October 2021

Occupational Health and Safety Regulation Updates

This year has been a busy one when it comes to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (OHSR), with 12 projects approved by the Board of Directors from April through July this year. The following are some highlights of the approved projects.

Part 16, Mobile Equipment

Amendments to Part 16, Mobile Equipment, were approved by the Board of Directors in April 2021.

Between September 2017 and December 2020, there was extensive province-wide consultation on the proposed amendments. More than 150 issues were examined.

The amendments include:

• Streamlining and improvement of logical flow for ease of understanding;
• Introduction of 19 key new requirements (among 63 significant changes);
• Reduction in the number of standards referenced from 43 to 24; and
• Updates to accommodate technology and best practices.

In addition, there were consequential amendments to 27 sections across nine other Parts of the OHSR to harmonize these requirements for mobile equipment.

The amendments came into effect on September 1, 2021.

View the Board of Directors' decision.

Part 21, Blasting

Amendments related to Part 21, Blasting, were approved by the Board of Directors in May 2021.

The purpose of the amendments is to enhance worker safety in and around blasting operations by:

• Addressing changes in blasting technology and associated safe work practices;
• Ensuring consistency with relevant federal legislation and regulations;
• Introducing new requirements to address hazards not specifically addressed in Part 21; and
• Clarifying and simplifying language and requirements

Key amendments include:

• Requiring a written plan before a blasting operation commences;
• Introducing requirements for close-proximity blasting;
• Requiring blasters to fulfill an annual continuing education requirement; and
• Updating the requirements relating to misfires.

The amendments will come into effect on December 1, 2021.

View the Board of Directors' decision.

Part 26, Arborists

Amendments related to Part 26, Arborists, were approved by the Board of Directors in May 2021.

Arboricultural work can be dangerous, with the potential for serious injury or death. This work often involves working at heights, relying on the structural integrity of a tree for support, and using sharp cutting tools.

Part 26 of the OHSR addresses forestry operations and similar activities (including arboricultural work), but it did not clearly cover the range of work activities undertaken by arborists.

The purpose of the approved amendments is to address the regulatory gaps in Part 26 of the OHSR by introducing new regulations for arborists and arboricultural work to improve health and safety in this industry. The amendments incorporate best practices from various standards, jurisdictions, arboricultural associations, and training programs.

Key amendments include:

• A new requirement for all tree-climbing activities to be pre-planned, with a written tree-climbing plan;
• A new requirement for tree-climbing activities to be done by a qualified arborist or a trainee arborist; and
• A new section providing work procedures a qualified arborist or trainee arborist must follow when performing tree-climbing activities.

The amendments will come into effect on December 1, 2021.

View the Board of Directors' decision.