New Alberta Safety Reg's

New safety announcements were made today for workplaces in Alberta. If you haven't heard, here is where you can find more information from the 2009 OHS Code and a bulletin that compares the 2006 and 2009 editions of the Code. They can be found online at: http://employment.alberta.ca/whs-ohs

Employers have three months to phase in the changes - that's 90 days and counting.

In a nutshell, here's what it says:

The Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Code has been updated to keep workplace health and safety rules current and relevant. Alberta employers have until July 1 to comply with the updates.

The Occupational Health and Safety Council recommended changes to the code after extensive public consultation.

Updates to the OHS Code include the following:

• new requirements for lift calculations, tag lines and personnel baskets;
• health care requirements specific to patient/client/resident handling;
• new requirements for medical sharps;
• new concept of a ‘restricted’ space with less stringent requirements than a ‘confined’ space;
• requirements applicable to respiratory protection against airborne biohazardous material;
• mobile equipment requirements specifically for concrete pump trucks;
• new, specific safety factors for rigging components;
• occupational exposure limits revised for nearly 150 chemical substances; and
• updates to better reflect current mining practices.

As Larry The Cable Guy says, "Git 'er done."