New material handling guides help you prepare for inspections

August 27, 2025

Jessica Bowes

Preparing for a material handling inspection by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) just got a little easier. WSPS has launched five new material handling guides, specifically designed to prepare your workplace for an inspection, says Don Patten, WSPS Specialized Consultant (Ergonomics).

Until March 31, 2026, inspectors will be visiting all types and sizes of manufacturing operations to ensure compliance with material handling requirements under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act. “Understanding the law and what is expected is never easy for employers,” notes Don. “These new resources were developed to focus on what is important to the MLITSD based on their statistics and the types of infractions they see every day.”

Material handling involves the movement of materials in and through a facility, performed either manually or by mechanical devices, such as mobile equipment, carts, or conveyors. Manual material handling can result in musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), which are injuries affecting muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves.

Mechanical material handling can lead to injuries and fatalities when workers are crushed between objects or machines, or struck by objects, such as falling materials, swinging equipment or vehicles. According to WSIB provincial statistics, there were a total of 27 fatalities related to mechanical material handling in 2024.

“Inspectors will be looking for things like hazard assessments, safe equipment use, proper storage, and training records, especially for new or young workers,” says Don. “They’ll also expect to see policies and signage in place.”

Guides provide practical steps for managing material handling

“The five guides we have developed focus on different aspects of material handling, each providing practical steps for identifying and controlling risks,” says Don. “For greatest success, employers should look at each of the guides to see where there is overlap and implement solutions that can manage multiple hazards at once.”

Manual Material Handling - This guide offers tips on how to identify hazards associated with MSDs, including forceful exertions, repetitive tasks and awkward postures. It explains how work, task and equipment design also contribute to MSDs, and offers suggestions for ways to minimize those risks.
Storage Systems - When materials are stored improperly, or storage systems are poorly designed, workers may be at risk for MSDs, or worse, being struck by falling objects if the unit collapses or is unstable, says Don. “It’s important for businesses not to look at storage systems just as a place to put stuff. They have to be designed, maintained and regularly inspected to eliminate hazards.” This useful guide offers best practice recommendations for placing, storing, and retrieving materials, securing the rack against tipping, and much more.
Lifting Devices, Mobile Equipment or Cranes - “Most crushed and struck by injuries and fatalities in material handling are related to the use of equipment, so it’s critical for employers to understand the hazards and mitigate them,” says Don. This guide helps to ensure the safe use of cranes, forklift trucks, and lifting devices through such measures as inspections, pre-start checks, training for each device, safe loading, unloading and transport of materials, balancing loads, and more.
Workplace Layout and Design - Considering ergonomics when designing workplaces and workstations improves workflow, efficiency and productivity, and reduces the likelihood of injury, says Don. Ergonomics ensures that tasks match the capabilities of workers, reducing strain, fatigue and awkward postures that can contribute to MSDs. The guide also discusses other key ways to improve overall workplace design, such as lighting, air quality, and housekeeping.
Automation - Automation can reduce physical hazards for workers, such as lifting heavy loads and working at heights, but can introduce new hazards if safety features, such as sensors, emergency stops, and machine guards, are not in place and maintained. This guide provides tips on how to do a risk assessment of the technology you use and the various control methods you can put in place to reduce risks.

“Each guide also emphasizes the need for proper training for workers and supervisors so everyone understands how to do the job safely,” notes Don.