Ergonomics Canada 2008 - (Page 15) Ergonomics in Canadian Workplaces The Latest Regulations By Linda Sagmeister, CCPE, CRSP In many provinces and even federally, Canadians have Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations that include provisions for the prevention of soft tissue injuries, also referred to as musculoskeletal injuries (MSI) or musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). Ergonomics, or human factors, is a broad field involving issues of safe and effective human interaction with the design and use of all aspects of the work environment including systems, organizations, equipment and tasks. As a result, it is difficult to create a comprehensive “ergonomics regulation.” In addition, application of ergonomics principles in physical, cognitive and design areas are more likely to take place in standards, guidelines and best practices documents within and outside of the OHS arena, depending on how ergonomics is being applied. Currently, it is primarily physical ergonomics principles that are used in OHS regulations to prevent the onset of MSI in workplaces through regulating how physical work, such as lifting, standing and sitting, among others, can be accomplished. Systems designed in the absence of ergonomics or consideration of human limitations and tendencies can result in human error. Therefore, in addition to enforcing MSI prevention, it may be valuable for governments and other agencies, such as standard-setting groups and worker/employer representative associations, to consider the prevention of “human error” through accident investigation techniques or in the form of worker involvement in the design of systems and work organization of tasks (for example, participatory ergonomics). A brief summary of current provincial ergonomics-related regulations is provided in Table 1. Note that regulations may be under review and are subject to change. Federally, the Canada Labour Code II makes reference to Ergonomics regulations, which were passed federally late in 2007. These amendments to the Hazard Prevention Program require federal employers to incorporate prevention of ergonomics-related hazards in the program. This includes hazard identification, assessment, developing preventive measures and employee education on ergonomics. Visit the following website: http://laws.justice.gc.ca. Linda Sagmeister is an Ergonomist with the Government of Newfoundland & Labrador. Table 1: Provincial Ergonomics-Related Regulations (Note that regulations and web links are subject to change.) Province Source Specific Requirement Primarily to Identify, Assess Uses and Control Hazards General Related to MSIs Duty Clause Yes Yes – where workrelated symptoms are reported Yes Specific Aspects of Work Environment Referenced Other Comments BC Ergonomics (MSI) Requirements 1998: www2.worksafebc.com/Publications/OHSRegulation/Part4.asp OHS Code (2006) Part 14 Sections 208-211: www.employment.alberta.ca/cps/rde/xchg/hre/hs.xsl/307.html OH&S Regulations, 1996 Sections: 68,69,78,79, 80, 81,82, 83, 470: www.publications.gov.sk.ca/details.cfm?p=677&cl=5 Workplace Safety and Health Act section 7.4(5)(b), Part 8 of the Workplace Safety and Health Regulations: www.gov.mb.ca/labour/safety/actregnew.html For the OHS Act: www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/about/leg/hs_leg.html Pains and Strains website, Ontario Ministry of Labour: www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/pains/topic.html Division c. S-2.1, r.19.1 of the OHS Regulations: http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/ telecharge.php?type=3&file=/S_2_1/S2_1R19_1_A.HTM For OHS Act: www.gnb.ca/0062//regs/91-191.htm or for information on ISO 1122-01): www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue/catalogue_tc/catalogue_detail. htm?csnumber=26520 For the OHS Act: www.gov.ns.ca/legislature/legc/statutes/occph_s.htm Employers must educate workers about signs and symptoms Lifting and handling loads Workspace, overcrowding, lighting, lifting and handling, Code of Practice on Video Display Terminals (2000) standing, sitting, moving patients, and shift work Safety and health program requirements, as well as possible requirement to make further modifications based upon assessment of MSI risk Yes Manual handling, work heights, seated work position and breaks for meals In 2006, WHSCC adopted the ISO 11228-1 standard (lifting and carrying) under regulation 91-191 section 52 on manual handling; currently promoting this ISO standard to all employers with MSI claims Ministry of Labour (Pains and Strains) and Occupational Health and Safety Council of Ontario released an MSD Prevention Guideline, Resource Manual and an accompanying Toolbox Alberta Sask. Manitoba Yes Ontario Quebec Yes New Brunswick Yes Nova Scotia Yes PEI For the OHS Act: www.gov.pe.ca/law/statutes Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2002 Sections 17, 12, 27: www.assembly.nl.ca/legislation/default.htm or Guidelines for Prevention of Soft Tissue Injury: www.gs.gov.nl.ca/ohs/pdf/soft-tissue-injury-prevention.pdf For the OHS Act: www.gov.yk.ca/legislation/pages/page_o.html Mining Act (1995): www.canlii.org/nt/laws/regu/1995r.125/20080616/whole.html Yes NL & Labrador Yes Seating, illumination and workplaces Uses the “Guideline for the Prevention of Soft Tissue Injuries” to help employers Yukon NWT & Nunavut No provisions Provision of “ergonomic facilities” to employees http://laws.justice.gc.ca http://www2.worksafebc.com/Publications/OHSRegulation/Part4.asp http://www.employment.alberta.ca/cps/rde/xchg/hre/hs.xsl/307.html http://www.publications.gov.sk.ca/details.cfm?p=677&cl=5 http://www.gov.mb.ca/labour/safety/actregnew.html http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/about/leg/hs_leg.html http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/pains/topic.html http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/ http://www.gnb.ca/0062//regs/91-191.htm http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue/catalogue_tc/catalogue_detail http://www.gov.ns.ca/legislature/legc/statutes/occph_s.htm http://www.gov.pe.ca/law/statutes http://www.assembly.nl.ca/legislation/default.htm http://www.gs.gov.nl.ca/ohs/pdf/soft-tissue-injury-prevention.pdf http://www.gov.yk.ca/legislation/pages/page_o.html http://www.canlii.org/nt/laws/regu/1995r.125/20080616/whole.html
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