Here’s what to expect from surprise OHSA inspections

They may also request to see any of the following documents:

• • Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) meeting minutes
  • Inspection reports
  • Health and safety policies and procedures
  • First-aid records
  • Training records
  • Hygiene test results
  • Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)
  • Accident/Incident reports

When auditing a workplace for COVID-19 related health and safety hazards, an inspector might look for:

• • Proper use of PPE
  • Hand hygiene procedures
  • COVID-19 screening
  • A documented COVID-19 workplace safety plan
  • Frequent disinfection of all surfaces, particular those in high touch/traffic areas
  • Physical distancing of at least 2 metres or physical barriers
  • COVID-19 workplace safety posters

Some of the COVID-19 controls required for your workplace will depend on your sector. The Government of Ontario offers sector-specific guidance to help you understand how to protect your employees.

The MLTSD also schedules inspection blitzes in specific sectors to raise awareness of hazards and increase compliance. You can check their website for a list of announced initiatives.

What should you do during an inspection?

The OHSA requires every person to assist an inspector during an inspection. It’s an offence to interfere in any way with an inspector. This includes giving false information or failing to give required information.

When an inspector arrives, they may ask to speak with a manager or a member of your JHSC.

To help the inspection go smoothly, you should:

• Answer the inspector’s questions honestly
• Provide any documentation an inspector requests to see and ask for a receipt listing all documents that they received
• Make sure managers and employees also understand that they should answer the inspector’s questions honestly and to the best of their abilities
• Assign a certified non-management member of your JHSC to accompany the inspector and employer during the inspection

Don’t be afraid to ask the inspector questions or for advice on certain topics during or after the inspection. Inspectors are often more than willing to share their expertise and refer you to relevant resources.

What happens if the inspector notices an issue?

If an inspector identifies a violation of the OHSA or regulations, they can issue ticket fines and an order for the employer to correct the violation.

There are two different types of orders: 

• • Compliance orders – an employer is given a specific time frame to comply with these orders. Examples of these types of orders would be developing a specific health and safety procedure, refreshing certain training certifications, or posting an up-to-date copy of the OHSA in the workplace.
  • Stop work orders – if there is an immediate risk to employees’ health or safety, the inspector will order the employer to stop work until the hazard is addressed.

Depending on the violation, the inspector may issue tickets to the employer, supervisor, or employee. Offences that could result in a ticket include but are not limited to:

• • An employer failing to ensure that employees have completed mandatory occupational health and safety awareness training and working at heights training
  • An employer failing to select a health and safety representative or establish a JHSC
  • An Employer failing to ensure there are guardrails or other fall protection equipment
  • An employee failing to wear appropriate head, eye, or foot protection
  • The failure to notify the Ministry of Labour about a project or certain kinds of construction work

The Ontario Court of Justice outlines the amounts for the full list of fines in the Set Fine Schedule. On-site tickets for OHSA violations generally range from $250 to $350 for workers, $450 to $550 for supervisors and $550 to $650 for employers. However, the MLTSD has reported that they will issue fines up to $750 for individuals and $1,000 for employers if the violation is related to COVID-19 safety.

What should you do if an order is issued?

If an order is issued, the first step is to comply with the order and notify the MTLSD within three days of doing so by completing the Notice of Compliance form. The inspector would have provided this form when they issued the order. The form must be:

• • Signed by the employer
  • Accompanied by a signed statement from a non-management member of the joint health and safety committee or a health and safety representative, indicating whether or not they agree that the employer has complied with the order
  • Sent to inspector whose address will be on the form

A copy of the inspector’s order or report must be posted in the workplace where it is most likely to be seen by the employees. A second copy must be given to the Joint Health and Safety Committee or safety representative.

Any individual or entity who is affected by the order and feels it is incorrect can file an appeal through the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB).

How to prepare for an inspection

Unannounced inspections don’t have to be stressful. Here are some tips to help you prepare for inspections and pass them with ease.

Perform a Gap Audit

Why wait for an MLTSD inspector to tell you whether or not your workplace is compliant? Finding and addressing any gaps in your current health and safety program help you pass MLTSD inspections when they happen.

Bringing in a third party is one of the most effective ways to do this. For example, a gap audit performed by a health and safety consultant can help you identify health and safety concerns and how to comply with health and safety legislation. Learn more about how you can create a safer workplace with a Gap Audit.

Ensure your JHSC is effective

Your JHSC is one of your most valuable resources when it comes to creating a safe workplace. Like MLTSD inspectors, their goal is to understand how potential hazards could affect employees and inform the employer of them.

To comply with the law and make sure your JHSC is fulfilling its purpose:

• • Ensure your JHSC understands their health and safety responsibilities.
  • Provide JHSC members with proper health and safety training.
  • Listen to your JHSC’s recommendations.
  • Encourage members to identify opportunities for improvement.
  • Develop programs to address health and safety concerns your JHSC identifies.

Your JHSC should inspect your workplace at least monthly for hazards. If they identify a hazard, work with them to correct it. Learn about the key steps JHSC members should follow for an effective workplace inspection.

Make sure employees have the necessary training

The health and safety training your employees are required to have will depend on their job function and your organization. An inspector may ask to see training records, so ensure you are keeping a record of all required training that your employees complete.

It’s also important to keep all training up to date because many certifications expire if refresher training isn’t completed after a certain time period.

• • JHSC Refresher Training – Required every three years
  • WHMIS Training – Review employees familiarity with training at least annually
  • Working at Heights Refresher Training – Required every three years
  • Safe Operation of Forklift Training – Must be refreshed every three years

The types of training that are required for your employees will depend on their job function and your organization. The OHSA does not specify how often every type of safety training must be completed. If unspecified, the best practice is to refresh your employees’ training at least every three years. If your employees need to update their training, you can check out our calendar for a list of upcoming courses.

Regularly review and update your health and safety program 

In Ontario, every workplace must have a documented health and safety program. Your program sets out your plan for creating a safe workplace. Programs will vary by workplace, but some items included in a health and safety program are:

• • Employee training (e.g., new workers, WHMIS, new job procedures)
  • Workplace inspections and hazard analysis
  • Health and safety responsibilities of everyone in the workplace
  • Analysis of the accidents and illnesses occurring at the workplace
  • A health and safety budget
  • A plan to assess working conditions, including periodic inspections
  • A process to address health and safety concerns of employees
  • A plan for required personal protective equipment maintenance
  • Emergency, first aid and rescue procedures
  • Fire prevention

Please note that this is not a comprehensive list of program elements.

Under the OHSA, you must review and make any necessary updates to your program at least once a year. Make sure you include your JHSC when reviewing your program and consider:

• • What areas of your program are working well and what needs improvement?
  • What are changes that need to be made to stay compliant?

You should also regularly review your COVID-19 safety plan. Your plan should identify the risks of COVID-19 in your workplace and document the steps you will take to reduce these risks.

Because public health guidelines and local by-laws around COVID-19 constantly changing, make sure you do your research and consult your JHSC when reviewing and updating your plan.

If you’re not sure where to start, the government of Ontario has lots of resources on how to develop your plan and prevent COVID-19 in the workplace.

Develop an inspection checklist and use it regularly

A checklist will help ensure nothing gets missed during monthly JHSC inspections. Thorough and regular JHSC inspections will help keep your workplace safe. You’ll also be able to identify and correct any health and safety issues and instead of discovering them during an unannounced MLTSD inspection.

The best checklist is one that you have developed to suit the needs of your organization. It should be customized to address specific items and areas in your workplace. Use our template as a starting point to create your inspection checklist.