New MOL Guidelines

As the city (Toronto) evolves and grows; tall buildings will continue to challenge the professional window washers and the Ministry of Labour (MOL).  In Toronto, (and throughout Ontario), buildings are becoming more complex and even taller.
 
These buildings are being designed with complex architectural features such as:

·       gardens, green roofs, and landscaping

·       glass railing balconies,

·       multiple roof levels,

·       podiums,

·       pools,

·       narrow roofs,

·       overhangs,

·       sloped roofs, and

·       terraces

 

features that make window washing and other suspended maintenance work challenging and hazardous.  These complex features have particularly interested the MOL.

 

The MOL has prepared new Guidelines for industry use (in the meantime until the Regulation is amended).   These guidelines are indented to make it easier for the industry to understand the Regulation and thereby facilitate compliance.   

 

However, the industry was hoping for clearer rules on how the MOL would address specific challenges such as:

 

·       using conventional ground rigged equipment, or

·       wind effects (on tall buildings). 

 

The new guidelines also failed to address what will be accepted by a MOL Inspector (though an Inspector is not obligated to apply these guidelines).

 

Please see the new window washing guidelines published on April 3, 2013 by the MOL: http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/pubs/gl_windowcleaning.php