Antibiotic-Resistant Patients Posed Workplace Hazard: Inspector’s PPE Order Not Suspended

An Ontario Ministry of Labour inspector has ordered a sleep laboratory to provide personal protective equipment to employees because of the safety risk posed by patients who may be resistant to antibiotics. And the Ontario Labour Relations Board has rejected the employer's request to suspend the order.

The MOL inspector issued the order under the "general duty" clause of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker complained about working with patients who were resistant to antibiotics and may have a contagious form of "Methicillin-Resistant Staphyloccoccus Aureus" or MRSA. The inspector's order required the employer to ensure that "workers have measures and procedures for the wearing of Personal Protective Equipment . . ."