Stand down and pause for a workplace safety moment
Ontario workers deserve to go home, safe and healthy, at the end of the workday. However, 9 workers died and 222 critical injuries were reported in the construction industry between January and June 2026. Pause, reflect, and recommit to workplace health and safety. We are calling on you, Ontario employers, supervisors, and workers, to stand down, pause for a safety moment with your crew, and recommit to preventing workplace health and safety incidents. The following IHSA resources can help you identify and control hazards in your workplace and encourage everyone to speak up about safety concerns.
Fall protection, working at heights, and ladder safety
Falls are the most common cause of construction fatalities. Five of the 9 fatalities reported so far in 2026 involved falls from heights, ladders, or equipment.
Actions
- Deliver a fall prevention safety talk.
- Review site-specific fall hazards.
- Review fall rescue procedures.
- Verify Working at Heights training requirements.
- Complete a fall protection work plan before working at heights.
Resources
- Fall Prevention and Working at Heights webpage
- Fall Protection Work Plan template (BR005)
- Take Your Ladder Safety to New Heights article (IHSA Health and Safety Magazine, vol. 14, issue 3)
Podcast episodes
- Episode 4: Fall Protection and When to Use It
- Episode 5: Workplace Parties' Roles and Responsibilities in Preventing Falls
- Episode 6: Working at Heights (WAH) Training Requirements
- Episode 7: Common Enforcement Concerns
- Episode 8: Fall Protection Quick Facts
- Episode 57: Falls from Heights and Ministry Enforcement
Struck-by hazards
One fatality involved a worker who was crushed by equipment. Critical injury trends also show that workers are commonly struck by vehicles, equipment, and materials. Struck-by hazards are one of the most serious types of hazards on construction projects—and they are preventable.
Actions
- Review traffic management plans.
- Review procedures for reversing and spotter requirements.
- Conduct a worker and equipment separation review.
- Lead a safety talk about struck-by hazards.
- Review material storage and dropped-object controls.
Podcast episodes
Traffic and mobile equipment safety
Several critical injuries involved workers who were struck by vehicles. Traffic management and worker separation are critical hazard controls on construction projects.
Actions
- Review site traffic plans.
- Inspect pedestrian routes and exclusion zones.
- Review signaller requirements.
- Discuss vehicle blind spots and visibility hazards with workers.
- Confirm controls for worker and vehicle separation.
Podcast episodes
Resources
- Reducing the Risk of Workers Being Struck by Vehicles or Mobile Equipment (W402)
- Traffic Control - Protection Plan topic page in the IHSA Construction Safety App
- Heavy Equipment webpage
Hazard assessment, planning, and supervision
Some of the reported fatalities involved workers who drowned, asphyxiated, or experienced incidents with multiple contributing factors. These events show why planning, hazard assessment, supervision, worker engagement, and emergency preparedness are so important to workplace health and safety.
Ontario health and safety training
Strong commitment to health and safety relies on meaningful action. Training opportunities can build worker and supervisor competency and reinforce safe work practices.
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