Changes to the OHS Code

In December 2022 the Alberta Government announced upcoming changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Code (OHS Code). These changes, which take effect March 31, 2023, have been reviewed by Health, Safety and Environment for potential impacts to the University’s Health, Safety and Environment Management System (HSEMS) as well as to individual units.

What are the changes?

Most changes to the OHS Code are related to the following:

• Working in confined spaces
• First aid equipment, personnel and training
• Managing the control of hazardous energy
• Noise exposure

In addition to the above, there were also a number of miscellaneous changes to the OHS Code, including several which could affect university faculty and staff:

• Updates to definitions in The OHS Code. HSE is working on a list of safety definitions as part of the Culture of Care Initiative which will include the current definitions. In general, this section is for reference only.
• Multiple sections that were updated with the most recent CSA Standard (including those related to eye protection, headwear and footwear). If you conduct work that involves CSA Standards, you will need to review the OHS Code to ensure you are in compliance with the correct version of the standard. 

Resources

HSE has developed the following resources to support units that may be affected by these changes:

• OHS Code Changes 2023 (outlines general and miscellaneous changes)
• Part 5 - Confined Spaces
• Part 11 - First Aid
• Part 15 - Managing the Control of Hazardous Energy
• Part 16 - Noise Exposure

The new OHS Code will be available from the government website near the end of March 2023. In the meantime, if you wish to review specific changes, please review the following resources from Alberta OHS:

• Alberta Regulation 242/2022 which amends the AB OHS Code (full details)
• Change highlights: Miscellaneous amendments
• Change highlights: Part 11 First Aid
• Change highlights: Part 16 Noise

For more information about changes to the OHS Code, contact hse.info@ualberta.ca 

The University of Alberta is committed to the safety, health and well-being of our faculty, staff and students. Every day, we advance this commitment to safety through the Culture of Care.