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PPE – 2023 Year in Review

FEDERAL

Aug 1: The International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) announced plans to update ANSI/ISEA Z89.1, American national standard for industrial head protection, to clear up confusion on the scope of American and European safety helmets standards.

Action Point: Use the OHSI PPE Head Protection Compliance Game Plan to prevent head injuries and OHS penalties at your workplace.

 

ALBERTA 

Feb 1: Reminder: OHS Code changes update the technical standards that items of PPE and fall protection must meet to promote harmonization and make life simpler for employers. Effective date: March 31, 2023.

 

Dec 9: OHS Code changes update the technical standards that items of PPE and fall protection must meet to promote harmonization and make life simpler for employers. Effective date: March 31, 2023.

 

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Mar 16: WorkSafeBC issued a new guideline (under Section 8.3 of the OHS Regulations) to help employers ensure that PPE properly fits all workers regardless of gender.  The hazards created by ill-fitting PPE are particularly pronounced for women in traditionally male-dominated industries, such as construction, mining, and firefighting, the guideline explains.

 

Apr 12: The BC Human Rights Commissioner criticized the Public Health Officer for lifting indoor mask restrictions in healthcare settings, which she says compromises the safety of seniors and other vulnerable people at higher risk of contracting COVID. While masking remains voluntary, “those who are most vulnerable among us shouldn’t have to depend on the kindness of others to respect their fundamental rights,” according to the Commissioner’s letter.

 

Oct 3: With COVID-19 case numbers resurging, BC has once more made medical masks mandatory for healthcare workers, contractors, and volunteers in patient care areas of hospitals and other health facilities and services locations.

Action Point: Find out about keeping face masks mandatory even if public health orders don’t mandate it.

 

NEW BRUNSWICK

Dec 16: The New Brunswick Assembly passed Bill 11 amending the OHS Act to require workers on fishing vessels to wear life jackets and personal flotation devices. The bill also clarifies that fishing vessels are a “place of employment” where PPE must be worn—at all times when the vessel doesn’t have a deck or deck structure.

 

Nov 30: Bill 11 amending the OHS Act to require workers on fishing vessels to wear life jackets and personal flotation devices, is out of Committee and likely to pass. The bill clarifies that fishing vessels are a “place of employment” where PPE must be worn—at all times when the vessel doesn’t have a deck or deck structure.

 

NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR

Jan 19: A new Public Advisory reminds residents that helmets and seatbelts (where installed by manufacturers) are now mandatory for the operation of all off-road vehicles in Newfoundland and Labrador. The only exception is for hunting and trapping activities involving speeds of less than 20 km per hour and frequent stops.

Action Point: Use the OHSI PPE Head Protection Compliance Game Plan to prevent head injuries and OHS penalties at your workplace.

 

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

Jul 5: WSCC issued new guidance to help employers and workers prevent hand injuries. More than 20% of all workers comps filed in 2022 involved injuries to the fingers, arms and upper extremities, according to the agency.

Action Point: Implement a legally sound hand and arm protection compliance game plan at your site.

 

NUNAVUT

Jul 5: WSCC issued new guidance to help employers and workers prevent hand injuries. More than 20% of all workers comps filed in 2022 involved injuries to the fingers, arms, and upper extremities, according to the agency.

Action Point: Implement a legally sound hand and arm protection compliance game plan at your site.

 

ONTARIO

Mar 14: Proposed changes to OHS Construction Project Regulations would require that PPE and protective clothing be properly fitted to women and workers of diverse sizes and body types. The new rules would take effect on July 1, 2023.

 

Apr 15: The Ontario MOL published revisions to OHS Construction Project Regulations requiring employers to ensure that PPE and protective clothing be properly fitted to women and workers of diverse sizes and body types. The new rules will take effect on July 1, 2023.

Action Point: Find out why standard PPE leaves women workers exposed to injury risk.

 

Jul 1: Changes to OHS Construction Project Regulations requiring that PPE and protective clothing be properly fitted to women and workers of diverse sizes and body types take effect.

Action Point: Find out why standard PPE leaves women workers exposed to injury risk.

 

Jul 10: Second Reading for Bill 93, aka Joshua’s Law (Lifejackets for Life), 2023, which requires parents to ensure that their kids of age 12 or under wear a personal flotation device or lifejacket while on a “pleasure boat” that’s underway or being towed, or face a fine of up to $200.

 

Sep 25: It’s on to Third Reading for Bill 93, aka Joshua’s Law (Lifejackets for Life), 2023, which requires parents to ensure that their kids of age 12 or under wear a personal flotation device or lifejacket while on a “pleasure boat” that’s underway or being towed, or face a fine of up to $200.

Action Point: Implement a legally sound drowning protection compliance game plan at your workplace.

 

Nov 16: While mandatory mask protocols have lapsed, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer strongly recommends the use of masks indoors to prevent transmission of not only COVID-19 but other respiratory viruses like flu and monkeypox.

 

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Apr 21: Wearing a mask is no longer required in hospitals, health centers, long-term care facilities or other Health PEI buildings. Those experiencing COVID symptoms should continue wearing a mask voluntarily, the government advises.

 

QUÉBEC

Apr 6: Québec eased COVID-19 face mask restrictions in healthcare settings. From now one, establishments must establish their own requirements and protocols on the basis of the circumstances and situation at their own particular site. Hand hygiene, cough etiquette and mask-wearing by those experiencing respiratory infection symptoms remain mandatory at all workplaces.