Federal

• Labour Canada sets exposure limits based on temperature. Maximum levels which, if reached, require halting of operations and relocation or release of workers:
• Food preparation areas: 29ºC
• Materials Handling-operators compartments: 27ºC
• First aid rooms: 24ºC
• Treasury Board Guidelines sets exposure limits for office work based on Humidex: 26ºC - 41ºC Humidex; Stop work at 41ºC Humidex
• Emergency plans required in extreme environments
• Guideline recommends monitoring with American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) threshold limit values (TLVs) for physical agents
• Using engineering controls, safe work practices and training

(CCOHS “OSH Answers: Hot Environments - Control Measures” Sept 18, 2001)

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British Columbia

Regulations require:

• Complying with ACGIH TLVs and clothing correction provisions
• Heat stress assessment and an exposure control plan if exposure levels warrant
• Use of engineering controls to limit exposure, if “practicable”
• If not practicable, use of administrative controls and PPE; 5. Providing “adequate supply of cool potable water” near the site
• Removal by first aid attendant or doctor of workers who show signs or report symptoms of heat stress

(OHS Regulation, Part 7, Secs. 7.27-32) (more fully explained in Guidelines, Jan. 1, 2005.)

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Alberta

No regulations.

Guidelines recommend:

• Engineering and work controls
• Complying with ACGIH TLVs

(“Workplace Health and Safety Bulletin: Working in the Heat,” April 2004)

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Saskatchewan

Regulations require:

• Maintaining “reasonable thermal comfort” (accounting for air temperature, radiant temperature, humidity and air movement) at indoor workplaces
• Measure conditions at indoor workplaces where thermal environment “is likely to be a health or safety concern”
• At outdoor workplaces or indoor workplaces where it's “not reasonably practicable” to control thermal conditions, use administrative controls to ensure thermal comfort
• Require workers who aren't used to working in hot conditions to use PPE and appropriate clothing

(OHS Reg., Sec. 70).

Guidelines require:

• Offices and retail outlets to comply with thermal comfort guidelines of American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)

(Saskatchewan Labour, “Thermal Comfort in Offices and Retail Outlets” )

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Manitoba

No regulations.

Guidelines recommend:

• Complying with ACGIH TLVs
• Engineering controls to cool the workplace
• Use of administrative controls if engineering controls aren't feasible
• Or, if that's not feasible either, use of PPE
• Creation of a plan including procedures for acclimatization and educating workers

(“Guidelines for Work in Hot Environments,” Feb. 1998)

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Ontario

No regulations.

MOL guidelines require:

• Developing hot environment policies and procedures;

MOL guidelines recommend:

• Complying with ACGIH TLVs
• Use of engineering controls
• Use of administrative controls
• Use of PPE

(MOL Guidelines, “Heat Stress,” Aug. 12, 2005)

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Quebec

Regulations require:

• Workplaces of over 50 that meet or exceed continuous work curve must take Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) measures twice a year, including during summer at each work station meeting or exceeding curve
• Any workplace that exceeds curve must provide medical supervision, water between 10-15º ºC and one shower per 15 exposed workers
• Use of engineering controls including reflecting screens and ventilation
• If engineering controls don't get the heat down, use administrative controls such as control of work load, time of exposure and rest
• If neither engineering or administrative controls work, use of PPE materials

(OHS Regs., Div. XIII)

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New Brunswick

Regulations Require:

• Competent person must measure and record thermal conditions at “frequent intervals”
• JHSC access to findings
• Complying with ACGIH TLVs
• Instruction of exposed workers about risks of heat stress

(OHS Regulations, Secs. 22-23)

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Nova Scotia

Regulations Require:

• Complying with ACGIH TLVs

(Occupational Health Regs., Sec. 4(1))

Government bulletin suggests:

• Offices must meet thermal comfort standards set out in CSA Standard Z412-00 on Office Ergonomics

(NS Environment and Labour, Health and Safety, “Heat Stress,” July 1, 2002)

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Prince Edward Island

Regulations Require:

• Complying with ACGIH TLVs

Guidelines recommend:

• Use of engineering controls
• Use of administrative controls
• Use of PPE

(PEI Workers' Comp. Board, “Guide to Heat Stress,” Jan. 2003)

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Newfoundland/Labrador

Regulations Require:

• Complying with ACGIH TLVs
• Monitoring
• Administrative controls such as posting of warning notices, providing special equipment or clothing, medical supervision, cold drinks, acclimatization and limited work schedules with rest periods
• Shielding of open flames, steam pipes, and other high temperature sources to prevent burns or is that's not possible provision of PPE

(OHS Reg., Sec. 10)

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