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April 24, 2023
The Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario stands to observe a Moment of Silence for this year’s National Day of Mourning. We remember those who have suffered injury or illness while employed on construction jobsites, and also mourn those who have perished as a result of tragedies in the workplace. We are here to honour the memory and sacrifice of all workers. Health and Safety are always our number once concern, and ensuring safe workplaces is a key priority for our Council. In 2022, reported construction deaths and critical injuries saw a 12% increase from the previous year. Fatalities saw a minor decrease (18 in 2022 compared to 22 in 2021), however reported critical injuries saw a 14% jump (371 in 2022 compared to 323 in 2021). This continues to highlight a disturbing trend in workplaces. Out of 23,037 field visits by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD), 5,070 resulted in stop-work orders, which translates to a 22% stoppage rate. The majority of reported critical injuries and deaths continue to be from fall-related hazards.¹ In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, awareness of mental distress in the workplace became more prominent among construction workers. It is important to recognize that physical health and well-being goes hand-in-hand with mental heath and wellness as we mark this year’s National Day of Mourning. To prevent future workplace injuries, illnesses and deaths, the construction industry must do a better job of working collaboratively to secure better safety outcomes for workers.
Marc Arsenault Business Manager & Secretary-Treasurer
James E. Hogarth President
¹ Information for these statistics has been pulled directly from The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, as well as reports from the IHSA, April 2023.