Ontario Ministry of Labour Takes Special Note of Skylight Hazards

The Ontario Ministry of Labour issued a special notice regarding the hazard that is unprotected skylights. The notice is thanks to a consistent number of accidents resulting from poorly protected skylights.

Recent deaths include a worker who was installing solar panels before falling on a plastic-domed skylight and subsequently falling 20 feet to his death. 

The notice proceeds to instruct on important measures that can be taken to avoid these accidents such as 

• ensure a risk assessment and job hazard analysis is performed before any work takes place.
• establish and monitor the implementation of a fall protection program. Make continuous improvements, as required, based on knowledge, expertise and practical experience
• limit rooftop access by implementing a roof permit system in which only authorized people and competent workers can gain access to the roof, and
• ensure all workers who go up on a roof are trained to recognize, evaluate and control all fall related hazards.

The notice provides legislative and regulatory information as well as resources for training purposes. 

Click here to read the notice in it entirety.