Published on: 21/04/2015

Beginning on May 1st and running through the end of June, the Ministry of Labour (MOL) will be performing its annual construction safety blitz on struck-by objects. Inspectors will be visiting random construction sites across the province to ensure that employers, supervisors, and workers are all properly meeting their requirements under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).

In particular, this blitz will focus on the dangers of working around vehicles and large pieces of mobile equipment on construction sites, including road work projects and excavations. MOL inspectors will be focussing on OHSA compliance with a particular focus on the regulations surround Traffic Control Plans (TCPs) and Control Devices. Inspectors will be looking to ensure:

• TCPs are developed and kept at the construction site;

• Workers who may be exposed to traffic hazards are familiar with the TCP and control procedures;

• Devices such as signs, cones, and barricades are in good condition and placed correctly;

• Devices are used in accordance with the Ontario Traffic Manual Book 7 – Temporary Conditions;

• Signallers and Traffic Control Persons are being properly utilized and have received proper training and adequate written and oral instruction;

• Signallers and traffic control persons do not perform any other work while directing traffic; and,

• All workers who may be exposed to vehicular traffic wear high-visibility clothing that meets regulatory standards for retroreflectivity.

For more resource material on this issue, visit www.ihsa.ca. If you have any questions or concerns with this blitz, please contact Patrick McManus (905-629-7766 ext. 222 or patrick.mcmanus@oswca.org).

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