Covid 19 Inspections From The Ministry of Labour

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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