Preparing for a Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development Inspection

From April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025, the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) will conduct an enforcement campaign to raise awareness of material handling hazards faced by workers in industrial workplaces.

Focused inspections of workplaces will occur between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025, targeting workplaces where materials, articles or things are lifted, carried, or moved, therefore putting workers at risk of being injured by their movements. Various sectors where fatalities and critical injuries have occurred will be visited, including:

• agricultural services
• automotive
• farming
• food, beverage and tobacco
• government services (municipal services only)
• industrial services
• primary metals
• retail
• tourism, hospitality and recreational services
• transportation
• vehicle, sales and service
• wholesalers
• wood and metal fabrication

Inspectors will focus on the following key priorities:

• lifting devices/mobile equipment/cranes
• workplace layout and design
• manual material handling
• storage systems
• automation
• machine guarding, blocking and lockout
• training and orientation provided by the employer (for example, supervisor and worker awareness training)
• internal responsibility system (for example, joint health and safety committee/health and safety representation

How WSPS Can Help

Supports to help you prepare

• Safety Connection: MLITSD Materials Handling Campaign - The Essentials (Webinar Recording; jointly presented by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development and Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
• MLITSD Material Handling Inspections - Frequently Asked Questions
• Material Handling resources for workers, supervisors and employers (worker resources in 6 languages!)
  
• MLITSD material handling inspections on now: be prepared (article)
• Helpful tool for managing material handling hazards
  
• Material Handling Job Aids
  
• Online Instructor-led Safe Lifting and Manual Materials Handling Training
  
• Online Instructor-led Inspecting & Maintaining Steel Storage Racks Training
• Online Instructor-led Managing Machine Safety Training
• Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) Prevention Awareness eCourse
• Consulting Services: Ergonomics
• Consulting Services: Machine Safety & Robotics
• Consulting Services: Racking, Warehousing and Distribution Safety

From April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025, Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) Occupational Hygienists will conduct a campaign focused on worker exposures to chemical agents in the workplace.

Focused inspections of workplaces will occur between July 2, 2024, and March 31, 2025. MLITSD Hygienists will visit workplaces in al sectors to ensure compliance with R.R.O. 1990, Regulation 833, Control of Exposure to Biological or Chemical Agents in all workplaces where this regulation applies. Specifically, they will ensure that workers are not exposed to hazardous substances exceeding the occupational exposure limits. During inspections, they will assess worker exposures by identifying the hazards, observing work practices, and evaluating effectiveness of controls. Existing exposure data may be reviewed and/or a requirement for air sampling may be issued to assess exposures and ensure that workers are adequately protected.

How WSPS Can Help

Supports to help you prepare

• Safety Connection: MLITSD Occupational Hygiene Campaigns - The Essentials (webinar recording; jointly presented by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development and Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
  
• MLITSD Occupational Hygiene Inspections - Frequently Asked Questions
• Consulting: Occupational Hygiene – Assessments and More
• Article: Are your workers exposed to dangerous designated substances? Here’s how to find out.
• Safety Check: Chemical Safety Tips for Workers
• Guide: Protecting Against Respiratory Hazards
• Safety Connection: Respiratory Protection in the Workplace (Provincial) (webinar recording)
• Quick Safety Tips Video Series: Designated Substances

From April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025, Ministry of Labour Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) hygienists will conduct a campaign focused on Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) compliance.

Focused inspections of workplaces will occur between July 2, 2024, and March 31, 2025. MLITSD Hygienists will visit workplaces in any sector where workers work with or may be exposed to hazardous products to ensure compliance with R.R.O. 1990, Regulation 860, Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS). Specifically, they will determine if retraining is required, checking that hazardous products in the workplace have labels and safety data sheets compliant with the amended Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR).

How WSPS Can Help

Support to help you prepare

• Safety Connection: MLITSD Occupational Hygiene Campaigns - The Essentials (webinar recording; jointly presented by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development and Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
  
• MLITSD Occupational Hygiene Inspections - Frequently Asked Questions
• Information Sheet: WHMIS – Hazardous Projects Regulation Amendment – March 2024
• WHMIS Training and Resources
• Article: Beyond generic WHMIS. Is your workplace compliant?
• Small Biz Safety Bytes Video: Chemical Safety (WHMIS)
• Quick Safety Tips Video Series: WHMIS