Regulatory
REGULATORY NEWS FOR WEEK OF DECEMBER 16, 2020
These standards require that highway tanks be prevented from moving during loading and unloading of dangerous goods. This can be done using wheel chock blocks or using an integrated brake interlock system that activates the vehicle brakes. The choice provides highway tank operators with the flexibility to select the best method for their operations.
The general loading and unloading requirements for highway tanks transporting dangerous goods are found in Clause 7.1 of CSA B621-14 and Clause 5.1 of CSA B622-14.
A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy is Canada’s plan to build a better future. This plan builds on the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change. It continues down the path that Canadians, their governments, and businesses have been setting.
Minister Garneau launched the next phase of consultations on Transport Canada’s preliminary regulatory proposal to collect new data from class 1 freight railways, including enhanced service and performance information that would be made publicly available. The consultation period begins today and written comments on the proposal will be accepted until February 26, 2021.
Canada’s Chemicals Management Plan (CMP) program is sharing the following Risk Assessment Publications Plan to inform stakeholders of anticipated CMP publications in January to March 2021. Please note that the targeted publication dates are subject to change. The program anticipates sharing the Risk Assessment Publications Plan for April-June 2021 by spring 2021.
- Acetic acid FSARb
- Aliphatic Amines Group DSARa
- Benzophenone FSARb
- Benzotriazoles & Benzothiazoles Group DSARa
- Bioactivity Exposure Ratio SciADc
- Decenes Group DSARa
- Diazenedicarboxamide FSARb
- Methane, dimethoxy- FSARb
- Ethers Group DSARa
- Hexamethylenetetramines Group DSARa
- Monocyclic and Bicyclic Sesquiterpenes Group DSARa
- Piperazine DSARa
- Proteins Derivatives and Yeast Extract Group DSARa
- Thiophosphate Alkyl Esters Group DSARa
a Draft Screening Assessment Reports (DSAR) presenting information on health and ecological considerations and, where criteria under s. 64 are proposed to be met, Risk Management Scope documents.
b Final Screening Assessment Reports (FSAR) presenting information on health and ecological considerations, a table of responses to public comments received on the DSAR and, where criteria under s. 64 are met, Risk Management Approach documents.
c A Science Approach Document describes the approach and expected results for health considerations. Substances considered in Science Approach Documents will be included in future Screening Assessment Reports.
Note: Group names are not final and may change.
The final screening assessment for the Phenol-formaldehyde Resins Group has been published. It is concluded that these substances do not meet any of the criteria set out in section 64 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA).
As part of ongoing efforts to improve client service, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is making improvements to the intake method for clients who submit import declarations to the National Import Service Centre (NISC) via fax (i.e. paper declarations). As of December 14th, 2020, clients who are unable to send declarations via the Integrated Import Declaration (IID) will be able to use email submit paper declarations. The advantages of the email method over fax include faster receipt and processing time, and fewer rejections due to poor document quality.
Monitoring the levels of chemical and microbiological hazards in the food supply helps CFIA identify food safety hazards and develop risk management strategies to minimize potential risks to Canadians.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is working to identify and mitigate risks in the food supply chain so that Canadians are protected from food misrepresentation, which is a common form of food fraud.
Canada’s greatest resource is its people. Businesses and organizations benefit from having the right people, reflecting Canada’s full diversity, putting their talents to use. The leadership of corporate Canada and our major organizations should look like Canada—not simply because it’s fair but also because it makes good sense. Time and time again, research has shown that businesses and organizations that embrace diversity on their boards and management teams outperform their peers. Intuitively, a broader range of perspectives and talents results in better performance.
Under the Restoring Balance in Alberta’s Workplaces Act several Employment Standards provisions changed on November 1, 2020. These include:
- payment of earnings
- statements of earnings
- deductions
- averaging arrangements
- average daily wage
- youth employment
- administrative penalties
All Albertans, businesses, organizations and service providers must follow all new health measures. These restrictions will be in place for a minimum of four weeks.
Employers need to protect workers from the risks of using disinfectants as part of their response to COVID-19.
Our new WSPS Safety Connection events are hosted at various locations across the province and showcase timely topics in health and safety, such as Workplace Mental Health, Occupational Hygiene (Noise), Accreditation, Falls from Heights, the Future of Robotics, and many others.
U.S. and foreign human and animal food facilities that are required to register with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration must renew their registration this year before December 31.
As the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) marks its 50th anniversary, we also celebrate one of the cornerstone environmental laws– the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) – commonly known as Superfund. Enacted on December 11, 1980, Superfund authorized the nation’s signature land contamination cleanup program and has served as a model of environmental protection around the globe.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) proposes to eliminate the requirement that drivers operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce prepare and submit a list of their convictions for traffic violations to their employers annually. This requirement is largely duplicative of a separate provision that requires each motor carrier to make an annual inquiry to obtain the motor vehicle record (MVR) for each driver it employs from every State in which the driver holds or has held a CMV operator’s license or permit in the past year. Comments on this notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) and information collection must be received on or before February 12, 2021.
Member States have listed 58 substances for evaluation by EU Member States under the Community Rolling Action Plan (CoRAP) for 2021-2023. Eight are planned to be evaluated in 2021, while 50 are listed for evaluation in 2022 and 2023.
We will adopt and publish the CoRAP for 2021-2023 in March 2021 following the opinion of the Member State Committee. Registrants are encouraged to look at the draft list of substances planned for evaluation in 2021 and update their dossiers to include all relevant information before March 2021.
The PIC Circular is a key document in the implementation of the Rotterdam Convention, both for the operation of the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure and as a mechanism for the exchange of information on hazardous chemicals. It is published in June and December in English, French and Spanish.
The Plastic Waste Amendments will change the way plastic waste is internationally traded, bringing additional types of plastic waste into the existing control mechanism known as the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Procedure. Increased transparency, traceability, and sharing of information will make enforcement more effective, curbing the illegal dumping of plastic waste in countries lacking the capabilities for environmentally sound management. This new regime will also provide a powerful incentive for the private sector, governments and other stakeholders to strengthen capacities for recycling. Moreover, it will help create jobs and economic opportunities, not least by incentivizing innovation, such as in the design of alternatives to plastics and the phase-out of toxic additives.
Safety Share
December 10, 2020 – On the heels of last month’s well-attended Considerations for Warehouse Fire Safety webinar for contractors, installers, engineers, facility managers, and code officials, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has released a Warehouse Fire Safety Fact Sheet. The new resource provides warehouse fire statistics; identifies key benchmarks that are available for those responsible for warehouse safety; and summarizes best practices for keeping storage structures, contents and occupants safe from harm.
Winter-related slips, trips and falls have a significant impact on Alberta workplaces and workers each year. Encouraging employers, supervisors and workers to be extra vigilant could be the key to reducing these incidents.
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