Ontario issued 130 stop work orders during recent material handling safety blitz

Feb. 3, 2015 – Ontario inspectors issued almost five orders on average to each workplace visited during last fall’s safety blitz targeting material handling hazards, announced the Ministry of Labour (MOL). This translates to 3,263 orders for violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations, which includes 130 stop work orders.

About 701 plants, factories and other industrial sector workplaces were visited across the province during the September 15 to October 26, 2014, blitz.

During the visits, inspectors looked at whether employers were taking appropriate action to assess and address possible material handling hazards.

“The safety of workers in Ontario is our top priority,” said Kevin Flynn, minister of labour. “Blitzes such as this one send a strong message that non-compliance will not be tolerated. We must all work together to prevent injuries and deaths. We want workers in Ontario to return home safe and sound after a hard day’s work.”

As of December 19, 75 per cent of the orders were complied with.

“Workers can be seriously injured or even die as a result of incidents involving material handling. We’re working to improve the health and safety of workers in Ontario. But we can’t do it alone. Everyone has a shared responsibility to keep workplaces safe,” continued George Gritziotis, chief prevention officer.

Stock photo © Lisa F. Young