Workplace Safety Audit Request - London By-law Guide

Labor and Employment Ontario 4 Minutes Read · published February 12, 2026 Flag of Ontario

In London, Ontario, construction site safety is governed by municipal permitting and provincial occupational health and safety rules. To request a workplace safety audit or inspector visit, contact the City of London Building Permits office and the provincial enforcement body for workplace safety. For building-permit related inspections see the City of London Building Permits page City of London Building Permits[1] and for provincial enforcement and legal framework see the Occupational Health and Safety Act Occupational Health and Safety Act[2]. This guide explains who can request audits, practical steps, likely outcomes, and appeal routes.

Start by confirming your project’s permit status with Building Services.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement for construction workplace safety is a combination of City permit enforcement and provincial occupational health and safety enforcement. Exact monetary penalties and escalation schedules are not fully itemized on the cited pages; see the official sources listed below for authority and contact points.

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page; monetary penalties and court fines are set under provincial statutes and provincial offences processes.
  • Escalation: first, repeat, and continuing offence treatment is not specified on the cited page; inspectors may issue orders that can escalate to charges under provincial law.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: inspectors can issue compliance orders, work stoppage or stop-work directions, and orders to correct hazards.
  • Enforcer and complaint pathway: municipal building inspectors and provincial Ministry of Labour inspectors enforce rules; contact Building Permits for permit-related inspections and the provincial ministry for workplace safety complaints.
  • Appeals and review: specific appeal routes and time limits vary by order type and are not specified on the cited page; follow the directions on any issued order and consult the enforcing authority for timelines.
  • Defences and discretion: lawful permits, variances or compliance plans can affect enforcement discretion; availability of defences depends on the statute and inspector findings.
  • Common violations on construction sites: missing fall protection, unsecured openings, inadequate scaffolding or shoring, and lack of required signage or safety plans.
Keep records of permits, site inspections, and communications to support any appeal.

Applications & Forms

Permit and inspection requests are handled through City Building Services; provincial complaint forms or contact routes are available through the Ministry of Labour. Specific form names and fee schedules are available from the City of London Building Permits page and provincial pages linked above.

If you cannot find a published form, contact the enforcing office directly to request procedure details.

How to Request an Audit

Follow these practical steps to request a workplace safety audit for a London construction site.

  1. Identify the responsible party (owner, prime contractor, or employer) and gather permit numbers and site address.
  2. Contact City of London Building Services for permit-related inspections or concerns and request an on-site compliance inspection if the issue relates to a building permit.
  3. For workplace safety hazards, contact the Ontario Ministry of Labour to request an occupational health and safety inspection or to report imminent danger.
  4. Prepare documentation: permit copies, site safety plan, worker training records, and photos of the hazard or non-compliance.
  5. During the audit cooperate with inspectors, provide requested records, and note any orders or recommendations given on-site.
  6. If an order is issued, follow the correction timeline or file an appeal as directed in the order documentation.

FAQ

Who can request a workplace safety audit for a construction site?
Owners, prime contractors, employers, workers, and members of the public can request inspections through City Building Services for permit issues or the Ministry of Labour for occupational safety concerns.
Is there a fee to request an audit?
Fees for building inspections are tied to permit services; explicit audit fees are not specified on the cited pages and should be confirmed with Building Services or the Ministry of Labour.
How long does an audit or inspection take?
Inspection timing depends on workload and the nature of the complaint; the cited pages do not list standard timelines—contact the enforcing office for expected response times.

How-To

  1. Gather permit details and document the safety concern with photos and dates.
  2. Call or submit the online request to City Building Services for permit-related inspections.
  3. For workplace hazards, contact the Ontario Ministry of Labour to request an occupational health and safety inspection.
  4. Provide records and cooperate during the audit; take notes of any orders or recommendations.
  5. Address ordered corrections promptly and keep proof of compliance; pay any applicable fees or fines if levied.
  6. If you disagree with an order, follow the appeal instructions on the order and seek clarification from the issuing office.

Key Takeaways

  • Contact City Building Services for permit-related inspections; contact the Ministry of Labour for occupational safety enforcement.
  • Keep permit numbers, safety plans, and records ready to support any audit or appeal.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of London - Building Permits
  2. [2] Occupational Health and Safety Act (Ontario)

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