Ontario Construction News staff writer
Ontario’s Bill 229, the Working for Workers Six Act that amends statutes including the Employment Standards Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Act, received Royal Ascent on December 19.
Changes that come into force on June 19 include Employment Standards Act amendments stipulating that an employee with at least 13 weeks of service is entitled to unpaid leave of up to 27 weeks if unable to perform their duties because of a medical condition.
Occupational Health and Safety Act amendments now in force include a minimum fine of $500,000 on a company found guilty of a subsequent offence under the Act that results in the death or serious injury of one or more workers in a two-year period.
As well, an employer is required to ensure that personal protective clothing and equipment is a proper fit and appropriate in the circumstances. The government reserves the authority to impose additional regulatory requirements for protective clothing and equipment, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario said in a statement.
“Last month our Working for Workers Six legislation requiring properly fitting personal protective equipment for women across all sectors became law,” Labour Minister David Piccini said on X. “No more compromising safety with ill-fitting gear.
This new standard ensures:
- proper protection for all workers
- safer worksites
- support for women in the skilled trades
“We’re committed to keeping Ontario’s workforce safe and making sure every worker has the tools they need to succeed,” Piccini said.
The amendments also mean that the Chief Prevention Officer can establish criteria to approve training programs delivered outside of Ontario for equivalency and to establish policies for training requirements under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
The officer can use personal information to develop or report on a provincial health and safety strategy, or to provide advice on the prevention of workplace injury and occupational disease, the statement said.
Amendments in force give the labour minister authority to require that a builder establish a worker trades committee at a project and provide for the composition and procedure of the committee.