Human Resources Legislative Update

New OHSA Regulations Filed

Human Resources Legislative Update

New OHSA Regulations Filed

Date: December 9, 2010

On December 6, 2010, the Ontario government filed a number of regulatory amendments under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, including:

  • O. Reg. 480/10 (Firefighters—Protective Equipment), amending O. Reg. 714/94 in respect of protective garment standards for firefighters performing interior structural fire suppression duties; and
  • O. Reg. 479/10 (Designated Substance—Asbestos on Construction Projects and in Buildings and Repair Operations), which excludes workers and their employers from O. Reg. 278/05 when the workers are engaged in fire suppression work, rescue and emergency services work or investigation work under the authority of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997. The regulation provides that Regulation 833 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (Control of Exposure to Biological or Chemical Agents) made under the Act applies instead.

The regulations will come into force on January 1, 2011.