The Ministry of Labour
- As we mark a century since the founding of the Department of Labour — now the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development — we have much to be proud of. By working together, we have advanced health, safety and productivity at workplaces across our province, making Ontario one of the best places to work.
- We have also accomplished a great deal in the last year. Our ministry conducted over 89,000 field visits to workplaces, raising awareness of workplace rights and responsibilities, while focusing on hazards across every sector. We’ve collaborated with our health and safety system partners to deliver quality services and training. And we’ll continue to implement innovative and creative solutions to help employers and workers foster a strong culture of health and safety.
- This report highlights the work done to improve health and safety at workplaces in 2018-2019, whether through the ministry’s prevention or enforcement activities, or collaborative efforts across the system. You’ll find information on compliance plans and blitzes, key health and safety statistics, and the outcomes of enforcing the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The report also includes resources to help employers start and maintain their health and safety journey.
- As we look to the next 100 years, we know more must be done. We must remain vigilant. Workplaces need to continue focusing on areas where violations persist, such as in fall protection, workplace violence and harassment, and personal protective equipment. Our ministry will continue to use data to develop specific solutions, rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach. And we’ll continue integrating programs and resources from across the occupational health and safety system to deliver top-notch services.
- Everyone has a role to play, from employers and workers to government and our system partners. Our shared goal at the end of the day is to ensure Ontario workplaces are safe, healthy and prosperous. Thank you for your interest in this report — by engaging with this information, you are part of the solution.
Chief Prevention Officer, Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development
Assistant Deputy Minister, Operations, Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development
Statement from the Chief Prevention Officer
This week, four workers were killed in separate incidents while at work. The lives of many families have been shattered. Colleagues and communities now have to deal with irreparable losses.
These are pointless and senseless workplace fatalities. It’s the law to keep all workers safe in the Province of Ontario. Through this statement I’m calling on the workplace parties to take on this serious responsibility to keep all workers safe. Ministry of Labour inspectors will aggressively be using a zero-tolerance approach to reckless violations and hazards.
The Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations are the law. Everyone in the workplace – senior executives, owners/operators, directors, managers, supervisors, workers – is expected to obey the act and its regulations. It’s the law. There are no excuses. There will be consequences.
All of us have a responsibility for workforce safety.Preventing injuries and fatalities has to be top of mind every workday. Not one of us wants to be part of that next statistic. All of us must take ownership of our responsibilities on the job. You cannot say: “It’s not my problem, it’s not part of my job.” Health and safety is your job. It is a part of everybody’s job.