
Covid 19 Inspections From The Ministry of Labour
nspection blitzes are under way to help reduce workplace transmission of COVID-19
Are you ready?
Inspection blitzes are under way as Ontario government is doing its best to help reduce workplace transmission of COVID-19 and keep workers safe. For ensuring that Ontario businesses are taking all the necessary steps to keep their employees, customers, and public safe, the Ontario government is launching a series of campaigns that will focus on education and enforcement.
Key points to note:
- Clear snapshot of what these campaigns are all about:
- The Ontario government has developed these campaigns in consultation with the respective local health units
- These campaigns support Ontario’s COVID-19 Response Framework and enforcement under the Reopening Ontario Act
- Employers could be asked to produce their workplace safety plans
- Certain Ontario businesses and establishments that come under the Yellow-Protect, Orange-Restrict, Red-Control, and Lockdown levels are required to:
- Develop a COVID-19 safety plan
- Draft it in writing for review and make it available
- Regardless of whether businesses are currently in operation or are planning to start their operations, employers:
- Need to have a plan to put all the required controls in place to make their workplace safer for everyone
- Can use the current public health and workplace health and safety information or guidance for helping them in developing their plan. CLICK HERE to know more.
- Businesses that require a workplace safety plan include:
- Restaurants, bars, and food or drink establishments;
- Sports and recreational facilities;
- Meeting and event spaces;
- Malls;
- Personal care services;
- Casinos, bingo halls, and other gaming establishments;
- Cinemas; and
- Performing arts facilities. (Source: Ontario News Release)
- Until today:
- Three (3) education and enforcement campaigns have taken place
- Around 1,000 workplaces have been visited
- Business owners’ response has been highly positive
- During each visit, officers will provide business owners with:
- Required guidance on how to operate in a safe manner during COVID-19
- How to comply with public health requirements as listed out under the Reopening Ontario Act.
- The length of the safety campaigns can range from a few days to several weeks, depending on local circumstances.
- In case a person or business is found in non-compliance with the orders under the Reopening Ontario Act:
- They could receive a ticket with a fine of $750 under the Reopening Ontario Act
- Where prosecuted without issuing a ticket and on conviction:
- Individuals could be fined up to $100,000
- Directors and officers of a corporation could be fined up to $500,000
- Any individual convicted of an offence under the Reopening Ontario Act could also receive a term of imprisonment of up to one year
- The maximum fine for a corporation convicted of an offence under the Reopening Ontario Act is $10,000,000