CREDIT: HAYDN ROOTH
Minister of Labour Monte McNaughton announced an inspection blitz initiative to ensure safer working environments for young and new workers.

Monte McNaughton, Ontario’s Minister of Labour, appeared at London’s Thames Park on July 15 to announce a safety inspection blitz for young workers.

“Today I am announcing the beginning of a workplace safety blitz to ensure businesses in specific sectors that employ summer students are compliant,” McNaughton said.

Mayor of London, Ed Holder, introduced McNaughton.

'London is going to continue to support the ongoing joint efforts with the province to keep our workers safe...it’s so important, it’s for those who have ever suffered a tragedy, a needless tragedy, one that could have been prevented,” said Holder.

The Ministry of Labour has been working across the province with businesses to educate and help them create compliant workplaces. The Occupational Health and Safety Act states that employers have the responsibility to take every precaution within reason to protect their workers.

McNaughton said that after months of government assistance, it is time for the ministry to check in on these businesses.

“This is meant as a heads-up for businesses,” McNaughton said. “Our inspectors will check that new and young workers are properly trained and supervised on the job, are protected against heat stress, are protected against workplace violence, or workplace harassment, meet minimum age requirements and that there is an internal responsibility system in the workplace.”

When asked how the inspection blitz will benefit young college workers, McNaughton told Interrobang:

“It’s going to benefit all young workers in the province. Between the year[s] 2014 and 2018 unfortunately 24 workers, young workers, were killed on the jobsite. For me, one is too many. This is going to benefit those workers between the ages of 14-24 to ensure that they are safe on the job,' said McNaughton.

McNaughton added that inspections will run from July 15 to August 30, and will focus on retail, restaurant, hospitality and recreation sectors.

London mayor Ed Holder (left) with Monte McNaughton (right) at Thames Park. Credit: HAYDN ROOTH