This directive includes specific provisions for dealing with asbestos and asbestos-containing materials.
Scope
This part of the directive enhances and/or supplements Part X (Hazardous Substances) [http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/L-2/SOR-86-304/31739.html#rid-31844] of the COHSR and should be read in that context.
10.1 Records of Hazardous Substances
10.1.2 Records of all hazardous substances must be readily accessible to employees and may be retained in the workplaces concerned or as a centralized record that identifies workplace conditions.
10.1.3 Where the department does not control the workplace, these records shall be kept and maintained to the extent possible.
10.1.4 The system developed by departments, in consultation with the workplace health and safety committee, to keep and maintain records of all hazardous substances shall confirm:
- the requirement to use the hazardous substance; and
- that the decision to use a hazardous substance was made only after determining:
- the hazardous substance could not be eliminated; or
- a less hazardous substance could not be substituted.
10.2 Hazard Investigation
10.2.1 Where a hazardous substance is present in the workplace, the department shall:
- appoint a qualified person to carry out an investigation of the type and extent of the hazard; and
- notify the workplace committee of the pending investigation and of the name of the qualified person appointed to carry out that investigation, for the purpose of facilitating the participation of committee members in the investigation.
10.2.2 In additional to the criteria listed in the Regulations, the investigation shall also assess:
- whether a medical examination may be required; and
- whether a periodic medical examination may be required.
10.3 Medical Examinations
10.3.1 Medical examinations for employees exposed to hazardous substances shall be administered as required in accordance with the Occupational Health Evaluation Standard [http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/Pubs_pol/hrpubs/TBM_119/CHAP2_13-eng.asp] issued by the Treasury Board Secretariat.
10.3.2 The cost of a medical examination conducted by a physician acceptable to the employee shall be borne by the employer.
10.4 Ventilation
10.4.1
- Departments shall ensure that every fume-hood installed after September 1, 1999 is installed, used, operated and maintained in accordance with the intent of the appropriate standard.
- Where the fume-hood was installed before September 1, 1999, the above shall be followed to the extent that is reasonably practicable.
10.5 Control of Hazards
10.5.1 A record of each air sample test required by the Regulation to determine the concentration of an airborne chemical agent shall be retained for at least five years.
10.6 Asbestos Management
10.6.1 An asbestos-management program and code of practice meeting the intent of the appropriate standard shall be followed where material containing asbestos may exist in any building or facility.
10.7 Assembly of Pipes
10.7.1 Every assembly of pipes, pipe fittings, valves, safety devices, pumps, compressors and other fixed equipment that is used for transferring a hazardous substance from one location to another shall be:
(a) adequate for its intended purpose;
(b) operated only by a person aware of the location of every valve and other control or safety device connected with that system and trained in its proper and safe use; and
(c) if insulated with asbestos-containing materials, conspicuously labelled to identify the substance and to warn of the potential health risk.
10.8 Ionizing and Non-ionizing radiation
10.8.1 The use of devices capable of producing and emitting energy in the form of ionizing or non-ionizing radiation shall comply with the appropriate standard.