Workers at a large electric vehicle (EV) battery plant project in southwestern Ontario, supported by public funds, have encountered various health and safety risks, as per government records acquired by CBC News. Inspectors from the province have made numerous visits to the site since construction commenced in 2022, issuing over 100 directives to NextStar Energy, the firm leading the initiative, concerning health and safety matters.
These directives comprised 10 stop work orders for specific areas until the issues were addressed to comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), which could result in substantial fines and potential imprisonment. NextStar, a collaboration between Stellantis and LG Energy Solution, has adhered to all but two recent orders, according to the records.
However, concerns among workers regarding health and safety have escalated to the provincial cabinet level, with Labour Minister David Piccini engaging with building trades unions involved in the project to address the issues. Proposed solutions include increased presence of labor inspectors on-site.
The project has faced a series of challenges, with workers and companies expressing discontent about the plant despite its potential to generate employment and substantial government incentives. NextStar recently completed the construction phase of the 4.23 million-square-foot facility, the first large-scale battery manufacturing plant in Canada, and emphasized its commitment to industry standards and safety.
Despite reported injuries, NextStar highlighted achieving eight million safe work hours and maintaining a zero lost-time injury record. The company emphasized its dedication to safety and its Early and Safe Return to Work Program.
Health and safety orders at the NextStar project have been a recurrent issue, with records revealing numerous enforcement actions related to safety concerns. Inspectors have conducted multiple visits to the site, with complaints ranging from air quality problems due to equipment use indoors to issues with washroom access and electrical safety procedures.
The project has also faced challenges related to supervision, water accumulation, and parking lot maintenance. Despite these obstacles, NextStar remains optimistic about commencing battery cell production in the near future, emphasizing the collaborative effort involving thousands of Canadian trades workers on the construction project.