Legislation applies to additional workplaces including health care and construction projects
Ontario’s confined space legislation now applies to industrial establishments, construction projects, health care and residential facilities, and mines and mining plants.
Amendments have been made which consolidate all regulatory requirements pertaining to confined spaces under the Occupational Health and Safety Act into one regulation: O. Reg. 632/05 (Confined Spaces).
The consolidated regulation, which already applies to almost all other workplaces covered by the act, will now apply to industrial establishments, construction projects, health care and residential facilities, and mines and mining plants. These workplaces had sector-specific regulations previously. Those regulations have been revoked.
The regulation includes provisions that require:
· An assessment of the hazards related to the confined space before a worker enters the area
· A mandatory written plan, including procedures for the control of hazards identified in the assessment, be developed and implemented by a competent person for the confined space
· That every worker who enters a confined space or performs related work be given adequate training for safe work practices for working in confined spaces and performing related work, including training in the recognition of hazards associated with confined spaces
· A separate entry permit is issued each time work is to be performed in a confined space
· Rescue equipment identified in the confined space plan, be readily available to use in a rescue situation, be appropriate for entry into the confined space and be inspected as often as necessary to ensure it is in good working order
· Proper personal protective equipment is provided for all workers entering the space
The amendments to O. Reg. 632/05 (Confined Spaces) maintain the important differences between confined spaces provisions that apply on construction projects and those that apply for other workplaces, according to the province. More information on the amended legislation is available at: http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/resources/notices.php#april042011
