Ontario's Ministry of Labour has released its schedule of inspection initiatives for 2019. These inspections involve consideration of both health and safety and employment standards compliance in the workplace. The Ministry focuses on sectors where (a) there is a history of violations, (b) vulnerable workers like new and young workers, temporary foreign workers and precarious worker are employed, and (c) there has been an increase in the number of people employed.

This is the schedule released by the Ministry:

All-sector initiatives

Initiative focus Phases and timing
High risk traumatic hazards - slips, trips and falls

Phase 1: March 18 – July 12, 2019

Compliance assistance with all health and safety associations

Phase 2: April 15 – July 12, 2019

Focused inspections

Healthy workers in healthy workplaces – musculoskeletal disorders and respiratory hazards

Phase 1: September 1 – December 27, 2019

Compliance assistance with all health and safety associations

Phase 2: October 1 – December 27, 2019

Focused inspections

Construction initiatives

Initiative focus Phases and timing
Suspended access equipment

Phase 1: July 2 – September 27, 2019

Compliance assistance with Infrastructure Health and Safety Association

Phase 2: August 6 – September 27, 2019

Focused inspections

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Phase 1: January 6 – March 13, 2020

Compliance assistance with Infrastructure Health and Safety Association

Phase 2: February 3 – March 13, 2020

Focused inspections

Health care initiatives

Initiative focus Phases and timing
Workplace violence prevention

Phase 1: July 22 – September 27, 2019

Compliance assistance with Public Services Health and Safety Association

Phase 2: August 19 – September 27, 2019

Focused inspections

Group homes

Phase 1: January 20 – March 13, 2020

Compliance assistance with Public Services Health and Safety Association

Phase 2: February 3 – March 13, 2020

Focused inspections

Industrial initiatives

Initiative focus Phases and timing
New and young workers

Phase 1: May 1 – August 30, 2019

Compliance assistance with Workplace Safety and Prevention Services and Workplace Safety North

Phase 2: July 15 – August 30, 2019

Focused inspections

Machine guarding

Phase 1: January 20 – March 31, 2020

Compliance assistance with Workplace Safety and Prevention Services

Phase 2: February 17 – March 31, 2020

Focused inspections

Mining initiatives

Initiative focus Phases and timing
Ground Control

Phase 1: July 15 – September 27, 2019

Compliance assistance with Workplace Safety North

Phase 2: August 6 – September 27, 2019

Focused inspections

Emergency preparedness self-audit

Phase 1: December 16, 2019 – March 27, 2020

Compliance assistance with Workplace Safety North

Phase 2: February 3 – March 27, 2020

Focused consultations and compliance assistance

Cross-sector initiatives

Initiative focus Phases and timing
Municipalities (ergonomics)

Phase 1: April 1, 2018 – March 31, 2020

Compliance assistance with Public Services Health and Safety Association

Phase 2: April 1, 2019 – March 31, 2020

Focused inspections

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