The MOL results of the Construction Blitz can be found in its entierty below, or via this link. Click here.
Falls are one of the leading causes of critical injuries and deaths of workers at construction sites in Ontario.
In September and October 2013, Ministry of Labour inspectors conducted a blitz at construction sites. Inspectors checked for hazards, including those that could lead to falls from one level to another. They checked that employers were complying with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and its regulations.
The goal of the blitz was to:
- raise awareness of hazards involving falls hazards at construction projects
- increase worksite compliance with the law
- prevent injuries that could arise from unsafe work practices
Report summary
During September and October of 2013, ministry inspectors conducted 1,280 visits to 1,082 workplaces and issued 3,832 orders under the OHSA, including 342 stop work orders.
The top three most commonly issued orders were:
- personal protective equipment (hard hats and safety shoes)
- guardrails
- scaffolding and other work platforms
Full report
Inspection blitzes are part of the province’s Safe At Work Ontario compliance strategy. They are announced to the sector by the ministry in advance, although individual workplaces are not identified in advance. Results are posted on the ministry’s website. The blitzes raise awareness of workplace hazards and are intended to promote compliance with the OHSA and its regulations.
Inspectors’ findings may impact the frequency and level of future inspections of individual workplaces. Inspectors may also refer employers to health and safety associations for compliance assistance and health and safety-related training.
Blitz focus
The scope of the campaign was comprehensive and included all aspects of fall protection methods to eliminate falls hazards at Ontario construction projects.
Inspectors focused on the following key priorities:
Workplace Parties’ Duties: Inspectors checked that employers had policies and programs in place to protect workers from falls hazards as well as emergency procedures if a fall took place at a construction project.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Safety Devices: Inspectors checked that workers were wearing proper fall protection equipment such as fall arrest or travel restraint equipment and ensured that proper anchor points were utilized. The inspectors also checked on the availability, adequacy and condition of this equipment.
Worker Training: Inspectors checked that workers were properly trained and supervised to prevent injuries and deaths from falls hazards. They also checked that workers were aware of their right to refuse unsafe work.
Controlling Hazards: Inspectors checked that appropriate methods for controlling hazards were included in constructor/employer health and safety policies and programs. Some methods for controlling hazards include engineering and administrative controls, installation of guardrails or adequate floor covers, and use of bump lines when inspecting projects that involve built-up roofing operations.
Employer Duties: Inspectors checked that employers had policies and programs in place to protect workers from fall hazards. This included protecting workers from falls from heights at the workplace. Inspectors also checked that employers were providing appropriate access and egress to work areas and ensuring ladder safety. They also checked that employers had emergency rescue procedures for workers who fell or whose fall arrest equipment was activated.
Safe Work Practices: Inspectors checked that employers had safe work practices, including assessing fall hazard risks and responding immediately to any hazards. They also checked for policies and procedures that ensured an investigation took place into all fall-related incidents. In addition, they checked for policies that outlined the roles of workplace parties for ensuring good “housekeeping” practices to keep workplaces free of falls hazards.
Falls from Ladders, Mobile Stands and Platforms: Inspectors checked that workers worked in a safe manner on ladders, stands and platforms. They also checked that the ladders, stands and platforms were properly assessed for hazards, were properly designed, properly built and maintained, and placed on firm footing.
Guardrails and Guarded Openings: Inspectors checked that guardrails were in place and that floor openings, work surfaces or walls of buildings or other structures, were covered, as required.
Falls from Heights: Inspectors checked that fall arrest equipment and/or guardrails or other safety equipment was being used for work on platforms, raised floors, mezzanines, balconies or other work at heights. Ministry inspectors checked that appropriate methods for controlling hazards that could lead to falls were included in constructor and employer health and safety policies and programs. Some methods for controlling hazards leading to falls include engineering controls and personal protective equipment, housekeeping, and the use of appropriate and adequate administrative controls.
Inspection activity summary
| Program Activities | Number |
|---|---|
| Field visits | 1,280 |
| Workplaces visited | 1,082 |
| Orders issued | 3,832 |
| Stop work orders | 342[1] |
| Requirements | 71[1] |
| Orders and requirements per workplace visited | 3.54 |
| Orders and requirements per field visit | 2.99 |
| [1]Included in the ‘Orders Issued’ count | |
Order analysis
Incidents involving falls hazards continue to be a workplace issue at Ontario construction projects.
Of the 3,832 total orders:
- 933 (24%) orders were issued in total, under the OHSA
- 342 (8.5%) stop work orders and 71 requirements were issued under the OHSA
- 2,851 (74%) of the orders were issued under the Regulations for Construction Projects
- 16 (0.4%) were issued under the Window Cleaning Regulation
| Reason for Order | Number of Orders | Percentage of Fall Orders Issued |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (Sections 22 & 23)[1] | 524 | 13.7 |
| Guardrails (installation/composition) (Sections 26.1-26.3, 135 (1)(c)) | 258 | 6.7 |
| Scaffolding and Other Work Platforms (Sections 127-135) | 236 | 6.2 |
| Stairs/access & Egress (Sections 75-77, 70-74) | 217 | 5.7 |
| Emergency Procedures (Section 17 & 26.1(4)) | 157 | 4.1 |
| Ladder Use (Sections 78-84) | 116 | 3 |
| Floor Covers (installation/composition) (Section 26.3(2)) | 76 | 2 |
| Training (Section 26.1(4)) | 72 | 1.9 |
| Housekeeping (Section 35) | 56 | 1.4 |
| Equipment & Anchor Points (arrangement and Inspection) (Sections 26.4-26.9) | 31 | 1 |
| [1]PPE orders were largely for hard hats & safety shoes | ||
Analysis
Inspectors issued 134 stop work orders to low-rise residential projects, more than any other type of project.
The most commonly issued order was for employers’ failure to ensure workers wore adequate personal protective equipment for working at heights.
The results indicate falls hazards continue to be a key concern at construction projects and that the workplace parties need to improve safety and their understanding of their duties and responsibilities under the OHSA.
Next steps
Ministry inspectors will continue to pay special attention to the areas of concern noted in the analysis section above. This includes hazards involving falls and other safety issues.
