TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - May 1, 2013) - Ontario's manufacturing sector regularly records annual workplace fatalities above the Canadian average, an "unacceptable" rate that urgently needs to be reduced, says Marisa Sterling of Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO).
"There are safety gaps," says Sterling, PEO's Regulatory Compliance Lead. "For example, all professional engineering work on industrial equipment and machinery needs to be under the oversight of a licensed professional engineer. Currently, in Ontario, it's not."
Tomorrow in Mississauga, Sterling will speak to the benefits of new licence requirements for engineering work done by employees on industrial equipment or machinery that produce a product for their employer in their employer's facility, at an Ethics Session organized by the Workplace Safety & Prevention Services. The session is part of the professional development series of the Partners in Prevention 2013 Health & Safety Conference & Trade Show, Canada's largest health and safety event.
On September 1, 2013, the Government of Ontario is scheduled to repeal section 12.(3)(a) of the Professional Engineers Act, which previously allowed individuals to oversee or carry out certain professional engineering work without having a P.Eng. licence.
The repeal will mean that all professional engineering work on industrial equipment and machinery will need to be under the oversight of a licensed professional engineer. The change - which is expected to affect approximately 1,000 Ontario companies - will bring the province in line with the rest of Canada, and enhance the workplace safety programs of businesses.
Professional engineers have the education and training to design and oversee the most complex manufacturing processes - efficiently and safely - and are held accountable to the public for the quality and safety of their work.
This repeal will close existing safety gaps and provide the accountability that will help to ensure a healthier and safer workplace.
With the support of government, PEO is conducting province-wide information sessions to inform and assist Ontario-based manufacturers in adjusting to this change. These sessions are a part of PEO's comprehensive transition strategy, which includes a one-year transition period and an investment of $1.2-million in offsets to licensing fees for those affected in Ontario's manufacturing industry.
Through these information sessions, PEO has met with more than 400 employers and employees from the province's manufacturing sector.
| WHO: |
| Marisa Sterling, P.Eng. |
| Regulatory Compliance Lead |
| Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) |
| WHAT: |
| A professional development session, part of the Partners in Prevention 2013 Health & Safety Conference & Trade Show, Canada's largest health and safety event. |
| The session, presented by Health & Safety Ontario and organized by Workplace Safety & Prevention Services, will be on the repeal of section 12.(3)(a) of the Professional Engineers Act, also known as the "industrial exception". |
| WHEN |
| Thursday, May 2, 8:30 - 9:00 am |
| WHERE: |
| Centre for Health & Safety Information (CHSI) |
| 5100 Creekbank Road, |
| Mississauga, Ontario |
| 905.219.0044 |
| http://www.tchsi.ca/ |
About Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO)
Through the Professional Engineers Act, PEO governs over 80,000 licence and certificate holders and regulates professional engineering in Ontario to serve and protect the public. It fulfills the same role for engineering as the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario does for medicine and the Law Society of Upper Canada for law. Professional engineering safeguards life, health, property, economic interests, the public welfare and the environment. Professional engineers can be identified by the P.Eng. after their names. Visit www.peo.on.ca.
Contact Information:
Jim Gray
416.543.3857
jgray@sussex-strategy.com