Protecting Ontario's Industrial Workers From Falls

Ontario will target industrial workplaces this month to protect workers from hazards that can cause slips, trips and falls.

Inspectors from the Ministry of Labour will look for fall-from-height hazards involving platforms, raised floors, mezzanines and balconies. They will also check fall-arrest equipment and guardrails and look out for improper use of ladders and dangerous practices such as working on storage racks.

For each violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the court can impose a fine of up to $500,000 against a corporation. Individuals face a fine of up to $25,000, imprisonment of up to 12 months or both.

This inspection blitz is the third since 2008 focussed on fall hazards in industrial workplaces. The Ministry of Labour blitz strategy targets all workplaces. Last month, the ministry completed a 90-day blitz focussing on falls at Ontario construction sites. The final results will be announced later this month.

Blitzes are a key part of Safe at Work Ontario. The strategy aims to find and eliminate hazards before they cause workplace injuries.