REGULATORY NEWS FOR WEEK OF OCTOBER 22, 2019

• Hazardous occurrence investigations for federally-regulated work places

The purpose of a hazardous occurrence investigation is to find the root causes, address gaps, and prevent similar events from occurring. As a federal employer, you are required to investigate, record and report all accidents, occupational diseases and other hazardous occurrences, as part of the Canada Labour Code, Part II. You must also support committees and health and safety representatives during the investigative process.

• Draft binational strategy for Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) risk management review

Dec 1, 2019 to Jan 31, 20202019-12-012020-01-31 – Environment and Climate Change Canada

The federal government, through Environment and Climate Change Canada, is asking interested agencies, organizations and individuals to provide comments on the draft binational strategy for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) risk management. The strategy can be found under Annex 3 on binational.net. The feedback will be used to finalize this strategy as per Annex 3 of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.

• Cannabis one year later: focus on supervisors

Almost 12 months have passed since the federal government legalized the recreational use of cannabis. If your workplace is like most, you’ve updated your substance abuse policy and program to include “employee fitness for duty.” In this context, fit for duty means an employee is able to safely perform assigned duties without any limitations resulting from the use or after-effects of drugs, alcohol, and/or medications.

But creating a policy and program – and letting everyone in the workplace know about them – is not the same as ensuring compliance. This responsibility often falls to supervisors because they’re well positioned to notice or be informed of a possible problem.

• Alberta companies and directors facing environmental charges

Government has laid a total of 12 environmental charges against three companies and one director from each company related to offences in Calgary.

• Ontario launches red tape reduction webpage to hear directly from business

The Ontario government has launched a new website that will make it easier for businesses to help make the province open for business and open for jobs by inviting them to submit their ideas on modernizing regulations and reducing red tape.

• Ontario Safe at Work consultation paper now available for 2020-2021 compliance strategy

The ministry has posted a consultation paper on its occupational health and safety compliance strategy for 2020-2021. You are invited to share your feedback on the strategy. The paper contains questions for discussion. The deadline for submissions is October 31, 2019.

• OSHA seeks public comment on improving safety training

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today issued a Request for Information (RFI) to consider Online Outreach Training Program Consortiums, a new model to administer online classes for the Outreach Training Program.

• California proposes rulemaking for parachlorobenzotrifluoride PCBTF

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) proposes to adopt a Proposition 65 No Significant Risk Level (NSRL) of 23 micrograms per day for p-chloro-α,α,α-trifluorotoluene (PCBTF), by amending Title 27, California Code of Regulations, section 25705(b).

• International Maritime Organization (IMO) will be implementing Sulphur 2020 regulations

On January 1, 2020, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) will be implementing new regulations to reduce emissions from ocean shipping. To meet the new regulations shipping companies must either buy more expensive but cleaner fuel or install costly emission scrubbers. In either case, there are inflationary implications for ocean transportation and supply chains.

• New substance evaluation conclusion published for Methyl Vinyl Ether

A new substance evaluation conclusion document is now available on ECHA’s website for methyl vinyl ether (EC 203-475-4, CAS 107-25-5), added to the CoRAP list in 2018 and evaluated by Latvia.

• Europe introducing new REACH requirements for nanomaterials

By 1 January 2020, companies must provide more information on nanomaterials on the EU market under the REACH Regulation. ECHA encourages potential registrants to familiarise themselves with the new legal requirements and get ready.

Safety Share

• Safety blitz targets cause of top workplace injuries

Ministry of Labour inspectors will blitz workplaces in an effort to prevent Ontario’s top workplace injury. Musculoskeletal injuries result from repetitive work, heavy lifting and carrying, and awkward postures that affect people’s bones, joints, ligaments and other soft tissues.