Focused Inspections on PPE February to March 2020
Industry considers workplace inspections by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development a norm and this late winter is no exception with the initiation of a blitz from February 6 to March 13 on personal protective equipment (PPE). PPE provides protection to workers to control health and safety hazards that cannot be controlled by other methods. The focus on PPE during the inspections may include:
- Respiratory protection including respirators such as half-mask respirators, full-face respirators, disposable respirators and others.
- Hearing protection such as ear muffs and ear plugs.
- Skin protection like gloves or protective clothing.
- High visibility clothing.
- Face shields.
- Eye protection including eyewear, prescription eyewear and goggles.
Inspectors will be checking on the appropriateness of the PPE and that it is supplied and worn correctly. The proper selection and use of PPE controls hazards to avoid the potential of health risks and occupational illness.
In the past, the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development have found that there has been either a lack and misuse of PPE. From January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017, the Ministry issued 7,483 orders for lack of PPE on projects. This was the second highest violation in construction workplace in 2017.
The focus of the early 2020 blitz will concentrate on:
- Building construction for industrial, commercial, institutional and residential building construction.
- Civil engineering and roadwork.
Employers are required to provide PPE to protect workers on-the-job from workplace hazards. The selection of the proper PPE and instruction on the correct use of the equipment is also required. Instruction and procedures in the correct use can be part of the worker orientation, safety talks, written procedures and other forms of documentation (posters, intranet, newsletters, etc.), lunch-and-learns, manufacturer and other sales representative discussions, and through competent supervision.
PPE, including skin and respiratory protection, is also required under Ontario Regulation 833: Control of Exposure to Biological or Chemical Agents. Sections 7.1 and 7.2 of Regulation 833 require employers to ensure workers are wearing adequate protective clothing and/or respirators when removing the hazard from the work area or engineering controls are not practical in the situation.
Canadian Standard Association (CSA) through its many standards such as CSA Z94.4 Selection, use, and care of respirators is an excellent resource as well. Search for subject matter relevant to the type of PPE of interest.