Description

Workers may be exposed to chemical, biological and physical agents, which may cause sickness and impaired health. The occupational hygiene 2017-2018 work plan for occupational hygiene inspectors will continue enforcement of WHMIS 1988 and 2015 labels and M/SDS (Safety Data Sheets and Material Safety Data Sheets).

Occupational hygiene activities will include a noise initiative. Noise is a serious hazard in many workplaces. Allowed Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) claims registered between 2006 and 2015 accounted for about 23% of all allowed occupational disease claims.

Ministry of Labour occupational hygienists will continue to conduct inspections, investigations and industry-wide air quality surveys to identify and assess the risk factors which contribute to occupational diseases and illnesses among workers. They also provide professional and technical support to sector program inspectors.

Assessment of occupational health hazards and control of associated risks are achieved through enforcement of:

Occupational hygienists will also participate in blitzes and regional initiatives under the Safe At Work Ontario enforcement strategy.

Occupational hygiene inspection focus

Occupational hygienists provide professional and technical support to the construction, health care, industrial and mining sector programs in proactive and reactive field enforcement and compliance activities. Also, as part of the Safe at Work Ontario enforcement strategy, occupational hygienists participate in proactive initiatives that prevent occupational diseases. Occupational hygienists also take part in sector program workplace inspection blitzes and regional initiatives that have significant occupational hygiene components.

WHMIS compliance initiative for 2017-2018

Ten per cent of occupational hygienists’ workplace visits are targeted for proactive inspections of various workplaces with emphasis on compliance to labels, M/SDS and worker education. This initiative will also include communication of components of WHMIS 2015 (GHS/Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals).

Occupational hygienists continue to promote the control of exposure to toxic agents in workplaces through enforcement of the Designated Substances, Control of Exposure to Biological or Chemical Agents and WHMIS regulations. Occupational hygiene workplace interventions will also emphasize the measures to control the use of substances that are considered to be carcinogens, sensitizing agents and/or reproductive hazards. Activities also promote toxic exposure reduction by substituting chemical substances with less toxic versions.

Noise initiative for 2017-2018

Ten per cent of the workplace visits will target manufacturing sectors and others where noise is present. The noise workplace visits will focus on the following:

  • Ensuring compliance with Lex8 of 85 dBA as stated in Regulation 381/15
  • Enforcement of engineering and administrative noise control measures
  • Enforcement of hearing protection devices, selection and training

Ongoing program support

Occupational hygienists will continue to conduct air quality surveys to support proposed Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) and enforcement of adopted OELs.

Occupational hygienists are designated by Health Canada as Hazardous Products Act inspectors and have a mandate to investigate with respect to supplier labels and M/SDS in Ontario. This includes handling requests from other provinces using the Inter-Jurisdictional Referral (IJR) process.

Construction, health care, mining and industrial sector inspectors conduct proactive and reactive workplace inspections to check compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and relevant regulations, including those related to occupational hygiene issues. Occupational hygienists provide professional and technical support to inspectors during program and regional enforcement and compliance initiatives.