Inspection Sweep Of Vehicle Body Repair Shops
Ontario’s Ministry of Labour (MOL) is stepping up its efforts to reduce workplace injuries by focusing on hazards in vehicle body repair facilities throughout the province. During this sweep, inspectors will visit about 800 vehicle body repair workplaces in York, Durham and Peel Regions, Dufferin and Simcoe Counties and the City of Toronto, checking for hazards in a number of key areas.
Inspectors will examine the use and maintenance of hoists, jacks and other lifting equipment, and look for evidence that such devices are being used properly, maintained adequately, and inspected regularly. They will also examine the use and handling of hazardous substances, and may receive assistance from occupational hygienists to assess worker exposure to hazardous substances. They will pay special attention to materials containing isocyanates, which are known to cause illnesses many years after initial exposure to them, and require a control program and specialized training for workers.
Assessments of workers’ training, and the effectiveness of health and safety procedures will be part of the sweep, and inspectors will also document infractions of environmental protection regulations and examine qualification certificates for workers who perform restricted activities, such as autobody and collision damage repairs. Engineering consultants will review compliance and advise inspectors concerning the storage and dispensing of flammable liquids. In addition, they will report any evidence of improper disposal of hazardous waste and illegal venting of vapours to the appropriate authorities.
Wage statements will be reviewed, and employers’ record-keeping will be assessed. They plan to assist some employers, especially those running smaller shops, to become more aware of their responsibilities under the Employment Standards Act.
This inspection initiative is meant to complement the blitz strategy employed by the MOL since June 2008. The philosophy of Safe At Work Ontario is based on the concept that keeping workers safe means increased economic productivity and less strain on the province’s health care system.
In Ontario, the annual rates of lost-time workplace injury dropped 20% between 2004 and 2008. That means 12,000 fewer injuries per year. Because of that drop, employers managed to save $5 billion in direct and indirect costs in that time.
Tags: Ontario Ministry of Labour, Safe at Work Ontario, Safety blitz, vehicle body repair
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