Ontario Taking Action To Protect Drill Rig Operators

Ontario Taking Action To Protect Drill Rig Operators

12/09/2015 – Toronto, ON

Ontario has passed amendments under the Occupational Health and Safety Act to strengthen the health and safety of workers on construction projects, including new requirements for operating rotary foundation drill rigs.

Rotary foundation drill rigs are used for boring holes in soil in order to install foundations or earth retention structures. While the amendments have been passed in regulation, the new drill rig requirements under the Occupational Health and Safety Act will come into effect on July 1, 2016 allowing time for industry to comply with the new requirements for:

Technical and operational safety measures and procedures
Mandatory drill rig operator training and certification
With the new requirements, Ontario is now a Canadian leader on drill rig operator training. No other jurisdiction in Canada has explicit training requirements for drill rig operators in their health and safety legislation. These changes will build on actions that the province is already taking to improve safety for construction workers including the Working at Heights Training requirements and the development of Ontario’s Construction Health and Safety Action Plan.

Improving health and safety in the construction industry is part of the government’s plan to build Ontario up. The four-part plan includes investing in people’s talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives, and building a secure retirement savings plan.