Ontario Enhancing Workplace Health and Safety
Increases to Maximum Fines Will Strengthen Compliance
In an effort to deter fatalities and injuries across the province, the Ontario Ministry of Labour recently increased the maximum fines for offences under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA):
• $25,000 to $100,000 for an individual or unincorporated business (which had not changed since 1979)
• $500,000 to $1,500,000 for corporations (which had not changed since 1990)
According to Kevin Flynn, Minister of Labour, “By increasing the fines for noncompliance,
we are sending a message to all employers and workers that we are serious about
enforcing workplace health and safety.”
Changes were also made regarding the time limit to allow for prosecution.
See the MOL Press Release below for more information.