Over the last few years, the steel and heavy manufacturing sector in southwestern Ontario has experienced a number of critical workplace injuries and fatalities. Inspections revealed that three major occupational health and safety infractions were involved: material handling, guarding and lockout.
To prevent future workplace injuries, the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) is conducting a proactive inspection campaign in the southwestern Ontario region (Hamilton, Niagara areas), focused on workplaces within the steel and heavy manufacturing sectors. Specifically, inspectors will visit:
- businesses with a high rate of Workplace Safety & Insurance Board lost-time injury claims;
- companies with a history of right to refuse calls or concerns made to the ministry;
- workplaces that have not been visited in the last five years; or
- new unregistered workplaces.
Inspections run April 1 – September 30, 2024.
Free webinars
In support of this initiative, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) partnered with the MLITSD to deliver a series of webinars aimed at educating and empowering employers with information to strengthen their health and safety programs.
- Supervisor Responsibilities in the Steel Industry (live event held April 26, 2024; recording now available)
This session covers key supervisor responsibilities, and how the role of the supervisor fits into the Internal Responsibility System. Additionally, the hazard control process (RACE) are discussed to assist supervisors in recognizing, assessing, controlling and evaluating hazards in their workplace.
- Material Handling in the Steel Industry (live event held May 16, 2024; recording now available)
This session offers a deep dive into material handling hazards specific to the steel industry. It will introduce a broad spectrum of material handling topics, from pedestrian safety and proper racking procedures, to improper movement of materials and working near lifting devices.
- Lockout Tagout (LOTO): Insights in the Steel Industry (live event held June 13, 2024; recording now available)
This session outlines common tasks where lockout is required and discuss the importance of creating machine-specific lockout instructions instead of relying on generic practices.
Updated July 23, 2024
