Ministry of Labour to conduct safety blitzes at Ontario construction sites early next year

Inspectors will be looking to ensure workers are wearing the proper PPE during field visits early next year

Ontario Ministry of Labour staff will be hitting construction sites early next year looking to ensure workplaces are up to code when it comes to personal protective equipment (PPE).

The safety blitzes are stage two of a program aiming to raise awareness about PPE requirements. The first step in the plan consists of the ministry working with the Infrastructure Health & Safety Association to educate and provide the proper resources to industry.

The province said the blitzes will take place between Jan. 6 and March 13 of next year. Inspectors will being making sure workers are wearing PPE such as respirators, hearing protectors, high-visibility clothing, face shields, eye shields and skin protection, such as gloves or protective clothing.

The Ministry of Labour said lack off PPE was the second most frequent violation on construction sites in 2018.