LAWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Respiratory Protection

Sep 24: Amended OHS Regulations require employers to ensure that fit testing is performed on tight-fitting respirators to ensure that the respirator’s style and size is correct for the worker and that it forms a secure seal against the worker’s face. Employers must also ensure that workers perform a negative or positive pressure seal check before each use.

Action Point: Find out how to create Respiratory Protection Policy at your workplace.

Respiratory Protection

Sep 24: Newfoundland and Labrador updated its OHS regulations to specify that required respiratory protective equipment (under Section 85(1) of the Regulation) must be either certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) or meet the standards of CSA Z94.4.1, Performance of Filtering Respirators.

Action Point: Find out how to implement a Respirator Fit-Testing Compliance Game Plan for workers who use tight-fitting respirators.

PPE

Sep 24: Newfoundland and Labrador revised its OHS regulations to clarify that PPE must be: i. Selected and used in accordance with “recognized standards”; ii. Properly fitted to the worker; iii. Compatible so that one item of PPE doesn’t compromise the effectiveness of the other; and iv. Kept in sanitary and good working order.

Action Point: Find out why standard PPE leaves women workers exposed to injury risk and how to implement a strategy for ensuring that the PPE you select is suitable to workers of all sexes and body types, which will be crucial under the new OHS requirements.

PPE

Sep 24: Revised OHS regulations clarify that workers exposed to the danger of moving vehicles or heavy equipment must wear high visibility safety apparel that meets the requirements of CSA Z96, High-Visibility Apparel.

Action Point: Find out how to implement a High-Visibility Apparel Safety & Compliance Game Plan.

Electrical Safety

Sep 2: WorkplaceNL issued a new Electrical Safety Bulletin advising registered electrical contractors of the requirement to have electrical trenches inspected before backfilling. The Bulletin cites recent inspections finding contractors to have excavated trenches, installed NMWU cable, TECK cable and/or PVC conduit, and backfilled the trench without first requesting and receiving an inspection.

Fall Protection

Oct 1: Reminder: Changes to OHS fall protection certification training requirements for working at heights of three metres or more take effect on January 1, 2027. A new 8-hour Working at Heights training course will replace the 16-hour course. When certificates expire, workers must complete the new 8-hour course to renew certification. Certificates will still remain valid for three years.

Action Point: Find out how to implement a legally sound Fall Protection Compliance Game Plan at your site.

Transportation Safety

Sep 24: Newfoundland and Labrador launched a new online MyGovNL service to make it easier renew driver’s licence photos.  Residents will receive a reminder 90 days before their photo is due to expire explaining how to use the new service. After signing in to their MyGovNL account, they’ll be able to use a smartphone, tablet, or computer with a camera to complete the renewal process.

First Aid

Sep 2: The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is replacing automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in schools throughout Newfoundland and Labrador to ensure students and staff who see someone in cardiac arrest can take action to help. The Department estimates that more than 100 AEDs are at or nearing their operational effectiveness date and need to be replaced.

Action Point: Find out how to implement an AEDs Compliance Game Plan to save lives at your workplace.

Environmental

Sep 2: Newfoundland and Labrador inked an agreement with Ottawa providing for a “one project, one review” system of environmental regulatory assessment. As a result, proponents of projects subject to both provincial and environmental laws will need only approval and not have to go through duplicative environmental assessment.

CASES

There are no cases to report on for this month.