SAFE AT WORK ONTARIO BLITZES
Hello and welcome to MOL Radio.
Today's topic is our Safe At Work Ontario health and safety strategy, and specifically, our enhanced provincial enforcement campaigns - otherwise known as blitzes.
The Government of Ontario is committed to eliminating all workplace injuries.
At the Ministry of Labour, we enforce compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and its regulations. We have set up Safe At Work Ontario, which is designed to improve the health and safety culture in our workplaces.
It should come as no surprise … if health and safety are ingrained into corporate culture - workplace injuries and illnesses will decline.
This, naturally, lessens the burden on our health care system, saving taxpayer dollars. As well, a strong health and safety culture helps employers and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, avoid costs.
And, most important … it gives Ontario families peace of mind to know that their loved ones are safer at work.
Our Safe At Work Ontario strategy also helps provide a level playing field for compliant companies.
We want to make sure that all workers come home each day to their families, safe and sound.
One of the main components of the Safe At Work Ontario strategy is proactive inspection blitzes on sector-specific hazards. These blitzes are designed to raise awareness and increase compliance with our health and safety legislation.
It has been shown that workplace injuries and fatalities can usually be traced to a few root causes that may vary, depending on the type of workplace. Because of this, our blitzes can focus on specific issues such as young workers, falls in low-rise residential construction, infection control in health care workplaces, racking and storage, loading dock safety.
These are just a few… there are many others.
Blitzes are announced in advance, and generally last a month, although some may be in place for a longer period of time.
Where there are contraventions of the law, the inspector will issue written orders to comply with the law within a certain time period or, if the hazard is imminent, to comply immediately.
They may also refer the employers to the appropriate health and safety association. The association will then provide compliance assistance and information about hazard specific training.
Blitzes are one of the methods the ministry uses to help create a strong health and safety culture in a workplace.
An effective workplace health and safety culture needs a strong commitment by everyone.
Because, workplace safety is everyone's business.
For more information on blitzes and our Safe At Work Ontario strategy, visit our website at Ontario.ca (forward slash) safe at work Ontario (one word).
That's Ontario.ca (forward slash) safe at work Ontario - one word.
Thank you for listening to this instalment of MOL radio.