In 2021, the city of Toronto was concerned with the frequency in which underground utility strikes were occurring on projects. IHSA responded to this by coordinating subject matter experts across their network throughout Ontario to conduct a root cause analysis, comprising of both management and labour representatives, as well as other industry experts. IHSA utilized a root cause analysis process developed by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD).

Due to the pandemic and the provincial restrictions at the time, the decision was made to facilitate the workshop virtually using Zoom. The workshop participants virtually worked together to identify and prioritize causal factors and controls and solutions over the course of two days.

Industry article

• Using evidence to target occupational health and safety initiatives

Workshop overview

• Workshop dates: June 2-3, 2021
• Facilitated by IHSA
• Format: Virtual using Zoom

Facilitators and support

Worker/Labour participants

LiUNA Local 183 IOUE Local 793 OETIO

Management participants

Timbel Ltd. Clearway Group North Rock Group NPL Canada Tomlinson Group

Industry stakeholder representatives

Hydro One Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) Cornwall Electric Cobalt Safety Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance (ORCGA) Trisan Construction Electrical Contractors Association of Ontario (ECAO) Halton Region Ontario Sewer and Watermain Construction Association (OSWCA) Utilities Kingston

Workshop resources

• Top 10 list
• Technical Paper: Root Cause Analysis of Construction-Related Underground Strikes in Ontario
• Controls and Solutions Report
• Underground Strikes RCA Workshop Fishbone Diagrams
• Underground Strikes Industry Presentation (PDF)

IHSA safety talks and resources

• Safety Talk: Underground Utilities
• Safety Talk: Trenching – Soil Types
• Safety Talk: Trenching – Protection
• Safety Talk: Trenching – Inspection
• Safety Talk: Excavator Hand Signals
• Call Before You Dig
• Electrical Utility Safety Rules
• Underground Electrical Systems
• Locating Underground Utilities
• Trenching Safety
• Chapter 26 - Electrical Hazards
• Chapter 31 - Trenching
• Best practice: Extension of sewer laterals (IHSA Magazine, Vol 17, Issue 2)
• Gas and Sewer Line Conflicts (IHSA Magazine, Vol 13, Issue 1)
• Trenching Hazards (IHSA Magazine, Vol 16, Issue 1)
• Construction Safety: Excavation Hazards (Fact Sheet)

IHSA Training Courses

• Trenching Safety (eLearning)
• Trenching Safety Hazard Awareness
• Underground Proficiency
• Traffic Control – Temporary Work Zones
• Signaller and Traffic Control Person
• Confined Space Entry
• Confined Spaces Hazard Awareness for Construction
• Ladder Handling
• Electrical Safety – Underground Workers
• Cable Locating
• Pipeline Construction Safety Training (Online)