Exposure Control Plans (ECPs) are required by law under both the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code and WorkSafeBC OHS Regulation (Part 5 and Part 6) for workplaces where workers may be exposed to hazardous or designated substances.
Western Health & Safety’s Certified Industrial Hygienists (CIHs) develop defensible, site-specific Exposure Control Plans that meet all regulatory requirements and align with industry best practices.
Western Health & Safety’s Certified Industrial Hygienists (CIHs) develop defensible, site-specific Exposure Control Plans that meet all regulatory requirements and align with industry best practices.
What Is an Exposure Control Plan (ECP)?
An Exposure Control Plan outlines how a workplace will identify, assess, and control worker exposure to hazardous substances. It’s a written document that describes exposure limits, engineering controls, administrative procedures, training, air monitoring, and documentation requirements. ECPs are essential for ensuring regulatory compliance, preventing occupational disease, and protecting worker health in industrial, construction, and laboratory environments.
Each WHS Exposure Control Plan includes:
Each WHS Exposure Control Plan includes:
- Hazard identification and risk assessment
- Exposure monitoring results (air sampling, dosimetry, biological monitoring)
- Control hierarchy: engineering, administrative, and PPE
- Worker and supervisor training documentation
- Exposure action levels and OHS code thresholds
- Review and update procedures
Common Exposure Control Plans Required Under Alberta OHS Code
Under Schedule 1, Table 1 of Alberta’s OHS Code, the following substances and processes require a written Code of Practice — equivalent to an Exposure Control Plan (ECP). WHS develops customized, compliant ECPs for all listed substances, ensuring documentation and sampling are defensible under inspection or audit.
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Designated Substance or Process
Arsenic and arsenic compounds Asbestos Benzene Beryllium 1,3-Butadiene Cadmium Coal tar pitch volatiles 1,2-Dibromoethane Ethylene oxide Hydrazines Hydrogen sulphide Isocyanates Lead and lead compounds Methyl bromide Perchlorates Silica (crystalline, respirable) Styrene (resin fabrication) Vinyl chloride Zinc chromate |
Common Sources or Activities
Smelting, chemical production Demolition, renovation, maintenance work Petroleum refining, laboratory work Aerospace, machining Rubber and plastics manufacturing Welding, electroplating Roofing, foundries Fumigation, labs Sterilization, pharmaceuticals Aerospace, labs Oil and gas operations Spray foam, paints, coatings Battery, welding, demolition, removal of lead based paint Fumigation Explosives, laboratories Concrete cutting, sandblasting Fiberglass, composites, various epoxies PVC production Coatings, corrosion control |
Note: Employers working with these materials must implement a written ECP outlining safe work procedures, exposure monitoring, and control measures. WHS CIHs provide complete plan development and validation.
Common Exposure Control Plans Required in British Columbia
WorkSafeBC OHS Regulation Part 6: Substance-Specific Requirements and Section 5.54 - Exposure Control Plan, outlines when an employer must develop an Exposure Control Plan. WHS provides compliant documentation and sampling programs across BC.
Examples include:
Examples include:
- Welding Fume ECP
- Lead ECP
- Asbestos ECP
- Silica Dust ECP
- Isocyanates ECP
- Wood Dust ECP
- Heat Stress ECP
Why Choose Western Health & Safety
- Plans developed and signed by Certified Industrial Hygienists (CIHs)
- Over 25 years of industrial hygiene and compliance experience
- Defensible documentation for inspections, audits, or litigation
- Available across Alberta, British Columbia, and Western Canada
- Trusted by industry leaders in construction, energy, and manufacturing
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who can prepare an Exposure Control Plan (ECP)?
Under Alberta’s OHS Code and WorkSafeBC’s OH&S regulations, an Exposure Control Plan must be prepared or reviewed by a competent professional. WHS Certified Industrial Hygienists (CIHs) develop defensible, compliant ECPs that meet both regulatory and technical standards.
Does my workplace need an Exposure Control Plan?
If workers may be exposed to a designated or regulated substance—such as welding fumes, silica dust, isocyanates, or lead—an ECP is required by law. WHS can evaluate your site and determine which specific plans are necessary for compliance with Alberta OHS or WorkSafeBC requirements.
How often should an Exposure Control Plan be reviewed or updated
Exposure Control Plans should be reviewed annually, or sooner if new substances, work processes, or control measures are introduced. WHS provides periodic review services and integrates updated sampling data into existing plans to ensure continuous compliance.
Can WHS update or audit an existing ECP?
Yes. Our Certified Industrial Hygienists can review existing plans for regulatory alignment, validate exposure data, and recommend improvements to ensure compliance with the latest OHS Code and WorkSafeBC standards.
Yes. WHS integrates workplace air monitoring and exposure sampling results directly into each plan, ensuring documentation is accurate, evidence-based, and defensible during inspections or audits.
Answer to question 4
How long does it take to develop an Exposure Control Plan?
Most Exposure Control Plans can be completed within one to three weeks, depending on the complexity of the process and the substances involved. Projects requiring air sampling or laboratory analysis may take slightly longer to ensure accuracy and regulatory defensibility.
Do I need to Do Air Sampling for an Exposure Control PLan?
Air sampling is often an important step when developing an Exposure Control Plan (ECP), but the requirement depends on the level of risk, type of substance, and specific work activities. Under WorkSafeBC Regulation Section 5.54, an employer must have an Exposure Control Plan when:
In some cases, employers may use historical data, modelling, or conservative (worst-case) assumptions in place of air sampling — but only if the rationale is clearly documented and defensible.
Key Takeaways:
- Exposure monitoring indicates workers may be exposed to more than 50% of an Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL)
- Exposure cannot be reliably measured at 50% of the OEL
- A regulation specifically mandates an ECP (e.g., silica, lead, asbestos, isocyanates)
In some cases, employers may use historical data, modelling, or conservative (worst-case) assumptions in place of air sampling — but only if the rationale is clearly documented and defensible.
Key Takeaways:
- If there’s a reasonable likelihood of airborne exposure, air sampling should be completed to assess the risk.
- If sampling is not feasible, the ECP must still be based on a documented risk assessment, following OHS Guideline G5.54-1.
- For high-risk substances such as respirable crystalline silica, welding fumes, or epoxy isocyanates, sampling is strongly recommended and often expected by regulators.
Can WHS assist with worker training as part of the ECP
Yes. WHS provides training on implementing Exposure Control Plans, including safe work procedures, respirator use, and hazard communication.
Can ChatGPT or AI create an Exposure Control Plan (ECP)
AI tools like ChatGPT can assist with writing outlines, formatting, or generating general information about Exposure Control Plans — but they cannot create a compliant or legally defensible ECP on their own.
In Alberta and British Columbia, an ECP must be prepared or reviewed by a competent professional, such as a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), who can evaluate actual workplace conditions, exposure data, and applicable regulations. AI systems do not:
In short: AI can help format an ECP — but only a Certified Industrial Hygienist can make it valid.
In Alberta and British Columbia, an ECP must be prepared or reviewed by a competent professional, such as a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), who can evaluate actual workplace conditions, exposure data, and applicable regulations. AI systems do not:
- Conduct exposure monitoring or interpret sampling data
- Apply professional judgment on control effectiveness
- Certify compliance under OHS legislation
- Assume liability for regulatory accuracy
In short: AI can help format an ECP — but only a Certified Industrial Hygienist can make it valid.
updated October 2025