February 10, 2010

Lift equipment focus of Ontario Ministry of Labour safety blitz

TORONTO

Lifting equipment will be a focus for Ministry of Labour inspectors visiting industrial workplaces during increased enforcement throughout February.

During this safety blitz inspectors will ensure lifting equipment is being inspected and maintained in good condition, operated by well trained employees and used in a safe work environment.

At least 18 workers have died in Ontario since 2003 as a result of incidents involving lift trucks, reach trucks, forklifts and tow motors.

In total, there were 9,455 forklift-related incidents involving a lost time injury between 1996 and 2008, an average of 727 incidents a year, according to the data compiled by the Occupational Health and Safety Council of Ontario.

The lifting equipment blitz will be conducted in addition to the ministry’s recently announced fall hazards blitz in which inspectors will continue to visit construction sites to check for hazards involving suspended platforms.

These blitzes are being conducted as part of the provincial government’s Safe At Work Ontario strategy.

DCN News Services

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