IMPORTANT UPDATE: IntegralOrg will be taking down from its webiste this Occupational Health and Safety toolkit when a new Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act for Alberta takes effect on Dec. 1, 2021.

Although the definition of worker will still include “a person who performs or supplies services for no monetary compensation for an organization” the requirements to have health and safety committees and health and safety representatives will provide that only “regularly employed” workers need to be counted when determining these requirements.

However, all workers will still be included in the count requirements to have health and safety programs in place. Workers retain the same fundamental rights and protections under OHS legislation, which include the right to know of workplace hazards, the right to participate in health and safety matters and the right to refuse dangerous work, and remain protected from disciplinary action (formerly called discriminatory action) for acting in compliance with OHS legislation or an OHS order. For more information on the new OHS Act see:  https://open.alberta.ca/publications/changes-to-ohs-laws

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Did you know that OHS regulations apply to not only employees but to volunteers as well? IntegralOrg's OHS Toolkit provides an overview of the OHS Act and a series of templates to help your organization get on the right track. If you would like IntegralOrg to help your organization learn more about how to become compliant, please contact us.

There have been several recent updates to the OHS Act - these are briefly described below. The OHS Toolkit has been updated to reflect those changes which have come into law. 

IntegralOrg would like to acknowledge the Alberta Law Foundation for funding the OHS Toolkit.

PROPOSED CHANGES TO ALBERTA'S OHS ACT: 

Legislation affecting Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety Act, Bill 47, Ensuring Safety and Cutting Red Tape Act, was passed on December 9, 2020. However, the changes to the OHS Act come into force “upon proclamation.” Proclamations are made by the Governor in Council and are announced in the Alberta Gazette (the official newspaper of the Government of Alberta). T The Government of Alberta has indicated that the changes will take effect in “late 2021.” IntegralOrg will monitor the process of these changes and will revise the toolkit, as necessary. Until the new legislation comes into effect, the current requirements explained in this toolkit remain in force.    Government information about the proposed changes.  

COVID-19-UPDATE: 

Government of Alberta: The Government of Alberta has made available several resources including minimizing risk from respiratory viruses in the workplace, a resource portal,  guidance on masking requirements in the workplace  and a compilation of COVID-19 Publications by Industry. Additionally, the Government has published Workplace Guidance for Business Owners to support employers in safely reopening or continuing operations. Organizations are expected to develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

Government of Canada: The Government of Canada's Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has created a comprehensive set of COVID-19 Health and Safety Resources about how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. The resources include a general guide, numerous general and workplace-specific tip sheets, posters, infographics and publications. Workplaces can either download a specific resource or "create their own toolkit" by choosing resources that are relevant to their workplace.

UPDATES TO ACT: 2018, 2019, 2020: 

Occupational Health and Safety legislation in Alberta was overhauled in 2018 to bring it up to speed with the rest of Canada, setting new standards that all employers – including those in the nonprofit sector – must comply with.

In late 2019 and early 2020, additional updates to the OHS Act were implemented including:   

1. Changes to training requirements for Health and Safety Committees and Representatives – Part 1 online training has now been eliminated. 
2. Changes to requirements that certain employers must have a Health and Safety Committee or Representative at each and every work site.  Now, when work is expected to last 90 days or more, an employer must: 
   1. Establish a health and safety committee (if the employer has 20 or more workers.)
   2. Designate a health and safety representative (if the employer has 5 to 19 workers.)  

ADDITIONAL ALBERTA OHS RESOURCES: 

 Vehicles as work sites: OHS information for employers and workers  Published May 5, 2021

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