Ontario Accelerating Essential Construction Projects

Ontario is accelerating essential construction projects due to the COVID-19 outbreaks.  Critical buildings to the healthcare sector such as hospital builds, expansions, and COVID-19 assessment centres will be allowed to work 24 hours/ day.

“During this escalating crisis, we are taking immediate steps to ensure the necessary infrastructure is in place, particularly to properly care for those with severe COVID-19 symptoms and other patients who require critical care,” Premier Doug Ford said.  Local noise bylaws will no longer apply beginning April 7, 2020.  The changes should give managers the flexibility to stagger shifts, and limit the amount of workers on a work site at one time.

“Our government is doing everything in its power to make sure workers on the job are safe during this pandemic,” Labour, Training, and Skills Development Minister Monte McNaughton The province is also taking steps to ensure the safety of essential workplaces including:

• Redeploying more than 30 employment standards officers to help businesses understand and comply with health and safety requirements;
• Working with health and safety associations to deploy up to 30 specialists to support employers and workers in the field;
• Issuing health and safety guidance notes to support specific sectors;
• Doubling the capacity of Ontario’s Health and Safety Call Centre from 25 to 50 phonelines;
• Providing job-protected leave under the Employment Standards Act for workers who need to self-isolate or care for a loved one because of COVID-19;
• Issuing a call to recently-retired inspectors who may be able and willing to return to their positions;
• Providing compliance assistance and enforcing the emergency orders issued under the Emergency Measures and Civil Protection Act.

The Ontario government is also adding 60 special consultants and officers at its Health & Safety Call Centre.  Workers worried their workplaces are unsafe can phone 1-877-202-0008 to speak with an agent. Construction on residential projects was stopped as part of the new set of closures announced last week.