Construction subsector trends

Asbestos removal operations

The asbestos operations sector includes high-risk work where asbestos workers and others may be exposed to health hazards that are biological, physical (including ergonomic hazards) and chemical. This sector is further divided into three subsectors that correspond to the type of asbestos involved in an asbestos operation and the measures and procedures associated with that operation such as abatement or safe removal as prescribed by O. Reg. 278/05 – Asbestos on Construction Projects and in Buildings and Repair Operations:

• asbestos operation Type 1
• asbestos operation Type 2
• asbestos operation Type 3.

O. Reg. 278/05 also applies to every building in which material that may contain asbestos has been used, to the owner of the building, and every employer and every worker engaged in repair, alteration and maintenance and demolition.

Asbestos abatement workers, construction trades (such as insulators, pipe trades, electricians, boilermakers, etc.) and other workers engaged in maintenance and repair operations involving asbestos work could potentially be exposed to asbestos during the removal or disturbance of asbestos-containing material in buildings or mechanical structures like boilers, pipes and other mechanical equipment.

For enforcement of O. Reg. 278/05 – Asbestos on Construction Projects and in Buildings and Repair Operations, operations that may expose a worker to asbestos are classified as Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3 operations. As the risk increases from Type 1 to Type 2 to Type 3 operations, the protective measures and procedures prescribed in the regulation become increasingly stringent.

The following chart summarizes information relating to asbestos removal projects that provided notification to the Ministry of Labour.

Trends

Type 1 asbestos removal operations are not notifiable to the Ministry of Labour. The related activities are not statistically relevant and have been omitted from the tables below. The following tables include data from Type 2 and Type 3 asbestos operations only.

Notes:

• Only critical injury events reported to the ministry are included here.
• This represents data that was reported to the ministry and may not represent what actually occurred at the workplace.
• The critical injury numbers represent critical injuries reported to the ministry and not necessarily critical injuries as defined by the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).
• Non-workers who are critically injured may also be included in the ministry’s data.
• The Ministry of Labour tracks and reports fatalities at workplaces covered by the OHSA. This excludes deaths from natural causes, deaths of non-workers at a workplace, suicides, deaths as a result of a criminal act or traffic accident (unless the OHSA is also implicated) and deaths from occupational exposures that occurred many years ago.
• Data subject to change because of inspectors’ updates to the database.

From April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017, the most common orders issued under the OHSA included requirement orders to produce documentation [OHSA subsection 54(1)(c)] and stop work orders [OHSA subsection 57(6)].

From April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017, the most common orders issued under O. Reg. 213/91 – Construction Projects included failure to wear protective headwear at all times when on a project [O. Reg. 213/91 section 22]; and, failure to provide an adequate guardrail system [O. Reg. 213/91 subsection 26.1(1)].

More information

Infrastructure Health and Safety Association

Industrial, commercial and institutional

The four industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) subsectors comprise a variety of building construction, including schools and universities, hospitals and health care institutions, manufacturing and other industries, as well as commercial enterprises and above ground mining plant construction. The four subsectors are:

• industrial building construction
• commercial building construction
• institutional building construction, and
• mining plant construction, above ground.

Trends

Notes:

• Only critical injury events reported to the ministry are included here.
• This represents data that were reported to the ministry and may not represent what actually occurred at the workplace.
• The critical injury numbers represent critical injuries reported to the ministry and not necessarily critical injuries as defined by the OHSA.
• Non-workers who are critically injured may also be included in the ministry’s data.
• The Ministry of Labour tracks and reports fatalities at workplaces covered by the OHSA. This excludes deaths from natural causes, deaths of non-workers at a workplace, suicides, deaths as a result of a criminal act or traffic accident (unless the OHSA is also implicated) and deaths from occupational exposures that occurred many years ago.
• Data subject to change because of inspectors’ updates to the database.

From April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017, the most common orders issued under the OHSA included stop work orders [OHSA subsection 57(6)]; requirement orders to produce documentation [OHSA subsection 54(1)(c); and, selection and mandatory establishment of a worker health and safety representative where the number of workers regularly exceeds five [OHSA subsection 8(1)].

From April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017, the most common orders issued under O. Reg. 213/91 – Construction Projects included failure to wear protective headwear at all times when on a project [O. Reg. 213/91 section 22]; fall protection [O. Reg. 213/91 section 26.1]; and, failure to establish written emergency procedures [O. Reg. 213/91 section 17(1)].

More information

Infrastructure Health and Safety Association

Residential construction

This sector is made up of both high-rise (i.e., apartments and condominiums) and low-rise residential projects, including “in-fill” housing, single homes and multiple housing (e.g., townhouses). The sector is characterized by multiple contractors and independent operators.

Trends

Notes:

• Only critical injury events reported to the ministry are included here.
• This represents data that were reported to the ministry and may not represent what actually occurred at the workplace.
• The critical injury numbers represent critical injuries reported to the ministry and not necessarily critical injuries as defined by the OHSA.
• Non-workers who are critically injured may also be included in the ministry’s data.
• The Ministry of Labour tracks and reports fatalities at workplaces covered by the OHSA. This excludes deaths from natural causes, deaths of non-workers at a workplace, suicides, deaths as a result of a criminal act or traffic accident (unless the OHSA is also implicated) and deaths from occupational exposures that occurred many years ago.
• Data subject to change because of inspectors’ updates to the database.

From April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017, the most common orders issued under the OHSA included stop work orders [OHSA subsection 57(6)]; requirement orders to produce documentation [OHSA subsection 54(1)(c); and, failure to post a copy of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and any explanatory material prepared by the Ministry, both in English and the majority language of the workplace, outlining the rights, responsibilities and duties of workers [OHSA clause 25(2)(i)].

From April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017, the most common orders issued under O. Reg. 213/91 – Construction Projects included failure to wear protective headwear at all times when on a project [O. Reg. 213/91 section 22]; fall protection [O. Reg. 213 section 26.1); and, guardrail systems (O. Reg. 213/91 section 26.3).

More information

Infrastructure Health and Safety Association

Road construction

The road construction sector includes heavy civil works or infrastructure works. It has three subsectors:

• highway and road construction (both new construction and the rehabilitation of existing highways and roads)
• bridge construction and
• asphalt paving.

Trends

Notes:

• Only critical injury events reported to the ministry are included here.
• This represents data that were reported to the ministry and may not represent what actually occurred at the workplace.
• The critical injury numbers represent critical injuries reported to the ministry and not necessarily critical injuries as defined by the OHSA.
• Non-workers who are critically injured may also be included in the ministry’s data.
• The Ministry of Labour tracks and reports fatalities at workplaces covered by the OHSA. This excludes deaths from natural causes, deaths of non-workers at a workplace, suicides, deaths as a result of a criminal act or traffic accident (unless the OHSA is also implicated) and deaths from occupational exposures that occurred many years ago.
• Data are subject to change because of inspectors’ updates to the database.

From April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017, the most common orders issued under the OHSA included stop work orders [OHSA subsection 57(6)]; requirement orders to produce documentation [OHSA subsection 54(1)(c)]; and, failure to provide information, instruction and supervision to a worker to protect the health or safety of the worker [OHSA subsection 25(2)(a)].

From April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017, the most common orders issued under O. Reg. 213/91 – Construction Projects included traffic protection plans [O. Reg. 213/91 section 67]; failure to wear protective headwear at all times when on a project [O. Reg. 213/91 section 22]; and, insufficient traffic protection [O. Reg. 213/91 section 69.1]

More information

Infrastructure Health and Safety Association

Utilities

The utilities sector is divided into the following seven subsectors:

• hydroelectric (underground services)
• gas and oil pipelines
• alternative energies
• cable
• hydroelectric power plants and above-ground power and distribution lines, transmission and electrical towers
• water and
• telephone service installations.

Trends

Notes:

• Only critical injury events reported to the ministry are included here.
• This represents data that were reported to the ministry and may not represent what actually occurred at the workplace.
• The critical injury numbers represent critical injuries reported to the ministry and not necessarily critical injuries as defined by the OHSA.
• Non-workers who are critically injured may also be included in the ministry’s data.
• The Ministry of Labour tracks and reports fatalities at workplaces covered by the OHSA. This excludes deaths from natural causes, deaths of non-workers at a workplace, suicides, deaths as a result of a criminal act or traffic accident (unless the OHSA is also implicated) and deaths from occupational exposures that occurred many years ago.
• Data subject to change because of inspectors’ updates to the database.

From April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017, the most common orders issued under the OHSA included stop work orders [OHSA subsection 57(6))]; requirement orders to produce documentation [OHSA subsection 54(1)(c); and, the general duty to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker [OHSA clause (25(2)(h)].

From April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017, the most common orders issued under O. Reg. 213/91 – Construction Projects included traffic protection plans [O. Reg. 213/91 section 67]; all vehicles, machinery, tools and equipment shall be maintained in a condition that does not endanger a worker [O. Reg. 213/91 section 93]; and failure to wear protective headwear at all times when on a project [O. Reg. 213/91 section 22].

More information

Infrastructure Health and Safety Association

Underground

The underground sector is divided into the following eight subsectors:

• sewer and water main construction
• trenching
• caisson construction
• cofferdam construction
• water well drilling
• excavation/shaft construction
• tunneling and
• subway and railway construction.

Trends

Notes:

• Only critical injury events reported to the ministry are included here.
• This represents data that were reported to the ministry and may not represent what actually occurred at the workplace.
• The critical injury numbers represent critical injuries reported to the ministry and not necessarily critical injuries as defined by the OHSA.
• Non-workers who are critically injured may also be included in the ministry’s data.
• The Ministry of Labour tracks and reports fatalities at workplaces covered by the OHSA. This excludes deaths from natural causes, death of non-workers at a workplace, suicides, deaths as a result of a criminal act or traffic accident (unless the OHSA is also implicated) and deaths from occupational exposures that occurred many years ago.
• Data subject to change because of inspectors’ updates to the database.

From April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017, the most common orders issued under the OHSA included stop work orders [OHSA subsection 57(6)]; requirement orders to produce documentation [OHSA subsection 54(1)(c); and, selection and mandatory establishment of a worker health and safety representative where the number of workers regularly exceeds five [OHSA subsection 8(1)].

From April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017, the most common orders issued under O. Reg. 213/91 – Construction Projects included failure to wear protective headwear at all times when on a project [O. Reg. 213/91 section 22]; excavation support systems [O. Reg. 213/91 section 234]; and, the upper edge of each wall of an excavation shall be kept clear of equipment, excavated soil, rock and construction material [O. Reg. 213/91 section 233].

More information

Infrastructure Health and Safety Association

Window cleaning

Ministry of Labour construction inspectors enforce the OHSA and Regulation 859 – Window Cleaning at workplaces where window cleaning is taking place across the province.

Trends

Notes:

• Only critical injury events reported to the ministry are included here.
• This represents data that were reported to the ministry and may not represent what actually occurred at the workplace.
• The critical injury numbers represent critical injuries reported to the ministry and not necessarily critical injuries as defined by the OHSA.
• Non-workers who are critically injured may also be included in the ministry’s data.
• The Ministry of Labour tracks and reports fatalities at workplaces covered by the OHSA. This excludes deaths from natural causes, deaths of non-workers at a workplace, suicides, deaths as a result of a criminal act or traffic accident (unless the OHSA is also implicated) and deaths from occupational exposures that occurred many years ago.
• Data subject to change because of inspectors’ updates to the database.

From April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017, the most common orders issued under the OHSA included stop work orders [OHSA subsection 57(6)]; and, requirement orders to produce documentation [OHSA subsection 54(1)(c)].

More information

Infrastructure Health and Safety Association

Not elsewhere classified/other construction

This sector includes the moving of buildings and structures and projects not elsewhere classified.

Trends

Notes:

• Only critical injury events reported to the ministry are included here.
• This represents data that were reported to the ministry and may not represent what actually occurred at the workplace.
• The critical injury numbers represent critical injuries reported to the ministry and not necessarily critical injuries as defined by the OHSA.
• Non-workers who are critically injured may also be included in the ministry’s data.
• The Ministry of Labour tracks and reports fatalities at workplaces covered by the OHSA. This excludes deaths from natural causes, deaths of non-workers at a workplace, suicides, deaths as a result of a criminal act or traffic accident (unless the OHSA is also implicated) and deaths from occupational exposures that occurred many years ago.
• Data subject to change because of inspectors’ updates to the database.

From April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017, the most common orders issued under the OHSA included stop work orders [OHSA subsection 57(6)]; requirement orders to produce documentation [OHSA subsection 54(1)(c)]; and, a supervisor shall ensure that a worker, works in the manner and with the protective devices, measures and procedures required by this Act and the regulations [OHSA subsection 27(1)(a)].

From April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017, the most common orders issued under O. Reg. 213/91 – Construction Projects included failure to wear protective headwear at all times when on a project [O. Reg. 213/91 section 22]; fall protection [O. Reg. 213 section 26.1]; and, registering a project [O. Reg. 213/91 section 6].

More information

Infrastructure Health and Safety Association

Diving

Ministry of Labour diving inspectors enforce the OHSA and O. Reg. 629/94 – Diving Operations at workplaces where diving operations are taking place across the province.

The diving sector is divided into six subsectors:

• diving construction and salvage
• diving environmental (scientific research, fish farms, remediation of spills)
• diving at industrial establishments
• diving at offshore oil and gas fields (mining)
• emergency services (police duties, unexploded ordnance (UXO) disposal)
• shipbuilding and repairs.

Trends

Notes:

• Only critical injury events reported to the ministry are included here.
• This represents data that were reported to the ministry and may not represent what actually occurred at the workplace.
• The critical injury numbers represent critical injuries reported to the ministry and not necessarily critical injuries as defined by the OHSA.
• Non-workers who are critically injured may also be included in the ministry’s data.
• The Ministry of Labour tracks and reports fatalities at workplaces covered by the OHSA. This excludes deaths from natural causes, deaths of non-workers at a workplace, suicides, deaths as a result of a criminal act or traffic accident (unless the OHSA is also implicated) and deaths from occupational exposures that occurred many years ago.
• Data subject to change because of inspectors’ updates to the database.

From April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017, the most common orders issued under the OHSA included requirement orders to produce documentation [OHSA subsection 54(1)(c)]; and, stop work orders [OHSA subsection 57(6)].

From April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017, the most common orders issued under O. Reg. 213/91 – Construction Projects included failure to wear an adequate lifejacket or other personal flotation device; and equipment guarding [O. Reg. 213/91 section 109].

More information

Infrastructure Health and Safety Association