FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  March 8, 2002

Use of unqualified inspectors “reckless,” OPSEU says

TORONTO - The use of unqualified inspectors at the Ministry of Labour is recklessly endangering staff in correctional facilities, says the Ontario Public Service Employees Union.

It has been learned that qualified labour inspectors have been ordered not to report to correctional facilities in the event of a health and safety refusal. Instead, district managers, most of who are have no health and safety background, are investigating the complaints.

“This practice is completely and totally irresponsible,” said Barry Scanlon, chair of the OPSEU Corrections Ministry Employee Relations Committee. “Workers’ lives depend on a safe and healthy workplace. This new Ministry of Labour procedure borders on reckless endangerment.”

Scanlon cites a recent case where an unqualified manager, who is trained as a financial analyst, ruled that staff in one correctional facility were not entitled to protective gloves in order to search for razor blades that had gone missing in the jail.

“The manager ruled that doing the search without proper protective equipment was ‘inherent’ to the workers’ jobs,” Scanlon said. “It is that kind of ruling that undermines the entire Occupational Health and Safety Act.”

OPSEU is currently reviewing the information and will soon issue a decision as to whether charges will be laid against the Ministry of Labour.

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For more information:

Barry Scanlon (416) 815-1407
Bob Dematteo, OPSEU Health and Safety Officer (416) 788-9071