jswizzle3737/ontario_laws_and_regs huggingface dataset:
1. In this Regulation, “joint health and safety committee” includes a joint health and safety committee established under section 9 of the Act, a committee of like nature and the workers or their representatives who participate in an arrangement, program or system conforming to subsection 9 (4) of the Act; (“comité mixte sur la santé et la sécurité”) “respirable” means that size fraction of the airborne particulate deposited in the gas-exchange region of the respiratory tract and collected during air sampling with a particle size-selective device that, (a) meets the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) particle size-selective criteria, and (b) has the cut point of 4 microns at 50 per cent collective efficiency; (“respirable”) “silica” means crystalline silica in a respirable form. (“silice”) R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 1; O. Reg. 391/00, s. 1.
2. Silica is prescribed as a designated substance. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 2. (“silica”)
3. (1) Subject to subsection (3), this Regulation applies to every employer and worker at a workplace where silica is present, produced, processed, used, handled or stored and at which the worker is likely to inhale silica. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 3 (1). (2) Subject to subsection (3), an employer to whom this Regulation applies shall take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to ensure that every worker who is not an employee of the employer but who is working in the workplace of the employer and is exposed to silica and whose health is likely to be affected thereby is protected and the worker shall comply with the requirements of the employer. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 3 (2). (3) Subsection (2) and sections 4 to 17 of this Regulation do not apply to a constructor, to an employer who is carrying out a project, or to a worker working on or at a project. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 3 (3).
4. (1) Every employer shall take all necessary measures and procedures by means of engineering controls, work practices and hygiene practices and facilities to ensure that the time-weighted average exposure of a worker to silica is reduced to the lowest practical level and in any event shall not exceed (a) in the case of cristobalite, 0.05 milligrams silica per cubic metre of air by volume; and (b) in the case of quartz and tripoli, 0.10 milligrams silica per cubic metre of air by volume. O. Reg. 391/00, s. 2; O. Reg. 111/04, s. 1; O. Reg. 606/05, s. 1. (2) Subject to section 5, every employer shall comply with subsection (1) without requiring a worker to wear and use respiratory equipment. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 4 (2). (3) The time-weighted average exposure of a worker to airborne silica shall be calculated in accordance with the Schedule and the result of the calculation of the exposure may be certified by an inspector. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 4 (3). (4) Every worker shall work in compliance with the work practices and hygiene practices in accordance with the provisions of the silica control program. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 4 (4). (5) On a prosecution for a failure to comply with subsection (1), it shall be a defence for an employer to prove that the employer has complied with subsection (1) and that a breach of subsection (1) occurred solely because a worker failed to work in compliance with the work practices and hygiene practices in accordance with the provisions of the silica control program and the employer has taken every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to require the worker to do so. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 4 (5).
5. (1) Where the strict duty imposed by subsection 4 (1) cannot be complied with because, (a) an emergency exists; or (b) the measures and procedures necessary to control the exposure of a worker to airborne silica, (i) do not exist or are unavailable, (ii) are not reasonable or practical for the length of time or frequency of exposure or the nature of the process, operation or work, or (iii) are not effective because of a temporary breakdown of equipment, the employer shall provide a worker with respiratory equipment which shall be used by the worker. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 5 (1). (2) Subject to subsection (1), where a worker is exposed to airborne silica, the worker may request a respirator and the employer shall provide it. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 5 (2). (3) Where respiratory equipment is provided by an employer and used by a worker, the respiratory equipment shall, (a) be appropriate in the circumstances for the concentration of airborne silica; (b) meet or exceed the requirements set out in the Code for Respiratory Equipment for Silica dated June 30, 2000 and issued by the Ministry; and (c) be used in accordance with the requirements of the Code. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 5 (3); O. Reg. 391/00, s. 3. (4) The employer shall provide training and instruction to a worker in the proper care and use of respiratory equipment provided by the employer. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 5 (4).
6. (1) Every employer to whom this Regulation applies shall cause an assessment to be made in writing of the exposure or likelihood of exposure in a workplace of a worker to the inhalation of silica. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 6 (1). (2) In causing the assessment to be made, the employer shall consider and take into account such matters as, (a) the methods and procedures used or to be used in the processing, use, handling or storage of silica; (b) the extent and potential extent of the exposure of a worker to the inhalation of silica; and (c) the measures and procedures necessary to control such exposure by means of engineering controls, work practices and hygiene practices and facilities. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 6 (2). (3) In causing the assessment to be made, the employer shall consult thereon with the joint health and safety committee and the committee may make recommendations with respect to the assessment. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 6 (3). (4) A copy of the assessment made by an employer shall be given by the employer to each member of the joint health and safety committee. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 6 (4).
7. (1) Where the assessment discloses or would, if made in conformity with section 6, disclose that a worker is likely to inhale silica and that the health of the worker may be affected thereby, the employer shall develop, establish, put into effect and maintain measures and procedures to control the exposure of the worker to silica and shall incorporate the same into a silica control program. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 7 (1). (2) The silica control program shall include provisions for, (a) engineering controls, work practices and hygiene practices and facilities to control the exposure of a worker to silica; (b) methods and procedures to monitor the concentrations of airborne silica in the workplace and the exposure of a worker thereto; (c) personal records of the exposure of a worker to silica at the workplace, including the time-weighted average exposure of the worker and of the concentrations of silica and the times in which such concentrations were taken to be representative of the exposure of the worker and used in calculating the average exposure to be maintained by the employer; (d) medical examinations and clinical tests of a worker; (e) records of medical examinations and clinical tests of a worker to be maintained by a physician who has examined the worker or under whose direction the examination and tests have been performed; and (f) a training program for supervisors and workers on the health effects of silica and the measures and procedures required under the silica control program. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 7 (2). (3) In developing the measures and procedures mentioned in subsection (1) and the silica control program, the employer shall consult with the joint health and safety committee and the committee may make recommendations with respect to the same. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 7 (3).
8. (1) Where engineering controls come into existence through the development of knowledge and technology and would, if adopted and implemented by an employer, reduce the exposure of a worker to or below the time-weighted average exposure limit prescribed by this Regulation, the employer shall adopt and implement the engineering controls where it is reasonable or practical so to do. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 8 (1). (2) Where a change is made in a process involving silica, in mining or in the methods and procedures in the use, handling or storage of silica and the change could result in a significant difference in the exposure of a worker to the inhalation of silica, the employer shall cause a further assessment to be made forthwith and the provisions of sections 6 and 7 apply to the further assessment. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 8 (2).
9. (1) Where disputes arise between an employer and a joint health and safety committee as to an assessment required under section 6 or 8 or as to the measures and procedures mentioned in subsection 7 (1) or the silica control program or its provisions required under section 7 or 8, the employer, a member of the joint health and safety committee or the committee may notify an inspector thereof who shall investigate and give a decision in writing to the employer, the member or the committee. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 9 (1). (2) Nothing in subsection (1) applies so as to affect the power of an inspector to issue an order for a contravention of this Regulation. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 9 (2).
10. (1) A copy of the silica control program put into effect by the employer shall be given by the employer to each member of the joint health and safety committee and the employer shall acquaint every worker affected by the silica control program with its provisions. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 10 (1). (2) A copy of the silica control program put into effect by the employer shall be made available by the employer in English and in the majority language of the workplace. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 10 (2).
11.The procedures for monitoring, sampling and determining the concentrations of airborne silica in the atmosphere of a workplace and a worker’s exposure to airborne silica shall be in accordance with standard methods for workplace air sampling and analysis. O. Reg. 391/00, s. 4
12. The results of monitoring the concentrations of airborne silica in the workplace and the exposure of a worker thereto as provided by the silica control program shall be, (a) posted forthwith by the employer, as soon as the results are available, in a conspicuous place or places at the workplace where they are most likely to come to the attention of the workers affected thereby, for a period of at least fourteen days; (b) furnished to the joint health and safety committee; and (c) kept by the employer for a period of at least five years. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 12.
13. (1) A worker shall, at the expense of the employer, undergo the medical examinations and clinical tests required under the silica control program. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 13 (1). (2) The medical examinations and clinical tests required under the silica control program shall make provisions for, (a) pre-employment and pre-placement medical examinations to include, (i) a medical history, (ii) a physical examination, and (iii) clinical tests including chest x-rays and pulmonary function tests as required by the examining physician; and (b) periodic medical examinations and clinical tests consisting of the items prescribed by clause (a). R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 13 (2). (3) The medical history, physical examination and clinical tests shall meet the provisions of the Code for Medical Surveillance of Silica Exposed Workers dated the 17th day of October, 1983, and issued by the Ministry. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 13 (3).
14. (1) The records of the exposures of each worker to airborne silica at the workplace to be maintained as provided by the silica control program shall identify the worker, including the worker’s date of birth, the worker’s jobs or occupations at the workplace, the results of monitoring for exposure to airborne silica in the worker’s work area and the use by the worker of respiratory equipment and its type. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 14 (1). (2) The employer shall provide a copy of the records of the exposures of the worker to airborne silica as provided by the silica control program to the physician who examines the worker and under whose supervision the clinical tests of the worker are performed. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 14 (2).
15. (1) The records of medical examinations and clinical tests of a worker obtained and made under this Regulation and of the exposures of the worker to airborne silica furnished by the employer under subsection 14 (2) shall be kept in a secure place by the physician who has conducted the examinations and tests or under whose supervision the examinations and tests have been made the longer of, (a) the period of forty years from the time such records were first made; (b) the period of twenty years from the time the last of such records were made. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 15 (1). (2) Where the physician is no longer able or willing to keep the records, the records shall be forwarded to the Provincial Physician, Ministry of Labour, or to a physician designated by the Provincial Physician and the provisions of subsection (1) shall, with necessary modifications, apply thereto. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 15 (2); O. Reg. 521/92, s. 1.
16. (1) The physician conducting the physical examination or clinical tests or under whose supervision the examination or tests are made shall advise the employer, who shall act thereon, and the worker whether the worker is fit or because of a condition resulting from exposure to silica is fit with limitations or unfit, for work in silica exposure without giving or disclosing to the employer the records or results of the examination or tests, and in advising that the worker is fit with limitations or unfit, the physician shall be governed by the provisions of the Code for Medical Surveillance of Silica Exposed Workers referred to in subsection 13 (3). R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 16 (1). (2) Where a worker is removed from exposure to silica because a physical examination or clinical test discloses that the worker may have or has a condition resulting from exposure to silica and suffers a loss of earnings occasioned thereby, the worker is entitled to compensation for the loss in the manner and to the extent provided by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 16 (2); O. Reg. 111/04, s. 2. (3) Upon advising the employer and the worker that a worker, because of a condition resulting from exposure to silica, is fit with limitations or unfit for work in silica exposure, the physician shall advise in writing upon a confidential basis the joint health and safety committee thereof and in giving such advice shall indicate his or her opinion as to the interpretation to be placed thereon. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 16 (3). (4) Copies of the exposure records and the records and results of physical examinations and clinical tests of a worker shall be given by the physician conducting the examinations or tests, (a) to the worker or his or her physician upon the request in writing of the worker; and (b) in the case of a deceased worker, to the next of kin or personal representative of the worker, upon the request in writing of such next of kin or personal representative, and any authorization of another person by the worker or his or her next of kin or personal representative is of no effect. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 16 (4). (5) Where the physician advises the employer that a worker, because of a condition resulting from exposure to silica, is fit with limitations or is unfit for work in silica exposure, the physician shall forthwith communicate such advice to the Provincial Physician, Ministry of Labour. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 16 (5); O.Reg. 521/92, s. 2.
17. For the purposes of this Regulation, the methods and procedures that may be used or adopted may vary from the Codes issued by the Ministry if the protection afforded thereby or the factors of accuracy and precision used or adopted are equal to or exceed the protection or the factors of accuracy and precision in the Codes issued by the Ministry. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, s. 17. SCHEDULE The time-weighted average exposure of a worker to airborne silica shall be calculated for a forty-hour week and an eight-hour day as follows: 1. The average concentrations of silica to which a worker is exposed shall be determined from analyses of air samples representative of the exposure of the worker to silica during work operations in accordance with standard methods for workplace air sampling and analysis. 2. The results of the analyses are the concentrations expressed as milligrams silica per cubic metre of air. 3. The concentrations shall be multiplied by the time in hours to which the worker is taken to be exposed to such concentrations. 4. The weekly exposure shall be calculated as follows: C1T1 + C2T2 + ... + CnTn = cumulative weekly exposure where, C1 is the concentration found in an air sample, and T1 is the total time in hours to which the worker is taken to be exposed to concentration C1 in a week. 5. The weekly time-weighted average exposure shall be calculated by dividing the cumulative weekly exposure by 40. 6. The daily exposure shall be calculated as follows: C1T1 + C2T2 + ... + CnTn = cumulative daily exposure where, C1 is the concentration found in an air sample, and T1 is the total time in hours to which the worker is taken to be exposed to concentration C1 in a day. 7. The daily time-weighted average exposure shall be calculated by dividing the cumulative daily exposure by 8. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 845, Sched.; O. Reg. 391/00, s. 5. Français