In Alberta, Part 4 of Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Code requires an employer to have a written code of practice for the procedures to be followed when substances listed in Table 1, Schedule 1 are present in specified amounts at the work site. In BC they use the term Exposure Control Plan. They are required by WorkSafeBC under section 5.54 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. Both Code of Practices and Exposure Control are written documents that describe a company’s plan for managing a health hazard in the workplace.
Developing an exposure control plan is an important step in ensuring the safety of employees and others in the workplace. Here are some key points our Certified Occupational Hygienist can include in your Code of Practice or Exposure Control plan:
Developing an exposure control plan is an important step in ensuring the safety of employees and others in the workplace. Here are some key points our Certified Occupational Hygienist can include in your Code of Practice or Exposure Control plan:
- Introduction: Exposure control plans are designed to minimize the risk of exposure to hazardous substances or biological agents, and that they are a requirement under certain regulations, such as WorkSafeBC Asbestos, Silica Lead and Designated Substance Regulation.
- Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment: WHS has a standardized process for identifying and assessing potential risks and hazards in the workplace. This could include evaluating the types of hazardous substances or biological agents that may be present, as well as the tasks and activities that could expose employees to these hazards.
- Control measures: WHS will review existing controls and can recommend additional controls to ensure worker exposure is kept to minimum. This could include engineering controls (e.g., ventilation systems), administrative controls (e.g., work practices), and personal protective equipment (e.g., gloves, respirators).
- Written Work Procedures: The purpose of safe work procedures is to provide clear, step-by-step instructions for performing work activities in a safe and efficient manner. Safe work procedures help to ensure that employees are aware of the potential hazards associated with their work and are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform their job duties safely.
- Education and Training: Discuss the importance of training employees on the hazards they may encounter in the workplace, as well as the control measures that are in place to protect them. You could also provide information on how often training will be conducted and what topics it will cover.
- Emergency Response and First Aid protcols
- Health Monitoring: The purpose of health monitoring is to assess and track the health status of workers who are exposed to occupational hazards or risks that could potentially affect their health. This includes monitoring workers' physical health, as well as their psychological well-being, in order to identify any changes or trends that could indicate adverse health effects related to workplace exposures.
- Annual Review and updates: Regular review and update the exposure control plan to ensure that it remains effective and up-to-date with current regulations and best practices.