Human Resources Legislative Update
Government Invites Comments on Proposed Amendments to Mines and Mining Plants Regulation under OHSA
Date: February 19, 2019
The Ministry of Labour is proposing various amendments to Regulation 854 (Mines and Mining Plants) made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).
Regulation 854 applies to all mines, mining plants, and mining development in Ontario. It sets out sector-specific requirements protecting the health and safety of workers.
The Ministry has prepared a consultation paper for public review and comment that highlights the proposed amendments. The comment period ends on March 29, 2019.
The proposed amendments:
- amend the definition of non-destructive test and related requirements to harmonize with O. Reg. 213/91 (Construction Projects);
- add a certification requirement for individuals conducting non-destructive testing;
- revoke redundant or duplicative provisions for the stated reason of reducing regulatory burdens;
- update industry standards (for example, the standards for shaft rope usage and testing, the CSA standard for air heaters and compressed breathing air and systems);
- aim to increase flexibility (for example, by amending existing requirements regarding the allowable height of working faces at surface mines and regarding oxygen/acetylene containers to provide alternate ways to comply;
- amend miscellaneous requirements to update terminology and/or clarify certain requirements.
The draft regulatory framework can be found on the Ministry of Labour website. The comment period ends on March 29, 2019. Comments should be sent to the Health and Safety Policy Branch, Ministry of Labour, 400 University Avenue, 12th Floor, Toronto, ON M7A 1T7 WebHSPolicy@ontario.ca. Cite proposal number 19-MOL002.
