Extreme heat and extreme heat events are becoming more severe and more frequent as the climate crisis evolves. Across Ontario, workers across industries are exposed to extreme heat in their workplaces and these exposures threaten their health and their lives.
Urgent action is needed to protect Ontario’s workers and keep workplaces safe. CELA is encouraged by a private member’s bill, Bill 222, An Act to protect workers from heat stress, that recently had its first reading on November 7, 2024.
If passed, the Bill would set the framework for the protection of these workers throughout every workplace in Ontario. The Bill amends the Occupational Health and Safety Act to add a new part which would require the Minister of Health to develop and implement a Worker Heat Protection Standard and sets out requirements for that standard. The Bill also imposes certain obligations on all employers to protect their workers from heat stress.
Notably, the requirements of the Worker Heat Protection Standard would include
Requirements to eliminate hazardous levels of heat stress through engineering controls, such as isolating or shielding employees from sources of heat, exhaust ventilation, insulation of hot surfaces or climate-control technologies, as well as technology based standards that encourage the development of such control.
Requirements to limit exposure to hazardous levels of heat stress by using the hierarchy of controls, which may include the adjustment of work procedures, work schedules or other work practices.
Requirements to provide, at the employer’s expense, breaks and personal protective equipment such as water-cooled garments, air-cooled garments, heat-reflective clothing and cooling vests.
Requirements for every employer to develop and implement, in consultation with and considering any recommendation of any health and safety representative or committee, a Heat Stress and Protection Policy and Program and to review the policy and program as often as necessary and no less than once every 12 months.
Requirements for every employer to conduct a heat stress assessment as often as necessary and no less often than the prescribed frequency, if any, to determine if a worker is or may be exposed to thermal conditions likely to cause heat stress.
Requirements for every employer to provide the health and safety representative or committee with the results of every heat stress assessment.
Requirements for every employer to provide workers with access to cool drinking water or an adequate alternative hydrating fluid close to every work area.
Bill 222, an Act to protect workers from heat stress, seeks to protect workers across Ontario. We urge all parties to support the bill and take action to protect Ontarians from the impacts of extreme heat in the workplace.a
Source
Bill 222, An Act to protect workers from heat stress, 1st Sess, 43rd Leg, Ontario, 2024 (first reading 7 November 2024).
Blog: Workplace Heat Protection – Bill 222 Aims to Keep Workers Safe from Extreme Heat
Blog by Julie Lopez, Articling Student at CELA
Extreme heat and extreme heat events are becoming more severe and more frequent as the climate crisis evolves. Across Ontario, workers across industries are exposed to extreme heat in their workplaces and these exposures threaten their health and their lives.
Urgent action is needed to protect Ontario’s workers and keep workplaces safe. CELA is encouraged by a private member’s bill, Bill 222, An Act to protect workers from heat stress, that recently had its first reading on November 7, 2024.
If passed, the Bill would set the framework for the protection of these workers throughout every workplace in Ontario. The Bill amends the Occupational Health and Safety Act to add a new part which would require the Minister of Health to develop and implement a Worker Heat Protection Standard and sets out requirements for that standard. The Bill also imposes certain obligations on all employers to protect their workers from heat stress.
Notably, the requirements of the Worker Heat Protection Standard would include
Bill 222, an Act to protect workers from heat stress, seeks to protect workers across Ontario. We urge all parties to support the bill and take action to protect Ontarians from the impacts of extreme heat in the workplace.a
Source
Bill 222, An Act to protect workers from heat stress, 1st Sess, 43rd Leg, Ontario, 2024 (first reading 7 November 2024).
Image courtesy of ©zhangxiaomin via Canva.com
Share: