Ontario sector-specific safety plans available online

Plans address safety issues in industries including mining and health care

Ontario’s sector-specific safety plans for 2011 to 2012 are available online.

The plans, developed by the Ministry of Labour, address specific health and safety issues in the construction industry, the industrial sector, mining, health care and specialized and professional services.

The plans map out industry trends in injury and illness, discuss major hazards and outline what inspectors look for in each sector during an inspection.

Each plan outlines special enforcement focuses in each sector for 2011 to 2012. In the mining industry this includes a safety blitz focused on diamond drilling. In health care there will be a focus on needle safety and competent supervision.

The introduction to the plans outlines the many changes to Ontario’s workplace safety laws over the past year. New workplace violence and harassment legislation contained in Bill 168 means inspectors will be routinely checking for compliance with the new requirements, according to the report.

The introduction also discusses the changes to legislation that have come with Bill 160, including changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Act the allows for the appointment of the new position of chief prevention officer.

The plans are available online at: http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/sawo/sectorplans/index.php.

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