Every year, Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD) conducts routine inspections to ensure workplace safety. The year 2020 was no different, and the Ministry hosted its next safety campaign across Ontario. This targeted campaign ran from February 6th to March 13th, 2020, and involved a province-wide blitz on personal protective equipment (PPE) conducted by inspectors.
When it comes to controlling health and safety risks at the workplace, PPE serves as the first line of defense – especially in environments where other preventive measures are not viable. That is why the inspections conducted as a part of this blitz had a single goal – to ensure that employers and workers worked towards building a culture of safety.
Each of them was required to meet standards for:
- Respiratory protection, including the use of and access to half-masks, full-face, and disposable respirators
- Hearing protection like ear muffs and earplugs, depending on the environment
- Protective clothing that prevents exposure to various hazards and gloves for skin protection
- High-visibility garments for work in low-light conditions in particular
- Face shields
- Eye protection devices such as safety goggles, glasses, and prescription eyewear (if needed)
The inspectors were responsible for reviewing the PPE kits of various organizations. Each of them was checked to ensure the chosen PPE was suitable for specific hazards, widely available to the workers of the organization, and correctly worn on-site. The appropriate selection, use, and maintenance of PPE kits was one of the core agendas of the inspection. After all, their consistent use is key in preventing instances of workplace injuries, occupational illnesses, and long-term exposure-related risks.
Despite their critical role in worker safety, proper use of PPE is often ignored. Previous inspections held by the MLTSD have revealed an alarming pattern in this regard. Statistics show that from January 1 to December 31, 2017, the Ministry had to issue 7,483 orders to various organizations for the improper use of or absence of PPE kits. Believe it or not, this made PPE-related violations the second-highest one in Ontario’s construction sector in 2017.
The 2020 winter inspection campaign aspired to reduce those numbers, and hence was specifically targeted at:
- Construction projects, including industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential ones
- Civil engineering and roadway worksites
As part of the program, employers were asked to obey their legal duties and ensure the supply and maintenance of PPEs to protect their employees against onsite hazards. Providing training regarding the use of PPE to all employees also fell under the umbrella of their responsibilities. This training could be delivered in multiple formats, including orientation sessions, safety talks, written procedures, visual reminders, online resources, newsletters, lunch-and-learn sessions, and supervision by competent personnel or a manufacturer’s representative.
Apart from the above, employers were also to be mindful of Ontario Regulation 833: Control of Exposure to Biological or Chemical Agents, which specifically outlines the mandatory use of respiratory health and skin protection devices in working environments where it is impossible or nearly impossible to eliminate hazards or to sufficiently control them with the help of engineering solutions.
Sections 7.1 and 7.2 of the regulation, in particular, require employers to make sure that each of their workers on-site is fully dressed in suitable protective gear in such environments.
Furthermore, for employers that require additional guidance in the use and maintenance of PPE, the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) offers key resources. Take, for example, the CSA Z94.4 – Selection, Use, and Care of Respirators. This provision clearly states the best practices for PPE management. It is best for employers to consult relevant CSA standards to ensure their PPE programs are effective, compliant, and in sync with the latest safety requirements in Ontario.
