THE EMPLOYERS' EDGE
Ministry of Labour October Enforcement Blitz for Personal Protective Equipment in the Health Care and Industrial Sectors
The Ministry of Labour (“MOL”) announced earlier this week that it will conduct an enforcement blitz focusing on personal protective equipment (“PPE”) in the health care and industrial sectors. The Ministry advises that the blitz will focus mainly on head, eye and foot protection at industrial and health care workplaces as well as fall, respiratory, skin and hearing protection. The Ministry will be ensuring that employers are complying with the requirements under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (the “OHSA”) as they relate to the use, care and training in the use of PPE.
For industrial workplaces, MOL inspectors will focus on safety gear in the wood and metal fabrication, vehicle sale and service, food and beverage, wholesalers and education sectors. In the health care industry the blitz will focus on hospitals, long-term care homes and homes for residential care with an emphasis on dietary services, housekeeping/environmental services maintenance shops, central sterile supply departments and laundry departments.
For more information on the October PPE blitz employers can access the MOL’s website at http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/sawo/pubs/fs_ppe.php.
Please contact the lawyers at CCP should you have any questions about the blitz or your obligations under the OHSA.
Please Note: This blog has been prepared as an informational service for our clients and other interested parties. It is not intended to constitute legal advice, a complete statement of the law or opinion on any subject. Although we endeavour to ensure the accuracy of the content, no one should act upon the information provided without a thorough examination of the law after the facts of a specific situation are fully considered.