McGuinty Government Committed To Eliminating Workplace Injuries
TORONTO, March 18 /CNW/ -
NEWS
Ontario is continuing its efforts to reduce workplace injuries by
focusing on hazards involving musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) during a
workplace safety blitz in April.
The blitz will target workplaces in the construction, healthcare,
industrial and mining sectors. Inspectors will concentrate on tasks that
require workers to exert force in lifting, pushing or carrying items and tasks
that put workers in awkward postures or are repetitive.
This initiative is part of the province's new Safe At Work Ontario blitz
strategy (http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/news/2008/08-63.html), launched
in June 2008. Keeping workers safe means increased productivity for Ontario's
economy and less strain on the health care system.
QUOTES
"Musculoskeletal disorders account for almost half of all injuries in
which workers need to take time off work in Ontario - resulting in substantial
costs to the medical and workers' compensation system. Ontario and its
workplace partners are committed to eliminating all workplace injuries,
including those involving MSDs."
- Peter Fonseca, Minister of LabourQUICK FACTS
- The Ministry of Labour compliance program that ran from April 1, 2004
to March 31, 2008 reduced the workplace injury rate by 20 per cent,
and prevented more than 50,000 incidents.
- MSDs are injuries and disorders of the muscles, tendons and nerves
that can develop as a result of continued exposure to repetitive
work, awkward postures and other factors.
- In 2007, 43 per cent of all lost-time injuries involved MSDs. This
amounted to more than 35,000 injured workers.
- Due to a drop in the annual rate of lost-time injuries, employers
have avoided about $5 billion in direct and indirect costs during the
four years ending March 31, 2008. Reduced injuries also result in
less strain on the healthcare system, and fewer workers off the job
means increased productivity for Ontario's economy.
- Ontario employs 430 full-time occupational health and safety
inspectors.
LEARN MORE
Read more about Ontario's new four year plan, Safe at Work Ontario
(http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/index.html), that will help strengthen
workplace safety.
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BACKGROUNDER
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ENFORCEMENT BLITZ - FOCUS ON
MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDER HAZARDSMinistry of Labour inspectors will check for hazards leading to the onset
of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) during an enforcement blitz of
provincially-regulated construction, industrial, healthcare and mining
workplaces in April 2009.
The increased enforcement is part of the province's Safe At Work Ontario
(http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/sawo/index.html) strategy, launched in
June 2008.
MSDs are injuries and disorders of the muscles, tendons and nerves. They
can develop as a result of ongoing exposure to such things as repetitive work,
forceful exertions such as heavy lifting and carrying, awkward postures and
vibrating equipment that can affect the bones, joints, ligaments and other
soft tissues.
MSDs can occur in any type of workplace. They account for 43 per cent of
all lost-time injuries in Ontario. In 2007 this amounted to:- more than 35,000 injured workers
- a loss of more than 1.2 million working days; and
- more than $133 million in medical and Workplace Safety and Insurance
Board (WSIB) costs.BLITZ FOCUS
In general, the focus will depend on the type of workplace being
inspected. Inspectors will pay particular attention to tasks requiring workers
to use their muscles to exert force to lift, push or carry items. These tasks
will be identified through an analysis of types of workplaces known to have
high frequencies of MSD injuries and hazards.
Inspectors will take action if they find contraventions of the
Occupational Health and Safety Act
(http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90o01_e.htm)
and its regulations. This may include issuing orders and/or laying charges
under the act.PRIORITIES
Inspectors will focus on the following key priorities for each sector:
- Construction Sector: Inspectors will blitz the homebuilding sector,
giving special attention to low-rise "forms" (structures into which
concrete is poured). They will look for tasks such as the carrying,
erecting and stripping of forms. Inspectors will also review with
employers in the homebuilding trades the risks associated with the
use of vibrating hand tools.
- Healthcare Sector: Inspectors will focus their field visits on
retirement and nursing homes, paying particular attention to the
tasks of lifting, transferring and repositioning of residents. They
will check written policies and procedures, training and supervision
involving these tasks. They will also check whether assistive devices
such as equipment for patient lifting, transferring and repositioning
are properly maintained.
- Industrial Sector: Inspectors will focus on retail food sales
establishments (i.e. grocery stores). In particular, inspectors will
focus on tasks involving the handling of products. These tasks will
include the receiving of products, how they are stored on racks, ease
of access to all products in walk-in refrigerators/freezers and how
products are transported throughout the store. Inspectors will also
check cashiers' work stations. Inspectors will check written policies
and procedures, training and supervision involving these tasks.
- Mining Sector: Inspectors will focus on the safe handling of long
hole, diamond and rock drills, jacklegs and stoppers and associated
supplies. They will also review control measures being used to reduce
the risk associated with vibrating hand tools.
SAFE AT WORK ONTARIO
Sector- and hazard-specific inspection blitzes are an important feature of
Ontario's Safe At Work strategy. There is no acceptable rate of injury in
Ontario workplaces.
That's why Safe At Work Ontario seeks to:
- improve workplace health and safety culture
- reduce workplace injuries and illness
- reduce the burden on the healthcare system
- avoid costs for employers and the Workplace Safety and Insurance
Board, and
- provide a level playing field for compliant companies.
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For further information: Susan McConnell, Minister's Office, (416)
326-7710; Bruce Skeaff, Communications Branch, (416) 326-7405
