Regulation - LGIC
Proposed Amendments to Oil and Gas - Offshore Regulation
Regulation Number(s):
855
Instrument Type:
Regulation - LGIC
Bill or Act:
Occupational Health and Safety Act
Summary of Decision:
Amendments to Regulation 855 (Oil and Gas - Offshore) have been approved that will modernize the existing requirements for life jackets and specific electrical equipment that is installed and used on offshore oil and gas rigs.
The amendments come into effect on July 1, 2019.
The amendments come into effect on July 1, 2019.
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
It is not anticipated this proposal will result in any additional costs to workplaces.
The proposal to allow the use of personal floatation devices where appropriate would increase the flexibility for employers in deciding how to comply with the regulatory requirements. There would be no need to purchase new equipment.
By applying the latest version of the IEEE Standard on a go-forward basis only, it is not anticipated that the proposed amendment would increase regulatory burden on affected businesses. Existing electrical installations on rigs would continue to have to comply with the 1983 version of the standard currently referenced in section 97.
The proposal to allow the use of personal floatation devices where appropriate would increase the flexibility for employers in deciding how to comply with the regulatory requirements. There would be no need to purchase new equipment.
By applying the latest version of the IEEE Standard on a go-forward basis only, it is not anticipated that the proposed amendment would increase regulatory burden on affected businesses. Existing electrical installations on rigs would continue to have to comply with the 1983 version of the standard currently referenced in section 97.
Further Information:
Regulation 855
Proposal Number:
19-MOL004
Posting Date:
February 20, 2019
Summary of Proposal:
The Ministry of Labour is proposing two amendments to Regulation 855 (Oil and Gas - Offshore) made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. These amendments, if approved, would modernize provisions for life jackets and electrical equipment.
Lifejackets and Personal Floatation Devices
This proposal would amend section 28 to require that every worker who is exposed to the hazard of falling into water to wear a life jacket or personal floatation device that is appropriate in the circumstances to protect the worker from drowning. Section 28 currently only allows workers to wear life jackets in these circumstances.
This proposal would increase flexibility for workplace parties to choose the protective equipment that would best protect workers and would reflect the range of products currently available. In addition, this proposal would align section 28 with section 65 of the regulation, which requires each rig to have one personal floatation device suitable for performing work for each worker on shift. Section 65 also requires rigs to have sufficient numbers of life jackets.
This proposal would also bring Ontario into greater alignment with other Canadian jurisdictions and support the reconciliation of occupational health and safety requirements across the country.
Electrical Equipment
The proposal would amend section 97, which currently requires that electrical equipment installed on rigs comply with the 1983 version of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Recommended Practice for Electrical Installations on Shipboard Standard 45 (IEEE Standard). It is proposed that this section be amended such that any electrical equipment installed on or after July 1, 2019 would need to comply with the latest (2002) version of the standard. For existing electrical equipment, the 1983 version would continue to apply.
The proposal would keep the regulation up-to-date and is consistent with Ontario's regulatory principles to adopt recognized industry standards.
Lifejackets and Personal Floatation Devices
This proposal would amend section 28 to require that every worker who is exposed to the hazard of falling into water to wear a life jacket or personal floatation device that is appropriate in the circumstances to protect the worker from drowning. Section 28 currently only allows workers to wear life jackets in these circumstances.
This proposal would increase flexibility for workplace parties to choose the protective equipment that would best protect workers and would reflect the range of products currently available. In addition, this proposal would align section 28 with section 65 of the regulation, which requires each rig to have one personal floatation device suitable for performing work for each worker on shift. Section 65 also requires rigs to have sufficient numbers of life jackets.
This proposal would also bring Ontario into greater alignment with other Canadian jurisdictions and support the reconciliation of occupational health and safety requirements across the country.
Electrical Equipment
The proposal would amend section 97, which currently requires that electrical equipment installed on rigs comply with the 1983 version of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Recommended Practice for Electrical Installations on Shipboard Standard 45 (IEEE Standard). It is proposed that this section be amended such that any electrical equipment installed on or after July 1, 2019 would need to comply with the latest (2002) version of the standard. For existing electrical equipment, the 1983 version would continue to apply.
The proposal would keep the regulation up-to-date and is consistent with Ontario's regulatory principles to adopt recognized industry standards.
Contact Address:
Proposal for Oil and Gas - Offshore
Health and Safety Policy Branch
Ministry of Labour
400 University Avenue, 12th Floor
Toronto ON M7A 1T7
WebHSPolicy@ontario.ca
Health and Safety Policy Branch
Ministry of Labour
400 University Avenue, 12th Floor
Toronto ON M7A 1T7
WebHSPolicy@ontario.ca
Effective Date:
July 1, 2019
Decision:
Approved