THE ROLE OF A MINISTRY OF LABOUR HEALTH AND SAFETY INSPECTOR
Hello, and welcome to another edition of MOL Radio. In today's workplace health and safety segment, we will be discussing workplace inspections and the role of a Ministry of Labour inspector.
In Ontario, the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations are in place to protect workers against health and safety hazards on the job. The Ministry of Labour has the authority to enforce the act. The enforcement activity is carried out by our health and safety inspectors.
Ministry of Labour inspectors may enter any workplace without a warrant or notice.
They have broad powers to, among other things,
• inspect any workplace
• investigate any potentially hazardous situation, complaint and work refusal
• investigate incidents that result in a critical injury or fatality
• order compliance with the Act and regulations, and
• initiate prosecutions.
The frequency of inspections may vary depending on the type hazards that may be found in a workplace, its size and its past record of health and safety.
For example, construction projects may be inspected every three or four weeks. A factory or manufacturing plant may be inspected as problems arise. A mine may be inspected about three times a year.
Inspections may also be conducted in response to a specific complaint about a workplace. Such complaints are kept confidential.
Inspections also provide the workplace with access to the special knowledge and expertise in occupational health and safety … available from the Ministry of Labour through our inspectors.
A workplace inspection involves a thorough examination of the physical condition of the workplace by the inspector, who is usually accompanied by both employer and worker representatives. If there is no worker representative, during the inspection the inspector will talk to a reasonable number of workers about their health and safety concerns.
During an inspection, inspectors may issue orders if they see hazards or non-compliance with the act.
Orders may be time based, giving the workplace a set time to come into compliance. In situations where there is an immediate danger to workers, a stop work order may be issued.
A stop work order remains in effect until the inspector is satisfied that the danger is removed. The inspector then lifts the stop work order.
Orders must be complied with. If an order is ignored, charges may be laid under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
As well, during an inspection, all employers, supervisors and workers must assist and co-operate with ministry inspectors. Failure to do so may result in charges under the act.
All of us, employers, supervisors, workers … and ministry inspectors - we all share one goal … to keep Ontario's workplaces the safest and healthiest in the world.
The Occupational Health and Safety Act gives us the framework to reach our goal.
But it is up to all of us, working together and creating a workplace culture where health and safety is a priority, to make that goal a reality.
For more information, Ontario has a number for workplace health and safety incidents, unsafe practices and general inquiries: it is 1-877-202-0008
That's 1-877-202-0008
Thank you for listening to MOL Radio.