Inspectors issue 243 stop-work orders
An Ontario safety inspection blitz focused on access equipment resulted in 243 stop-work orders in August.
Ontario Ministry of Labour inspectors conducted 998 visits to 903 workplaces and issued 2,955 orders under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), including 243 stop-work orders.
Workers can suffer serious injuries and death when access equipment is improperly used. Lack of training and non-compliance with manufacturer's instructions are often the cause of these incidents, according to the ministry.
Between 2003 and 2008, more than one-third of fatal falls involving construction workers involved access equipment. In total, 61 construction workers died from falls at construction sites. Of those, 24 fatalities involved access equipment.
On December 24, 2009, four workers fell 13 storeys to their deaths when a swing-stage came apart at a Toronto construction site. A fifth worker survived the fall. This incident prompted a review of Ontario's occupational health and safety system which led to recommendations for major changes that are currently being implemented by the ministry.
More than 16 per cent of the orders issued during the blitz were for contraventions related to the unsafe use of access equipment.
The most commonly issued orders were for lack of adequate supervision and training, and inadequate implementation of a well functioning internal responsibility system (IRS).
The blitz focused on the appropriate selection of access equipment and its safe and proper use. This included an equipment audit.
The goal was to:
•raise awareness of access equipment hazards
•encourage employers to identify and control hazards
•address and remedy non-compliance with the OHSA and its regulations
•deter non-compliant employers
•enhance health and safety partnerships
•promote improved health and safety for workers using access equipment
