Summary of Alberta OHS Regulation and Code

Occupational Health and Safety Code:

In November, 2003, the Occupational Health and Safety Code (OHS Code) was released.  This Occupational Health and Safety Code set standards to protect and promote the health and safety of workers throughout the province of Alberta.  They describe the rights and responsibilities of employers, workers and others who may be involved in activities at the workplace.

There are 2 specific sections of these new regulations and code that pertain to the issue of exposure to bloodborne pathogens as a result of accidental needlestick injuries.  They are as follows:

• Part 2 (Hazard Assessment, Elimination and Control) of these new regulations and code highlights the fact that employers must conduct a hazard assessment to identify all existing or potential hazards, including biological hazards within the workplace.  It then specifies that once a hazard has been identified an employer must take measures to:
  (a) eliminate the hazards or
  (b) control the hazard
  It further requires that engineering controls be used as the first step in eliminating, isolating or minimizing hazards.
• Part 35 (Health Care and Industries with Biological Hazards) requires employers to: (1) ensure that sharps containers are available and used; (2) ensure that workers do not recap waste needles; (3) ensure that all biological hazards are included in the hazard assessment; (4) establish written policies and procedures governing the storage, handling, use and disposal of biohazardous materials; (5) establish procedures that minimizes exposure to biohazardous materials and procedures for the post-exposure management of workers exposed to biohazardous materials.

Therefore, engineering controls (such as safety-engineered medical devices) are now required to eliminate or control exposure to biological hazards including bloodborne pathogens.  Engineering controls provide the highest degree of control because they eliminate or control the hazard at its source.  Engineering controls include safer medical devices used to prevent percutaneous injuries before, during or after use through safer design features.

These requirements became law effective April 2004.

Sources:
Occupational Health and Safety Code, 2-1 to 2-2, 35-1.
Explanation Guide, Occupational Health and Safety Code, 2-1 to 2-23, 35-1 to 35-11.

For more information on these new Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Regulations and Code, email us at firstin_safety@bd.com or contact us directly.