Ontario Ministry of Labour occupational health and safety inspectors and employment standards inspectors will conduct a sweep of about 800 vehicle body repair workplaces in York, Durham and Peel Regions, Dufferin and Simcoe Counties, and Toronto.

Lasting for six months, the inspection campaign will begin in September.  Many of the firms cited for violations will be checked for compliance in a similar sweep a year later.

Before the sweep, Ministry of Labour officials will meet with employers to discuss the goals of the campaign, which include:

• protecting the health and safety of workers at vehicle body repair facilities
• promoting fair employment practices at these workplaces
• encouraging workplace practices that better protect the environment, and
• promoting fair employment practices.

The government believes that enforcement of relevant legislation helps to protect compliant employers from unfair competition.

Hazardous substances

Inspectors may be assisted in some instances by occupational hygienists to assess worker exposure to hazardous substances.  These may include materials containing isocyanates, which require a control program and specialized training for workers.  A "Guide for Auto Body Shop Isocyanate Control Program" is available online.  Some materials used in vehicle body repair are known to cause illnesses many years after initial exposure to them. 

Lifting devices

Inspectors will look for evidence that fixed and portable jacks and other lifting devices are being used properly, maintained adequately, and inspected.

Worker training

Inspectors will check that workers are being provided with information, instruction and supervision to ensure the protection of their health and safety.

Occupational hygiene

Ministry hygienists may examine issues related to hazardous materials control programs, including air-supplied respirators, medical surveillance, and requirements for eyewash stations and showers.

Engineering review

Engineering consultants will review compliance and provide advice to inspectors concerning the storage and dispensing of flammable liquids, safety requirements spray booths (e.g., interlocks, air flow, and shielding from ignition sources, including static electricity).

Health and safety programs and committees

Inspectors will assess the adequacy of workplace health and safety programs, and they will assess the effectiveness of joint health and safety committees (where required).

Certification

Inspectors will examine certificates of qualification for workers who perform activities that are restricted (e.g., autobody and collision damage repairer).

Employment standards

Inspectors will help some employers, particularly those operating smaller vehicle body repair facilities, to become more aware of their responsibilities under the Employment Standards Act. They will review wage statements and assess employers' record-keeping.

Environmental protection

Evidence of improper disposal of hazardous waste and illegal venting of vapours will be reported by ministry inspectors to the appropriate authorities.

Safe At Work Ontario

Sector and hazard specific workplace inspections are an important feature of the Ministry's  Safe At Work Ontario strategy.  There is no acceptable rate of injury in Ontario workplaces.

That's why Safe At Work Ontario seeks to:

• improve workplace health and safety culture
• reduce workplace injuries and illness
• reduce the burden on the health care system
• avoid costs for employers and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, and
• provide a level playing field for compliant companies.

Safe At Work Ontario builds on the success of the Ministry of Labour four-year compliance program which ran until March 31, 2008.  By the fourth year, this program had helped to reduce the annual rate of workplace injury by 20 per cent.

Because of the decline in the annual rate of lost-time injuries, employers have avoided about $5 billion in direct and indirect costs during the four years ending March 31, 2008. About 50,000 injuries were prevented.  Prevention of injuries helps to ease the strain on the province's health care system and enhance workplace productivity.