Ontario workplace fatalities could now result in a "de-identified" posting on the Ministry of Labour's website, even before Occupational Health and Safety Act charges are laid.
The postings provide a brief description of the incident, and then list occupational health and safety "Resources" in relation to the incident. Employers could view the "resources" as pointing to the types of OHSA charges that the Ministry might lay. The Ministry, possibly having considered that point, states, "Please note that at the time this information is published on this page, the Ministry has not made any final determinations with respect to the fatality. The postings are developed with the intention of safeguarding the privacy of individuals involved and the integrity of MOL investigation [sic] and any possible legal proceedings." [bolding is the MOL's]
An example of a recent posting is as follows:
Date of Incident: February
2016
Location: Central Ontario
Posted: February 24, 2016
Individual was struck by mobile equipment at industrial site. Individual later succumbed to injuries.
Resources:
Guideline for the Safe Operation and Maintenance of Powered Lift Trucks
The Ministry of Labour's "Workplace fatalities" page can be found here.
For more information, visit our Occupational Health & Safety Law blog at www.occupationalhealthandsafetylaw.com
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