Here’s what you need to know about what your province or territory requires you to do to protect workers from electrical hazards while working near electrical equipment:
FEDERAL: a) Where a worker is working on or near electrical equipment that’s live or may become live, the equipment must be guarded; b) If that’s not practicable, the employer must insulate the equipment from the worker or the worker from ground; c) Where live electrical equipment isn’t guarded or insulated or where the worker isn’t insulated from ground, the worker shall not work so near to any live part of the electrical equipment that’s within a designated voltage range, which varies depending on whether worker is a “qualified person”; and d) No worker shall work near a live part of any electrical equipment if there’s a hazard that an unintentional movement by the worker would bring any part of the worker’s body or anything the worker is in contact with closer to that live part than the designated distance referred to above [Canada OHS Regulations, Part VIII: Electrical Safety, Sec. 8.5].
ALBERTA: OHS laws don’t set specific requirements for preventing workers from being injured while working near electrical equipment.
BRITISH COLUMBIA: a) If uninsulated, energized parts of low voltage electrical equipment aren’t guarded with approved cabinets or enclosures: i. Suitable barriers or covers must be provided if a worker unfamiliar with the hazards is working within 1 metre of the uninsulated, energized parts; or ii. The worker must be informed of potential hazards, and be provided with and follow appropriate written safe work procedures [OHS Regulation, Sec. 19.12]; b) The employer must ensure that at least the minimum designated distance is maintained between exposed, energized high voltage electrical equipment and conductors and any worker, work, tool, machine, equipment or material, unless otherwise permitted [Sec. 19.24]; c) If the minimum designated distance can’t be maintained because of work circumstances or inadvertent movement of people or equipment, there must be an assurance in writing and signed by a representative of the owner of the power system that the equipment will be displaced or rerouted or will be isolated and grounded while work is being done [Sec. 19.25]; d) If exposed high voltage electrical equipment and conductors can’t be isolated, rerouted or guarded, work must not be done within the minimum designated distance until Board approval is obtained and safeguards are taken [Sec. 19.26]; and e) Qualified workers may work up to the adjusted designated limits of approach when certain conditions are met [Sec. 19.27].
MANITOBA: When work is being done near exposed, energized electrical equipment, an employer must ensure that the work is done in a manner that prevents a worker from contacting the equipment [Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, Sec. 38.7].
NEW BRUNSWICK: Where it’s not practicable to de-energize electrical equipment before working on or near energized exposed parts, an employee shall use rubber gloves, mats, shields and other protective equipment to ensure protection from electrical shocks and burns while performing the work [OHS General Regulation, Part XIX, Sec. 287.4(1)].
NEWFOUNDLAND/LABRADOR: Work shall not be done in or around an area or structure in proximity to energized electrical conductors or equipment which are normally isolated by position or elevation, unless the electrical conductors or equipment are provided with guards which will effectively prevent contact by a worker, or by equipment being used or handled [OHS Regulations, Sec. 84(10)].
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES/NUNAVUT: Work on electrical systems or near overhead electrical conductors must be carried out in accordance with the Electrical Protection Act and regulations under that Act [General Safety Regulations, Sec. 96(1)]. All electrical work and equipment must conform to the standards set in the prescribed edition of the Canadian Electrical Code [Electrical Protection Act, Sec. 7(1)].
NOVA SCOTIA: OHS laws don’t set specific requirements for preventing workers from being injured while working near electrical equipment.
ONTARIO: a) If it’s not practical to disconnect electrical installations, equipment or conductors from the power supply before working on or near live exposed parts of the installations, equipment or conductors, the worker shall use rubber gloves, mats, shields and other protective equipment and procedures adequate to ensure protection from electrical shock and burns while performing the work; and b) If the installation, equipment or conductor is operating at a nominal voltage of 300 volts or more, a suitably equipped competent person who’s able to recognize the hazards and perform rescue operations shall be available and able to see the worker who’s performing the work [OHS industrial Establishments Regulations, Sec. 42.1].
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND: An employer shall ensure that employees shall not work in or around any place or structure in proximity to energized electrical conductors or equipment unless (a) adequate protective guards are provided; or (b) the employees are wearing adequate protective equipment [OHS General Regulations, Sec. 36.10].
QUÉBEC: OHS laws don’t set specific requirements for preventing workers from being injured while working near electrical equipment.
SASKATCHEWAN: a) An employer shall ensure that no worker works within the minimum designated distance from any exposed energized electrical conductor [OHS Regulations, Sec. 465(2)]; b) An employer shall ensure that no worker who is at ground potential approaches an exposed energized electrical conductor closer than the minimum designated distance [Sec. 465(3)]; c) An employer shall ensure that only a qualified electrical worker works closer to an exposed energized electrical conductor than the minimum designated distance [Sec. 465(4)]; and d) Where work is being carried out in proximity to exposed energized electrical conductors operating at 31 to 750 volts, an employer shall ensure that the work is carried out so that accidental contact with the exposed energized electrical conductor by any worker is prevented [Sec. 466].
YUKON: a) No tools, machinery or equipment shall be operated within the minimum designated distances specified in subsection (2) from any energized high voltage electrical conductor capable of energizing the equipment unless workers are protected in accordance with this section [General Safety Regulations, Sec. 103(1)]; and b) When work is being carried out in proximity to energized electrical conductors, such work shall be performed in a manner to prevent contact by any worker with the energized conductors [Sec. 103(4)].
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