1. A field visit was conducted by the MOL on March 4 th 2020 to the Windsor Interna tional Aquatic and Training Centre in response to the Corporation’s reporting of a worker’s claim to an occupational illness, and specifically that the worker reports experiencing respiratory concerns they believe are a result of long term exposure to airborne chlorine in their workplace.
The reporting of this worker’s claim to the MOL from the Corporation is in keeping with the requirements of Section 52(2) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).During their investigation of this report, it was reported to the MOL representatives that the WIATC site has a fully functioning and properly maintained Dectron air handling system that ensures proper air quality is maintained on a continuous basis. As a result of their investigation, no further action was taken by the MOL in relation to this report .
2. A field visit was conducted by the MOL on March 5 th 2020 during which a series of individual site visits were made to three corporate worksites as part of the Ministry’s ongoing Proactive Ergonomics Initiat ive. In June of 2019 the MOL’s Ergonomist, Amir Estulin visited the 400 City Hall Square East site to meet with members of the Human Resources Health, Safety and Wellness team along with health and safety representatives of CUPE Locals 543 and 82 for the administrative review portion of the Ergonomics Initiative. The details of this site visit were reported in Council Report CM 13/2020. The March 5 th 2020 site visit equates to the second phase of the MOL’s Initiative, the worksite inspections, intended to allow the MOL’s Ergonomist to assess the actual conditions at corporate worksites and provide recommendations and feedback to increase worker safety and compliance. As a result of this site visit one order was issued. A separate report will be provided to address the 2 nd phase of the MOL’s Proactive Ergonomic Initiative and the order received as a result of this process.
3. A field visit was conducted by the MOL on March 26 th 2020 for the purposes of investigating an anonymous complaint wherein it was alleged that frontline social services workers were not taking proper precautions to safe guard them against COVID 19 and that the Corporation had not provided the workers with protective gloves to wear when sorting mail.
As part of this investigation the Corporation detailed the precautionary measures in place to protect employees. These provisions are in line with the requirements of Health Canada, the Ministry of Health and the directives of the local Medical Officer of Health. In regard to the concern over the provision of disposable gloves for mail sorting, it was reported that the Corporation provides and encourages the regular use of hand sanitizer. As well, washroom facilities located throughout the work area offer the opportunity for employees to wash their hands with soap and water. As a result of their investigation, no further action was taken by the MOL in relation to the complaint.
4. On April 8 th 2020 the MOL contacted the Corporation in regard to a report of a work refusal involving 6 workers of Windsor Fire and Rescue Services (WFRS). The MOL Inspector investigating the report was advised that the reason for the work refusal stemmed for the employer’s attempt to assign driving duties to workers for a worker who had reportedly been in close contact with a COVID-19 positive worker. Information was provided to the Inspector as to the provisions in place to monitor proper protocols for