If you’re responsible for ensuring health & safety compliance for your company, or for developing policies and procedures with compliance in mind, it’s often difficult to know what the regulators expect.  The language in regulations can seem vague or general, and open to interpretation.  Often, legislation is written that way to allow for a variety of workplace situations.  Sometimes the lawmakers want to the courts to decide what the duty of care should be.

With the introduction of Alberta’s new Occupational Health & Safety Code (OHSC), which came into force in 2004, some of those expectations have become clearer.  Over 120 Standards by well-known organizations, including the Canadian Standards Association and many others, have been adopted in the OHSC.  Standards, which are developed by experts in their field, don’t normally carry the force of law on their own.  However, the requirements of Standards become legally mandatory once they’re adopted into law.  They provide many of the details that are not in the legislation.

Companies and other organizations that operate within the jurisdiction of Alberta’s occupational health & safety legislation should be aware of the Standards that have been adopted in the Occupational Health and Safety Code.  Here are a few examples.

Chemical Handling & Storage

• OHSC Section 163(2) specifies the need for procedures and precautionary measures for flammable substances.  Portable storage containers for gasoline or other flammable liquids must meet CSA Standard B376-M1980 (R1998), Portable Containers for Gasoline and Other Petroleum Fuels or ULC Standard C30-1995, Containers, Safety.  Both Standards specify requirements for containers up to 25 L capacity.
• The Alberta Fire Code 1997 has been adopted in the OHSC.  It includes specifics for the indoor storage and outdoor storage of dangerous goods, compressed gases and other materials.  Extensive requirements for the care of flammable and combustible liquids are also specified.

Personal Protective Equipment
A number of Standards from CSA and other bodies are quoted in OHSC Part 18. 

• Standards for eye protection include CSA Standard Z94.3-99, Industrial Eye and Face Protectors and CSA Standard Z94.3-02, Eye and Face Protectors.  The latter is the more recent version, published in 2002.  It specifies performance criteria for seven “classes” of eye and face protection devices: spectacles, goggles, welding helmets, welding hand shields, hoods, face shields, and respirator facepieces.
• Respiratory protective equipment is to be selected according to the criteria set out in CSA Standard Z94.4-02, Selection, Use and Care of Respirators.  Fit tests to ensure that respirator users obtain an effective face seal are to be conducted as per the same standard.  If self-contained breathing apparatus or air line respirators are used, the quality of breathing air must comply with Table 1 of CSA Standard Z180.1-00, Compressed Breathing Air and Systems.
• OHSC Part 18 also references a number of Standards for protective headwear, footwear, life jackets and personal floatation devices.

Noise Exposure and Protection
Part 16 of the OHSC deals with noise exposure.  Several standards are quoted within.

• Where noise exposure assessments are necessary, CSA Standard Z107.56-94 (R1999), Procedures for the Measurement of Occupational Noise Exposure is to be followed.  In addition, instruments used for noise measurements must meet one or more ANSI and IEC standards quoted in OHSC Part 18.
• When the use of hearing protection is appropriate, hearing protectors are to be selected according to OHSC Schedule 3, Table 2.  Hearing protectors must meet the requirements of CSA Standard Z94.2-02, Hearing Protection Devices – Performance, Selection, Care, and Use.  Earplugs, earmuffs, communication headsets and helmets equipped with earmuffs are included in the standard.

These Standards, and the many others adopted in the Occupational Health & Safety Code, provide exceptional detail. A complete list can be found in Part 1 of the OHSC. By following these Standards as required you’ll move your organization toward greater compliance with Alberta’s workplace health & safety legislation, and you’ll have a more effective safety program.