Workers at a large electric vehicle (EV) battery plant project in southwestern Ontario, which is being publicly subsidized, have encountered multiple health and safety risks, as per government records obtained by CBC News. These hazards include high levels of carbon monoxide, electrical dangers, and flooded parking lots. Provincial inspectors have visited the site numerous times since construction began in 2022, issuing over 100 orders related to health and safety issues to NextStar Energy, the company overseeing the project.
NextStar, a joint venture between Stellantis and LG Energy Solution, has received 10 stop work orders for specific areas until addressing the issues. Failure to comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) orders could result in significant fines or imprisonment. Although NextStar has addressed most orders, workers’ concerns regarding health and safety have escalated to the provincial government level.
Labour Minister David Piccini has engaged with building trades unions involved in the project to address health and safety issues. The company recently completed the construction phase of the 4.23 million-square-foot facility, Canada’s first large-scale battery manufacturing plant. Despite publicized injuries, NextStar boasts an impressive safety record of eight million safe work hours and continues to prioritize meeting industry standards.
The project has faced various challenges, with workers expressing frustration over health and safety issues, including air quality concerns and inadequate washroom facilities. Inspectors have issued numerous orders related to air quality monitoring, washroom access, and electrical safety procedures. Issues such as lack of supervision, water accumulation, and flooded parking lots have also been flagged during inspections.
The project, involving over 9,000 Canadian trades workers, aims to create around 2,500 jobs and has received substantial incentives from provincial and federal governments. NextStar looks forward to commencing battery cell production in the near future as part of the collaborative construction process.