Occupational Health and Safety Act Amendment to Regulation 851 (Industrial Establishments)

Effective July 1, 2019, amendments to various provisions of Regulation 851 (Industrial Establishments) have been approved to help modernize workplace health and safety requirements.

These legislative changes will specifically increase flexibility in our industry in the following ways:

• The amendments allow the use of antidotes, flushing fluids or washes instead of eyewash fountains or emergency showers, where appropriate, to prevent permanent injury to the eyes or skin
• Sections 124 and 125 of the Regulation are revoked and the following substituted:

(1) Where a worker is required to work with, or is likely to be exposed to, a hazardous biological or chemical agent that could cause injury to the eye or skin, an employer shall provide as many of the following as are needed for adequate emergency treatment:

1. 1. Eye wash facilities.
   2. Emergency showers.
   3. Antidotes, flushing fluids or washes.

(2) The emergency equipment or treatments described in subsection (1) must,

1. be clearly marked with a sign or label;
2. be located or installed in a conspicuous place near where the hazardous biological or chemical agent is kept or used;
3. be readily accessible to workers; and
4. have instructions for its use displayed on the equipment or treatment or as near to it as is practical.

Contact Flochem for recommendations on eyewash fluids or safety shower requirements at your site.