Toronto Fire Services Standard Operating Guideline for Workplace Inspections PDF

STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE MINISTRY OF LABOUR WORKPLACE INSPECTIONS Date Issued: August 4, 2020 Rescinds: July 26, 2019 Section: Safety and WSIB File Code: S-MOLI PURPOSE To provide direction for Toronto Fire Services staff on the steps to follow in the event of a compliance inspection from the...

STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE MINISTRY OF LABOUR WORKPLACE INSPECTIONS Date Issued: August 4, 2020 Rescinds: July 26, 2019 Section: Safety and WSIB File Code: S-MOLI PURPOSE To provide direction for Toronto Fire Services staff on the steps to follow in the event of a compliance inspection from the Ministry of Labour (MOL). Definition: "Workplace” means any land, premises, location or thing at, upon, in or near which a worker works. RESPONSIBILITY It is the responsibility of all Toronto Fire Service staff to periodically review this guideline and to participate in MOL inspections as outlined in this guideline. GUIDELINES 1. General 1.1. A Ministry of Labour (MOL) Inspector occasionally visits Toronto Fire Services (TFS) to inspect for regulatory compliance. 1.2. MOL Inspectors are authorized to enter into a workplace for the following: a) Inspection b) Investigating; i. complaints ii. work refusal iii. critical injury accident 1.3. During their visit, an Inspector may request to see documents (e.g. MSDS, training records, etc.). 1.4. Inspectors may ask questions or ask for a demonstration of how equipment, machinery and tools are used or operated. 1.5. TFS employees shall comply and co-operate with the Inspector. 2. MOL Inspector Visits 2.1. When an Inspector visits, the Duty Officer of the fire station, or the most senior supervisory staff of the Support Division present, shall be introduced to, and accompany, the Inspector(s). 2.2. Duty Officers/Supervisors shall do the following: a) Determine the purpose of the visit. b) Contact Communications Officer to request the presence of; i. The Central Health and Safety Co-Chairs or the appropriate Command File Code: S-MOLI Page 1 of 3  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE Co-Chair if the Central Co-Chairs are not available ii. Inform the Platoon or Division Chief immediately about the visit and its purpose. iii. Accompany the Inspector during the visit. iv. Assign a member to escort and assist each Inspector, if there is more than one MOL Inspector.  Provide facts when asked.  Note details of conversations and instructions received.  Make and keep copies of documents provided to the Inspector.  Report to senior staff when documents have been requested and provided.  Make sure all items seized are described clearly (including manufacturer's name, make, model, serial number, TFS identification, etc.) in the Inspector's report and TFS personnel’s notes.  Keep copies of notes.  Provide copies of notes to Senior Officers immediately after the Inspectors have left. 2.3. The Platoon /Division Chief should attend the visit when it is practicable to provide additional information to the Inspector 3. MOL Inspection Report 3.1. Inspectors will leave a report (Ministry of Labour Premise/Project Form) with the Duty Officer or most senior supervisory staff from the Support Division before leaving the workplace. 3.2. The Duty Officer or most senior supervisory staff from the Support Division shall do the following: a) Acknowledge the receipt of the Ministry of Labour Premise/Project Form. b) Submit the Ministry of Labour form to the Platoon or Division Chief. c) Post a copy of the form in the workplace on the Health and Safety Bulletin board. d) Send a copy of the form immediately to the JHSC c/o Central Committee Co- Chairs. 3.3. The Health and Safety Co-Chairs will provide copies of any MOL reports to Corporate Health and Safety 4. Orders Issued Subsequent to the Inspection 4.1. When the situation poses imminent danger to workers, they can verbally order the work stopped and confirm it in writing before leaving the workplace. The work must be shut down in a safe manner until an Inspector issues a supplementary order that rescinds the Stop Work Order. a) Duty Officers/Supervisors shall do the following: i. Arrange to stop the work specified in a safe manner when ordered. File Code: S-MOLI Page 2 of 3  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE b) Notify the Communications to contact the Central Joint Health and Safety Committee Co-Chairs i. Post a copy of the order in the workplace on the Health and Safety bulletin board. ii. Submit the order to the Platoon or Division Chief. c) Send a copy of the order to the Central Joint Health and Safety Committee (c/o Central Committee Co-Chairs) d) Management shall be responsible for reviewing orders and determining follow up action. e) When the remedial work has been completed, the Central Co-Chairs shall jointly sign the Notice of Compliance Form and fax it to the Inspector with a request to rescind the orders. f) Management shall ensure the Inspector's order is distributed to the following: i. Platoon or Division Chief, ii. Workplace for posting on the Health and Safety bulletin board, and iii. The Central JHSC Co- Chairs. 5. In Event the Inspector Indicates Prosecution is Being Considered or the Inspector Enters the Workplace with a Search Warrant 5.1. The Management Co-Chair of the Central Health and Safety Committee shall be contacted immediately. 5.2. The Management Co-Chair of the Central Health and Safety Committee will contact the Central Health and Safety Committee Labour Co- Chair. 6. Ministry of Labour attends a work refusal 6.1. Upon refusing to work or do particular work, the worker shall promptly report the circumstances of the refusal to the worker’s employer or supervisor who shall forthwith investigate the report in the presence of the worker and in the presence of a Committee member representing workers or an alternate selected by the Committee who represent workers who shall be made available and who shall attend without delay.  Operational Guideline S-WORU Work Refusals applies. ATTACHMENT(S) N/A RELATED SOGS S-WORU Work Refusals File Code: S-MOLI Page 3 of 3