Regulatory
REGULATORY NEWS FOR WEEK OF MAY 20, 2019
Canadian Federal News
The proposed amendments would add four explosives precursor chemicals (calcium ammonium nitrate, hexamine, acetone, and aluminium powder) to the current regulated list of explosives precursor chemicals. As a result of the consultations, there is concurrence among key stakeholder groups that includes, but is not limited to, Fertilizer Canada, Responsible Distribution Canada, the Canadian Explosives Association, the Canadian Paint and Coatings Association, the Canadian Consumer Specialty Products Association and Amazon.
RDC members who are in good standing and have a valid Precursor Control Regulations Registration are exempted from the new amendments. A Memorandum of Understanding detailing the agreement between Natural Resources Canada and RDC will be officially signed at the upcoming Annual General Meeting on Wednesday June 5th at Saint John, NB.
This is to advise that the Transportation of Dangerous Goods by Rail Security Regulations were published in the Canada Gazette, Part II (May 15, 2019). Transport Canada is introducing these Regulations to enhance the security of the transportation of dangerous goods by rail in Canada. These Regulations apply to railway carriers and railway loaders that handle, offer for transport, or transport dangerous goods in a railway vehicle. In support of the Government’s overall mission to promote a safe, secure, efficient and environmentally responsible transportation system, these Regulations require railway carriers and railway loaders to proactively engage in security planning processes and manage security risks. The Regulations include six key requirements: namely, security awareness training; development of a security plan and risk assessment; security plan training; identification of a rail security coordinator; security inspection; and reporting potential threats and other security concerns. This approach was chosen to give the regulated entities the flexibility to adopt security practices that are tailored to their operations and proportionate to their risks.
Transport Canada added a considerable amount of updated Guides for all things ERAP. The committee was quite impressed as there was a clear answer to any question RDC had. In addition, there is an updated ERAP calculator to help determine if not only a substance, but also a shipment is ERAPable.
The revised fees enable Health Canada to continue to deliver its regulatory services in order to meet the needs of Canadians and the healthcare system, and to remain competitive with other international regulators. The fee schedule has been delayed one year and will come into force on April 1st, 2020.
Certain methylenediphenyl diisocyanate and diamine (MDI/MDA) substances are among those identified as priorities for action for the second phase of the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP).
Health Canada’s Food Directorate completed a detailed safety assessment of a food additive submission seeking approval for the use of Steviol glycosides from Saccharomyces cerevisiae CD15380 and CD15407 in a variety of foods. As no safety concerns were raised through Health Canada’s assessment, the Department has enabled the use of Steviol Glycosides from Saccharomyces cerevisiae CD15380 and CD15407 described in the information document by updating the List of Permitted Sweeteners, effective May 15, 2019.
Health Canada’s Food Directorate completed a detailed safety assessment of a food additive submission seeking approval for the use of L-lysine monohydrochloride in certain processed snack foods to inhibit acrylamide formation during their manufacture. The results of Health Canada’s evaluation of available scientific data support the safety and efficacy of L-lysine monohydrochloride GT2 for its requested uses. Therefore, Health Canada intends to modify the List of Permitted Additives with Other Accepted Uses as described in the information document.
Canadian Provincial News
Earlier this month, a hotel worker in Victoria was assaulted, tied up, and robbed in the early hours of the morning. This disturbing event is an example of the risks of working alone. WorkSafeBC is reminding employers that you are responsible for the health and safety of your workers, including having a system in place to ensure your workers are safe when they are working alone.
If you’re an employer, you must identify and eliminate, or if that is not possible minimize, hazards to anyone who is working alone. As part of this, you’re required to develop working alone policies and procedures, including a system to check the well-being of workers at predetermined intervals.
Your obligations related to working alone and preventing workplace violence are detailed in the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, under section 4.20.1, Working Alone or in Isolation and section 4.27, Violence in the Workplace.
The Workplace Safety and Health Branch has recently dealt with a serious workplace incident involving a product containing the chemical methylene chloride (CAS 75-09-2). Also called dichloromethane (DCM), this chemical is sometimes contained in paint strippers commonly used in furniture and bathtub refinishing and is sold over the counter as a consumer product in retail stores.
Products with DCM when used in small poorly ventilated settings is extremely hazardous, rapidly reaching a dangerous airborne concentration that could lead to asphyxiation.
Employers should consider alternatives for products that include DCM due to the risk posed to the worker’s health. If using, it is important to implement feasible engineering controls and provide a supplied air respirator where engineering controls are not feasible or are ineffective.
The Ontario Government is exploring new ways to improve traffic flow and safety on provincial highways by introducing three speed limit pilots on select highways. At the same time, Ontario’s Government for the people will launch province-wide consultations on how to safely increase highway speeds to align with other provinces, and how people currently drive.
US News
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) today announced that it is seeking public comment on a potential pilot program that would allow drivers ages 18-20 to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce.
Today’s action requests comments on a second pilot program to allow non-military drivers ages 18-20 to operate CMVs in interstate commerce. FMCSA requests comments on the training, qualifications, driving limitations, and vehicle safety systems that FMCSA should consider in developing options or approaches for a second pilot program for younger drivers.
International News
There is now a new Australian industrial chemicals law — the Industrial Chemicals Act 2019. This law creates a new regulatory scheme for the importation and manufacture of industrial chemicals in Australia (to replace NICNAS) from 1 July 2020.
The ban on the use of new animal test data for ingredients solely used in cosmetics will also begin on 1 July 2020.
The first report of the Integrated Regulatory Strategy presents a mapping of the universe of registered substances that are on the EU market. This information helps authorities to identify, plan and monitor the progress on identifying and regulating substances of concern.
By 2027, European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) aims to have full clarity on all registered substances to improve chemicals safety in Europe. ECHA’s annual Integrated Regulatory Strategy report describes how authorities are prioritizing substances of concern. It looks at the status of substances and whether they need further hazard data to be generated by registrants or further regulatory risk management actions from authorities.
ECHA has released a new portal that allows companies to prepare and submit information on hazardous mixtures that can be used by poison centres.
Other Relevant Information
Safety Share
Lyme disease is a serious infection that comes from being bitten by an infected blacklegged tick. You can find an infected tick almost anywhere in wooded areas or areas with tall grasses and bushes (including city gardens and parks). You can protect yourself by:
- Wearing light-coloured long-sleeved shirts, closed-toed shoes, and long pants tucked into your socks.
- Using an insect repellent with “DEET” or “icaridin” in it, which is effective and can be used safely when applied as directed.
- Checking yourself, your children, and your pets after being outdoors and removing any ticks promptly.
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