single contractor wearing a mask. Local auto shop same thing, workers talking close, no masks. Workplaces must improve,” tweeted John Paul Minda, professor of psychology at Western University in London, Ont.
This follows Ontario’s recent stay-at-home order as the third wave of the pandemic hits, as health and safety inspectors and provincial offences officers increase inspections and enforcement at essential businesses in regional hot zones.
Hot spots
Officers will also be visiting over 500 workplaces that have been identified as hot spots for COVID-19, including big box stores, food processors, manufacturers and warehouses in Ottawa, Toronto and York Region.
In March, the province announced it was providing guidance to employees who wanted to self-swab for a rapid antigen point-of-care test on a voluntary basis under the supervision of a trained individual
Since the start of the year, occupational health and safety inspectors and multi-ministry teams of provincial offences officers have conducted more than 20,300 COVID-related workplace inspections and investigations across the province, including 17,442 inspections of construction sites.
During those visits, they've issued over 15,600 orders and over 500 COVID-19 related tickets and stopped unsafe work related to COVID-19 a total of 26 times.
Meanwhile, the Public Services Health and Safety Association is providing employers with free training and assistance, including the workplace safety plan toolkit, live webinars on how to operate a business safely and comply with COVID-19 health and safety requirements, and a 30-minute online course on infection prevention and control.
