Changes to Ontario's OHS Act affect protective equipment and asbestos on construction projects
Ontario is promoting worker protection with changes to fire service health and safety requirements in provincial regulations made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Firefighters – Protective equipment (O. Reg. 714/94)
Employers will need to provide firefighters with structural firefighting protective garments (“bunker gear”) that meets or exceeds the National Fire Protection Association 1971 “Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting,” 2007 Edition, if the bunker gear was manufactured on or after March 1, 2007.
If the bunker gear was manufactured before March 1, 2007, that gear must continue to meet or exceed the CAN/CGSB-155.1-M88 “Firefighters' Protective Clothing for Protection Against Heat and Flame” Standard as previously required.
Asbestos on construction projects and in buildings and repair operations (O. Reg. 278/05)
Firefighters and fire investigators will be exempted from O. Reg. 278/05 when they carry out specific work, such as fire suppression, rescue, and emergency work, and fire cause investigation. When engaged in this type of work, firefighters, fire investigators and their employers will be subject to Regulation 833 (Control of Exposure to Biological or Chemical Agents), which prescribes occupational exposure limits for various substances, including asbestos.
These changes follow consultation with the Ontario Fire Service Section 21 Health and Safety AdvisoryCommittee as well as public consultation in the fall of 2010. All of the changes will take effect on Jan. 1, 2011.
