SOR/89-515, s. 1; SOR/96-525, s. 12.

SOR/89-515, s. 1.

7.1 In this Part,

“A-weighted sound pressure level” means a sound pressure level as determined by a measurement system which includes an A-weighting filter that meets the requirements set out in the International Electrotechnical Commission Standard 651 (1979), Sound Level Meters, as amended from time to time; (niveau de pression acoustique pondérée A)

“dBA” means decibel A-weighted and is a unit of A-weighted sound pressure level; (dBA)

“large truck”[Repealed, SOR/98-589, s. 1]

“noise exposure level (Lex,8)” means 10 times the logarithm to the base 10 of the time integral over any 24 hour period of a squared A-weighted sound pressure divided by 8, the reference sound pressure being 20 µPa; (niveau d’exposition (Lex,8))

“sound level meter” means a device for measuring sound pressure level that meets the performance requirements for a Type 2 instrument as specified in the International Electrotechnical Commission Standard 651 (1979), Sound Level Meters, as amended from time to time; (sonomètre)

“sound pressure level” means 20 times the logarithm to the base 10 of the ratio of the root mean square pressure of a sound to the reference sound pressure of 20 µPa, expressed in decibels. (niveau de pression acoustique)

SOR/91-448, s. 1; SOR/98-589, s. 1.

7.2 (1) For the purposes of this Part, the exposure of an employee to sound shall be measured using an instrument that

(a) is recommended for that measurement in clause 4.3 of CSA Standard CAN/CSA-Z107.56-M86, Procedures for the Measurement of Occupational Noise Exposure, as amended from time to time; and

(b) meets the requirements for such an instrument set out in clause 4 of the Standard referred to in paragraph (a).

(2) The exposure of an employee to sound shall be measured in accordance with clauses 5, 6.4.1, 6.4.4, 6.5.2, 6.5.4, 6.6.2 and 6.6.4 of the Standard referred to in paragraph (1)(a).

(3) For the purposes of this Part, the measurement and calculation of the noise exposure level (Lex, 8) to which an employee is exposed shall take into account the exposure of the employee to A-weighted sound pressure levels of 74 dBA and greater.

(4) The measurement and calculation of the noise exposure level (Lex, 8) referred to in subsection (3) may also take into account the exposure of the employee to A-weighted sound pressure levels that are less than 74 dBA.

SOR/91-448, s. 1.

7.3 (1) Where an employee in a work place may be exposed to an A-weighted sound pressure level equal to or greater than 84 dBA for a duration that is likely to endanger the employee’s hearing, the employer shall, without delay,

(a) appoint a qualified person to carry out an investigation of the degree of exposure; and

(b) notify the work place committee or the health and safety representative of the investigation and the name of the person appointed to carry out the investigation.

(2) [Repealed, SOR/98-589, s. 2]

(3) For the purposes of subsection (1), the measurement of the A-weighted sound pressure level in a work place shall be performed instantaneously, during normal working conditions, using the slow response setting of a sound level meter.

(4) In the investigation referred to in subsection (1), the following matters shall be considered:

(a) the sources of sound in the work place;

(b) the A-weighted sound pressure levels to which the employee is likely to be exposed and the duration of such exposure;

(c) the methods being used to reduce this exposure;

(d) whether the exposure of the employee is likely to exceed the limits prescribed by section 7.4; and

(e) whether the employee is likely to be exposed to a noise exposure level (Lex,8) equal to or greater than 84 dBA.

(5) On completion of the investigation and after consultation with the work place committee or the health and safety representative, the person appointed to carry out the investigation shall set out in a written report signed and dated by the person

(a) observations respecting the matters considered in accordance with subsection (4);

(b) recommendations respecting the measures that should be taken in order to comply with sections 7.4 to 7.8; and

(c) recommendations respecting the use of hearing protectors by employees who are exposed to a noise exposure level (Lex,8) equal to or greater than 84 dBA and not greater than 87 dBA.

(6) The report shall be kept by the employer at the work place in respect of which it applies for a period of ten years after the date of the report.

(7) Where it is stated in the report that an employee is likely to be exposed to a noise exposure level (Lex,8) equal to or greater than 84 dBA, the employer shall, without delay,

(a) post and keep posted a copy of the report in a conspicuous place in the work place in respect of which it applies; and

(b) provide the employee with written information describing the hazards associated with exposure to high levels of sound.

SOR/91-448, s. 1; SOR/98-589, s. 2; SOR/2002-208, s. 10.

7.4 No employee in a work place shall, in any 24 hour period, be exposed to

(a) an A-weighted sound pressure level set out in column I of the schedule for a duration of exposure exceeding the applicable duration set out in column II, or

(b) a noise exposure level (Lex 8) that exceeds 87 dBA.

SOR/91-448, s. 1; SOR/98-589, s. 3.

7.5 Insofar as is reasonably practicable, every employer shall, by engineering controls or other physical means other than hearing protectors, reduce the exposure to sound of employees to a level that does not exceed the limits prescribed by section 7.4.

SOR/91-448, s. 1; SOR/94-33, s. 2(F); SOR/98-589, s. 4.

7.6 Where it is not reasonably practicable, without providing hearing protectors, for an employer to maintain the exposure to sound of an employee to whom section 7.4 applies at a level that does not exceed the limits prescribed by that section, the employer shall, without delay,

(a) make a report in writing to the regional health and safety officer setting out the reasons why it is not reasonably practicable to do so; and

(b) provide a copy of the report to the work place committee or the health and safety representative.

SOR/91-448, s. 1; SOR/98-589, s. 5; SOR/2002-208, s. 12.

7.7 (1) Where an employer is required to make a report pursuant to section 7.6, the employer shall, as soon as is reasonably practicable, provide every employee whose exposure to sound is likely to exceed the limits prescribed by section 7.4 with a hearing protector that

(a) meets the requirements set out in CSA Standard Z94.2-M1984, Hearing Protectors, as amended from time to time; and

(b) prevents the employee using the hearing protector from being exposed to a level of sound that exceeds the limits prescribed by section 7.4.

(2) Where an employer provides a hearing protector to an employee pursuant to subsection (1), the employer shall

(a) in consultation with the work place committee or the health and safety representative, formulate a program to train the employee in the fit, care and use of the hearing protector; and

(b) implement the program.

(3) Every employer shall ensure that every person, other than an employee, to whom the employer grants access to a work place where the person is likely to be exposed to a level of sound that exceeds the limits set out in section 7.4 uses a hearing protector that meets the standard referred to in paragraph (1)(a).

SOR/91-448, s. 1; SOR/94-33, s. 3; SOR/98-589, s. 6; SOR/2002-208, s. 13.

7.8 (1) At every work place where an employee may be exposed to an A-weighted sound pressure level greater than 87 dBA, the employer shall, at conspicuous locations within the work place, post and keep posted signs warning of a potentially hazardous level of sound in the work place.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the measurement of the A-weighted sound pressure level in a work place shall be performed instantaneously, during normal working conditions, using the slow response setting of a sound level meter.

SOR/91-448, s. 1; SOR/98-589, s. 7.

 SOR/91-448, s. 1; SOR/98-589, s. 8.

[Repealed, SOR/98-589, s. 9]

8.1 In this Part,

“Canadian Electrical Code” means

(a) CSA Standard C22.1-1990, Canadian Electrical Code, Part I, dated January 1990, and

(b) CSA Standard C22.3 No.1-M1979, Overhead Systems and Underground Systems, dated April, 1979; (Code canadien de l’électricité)

“control device” means a device that will safely disconnect electrical equipment from its source of energy; (dispositif de commande)

“electrical equipment” means equipment for the generation, distribution or use of electricity; (outillage électrique)

“guarantor” means a person who gives a guarantee of isolation; (garant)

“guarded” means covered, shielded, fenced, enclosed or otherwise protected by means of suitable covers or casings, barriers, guardrails, screens, mats or platforms to remove the possibility of dangerous contact or approach by persons or objects; (protégé)

“isolated” means separated or disconnected from every source of electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic or other kind of energy that is capable of making electrical equipment dangerous; (isolé)

“person in charge” means an employee who supervises employees performing work on or a live test of isolated electrical equipment. (responsable)

SOR/88-632, s. 17(F); SOR/94-263, s. 14; SOR/98-427, s. 1.

8.2 This Part does not apply to the underground workings of mines.

SOR/94-263, s. 15.

8.3 (1) The design, construction and installation of all electrical equipment shall meet the standards set out in the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I, in so far as is reasonably practicable.

(2) The operation and maintenance of all electrical equipment shall meet the standards set out in the Canadian Electrical Code.

SOR/94-263, s. 16.

8.4 (1) All testing or work performed on electrical equipment shall be performed by a qualified person or an employee under the direct supervision of a qualified person.

(2) Where the electrical equipment has a voltage in excess of 5,200 V between any two conductors or in excess of 3,000 V between any conductor and ground,

(a) the qualified person or the employee referred to in subsection (1) shall use such insulated protection equipment and tools as will protect him from injury during the performance of the work; and

(b) the employee referred to in subsection (1) shall be instructed and trained in the use of the insulated protection equipment and tools.

8.5 (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), no employee shall work on electrical equipment unless the equipment is isolated.

(2) If it is not reasonably practicable to isolate the electrical equipment and an employee must work on live equipment, the employer shall instruct the employee in procedures that are safe for live conductors.

(3) Where electrical equipment is not live but is capable of becoming live, no employee shall work on the equipment unless

(a) procedures that are safe for work on live equipment are used; or

(b) a safety ground is connected to the equipment.

(4) Subject to subsections (5) and (6), where an employee is working on or near electrical equipment that is live or may become live, the electrical equipment shall be guarded.

(5) Subject to subsection (6), where it is not practicable for the electrical equipment referred to in subsection (4) to be guarded, the employer shall take measures to protect the employee from injury by insulating the equipment from the employee or the employee from ground.

(6) Where live electrical equipment is not guarded or insulated in accordance with subsection (4) or (5) or where the employee referred to in subsection (5) is not insulated from ground, the employee shall not work so near to any live part of the electrical equipment that is within a voltage range listed in column I of an item of the schedule to this Part that the distance between the body of the employee or any thing with which the employee is in contact and the live part of the equipment is less than

(a) the distance set out in column II of that item, where the employee is not a qualified person; or

(b) the distance set out in column III of that item, where the employee is a qualified person.

(7) No employee shall work near a live part of any electrical equipment referred to in subsection (6) where there is a hazard that an unintentional movement by the employee would bring any part of the body of the employee or any thing with which the employee is in contact closer to that live part than the distance referred to in that subsection.

SOR/88-632, s. 18(F); SOR/263, s. 17(F); SOR/98-427, s. 2; SOR/2002-208, s. 14.

8.6 No employee shall work on or near high voltage electrical equipment unless he is authorized to do so by his employer.

8.7 A legible sign with the words “Danger — High Voltage” and “Danger — Haute Tension” in letters that are not less than 50 mm in height on a contrasting background shall be posted in a conspicuous place at every approach to live high voltage electrical equipment.

8.8 (1) Where an employee is working on or near live electrical equipment and, because of the nature of the work or the condition or location of the work place, it is necessary for the safety of the employee that the work be observed by a person not engaged in the work, the employer shall appoint a safety watcher

(a) to warn all employees in the work place of the hazard; and

(b) to ensure that all safety precautions and procedures are complied with.

(2) A safety watcher shall be

(a) informed of his duties as a safety watcher and of the hazard involved in the work;

(b) trained and instructed in the procedures to follow in the event of an emergency;

(c) authorized to stop immediately any part of the work that he considers dangerous; and

(d) free of any other duties that might interfere with his duties as a safety watcher.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (1), an employer may appoint himself as a safety watcher.

8.9 Where an employee is working on or in connection with electrical equipment, that employee and every other person who is so working, including every safety watcher, shall be fully informed by the employer with respect to the safe coordination of their work.

8.10 (1) Before an employee climbs a pole or elevated structure that is used to support electrical equipment, the employer shall give instructions and training to the employee respecting inspections and tests of the pole or structure to be carried out before the pole or structure is climbed.

(2) Where, as a result of an inspection or test of a pole or elevated structure referred to in subsection (1), it appears to an employee that the pole or structure will be safe for climbing only when temporary supports have been installed, pike-poles alone shall not be used for such supports.

(3) No employee shall work on any pole or elevated structure referred to in subsection (1) unless he has been instructed and trained in the rescue of employees who may be injured in the course of the work.

8.11 Every pole or elevated structure that is embedded in the ground and is used to support electrical equipment shall meet the standards set out in

(a) CSA Standard CAN3-015-M83, Wood Utility Poles and Reinforcing Studs, dated January, 1983; or

(b) CSA Standard A14-M1979, Concrete Poles, the English version of which is dated September 1979 and the French version of which is dated November 1987.

SOR/94-263, s. 18.

8.12 (1) Before an employee isolates electrical equipment or changes or terminates the isolation of electrical equipment, the employer shall issue written instructions with respect to the procedures to be followed for the safe performance of that work.

(2) The instructions referred to in subsection (1) shall be signed by the employer and shall specify

(a) the date and hour when the instructions are issued;

(b) the date and hour of the commencement and of the termination of the period during which the instructions are to be followed;

(c) the name of the employee to whom the instructions are issued; and

(d) where the instructions are in respect of the operation of a control device that affects the isolation of the electrical equipment,

(i) the device to which the instructions apply, and

(ii) where applicable, the correct sequence of procedures.

(3) A copy of the instructions referred to in subsection (1) shall be shown and explained to the employee.

(4) The instructions referred to in subsection (1) shall be kept readily available for examination by employees for the period referred to in paragraph (2)(b) and thereafter shall be kept by the employer for a period of one year at his place of business nearest to the work place in which the electrical equipment is located.

SOR/88-632, s. 19((F).

8.13 (1) Subject to subsection (4), no work on or live test of isolated electrical equipment shall be performed unless

(a) isolation of the equipment has been confirmed by test; and

(b) the employer has determined, on the basis of visual observation, that every control device and every locking device necessary to establish and maintain the isolation of the equipment

(i) is set in the safe position with the disconnecting contacts of control devices safely separated or, in the case of a draw-out type electrical switch gear, is withdrawn to its full extent from the contacts of the electrical switch gear,

(ii) is locked out, and

(iii) bears a distinctive tag or sign designed to notify persons that operation of the control device and movement of the locking device are prohibited during the performance of the work or live test.

(2) Where more than one employee is performing any work on or live test of isolated electrical equipment, a separate tag or sign for each such employee shall be attached to each control device and locking device referred to in subsection (1).

(3) The tag or sign referred to in subparagraph (1)(b)(iii) or subsection (2) shall

(a) contain the words “DO NOT OPERATE — DÉFENSE D’ACTIONNER” or display a symbol conveying the same meaning;

(b) show the date and hour that the control device and the locking device referred to in paragraph (1)(b) were set in the safe position or were withdrawn to their full extent from the contacts;

(c) show the name of the employee performing the work or live test;

(d) where used in connection with a live test, be distinctively marked as a testing tag or sign;

(e) be removed only by the employee performing the work or live test; and

(f) be used for no purpose other than the purpose referred to in paragraph (1)(b)(iii).

(4) Where, because of the nature of the work in which the electrical equipment is being used, it is not practicable to comply with subsection (1), no work on or live test of electrical equipment shall be performed unless a guarantee of isolation referred to in section 8.14 is given to the person in charge.

SOR/88-632, s. 20(F); SOR/94-263, s. 19(F).

8.14 (1) No employee shall give or receive a guarantee of isolation for electrical equipment unless he is authorized in writing by his employer to give or receive a guarantee of isolation.

(2) Not more than one employee shall give a guarantee of isolation for a piece of electrical equipment for the same period of time.

(3) Before an employee performs work on or a live test of isolated electrical equipment, the person in charge shall receive from the guarantor

(a) a written guarantee of isolation; or

(b) where owing to an emergency it is not practicable for the person in charge to receive a written guarantee of isolation, a non-written guarantee of isolation.

(4) A written guarantee of isolation referred to in paragraph (3)(a) shall be signed by the guarantor and by the person in charge and shall contain the following information:

(a) the date and hour when the guarantee of isolation is given to the person in charge;

(b) the date and hour when the electrical equipment will become isolated;

(c) the date and hour when the isolation will be terminated, if known;

(d) the procedures by which isolation is assured;

(e) the name of the guarantor and the person in charge; and

(f) a statement as to whether live tests are to be performed.

(5) Where a non-written guarantee of isolation referred to in paragraph (3)(b) is given, a written record thereof shall forthwith

(a) be made by the guarantor; and

(b) be made and signed by the person in charge.

(6) A written record referred to in subsection (5) shall contain the information referred to in subsection (4).

(7) Every written guarantee of isolation and every written record referred to in subsection (5) shall be

(a) kept by the person in charge readily available for examination by the employee performing the work or live test until the work or live test is completed;

(b) given to the employer when the work or live test is completed; and

(c) kept by the employer for a period of one year after the completion of the work or live test at his place of business nearest to the work place in which the electrical equipment is located.

SOR/88-632, ss. 21, 22; SOR/94-263, s. 20(F); SOR/96-525, s. 13.

8.15 Where a written guarantee of isolation or a written record of an oral guarantee of isolation is given to a person in charge and the person in charge is replaced at the work place by another person in charge before the guarantee has terminated, the other person in charge shall sign the written guarantee of isolation or written record of the oral guarantee of isolation.

SOR/88-632, s. 23(F).

8.16 Before an employee gives a guarantee of isolation for electrical equipment that obtains all or any portion of its electrical energy from a source that is not under his direct control, the employee shall obtain a guarantee of isolation in respect of the source from the person who is in direct control thereof and is authorized to give the guarantee in respect thereof.

SOR/88-632, s. 23(F).

8.17 (1) No employee shall give a guarantee of isolation for the performance of a live test on isolated electrical equipment unless

(a) any other guarantee of isolation given in respect of the electrical equipment for any part of the period for which the guarantee of isolation is given is terminated;

(b) every person to whom the other guarantee of isolation referred to in paragraph (a) was given has been informed of its termination; and

(c) any live test to be performed on the electrical equipment will not be hazardous to the health or safety of the person performing the live test.

(2) Every person performing a live test shall warn all persons who, during or as a result of the test, are likely to be exposed to a hazard.

SOR/88-632, s. 23(F); SOR/2002-208, s. 39.

8.18 (1) Every person in charge shall, when work on or a live test of isolated electrical equipment is completed,

(a) inform the guarantor thereof; and

(b) make and sign a record in writing containing the date and hour when he so informed the guarantor and the name of the guarantor.

(2) On receipt of the information referred to in subsection (1), the guarantor shall make and sign a record in writing containing

(a) the date and hour when the work or live test was completed; and

(b) the name of the person in charge.

(3) The records referred to in subsections (1) and (2) shall be kept by the employer for a period of one year after the date of signature thereof at his place of business nearest to the work place in which the electrical equipment is located.

SOR/88-632, s. 24(F).

8.19 (1) No employee shall attach a safety ground to electrical equipment unless he has tested the electrical equipment and has established that it is isolated.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of electrical equipment that is grounded by means of a grounding switch that is an integral part of the equipment.

SOR/88-632, s. 25(F).

8.20 (1) Subject to subsection (2), no work shall be performed on any electrical equipment in an area in which is located

(a) a grounding bus,

(b) a station grounding network,

(c) a neutral conductor,

(d) temporary phase grounding, or

(e) a metal structure

unless the equipment referred to in paragraphs (a) to (e) is connected to a common grounding network.

(2) Where, after the connections referred to in subsection (1) are made, a safety ground is required to ensure the safety of an employee working on the electrical equipment referred to in that subsection, the safety ground shall be connected to the common grounding network.

8.21 Every conducting part of a safety ground on isolated electrical equipment shall have sufficient current carrying capacity to conduct the maximum current that is likely to be carried on any part of the equipment for such time as is necessary to permit operation of any device that is installed on the electrical equipment so that, in the event of a short circuit or other electrical current overload, the electrical equipment is automatically disconnected from its source of electrical energy.

SOR/88-632, s. 26(F).

8.22 (1) For the purposes of subsection (2), a

“point of safety grounding” means

(a) a grounding bus, a station grounding network, a neutral conductor, a metal structure or an aerial ground, or

(b) one or more metal rods that are not less than 16 mm in diameter and are driven not less than l m into undisturbed compact earth at a minimum distance of 4.5 m from the base of the pole, structure, apparatus or other thing to which the electrical equipment is attached or from the area where persons on the ground work and in a direction away from the main work area. (point de mise à la terre)

(2) No safety ground shall be attached to or disconnected from isolated electrical equipment except in accordance with the following requirements:

(a) the safety ground shall, to the extent that is practicable, be attached to the pole, structure, apparatus or other thing to which the electrical equipment is attached;

(b) all isolated conductors, neutral conductors and all non-insulated surfaces of the electrical equipment shall be short-circuited, electrically bonded together and attached by a safety ground to a point of safety grounding in a manner that establishes equal voltage on all surfaces that can be touched by persons who work on the electrical equipment;

(c) the safety ground shall be attached by means of mechanical clamps that are tightened securely and are in direct contact with bare metal;

(d) the safety ground shall be so secured that none of its parts can make contact accidentally with any live electrical equipment;

(e) the safety ground shall be attached and disconnected using insulated protection equipment and tools;

(f) the safety ground shall, before it is attached to isolated electrical equipment, be attached to a point of safety grounding; and

(g) the safety ground shall, before being disconnected from the point of safety grounding, be removed from the isolated electrical equipment in such a manner that the employee avoids contact with all live conductors.

SOR/88-632, s. 27; SOR/94-263, s. 21(F); SOR/98-427, s. 3(F).

8.23 (1) Every control device shall be so designed and located as to permit quick and safe operation at all times.

(2) The path of access to every electrical switch, control device or meter shall be free from obstruction.

(3) Where an electrical switch or other device controlling the supply of electrical energy to electrical equipment is operated only by a person authorized to do so by the employer, the switch or other device shall be fitted with a locking device that only an authorized person can activate.