Mining inspectors with the Ministry of Labour will focus on safety at pits and quarries during an inspection blitz across Ontario through the month of July.
The increased enforcement is part of the province's Safe at Work Ontario strategy, launched in 2008.
"Pits and quarries can be hazardous places to work,” Labour Minister Charles Sousa said in a news release. “Inspectors will check that legislation is being complied with. The McGuinty government is committed to eliminating workplace injuries. Workers have a right to return home each day, safe and sound."
Inspections will focus on hazards involving rock crushing, screening and conveying processes to help ensure that guarding devices are used to protect workers from moving parts on equipment; written lockout procedures for equipment are available; dust control measures are used effectively; and protective hearing devices are being worn.
Since 2000, eight workers have died in pits and quarries in Ontario, two of whom were involved in rock crushing, screening and conveying processes. During the same period, 60 workers were seriously injured in pits and quarries, four of whom were involved in incidents involving rock crushing, screening and conveying processes.
Ministry of Labour inspectors will target pits and quarries they haven't visited before, as well as areas where concerns have been noted and there is a poor compliance history.
Since 2008, inspectors have made more than 266,000 field visits, conducted 32 inspection blitzes, and issued more than 425,000 compliance orders.
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