BEYOND THE WRENCH PAGE | 2
INTRODUCTION
Ontario's vehicle service and repair sector is essential
to our economic success. It keeps Ontario's twelve
million registered vehicles operating safely, which
are vital for moving people and goods throughout
the province. It is a sector that consists of complex
work environments with dynamic hazards ranging
from noise and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) to
hazardous energy and chemical exposure. Given the
fast-paced, ever-changing nature of this work, it is not
surprising that it has one of the highest risk ratings in
the service sector.
"The vehicle service and repair workforce is evolving
to combine traditional hands-on skills with modern
diagnostic technologies, creating a more adaptive,
future-ready service environment," described Melissa
Morin, Health and Safety Consultant with Workplace
Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS).
"However, if nothing changes, skilled and passionate
workers may be deterred from working in this
sector due to unsafe conditions, which would make
recruitment much harder. And having fewer skilled
workers in this area would put more pressure on them
to meet output targets and industry demand, which
we know leads to increased injuries and illnesses."
To prevent this from happening, worker and
management representatives from repair, parts,
tire, and body shops, as well as dealerships, joined
together to gain a better understanding of what is
harming workers, and how to protect them.
"
"
"There are more people
retiring from the trade
than coming in, so we need
to create a reality for the
new, young workers where
we keep the people in our
industry safe."
—Madison Wardle, Technician,
Parkway Motors
