REA - EHS Headlines - Ontario

November 2004 - Ontario Edition

REA News: 2005 OH&S Training Calendar
The 2005 OH&S training calendar is now available. You’ll be pleased to note that we have expanded the roster of courses for the Ottawa region and added more Part 1 & 2 JHSC Certification training dates to help better service our clients. Please contact our office if you have any questions or would like to register for a course.

Proposed Amendments to Asbestos Reg. 838
The Ontario Ministry of Labour (MOL) has proposed amendments to the Regulation respecting Asbestos on Construction Projects and in Building and Repair Operations (Regulation 838). The proposed amendments, if adopted, would update safe work procedures and enhance respiratory protection for workers who may encounter asbestos in the course of their work on construction projects, and in demolition, repair, alteration and maintenance operations. Proposed amendments to Regulation 838 would:

• Provide construction and maintenance/repair workers with a comparable standard of protection as workers covered by the occupational exposure limit (OEL) prescribed in the Regulation respecting Asbestos (Regulation 837);
• Strengthen training requirements, by requiring asbestos abatement workers to complete a training program;
• Support the Ministry of Labour's efforts to reduce occupational disease in Ontario workplaces.

Regulation 838 applies to construction projects and to workers involved in maintenance and repair operations in industrial, commercial and institutional buildings that contain asbestos. It prescribes measures to control worker exposure to asbestos (e.g., enclosures, use of respirators) as well as safe work procedures (e.g., how to safely remove contaminated waste). For more information on the proposed changes, please visit the MOL website at http://www.gov.on.ca/LAB/english/hs/reg838/index.html. Should you wish to discuss how the proposed changes may affect your asbestos management program or if you require any assistance in handling asbestos related issues, please contact our office.

Proposed Amendments to Ontario Reg 833
The MOL is proposing amendments to Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) for hazardous substances to ensure workers are protected. Regulated under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, OELs restrict the amount and duration of workers' exposure to a variety of hazardous workplace substances. These amendments are based on stakeholder input on limits recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). The ACGIH is an internationally recognized body that provides updated recommendations that are adopted by many North American jurisdictions.

The government is proposing to make 63 limits more protective and add 26 new limits to ensure the highest level of protection for Ontario workers. For a list of these amendments, please visit http://www.gov.on.ca/LAB/english/hs/oels/index.html. For more information regarding these changes and the implications this may have on you health and safety programs please contact our office and speak with one of the staff occupational hygienists.

UPCOMING COURSES

Joint Health & Safety Committee Basic Certification:
Jan. 5 & 6, 2005 – Toronto
Jan. 12 & 13, 2005 – Ottawa
Jan. 26 & 27, 2005 – Hamilton
Feb. 9 & 10, 2005 – London

Joint Health & Safety Committee Part 2 Certification – Health Care:
Feb. 9 & 10, 2005 – Ottawa
Mar. 8 & 9, 2005 – London
Mar. 30 & 31, 2005 – Hamilton
Apr. 13 & 14, 2005 – Toronto

Joint Health & Safety Committee Part 2 Certification – Office:
Jan. 20, 2005 – Toronto
Feb. 17, 2005 – Ottawa
Feb. 24, 2005 – Hamilton
Mar. 10, 2005 – London

Joint Health & Safety Committee Part 2 Certification – Industrial:
Jan. 18 & 19, 2005 – Toronto
Mar. 1 & 2, 2005 – Hamilton
Mar. 30 & 31, 2005 – London
Apr. 6 & 7, 2005 – Ottawa

Contractor & Project Safety Management:
Jan. 5 & 6, 2005 – Ottawa
Feb. 8 & 9, 2005 – Toronto
Feb. 15 & 16, 2005 – Kingston

Environmental Protection Regulations in Ontario:
Feb. 24, 2005 – Toronto

Mould: Identification and Control in Facilities:
Feb. 15, 2005 – Toronto
May 26, 2005 – Ottawa

Machine & Process Safeguarding:
Feb. 23, 2005 – Toronto
Apr. 6, 2005 – Hamilton
Apr. 20, 2005 – Ottawa

OHS for Managers & Supervisors – the "Competent Person" Course:
Feb. 22 & 23, 2005 – Ottawa
Mar. 1 & 2, 2005 – Toronto
Mar. 8 & 9, 2005 – Kingston
Apr. 19 & 20, 2005 – Hamilton

Pre-Start Health & Safety Review:
Feb. 22, 2005 – Toronto
Apr. 5, 2005 – Hamilton
Apr. 19, 2005 – Ottawa

Infection Prevention in Health Care Construction and Maintenance:
Apr. 28, 2005 – Toronto
May 25, 2005 – Ottawa

Industrial Ergonomics for Safety and Performance:
Mar. 3, 2005 – Toronto
Apr. 21, 2005 – Ottawa

OHSAS 18001 – OHS Management System Awareness Course:
Apr. 5, 2005 – Toronto
May 5, 2005 – Toronto

OHSAS 18001 – OHS Management System Implementation Course:
Mar. 22- 24, 2005 – Toronto

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