OHS Requirements for Construction Work Done in Compressed Air
Tunneling, caisson and other work operations performed in a compressed air environment pose significant health hazards that require special measures to control, including decompression, communication, fire prevention, work durations and medical surveillance. Here’s a quick overview of the compressed air work requirements in each jurisdiction for work other than diving, which is addressed in separate OHS regulations.
table { border-collapse: collapse; } td { padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #b4b3b3; } tr:hover {background-color: #e6ecf3;}| Jurisdiction | OHS Rules (if any) |
| Federal | Not specifically addressed |
| Alberta | Not specifically addressed |
| British Columbia | Employer duties for work at air pressure >7 kPa (1 psi) above atmospheric pressure: *Ensure workers are examined by a physician knowledgeable in hyperbaric medicine *Ensure work processes + equipment meet CSA CAN/CSA-Z275.3-M86, Occupational Safety Code for Construction Work in Compressed Air (OHS Reg., Secs. 20.122 + 20.123) |
| Manitoba | Employer duties: * Implement safe work procedures *Train workers in + ensure they comply with safe work procedures * Notify govt. at least 30 days before starting compressed air work *Have prof engineer develop + approve compressed air work program that meets CSA Z275.3-09 (R2014), Occupational safety code for work in compressed air environments (WSH Reg., Sec. 27) |
| New Brunswick | Employer must ensure work meets CSA CAN/CSA-Z275.3 M-86, Occupational Safety Code for Construction Work in Compressed Air (OHS Regs, Sec. 90) |
| Newfoundland | Not specifically addressed |
| Nova Scotia | Employer must ensure work meets most recent version of CSA-Z275.3, Occupational Safety Code for Work in Compressed Air Environments (Occ Safety Gen Regs, Sec. 156) |
| Ontario | Employer duties: *Notify MOL 14 days before compressed air work begins *Appoint a superintendent for the project *Ensure workers wear appropriate badges *Deploy a phone + electronic buzzer or bell communications system *Implement specific fire prevention measures *Hire at least one project physician to perform medical exams on workers *Pay for workers’ medical exams + credit time as payable service *Ensure there are medical locks with required dimensions, equipment, etc. *Ensure air compressors + air locks meet regulatory requirements *Implement work limits + rest periods for workers *Ensure lock tenders are in place *Ensure required compression + decompression procedures are followed *Ensure required records are kept (O. Reg 213/91, Const. Projects, Secs. 332 to 397) |
| Prince Edward Island | Employer must ensure work meets CSA-Z275.3, Occupational Safety Code for Work in Compressed Air (OHS Regs, Sec. 47.1) |
| Qu‚bec | Not specifically addressed |
| Saskatchewan | Employer duties: *Notify govt. + provide prof. engineer certificates at least 30 days before compressed air work begins *Ensure work complies with conditions set out in engineer’s certification *Ensure emergency + decompression procedures are implemented *Ensure workers are monitored by competent physician *Ensure competent supervisor appointed with authority + resources necessary to protect the health + safety of workers in working chamber *Ensure supplied air meets CSA CAN3-Z180.1-M85 Compressed Breathing Air and Systems *Ensure air compressors meet required standards + locate air intake for compressor plant away from exhaust gases, gasoline fumes or other contaminants *Implement work limits + rest periods for workers *Ensure required compression + decompression procedures are followed *Ensure air pressure in a working chamber doesn’t exceed 350 kilopascals for more than 5 minutes except if necessary for safety of workers in an emergency (OHS Reg, Part XIX) |
| Northwest Territories & Nunavut | Employer duties: *Notify govt. + provide certifs. from a prof. engineer + physician competent in hyperbaric or hypobaric medicine at least 30 days before work begins *Ensure work complies with conditions set out in engineer’s certification *Ensure emergency + decompression procedures are implemented *Ensure workers are monitored by competent physician *Ensure competent supervisor appointed with authority + resources necessary to protect the health + safety of workers in working chamber *Ensure supplied air meets CSA CAN/CSA-Z180.1-00 (R2010), Compressed Breathing Air and Systems *Ensure air compressors meet required standards + locate air intake for compressor plant away from exhaust gases, gasoline fumes or other contaminants *Implement work limits + rest periods for workers *Ensure required compression + decompression procedures are followed *Ensure air pressure in a working chamber: (a) doesn’t exceed 350 kPa for more than 5 minutes; + (b) doesn’t fall below 30 kPa, except in either case, if necessary for safety of workers in an emergency (OHS Regs, Part 19) |
| Yukon | Not specifically addressed |