When you hear “workplace safety,” you might picture hard hats and steel-toed boots. While that’s a big part of it, there’s a lot more to keeping people safe on the job, especially when dealing with hidden dangers like chemical and biological hazards. In Alberta, the rules for this are laid out in Part 4 of the Alberta OHS Code. This guide will help employers and workers understand what’s required and how to make sure everyone goes home safe at the end of the day.
What Is the Alberta OHS Code?
The Alberta OHS Code is a set of regulations that work alongside the Occupational Health and Safety Act to keep workplaces safe across the province. Think of the Act as the big-picture law and the Code as the detailed instructions on how to meet those laws. It’s broken down into many parts, each one focusing on a different aspect of workplace safety, from fall protection to machine guarding. Part 4 is dedicated to the proper management of chemical hazards in the Alberta workplace and biological hazards in Alberta, ensuring that workers are protected from harmful substances.
Understanding Harmful Substances
In the OHS Code, a “harmful substance” is anything that could create a danger to a worker’s health. This includes both chemical and biological hazards.
- Chemical Hazards: These are substances like solvents, cleaning products, paints, and gases. They can be dangerous if you breathe them in, they get on your skin, or you accidentally swallow them. The risk depends on the substance itself, how much of it you’re exposed to, and for how long.
- Biological Hazards: These are living organisms or their by-products that can harm a person’s health. Examples include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and mold.
They can be found in places like healthcare settings, labs, or even in contaminated water or soil at a job site.
The purpose of Part 4 is to make sure that exposure to these substances is kept as low as possible and never goes over what are called Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs). An OEL is the maximum concentration of a substance in the air that a worker can be exposed to without negative health effects.
Key Employer Responsibilities
As an employer, you have a legal duty to protect your workers from these hazards. Part 4 of the OHS Code outlines several key requirements you must follow for workplace safety regulations in Alberta:
- Hazard Assessment: You must identify all harmful substances in your workplace. This isn’t just about what you buy; it’s also about what might be created during a work process, like dust from cutting materials. You also need to assess the risk each substance poses to your workers.
- Control Measures: Once you’ve identified the hazards, you must put controls in place to minimize worker exposure. There’s a hierarchy of controls that you should follow, from most effective to least:
- Elimination: Completely remove the substance. If you don’t need it, don’t use it.
- Substitution: Replace a harmful substance with a less harmful one. For instance, using a water-based paint instead of an oil-based one.
- Engineering Controls: Change the work environment to reduce exposure. This could involve installing improved ventilation systems or constructing an enclosure around the process to contain fumes.
- Administrative Controls: Change how people work. This includes things like having specific work procedures, providing training, and limiting the time a worker spends in a hazardous area.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): This is the last line of defense. It includes items like respirators, gloves, and protective suits. You must provide the right PPE and ensure workers are trained on how to use it properly.
- Training and Information: You have to make sure your workers are fully informed and trained. They need to know what harmful substances they might be exposed to, the health risks involved, and the procedures for working with them safely. This is where the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) comes in. Workers need to be trained on WHMIS labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS), which provide detailed information on a product’s hazards and safe handling procedures.
- Storage and Handling: All harmful substances must be stored in a way that doesn’t create a hazard. This means they need to be in proper containers, clearly labelled, and stored away from incompatible materials that could react with them.
- Emergency Plans: You must have a plan for what to do if a spill or overexposure happens. This includes having emergency eyewash stations, showers, and a clear process for decontamination.
The Role of the Worker
While employers have the main responsibility, workers also have a crucial role to play in hazardous materials management in Alberta. Workers must:
- Take reasonable care to protect their own health and safety, and that of others.
- Follow all the procedures and safety rules set by the employer.
- Use all provided safety devices and PPE correctly.
- Report any unsafe conditions or hazards to their supervisor immediately.
The OHS Act also gives workers the Right to Know about the hazards they face, the Right to Participate in health and safety activities, and the Right to Refuse dangerous work.
Read More: The Health Impact of VOCs on Your Workforce
Staying Compliant and Safe
Complying with Part 4 of the Alberta OHS Code isn’t just about following the law; it’s about protecting people. A safe workplace is a productive workplace. By conducting thorough hazard assessments, putting in place effective controls, and providing excellent training, you create an environment where everyone understands the risks and knows how to prevent harm.
Regularly review your procedures, stay up-to-date with any changes to the OHS Code, and always encourage open communication about safety concerns. When everyone works together, you can effectively manage chemical and biological hazards and ensure a safe, healthy future for all Albertans on the job.
Looking for expert guidance on navigating Alberta’s OHS Code? Contact Ask Environmental’s Occupational Hygiene Experts today to ensure your workplace is compliant and your team is safe.