July 28, 2020
- Adoption of the agenda
The agenda was adopted. - Presentation: Guidelines for Canadian drinking water for lead
France Lemieux, Manager, Regulatory Policy and Risk Management, Health Canada provided an overview on lead and potable water by explaining the efforts undertaken by Health Canada to address this issue, health effects, guidelines for lead, factors affecting lead release, sampling considerations, monitoring and strategies to reduce lead.
F. Lemieux mentioned that Health Canada published in 2013 the Final Human Health State of the Science Report on Lead. In this Report, Health Canada has consolidated its assessment of the current science on lead. It was concluded in this report that there is no evidence of a threshold for critical lead-induced health effect and that additional measures to further reduce exposures of lead to Canadians are warranted. Along with this Report, Health Canada also published in 2013 the federal Risk Management Strategy for Lead which proposed measures to reduce risks associated with exposure to lead.
F. Lemieux indicated that lead exposure is associated with many health effects. The strongest evidence for a causal effect is a reduction in intelligence quotient (IQ) scores. It was further noted that children were affected at the lowest blood lead levels studied.
The Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality states that the maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) for total lead in drinking water is 0.005 mg/L, based on a sample of water taken at the tap. It was explained that the maximum acceptable concentration was decreased with this new guideline as the previous guideline indicated a maximum acceptable concentration of 0.010 mg/L.
F. Lemieux mentioned that there are many factors affecting lead release, but the factors for dissolved lead release differs from those for particulate lead release. Dissolved lead release is reasonably well characterized and is affected by factors such as the water quality (temperature, pH, etc.), surface area of lead (pipe length, diameter) and stagnation time of water. Particulate lead release is random and mostly unpredictable, it is affected by factors such as physical disturbances, galvanic corrosion and hydraulic disturbances as well as transport of particles.
It was noted that a correlation was established between particulate lead at the tap and metals such as iron manganese. F. Lemieux further explained that discolouration/red water events result in release of metals including lead. For this reason, these events should be monitored as they are not innocuous.
F. Lemieux explained that there are many sampling methods and that these sampling methods all indicate something different. According to studies, the fully flushed protocol, which consists of flushing water for a period of 5 minutes before collecting a 1 L sample, is not representative of the average exposure. The 30 minutes stagnation (30MS) protocol, which involved collecting two 1 L samples after flushing water for a period of 5 minutes and letting the water stagnate for 30 minutes prior to sampling, was found to be representative of the average exposure and reproducible, but underestimate exposure. Studies also concluded that the Random Daytime (RDT) sampling, which is the collection of a 1 L sample from a drinking water tap without any prior flushing, is also representative of the average exposure, but is less reproducible and needs more samples. The RDT sampling captures the variability, but overestimate lead exposure.
In terms of monitoring, it should address variability, building type, seasonal differences and occupancy/water use. Monitoring should also target high risk areas/zones and needs to consider practicality and customer acceptability. It was mentioned that homes with lead service lines should be prioritized for monitoring purposes as they are likely to have the highest lead concentration. Assessment of exposure is difficult in large building and schools; monitoring should be practical and realistic for such buildings.
F. Lemieux indicated that there are several strategies to reduce lead and it was noted that the best approach is a full lead service line replacement. Partial lead service line replacement also reduces lead, but it may cause release of lead for several months and the reduction may not mirror the percentage of line removal. Corrosion control is another strategy; however, it may not be sufficient to reduce lead concentrations when water is supplied through a lead service line. While it may be difficult and costly, it is also possible to use low lead materials for plumbing and distribution system. Finally, it was indicated that filters work well as a temporary measure. Such filters should be certified by a third party as meeting the appropriate NSF standard for reducing lead.
F. Lemieux further mentioned that some challenges can be experienced while trying to reduce lead. These challenges are, among others, the resources needed (may require consultants, for example) and the footprint of treatment plants which may limit the strategies to address lead.Lemieux concluded by noting that Health Canada is currently working on updating the Guidance on Controlling Corrosion in Drinking Water Distribution Systems and on the development of a consumer tool to identify filters that can reduce lead.
The Committee was pleased with this thorough presentation and found that it was very interesting and useful. For this reason, the Committee asked the permission to share the presentation with the OHS community. The presenter indicated that it can be shared, once the presentation is translated. - Update on COVID-19 from OCHRO
F. Murphy mentioned that the National Joint Council is organizing calls almost every day with the Bargaining Agents and Sandra Hassan, ADM, Employment Conditions and Labour Relations (ECLR), to discuss any issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was noted that issues that should be brought to these calls can be mentioned to the co-chairs of the Committee and they will convey these concerns.
The Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer (OCHRO) provided an update with respect to COVID-19. Claudia Zovatto, Senior Director, Employment Conditions and Labour Relations, OCHRO, indicated that meetings are organized on a regular basis with the labour relations community as well as the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) community which includes separate employers. The purpose is to have a consistent message and to ensure that employees who do not perform an essential service or a critical service are teleworking. It was also noted that Health Canada is providing guidance with regards to OHS issues. C. Zovatto further mentioned that the COVID-19 website developed by the government of Canada provides updates on a daily basis, answers to frequently asked questions and many resources and guidelines.
Following a question from the Committee, C. Zovatto explained that the issue of ensuring proper communication with contractors was raised during a call with the OHS community. It was mentioned that contractors should be advised to adapt their work which includes practising social distancing. C. Zovatto further noted that OCHRO was informed of few workplaces which were not doing social distancing. As such, the appropriate follow-ups were done, and the situation was resolved. C. Zovatto also took this opportunity to encourage members of the Committee to contact TBS-OCHRO if they are aware of any inappropriate workplace’s situation. Members of the Committee further mentioned that many workers were concerned given the fact that they are in workplaces with over 100 employees and working close to each other.
R. de Bellefeuille also noted that OCHRO is leading calls almost every day with the National Managers’ Community. These calls provide them with updated information, and it is another way to ensure consistency with the heads of human resources, labour relations and occupational health and safety. It is also an opportunity for them to bring forward questions and issues. Then, these issues can be raised at the calls organized by the National Joint Council with the Bargaining Agents.
The Committee agreed with the fact that communication is very important in the current situation. It was asked whether the definition of critical service can be provided to them and it was answered that OCHRO is currently working on a document defining what is a critical service and outlining the differences with an essential service. As such, C. Zovatto indicated that it will be published shortly.
Finally, F. Murphy noted that with COVID-19 a new hazard has been introduced in the workplace and the Canada Labour Code states that hazard assessments shall be conducted with the OHS Committee. - Update from the Sub-Committees:
- Competent Persons
A. Peart indicated that the update on the activities of the competent persons sub-committee will be done at the next meeting of the SWOHS Committee.
The committee advisor mentioned that the translation of the statement of work and the competent person assessment tool is completed. As such, these documents will be sent shortly to the OHS policy co-chairs. - OHS Training/Learning Sub-Committee
It was mentioned that the quality control process of the OHS training modules is not completed yet. Once the modules come back from quality control, one last review of the modules will be done. Then, these training modules will be sent to the OHS policy co-chairs.
R. de Bellefeuille indicated that she will contact the Canada School of Public Service to examine whether this OHS training developed by the SWOHS Committee can be incorporated into their curriculum.
F. Murphy noted that a request for a potential project regarding the development of training materials related to the upcoming Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention Regulations was received from the Canada School of Public Service (CSPS) and TBS. As such, the CSPS and TBS will present this initiative to the SWOHS Committee at its next meeting. The committee advisor further mentioned that members of the Committee who would like to participate in this initiative are asked to inform him in a timely manner. Then, the committee advisor will seek the interest of the current members of the sub-committee. - Legalization of Cannabis
The committee advisor mentioned that the sub-committee met on January 28th in order to discuss its mandate and goals. It was noted that the sub-committee aims to produce a communiqué on cannabis impairment. Once the communiqué will be drafted, the sub-committee will determine whether it is also necessary to produce an FAQ and a recommendation to the Executive Committee.
- Competent Persons
- Standing Items
- Asbestos
Nil report. - Legionella
It was indicated that, as decided at the September 2019 meeting, the Legionella communiqué will be recirculated with the arrival of spring.
- Asbestos
- Round table
A. Peart asked whether there was a document explaining ergonomics for people working from home. In response, it was mentioned that the workplace policy section at OCHRO will send a communication which will include the subject of ergonomics at home.
R. de Bellefeuille indicated that the communiqué on personal protective equipment (PPE) from the SWOHS Committee has not been sent yet and further noted that OCHRO is also working on a communiqué pertaining to the same subject. As such, R. de Bellefeuille sought the Committee's opinion as to whether there was still a necessity that the Committee produce its own communiqué with regards to the proper use of PPE. F. Murphy mentioned that a communiqué from SWOHS could still be beneficial. It was noted that the Committee may wish to further discuss with regards to this communiqué at an upcoming meeting.
C. Zovatto noted that OCHRO was in contact with Health Canada and that many employees received training on the proper use of PPE. The intranet of Health Canada also provides information on PPE. As such, F. Murphy indicated that some of the information provided by Health Canada on the subject of PPE could be useful for developing the communiqué of the SWOHS Committee.
C. Fraser took this opportunity to mention that some employees who are required to work in offices are concerns given that they do not have access to gloves, masks and hand sanitizer. - Next Meeting
The next meeting is scheduled on May 21, 2020.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 a.m.