Construction Site Inspections in Ontario: What Inspectors Really Look For

This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast explores what Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) inspectors look for during construction site inspections, and features Aris Finnson, a former Occupational Health and Safety Inspector with MLITSD.

Aris explains that the primary goal of an inspection is to assess whether a strong internal responsibility system (IRS) is in place by verifying that hazards are identified, planned for, and controlled. Inspectors often form an impression within the first few minutes on site, based on visible indicators such as housekeeping, signage, use of personal protective equipment, fall protection practices, and overall site organization. Aris highlights that:

Workers should be able to identify their supervisor, explain their tasks and hazards, and know how to report concernsStrong supervision, clear communication, and proactive planning are major indicators of a compliant and well-run siteCommon issues leading to orders include fall protection gaps, improper ladder use, poor housekeeping, missing PPE, and incomplete documentation

Aris encourages workplaces to focus on protecting workers every day—rather than preparing only for inspections—by maintaining strong planning, supervision, communication, and accountability across all levels of the organization.

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