Legislation may specify a range of allowable temperatures depending on the situation. In other instances, occupational health and safety jurisdictions employ the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists' Threshold Limit Values® for heat stress or cold stress (ACGIH). These TLVs are used as guidelines in some Canadian provinces and as occupational exposure limits in others.
What is required under the law?
The following is a summary of the temperature-related laws. This list does not cite the exact text of each section. Always check with your jurisdiction to be sure the most recent laws are being used and that they are the ones that apply to your circumstance. There is a list of all Canadian occupational health and safety authorities' contact information. Table 1 lists the health and safety laws of Canada with regard to working temperatures. Regulation of Jurisdiction Temperature (This list does not contain citations for each section's precise text) Canada, Canada federal Regulations for Occupational Health and Safety Section 9.9: Personal service area and kitchen temperature range: 18°C to 29°C NOTE: When referring to a personal service room, we mean any combination of a restroom, shower, dining area, living area, and/or sleeping accommodations. Article 14.9(2): Automatic material handling machinery, maximum temperature in the operator's compartment: 26 °C Paragraph 16.10 (2) 21° to 24°C in the first aid room (b). Joint National Council (Public Service Canada) Directive on Occupational Health and Safety Environmental Conditions, Section 2.2: Ideal temperature range is 20–26 °C. Occupancy in each of those extremes should not exceed 3 hours per day or 60 hours per year because temperatures between 17°C and 20°C and above 26°C can be uncomfortable. maximum 40°C for humidex (as measured at workstation) Canadian Columbia Regulations for Occupational Health and Safety Sections 7.27 to 7.32 of the current ACGIH TLVs® address heat; Sections 7.33 to 7.38 address cold; Alberta (Guidelines only) Saskatchewan Regulations for Occupational Health and Safety Section 6-7: Thermal conditions: Maintain safety precautions and provide workers with an acceptable level of thermal comfort. The Workplace Safety and Health Regulation of Manitoba the most recent ACGIH TLVs® for exposure to heat and cold in Section 4.12 Thermal Conditions in Indoor Workplaces: Appropriate for the Work Being Done, Section 4.13 Clause 25(2)(h) of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act states: General duty clause The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists' Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) for Heat Stress and Heat Strain are cited in the Ministry of Labour, Training, and Skills Development fact sheet on heat stress (ACGIH). These numbers are based on keeping employees' core body temperatures below 38°C. Rules for Construction Projects Section 260(3)(d): Underground employees' change rooms, 27°C minimum 357(7) Medical locks, minimum temperature of 18 C Section 380 (2): Maximum 27 °C air lock utilized for people. Additionally, see Section 384: No work at temperatures over 27 °C or when the temperature is above earth at the entry to the service shaft, nor at temperatures above a maximum of 38 °C. Regulations pertaining to Industrial Establishments Article 129. Workplace must be enclosed and at least 18°C. Quebec's law governing workplace health and safety Sections 116–120: Heating Environment - Proper temperature taking into account the task being done. Section 118: Lunchrooms must be at least 20 °C (but does not apply to facilities used as offices) Chapters 121 to 124 Warmth Stress Schedule IV: Establishment Temperature Standards. Minimum varies depending on the type of labor being done (hard labour 12°C; light work 20°C, for example). Wet Bulb-Globe Temperature (WBGT) calculations and a work/rest schedule are described in Schedule V: Evaluation of Heat Stress. Section 154: Minimum temperature for change rooms is 20 °C Brunswick, New The General Rules Section 21: In an enclosed workplace, the minimum temperature varies according on the type of work being done (for example, hard work is 12°C; light work is 20°C). Section 22: 1997 Temperature Extremes ACGIH TLVs® for exposure to heat and cold Regulation for Workplace Health and Safety in Nova Scotia Sections 2.1 and 2.3: current ACGIH TLVs® for exposure to heat and cold (physical agents) Island of Prince Edward The General Rules Section 11.10 and 11.11: In an enclosed place of employment, minimum depends on work being done (e.g., heavy work 12°C; light work 20°C). Exceptions apply. Section 11.9: relative humidity in an office environment must be minimum of 30% Section 42.1: Extremes of temperature - current ACGIH TLVs® for heat and cold exposure Newfoundland and Labrador Regulations for Occupational Health and Safety Section 44: Reasonable and consistent with the nature and degree of work performed, as established by current ACGIH TLVs® Section 566: Refuge station to be at minimum 10°C Northwest Territories Occupational Health and Safety Regulations Section 74: Thermal conditions. Appropriate to nature of the work, effective protection of worker health and safety, and reasonable thermal comfort Mine Health and Safety Regulations Sections 9.57 to 9.62: Program required when thermal conditions and nature of work can cause distress. 1994-1995 ACGIH TLVs®. Nunavut Occupational Health and Safety Regulations Section 74: Thermal conditions. Appropriate to nature of the work, effective protection of worker health and safety, and reasonable thermal comfort Mine Health and Safety Regulations Sections 9.57 to 9.62: Program required when thermal conditions and nature of work can cause distress. 1994-1995 ACGIH TLVs®. Yukon Territory Occupational Health and Safety Regulations Section 5.75: Conditions specific to tower cranes Occupational Health Regulations Section 9: Thermal environment. Reasonable and appropriate to the work performed. Section 12: Heat Stress
Where can I find more information?
Please see the following OSH Answers documents: Temperature Conditions - Cold Cold Environments - General Cold Environments - Working in Cold Cold Environments - Health Effects and First Aid Temperature Conditions - Hot Hot Environments - Health Effects and First Aid Hot Environments - Control Measures Humidex Rating and Work Thermal Comfort for Office Work""" - https://www.affordablecebu.com/
