What’s New – June 2016 – Issue #73
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Ontario Protecting Employees’ Tips And Gratuities
As of June 10, 2016, new rules surrounding the handling of tips and gratuities are in effect. Employers cannot withhold, make deductions from or make employees return their tips and other gratuities, except as permitted by the Employment Standards Act, 2000. The changes will help protect vulnerable workers across Ontario. A new guideline, FAQs and other resources on the new rules are now available.
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Ontario Changes Legislation To Improve Mine Safety
Ontario has amended Regulation 854 (Mines and Mining Plants) under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The new high visibility safety apparel provisions and some amendments – such as those affecting conveyors and surface diamond drill training requirements – come into effect on July 1, 2016. Other amendments relating to risk assessments, water management, traffic management and ground control take effect onJanuary 1, 2017.
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Know Your Rights Video
In Ontario, employment standards are enforced under the Employment Standards Act, 2000, which sets out the minimum standards that employers and employees must follow. Watch a new video providing an overview of your employment standards rights and responsibilities.
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Preventing Falls At The Workplace
Ontario is targeting hazards that can lead to falls during a safety blitz at workplaces across the province. From May 16 to July 15, 2016, ministry inspectors are checking that employers are properly assessing and addressing hazards that could cause workers to fall. Learn how to prevent falls at construction projects, mines and industrial workplaces in the ministry’s newest fact sheets.
Preventing Falls In Mines >
Preventing Falls At Construction Projects >
Preventing Falls In Industrial Workplaces >
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Noise Protection Requirements Extended To All Workplaces
The ministry has extended noise protection requirements to all Ontario workplaces under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Worker exposure to noise from machinery and other sources that is not properly controlled or eliminated may cause permanent hearing loss. The regulation takes effect July 1, 2016.
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Consultation: Construction Health And Safety Awareness Training
Ontario is seeking feedback on a proposal that would require employers to ensure workers working under the Construction Projects Regulation complete a construction hazard awareness training program. The proposed amendments support the ministry’s Construction Health and Safety Action Plan, which seeks to strengthen injury and illness prevention on construction projects. It would also fulfill one of the recommendations from the Expert Advisory Panel on Occupational Health and Safety.
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New Requirements For Drill Rig Operation
New requirements relating to the operation of rotary foundation drill rigs come into effect onJuly 1, 2016. The requirements relate to new technical and operational safety measures and procedures, mandatory drill rig operator training and prerequisite certification.
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Regulation 833 Extended To Construction Projects
Employers are required under Regulation 833 (Control of Exposure to Biological or Chemical Agents) to limit the exposure of workers to certain hazardous biological or chemical agents. Starting July 1, 2016, Regulation 833 will also apply to construction employers and their workers.
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Blitz Results: Safe Operation Of Machinery
Workers can be exposed to hazards when machines are improperly guarded or locked out during maintenance, repair and other activities. Earlier this year, ministry inspectors conducted an enforcement blitz on the operation of machinery at industrial workplaces in Ontario. Learn what the inspectors found.
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Blitz Results: Occupational Disease In Mines
Workers may be at risk for occupational diseases due to physical, chemical or biological exposures in underground and surface mines. These hazards can result in workers experiencing serious injuries, long-term health effects, and even death. In February and March 2016, ministry inspectors, hygienists, ergonomists, and engineers visited mines and mining plants across Ontario. Learn what they found.
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Hazard Alert: Collapsible Bins
Open-top, collapsible plastic bulk containers offer a convenient way to store and transport a wide range of items. These types of collapsible plastic bulk containers can suddenly collapse inward, potentially injuring workers. One worker in Ontario sustained serious neck injuries after falling head-first into a bin. Learn how to protect workers from this hazard.
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Diving
Injuries sustained by commercial divers are usually fatal. A lack of operation and contingency planning is often the root cause of diving incidents. Divers are at risk if hazards are not identified and adequately handled, and if emergency management measures and procedures are not in place. Learn how to protect commercial divers via the ministry’s new diving page.
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Bring Safety Home
Parents and others play a vital role in ensuring young people know about their rights at work, including the right to refuse unsafe work. Workplace Safety & Prevention Services will launch this new awareness campaign on June 27, 2016, at bringsafetyhome.com and on Twitter @BringSafetyHome. Bring Safety Home targets parents, relatives, coaches, teachers and other support networks of young people as a way to make work safer for Ontario’s youth.
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Keeping Older Workers Safe And Healthy
Every June, Ontario celebrates and recognizes the contributions seniors make to our communities through Seniors’ Month. Older workers bring valuable skills and experience to the workplace. Helping these workers apply their skills while staying in tune with their physical health and well-being is an effective way to prevent injuries and illness. Workplace Safety & Prevention Services has resources – for employers and workers – on how to keep older workers safe and healthy.
#WorkSafeON | #WorkFairON
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