Construction Health and Safety Program Report
The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) puts together a report for the Provincial Labor Management Health and Safety Committee each month with an overview of events, court bulletins, and statistics.
Learn more
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2023-2024 Industry compliance campaigns
Construction inspectors will be focusing on struck-by equipment hazards in specific settings and falls from heights in the single-family residential sector. Learn more
To assist stakeholders with achieving compliance during the year-long MLITSD campaigns, IHSA is highlighting the following resources this month:
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2023-2024 Specialized Professional Services Compliance Plan
The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD), through its Specialized Professional Services team, will be focusing on ergonomics, respiratory protection, and asbestos in building structures.
To assist stakeholders with achieving compliance during the year-long MLITSD campaigns, IHSA is highlighting the following resources this month:
Stay tuned for further resources being released throughout the year through the IHSA website
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New regulation: Exception to the time limit for standard locate requests
The Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery (MPBSD) has made a new regulation under the Ontario Underground Infrastructure Notification System Act, 2012 (the Act) that would extend the time limit for certain standard locate requests. A longer time limit is intended to address stakeholder concerns with meeting the standard locate time limit of five business days for large projects.
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Ministry provides resources and enforcement direction for tower crane regulatory amendments
On January 1, 2024, amendments to the tower crane sections of O. Reg 213/91 for Construction Projects came into force.
O. Reg. 241/23 and O. Reg. 242/23 amend both O. Reg. 213/91 (Construction Projects) and O. Reg. 420/21 (Notices and Reports). These amendments have been consolidated into the e-Laws version of the respective regulations.
These changes to the regulations have been made to increase the safety requirements for cranes and hoisting operations in Ontario as well as the reporting requirements for certain events. Among these changes are enhanced inspections which will now require engineering inspections for mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical components in addition to the existing structural inspections.
The MLITSD has developed a Technical Guideline on Requirements for Cranes at Construction Projects.
| The MLITSD has issued a memo on the enforcement direction of the new requirements under section 158 of O. Reg 213/91. | | |
Reminder: IHSA releases webinar on crane safety regulatory changes
IHSA and the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development have developed an on-demand webinar which reviews the regulatory changes affecting cranes in the Province of Ontario, starting January 1, 2024.
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Ministry of Transport announces proposed changes to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods regulations
The Ministry of Transportation has launched a 75-day consultation process on proposed changes to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods regulations. Until February 22, those interested can comment on the proposals by clicking the link below.
The proposed amendments to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations, are aimed at:
- enhancing buffer car requirements;
- strengthening emergency response assistance plan requirements for the transport of agricultural anhydrous ammonia on public roads;
- aligning our regulations with other federal rules on transporting dangerous goods;
- introducing new rules to match international codes; and
- referencing and incorporating two new standards.
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Register for 2024 IHSA training courses
Employers and workers can now register for 2024 sessions of IHSA’s in-class training programs. Led by expert trainers with years of on-the-job experience, IHSA courses highlight proven best practices for dozens of critical health and safety topics, including asbestos abatement, the basics of supervising, defensive driving, traffic control, the Utility Work Protection Code, and working at heights.
These programs are offered throughout the year at IHSA’s Voyager training centre in Toronto, as well as IHSA regional training centres and partner locations throughout Ontario. Employers can also book group training programs to be delivered at their facilities.
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Reminder: EUSR changes in 2024
Starting January 1, 2024, IHSA’s updated Electrical Utility Safety Rules (EUSR) book will include several significant changes. Become familiar with the new safety requirements for the electrical and utilities industry before they come into effect by reading our information flyer.
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Utility Work Protection Code: Important changes coming in 2024
An updated version of the Utility Work Protection Code (UWPC) will be released in 2024. The Code’s extensive system of permits and tags helps create an environment where electrical hazards are reduced or eliminated, by showing when it is safe to work on lines or equipment. Learn more about changes and amendments to the UWPC before they come into effect.
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Legal Framework and Roles of Workplace Parties in Construction
(eLearning)
Construction projects become even more dangerous if workplace parties do not fulfill their duties for occupational health and safety. The Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Ontario Regulation 213/91: Construction Projects are in place to define duties and responsibilities, and protect workers from health and safety hazards on the job.
This eLearning module will help learners recognize the relevant legislation and regulations, identify basic worker rights and the key duties and responsibilities of the worker, supervisor, employer and constructor.
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New issue of IHSA.ca Magazine now available
The latest issue of the IHSA.ca Magazine is now available for download on the IHSA website. Articles include:
- Housekeeping Hazards
- Need to know: naloxone at your workplace
- HSEp for transportation companies
- Keys to the Utility Work Protection Code
- Legislative updates
- Stretching to prevent injury
- The right fit for your respiratory and hearing protection
- Why construction buyers and businesses adopt COR®
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Get the message: struck-by and fall hazards
You can also subscribe to receive the printed copy and never miss another issue!
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Occupational health reminder
It’s getting cold! Just as heat stress is important in the summer, cold stress is just as important in the winter time. Exposure to the cold can lead to frostbite and hypothermia. To learn more about cold stress and its related controls, check out this safety talk.
Silica Control Tool. The Ontario Silica Control Tool launched in November 2023. Workers and employers in the Ontario Construction Industry can receive full access to the Silica Control Tool™, its associated data, and outputs.
Occupational Hygiene Consulting Services Within the construction, transportation, and utilities sectors, workers are often exposed to a variety of chemical (airborne dusts and contaminants) and physical (heat stress, noise) hazards. Carrying out an exposure assessment can allow you to determine the level of risk against hazardous chemical or physical agents. To learn more about the types of exposure assessments, and how it can apply at your workplace, visit IHSA’s Occupational Health page.
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Health & safety advisory - identifying asbestos in ICI
Many structures built between 1930 and 1975 will contain products with high levels of asbestos. These can include homes, institutional buildings like schools and hospitals, and industrial facilities.
This advisory is for industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI), residential, and home renovation establishments, and will provide helpful safety information.
It is intended to provide helpful safety information on identifying high levels of asbestos in industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI), residential, and home renovation establishments.
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IHSA's Carbon Monoxide from Fuel-Powered Equipment: Recognizing, Evaluating, and Controlling Exposure (M076)
This manual is intended to be used as a reference for employers and workers to help recognize, evaluate, and control carbon monoxide (chemical abbreviation:CO) exposure in the workplace.
Topics include:
- CO hazards in the workplace
- Health effects of CO
- Occupational exposure limits
- Assessing CO exposure risks
- Monitoring air quality
- Controlling CO exposure
- Emergency procedures
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Council provides downloadable guidelines for designated substances and hazardous materials
The Environmental Abatement Council of Canada has guidelines available for pre-construction designated substances and hazardous materials assessments as well as for Construction, renovation, and demolition projects.
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Opioids and work interactive tool now online
The Opioid-Related Harms among Ontario Workers project aims to establish a surveillance program to monitor opioid-related adverse health events among Ontario workers.
As part of this project, Institute for Work and Health (IWH) has recently launched the Opioids and Work Data Tool which is an interactive tool that illustrates patterns of opioid-related harms among Ontario workers. Explore data for 3 opioid-related harms: poisonings, mental and behavioural disorders, and adverse reactions. Customize graphs to view harms by industry, occupation and other worker characteristics.
To learn more about opioid related harms in the trades, check out the new Opioid use and workplace implications for trade sectors.
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Fleet safety and transportation news
Access monthly updates, news, and events from the Fleet Safety Council and the transportation industry that IHSA supports.
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