Here is the ergonomics legislation from
Canada
The information here was collated from publicly available online sources by Ergo Global ergonomist, Fiona Tan. Some parts may have been edited for clarity or layout.
Canada (overall)
The Duties of
The Employer
The employer shall implement and monitor a program for the prevention of hazards, including ergonomics-related hazards, in the workplace that is appropriate to the size of the workplace and the nature of the hazards and that includes the following components:
- An implementation plan - To develop, monitor and review the implementation plan. The employer shall ensure that ergonomics-related hazards are identified and assessed and that they are eliminated or reduced, if feasible. Any person assigned to identify and assess ergonomics-related hazards has the necessary instructions and training.
- A hazard identification and assessment methodology - To develop a hazard identification and assessment methodology, including an identification and assessment methodology for ergonomics-related hazards.
- Hazard identification and assessment - To identify and assess the hazards in the workplace, including ergonomics-related hazards.
- Preventive measures - To take preventive measures to address the assessed hazards. Preventive maintenance program shall be developed and implemented by the employer and ensure that preventive measures shall not in itself create a hazard. The employer shall ensure any person assigned to implement ergonomics-related prevention measures has the necessary instruction and training.
- Employee training - To provide each employee with health and safety training, including training relating to ergonomics. Employer shall keep training records.
- Program evaluation - The employer shall evaluate the effectiveness of the hazard prevention program, including its ergonomics-related components, and, if necessary, revise it.
- Report - The employer shall keep program evaluation report for six years after the date of the report.
Ontario
The Duties of
The Employer
The following outlines the specific legal requirements under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.1 regarding the use of computers or mobile technology.
- To keep equipment in good condition - Under clause 25(1)(b), employers must make sure the equipment, materials and protective devices they provide are maintained in good condition
- To provide information, instruction and supervision - Under clause 25(2)(a), employers must provide workers with information, instruction and supervision to protect their health and safety.
- To communicate hazards - Under clause 25(2)(d), employers must make sure that workers or a person in authority over a worker (for example, supervisor or manager) are acquainted with the hazards in their work. This includes MSD hazards when working with computers or mobile technology.
- To take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances - Under clause 25(2)(h), employers must take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker, including from MSD hazards while working with computers or mobile technology.
Since Canada has a requirement to implement a Hazard prevention program (HPP), many of the employer duties above need to have a tie in with ergonomic matters as the HPP recognises all workplace hazards including ergonomic ones.
Quebec
The Duties of
The Employer
Division XX of the Québec OHS Regulation requires employers to do 6 things to manage workplace ergonomic hazards:
- To instruct workers assigned to handle loads or persons how to do their work safely.
- To put mechanical devices at workers’ disposal when the manual moving of loads or persons compromises the worker’s safety.
- To adapt the height of workbenches and the position of chairs to the work and the worker so as to ensure workers a correct posture and reduce their fatigue.
- To locate tools, handles and materials in positions that facilitate work and reduce strain.
- To put chairs or benches put at workers’ disposal when the nature of their work permits.
- To give workers a break of at least 30 minutes to eat a meal when the duration of the work exceeds 5 hours, with the break to begin in a 2-hour period situated in the middle of the worker’s work period, unless the sides agree otherwise.
Penalties
If willfully committing act likely to cause death or serious injury, one or both of…
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