HSAA has proposed comprehensive changes to Alberta's Occupational Health and Safety Code to address the unique challenges in the health care sector. HSAA's proposals include:

• New Ergonomics Requirements to prevent musculoskeletal injuries (MSI);
• Safe Patient/Client Handling requirements, including a requirement for employers to provide appropriate equipment to eliminate hazardous manual patient/client lifting and handling;
• Requirement for the use of the highest protective level of safety engineered sharps;
• A requirement to use the precautionary principle of using the highest level of personal protective equipment in the face of known or unknown biological hazard (infectious agent);
• A requirement that all health care workers be considered at risk of exposure to airborne infectious agents and all be fit tested for appropriate respiratory protective equipment.
  
  

2007-2008 Occupational Health and Safety Code Review

HSAA Proposal Letter
HSAA Proposal Document
OH&S Code Amendments 2007 - United Nurses of Alberta
Alberta Federation of Labour Submission
Alberta Workers' Health Centre - suggested changes to OH&S Code


The Occupational Health and Safety Act may only be changed by the Legislature. The Regulations may only be changed by Cabinet. (Government Ministers). The Occupational Health and Safety Code may be changed by the Minister Responsible for Workplace Health and Safety. Every two years the Alberta Government conducts a review of suggestions for changes to the Code.

• HSAA'S 2008 Code Review Recommendations
• Visit the Alberta Human Resources and Employment website to review current changes to the OH&S Code

Review of: Part 35 - Health Care and Industries with Biological Hazards

In April, 2004, for the first time a section was added to the Code which applies specifically to Health Care and Industries with Biological Hazards. This is Part 35 which prohibits the re-capping of waste needles. In 2005, HSAA participated on a review sub-committee to consider a proposal to change the prohibition against re-capping waste needles, to exclude Nuclear Medicine. After review, the working committee recommended there be no exceptions. The sub-committee's recommendation and the original proposal were sent for public comment. Read More.....

Occupational Exposure Levels Review

HSAA's Occupational Health and Safety Officer is currently participating on a Working Committee to review Occupational Exposure Levels under the OH&S Code. Open the link above if you wish to provide input. In-person submissions will be heard in September. Written and in-person submissions will be considered by the working committee in making their recommendations which will be posted on the Alberta Human Resources, Workplace Health and Safety website for further input as part of the public review process for 2007.