Oil and Gas Occupational Safety and Health Regulations (SOR/87-612)

13.8 Where a steel or aluminum self-contained breathing apparatus cylinder has a dent deeper than 1.5 mm and less than 50 mm in major diameter or shows evidence of deep isolated pitting, cracks or splits, the cylinder shall be removed from service until it has been shown to be safe for use by means of a hydrostatic test at a pressure equal to one and one-half times the maximum allowable working pressure.

Skin Protection

13.9 Where there is a hazard of injury or disease to or through the skin in a work place, the employer shall provide to every person granted access to the work place

• (a) a shield or screen;

• (b) a cream or barrier lotion to protect the skin; or

• (c) an appropriate body covering.

Fall-Protection Systems

• 13.10 (1) Where a person, other than an employee who is installing or removing a fall-protection system in accordance with the instructions referred to in subsection (5), works from

  • (a) an unguarded structure that is

    • (i) more than 2.4 m above the nearest permanent safe level,

    • (ii) above any moving parts of machinery or any other surface or thing that could cause injury to an employee upon contact,

    • (iii) above an open hopper, vat or pit, or

    • (iv) above water more than 1 m deep, or

  • (b) a ladder at a height of more than 2.4 m above the nearest permanent safe level where, because of the nature of the work, that person can use only one hand to hold onto the ladder,

  the employer shall provide a fall-protection system.

• (2) The components of a fall-protection system shall meet the following standards:

  • (a) CSA Standard Z259.1-1976, Fall-Arresting Safety Belts and Lanyards for the Construction and Mining Industries, the English version of which is dated November 1976, as amended to May 1979 and the French version of which is dated April 1980;

  • (b) CSA Standard Z259.2-M1979, Fall-Arresting Devices, Personnel Lowering Devices and Life Lines, the English version of which is dated November 1979 and the French version of which is dated October 1983; and

  • (c) CSA Standard Z259.3-M1978, Lineman’s Body Belt and Lineman’s Safety Strap, the English version of which is dated September 1978, as amended to April 1981, and the French version of which is dated April 1980, as amended to April 1981.

• (3) The anchor of a fall-protection system shall be capable of withstanding a force of 17.8 kN.

• (4) A fall-protection system that is used to arrest the fall of a person shall prevent that person

  • (a) from being subjected to a peak fall arrest force greater than 8 kN; and

  • (b) from falling freely for more than 1.2 m.

• (5) Every employee required to install or remove a fall-protection system in a work place shall be instructed and trained by the employer in the procedures to be followed for the installation or removal of the system.

Emergency Escape Devices

• 13.11 (1) Where practicable, an emergency escape device that is equipped with a brake mechanism that controls the descent of persons using the device shall be provided in the derrick of a drilling rig or an elevated part of a production facility.

• (2) The employer shall set out in writing working instructions for the use of the device referred to in subsection (1).

• (3) The instructions referred to in subsection (2) shall be kept in a conspicuous place on the drilling rig or production facility.

• (4) An emergency escape device referred to in subsection (1) shall be installed, inspected and maintained by a qualified person.

Protection Against Drowning

• 13.12 (1) Where, in a work place, there is a hazard of drowning, the employer shall provide every person granted access to the work place with

  • (a) a life jacket or personal flotation device that meets the standards set out in the Canadian General Standards Board Standard

    • (i) CAN2-65.7-M80, Life Jackets, Inherently Buoyant Type, dated April 1980, or

    • (ii) 65-GP-11, Standard for: Personal Flotation Devices, dated October 1972; or

  • (b) a safety net or a fall-protection system.

• (2) Where, in a work place, there is a hazard of drowning,

  • (a) emergency equipment shall be provided and held in readiness;

  • (b) a qualified person to operate all the emergency equipment provided shall be readily available;

  • (c) if appropriate, a powered rescue boat shall be provided and held in readiness; and

  • (d) written emergency procedures shall be prepared by the employer containing

    • (i) a full description of the procedures to be followed and the responsibilities of all persons granted access to the work place, and

    • (ii) the location of any emergency equipment.

• (3) Where a work place is a wharf, dock, pier, quay or other similar structure, a ladder that extends at least two rungs below water level shall, where reasonably practicable, be installed on the face of the structure every 60 m along its length.

Loose-fitting Clothing

13.13 Loose-fitting clothing, long hair, dangling accessories, jewellery or other similar items that are likely to be hazardous to the safety or health of an employee in a work place shall not be worn unless they are so tied, covered or otherwise secured as to prevent the hazard.

Protection from Extreme Temperatures

13.14 Where there is a likelihood that exposure of an employee to extreme temperatures could result in the employee suffering from hypothermia or hyperthermia, protection equipment suitable to protect the employee from the hazard shall be used.

Protection Against Moving Vehicles

13.15 Where an employee is regularly exposed to a hazard resulting from contact with moving vehicles during his work, he shall wear a high-visibility vest or other high-visibility clothing.

Fire Protection Equipment

• 13.16 (1) Subject to subsection (2), every onshore drilling rig shall be equipped with

  • (a) at least one portable fire extinguisher with a 40 BC rating, as defined in the ULC Standard, that is readily accessible from

    • (i) each boiler,

    • (ii) the drill floor or doghouse,

    • (iii) the enclosure for the choke manifold,

    • (iv) every enclosure housing a fuel-fired engine or heating unit, and

    • (v) every welding unit; and

  • (b) at least one portable multipurpose fire extinguisher with an 80 BC rating, as defined in the ULC Standard.

• (2) Fire protection equipment shall be installed, inspected and maintained for every work place onshore in accordance with the standards set out in Parts 6 and 7 of the National Fire Code.

• (3) For the purpose of interpreting the standards referred to in subsection (2), “acceptable” means appropriate.

• (4) Every work place shall be equipped with the fire protection equipment that is appropriate for fighting any class of fire that may occur.

• (5) No person shall tamper with or activate without cause any fire protection equipment.

13.17 All fire protection equipment shall be

• (a) inspected by a qualified person at least once a month; and

• (b) tested, maintained and repaired by a qualified person.

Records

• 13.18 (1) A record of all protection equipment provided by the employer and requiring maintenance shall be kept for as long as the equipment is in use.

• (2) The record referred to in subsection (1) shall contain

  • (a) a description of the protection equipment and the date of its acquisition by the employer;

  • (b) the date and result of each inspection and test of the protection equipment;

  • (c) the date and nature of any maintenance work performed on the protection equipment since its acquisition by the employer; and

  • (d) the name of the qualified person who performed the inspection, test, maintenance or repair of the protection equipment.

Instructions and Training

• 13.19 (1) Every person granted access to the work place who uses protection equipment shall be instructed by the employer in the use of the equipment.

• (2) Every employee who uses protection equipment shall be instructed and trained in the use, operation and maintenance of the equipment.

• (3) Every person granted access to a work place shall be instructed in respect of the written emergency procedures referred to in paragraph 13.12(2)(d).

• (4) The employer shall

  • (a) set out in writing and keep readily available for examination by the employees referred to in subsection (2), the instructions referred to in that subsection; and

  • (b) keep readily available for examination by every person granted access to the work place a copy of the emergency procedures referred to in paragraph 13.12(2)(d).

Defective Protection Equipment

13.20 Where an employee finds any defect in protection equipment that may render it unsafe for use, he shall report the defect to his employer as soon as possible.

13.21 An employer shall mark or tag as unsafe and remove from service any protection equipment that has a defect that may render it unsafe for use.

PART XIVTools and Machinery

Interpretation

14.1 In this Part, explosive actuated fastening tool means a tool that, by means of an explosive force, propels or discharges a fastener for the purpose of impinging it on, affixing it to or causing it to penetrate another object or material. (pistolet de scellement à cartouches explosives)

Design, Construction, Operation and Use of Tools

14.2 The exterior surface of any tool used by an employee in a fire hazard area shall be made of non-sparking material.

14.3 All portable electric tools used by employees shall meet the standards set out in CSA Standard CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 71.1-M89, Portable Electric Tools, the English version of which is dated September 1989 and the French version of which is dated February 1991.

• 14.4 (1) Subject to subsection (2), all portable electric tools used by employees shall be grounded.

• (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to tools that

  • (a) are powered by a self-contained battery;

  • (b) have a protective system of double insulation; or

  • (c) are used in a location where reliable grounding cannot be obtained if the tools are supplied from a double insulated portable ground fault circuit interrupter of the class A type that meets the standards set out in CSA Standard C22.2 No. 144-1977, Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters, dated March 1977.

14.5 All portable electric tools used by employees in a fire hazard area shall be marked as appropriate for use or designed for use in such a fire hazard area.

14.6 Where an air hose is connected to a portable air-powered tool used by an employee, a restraining device shall be attached

• (a) to all hose connections; and

• (b) where an employee may be injured by the tool falling, to the tool.

• 14.7 (1) All explosive actuated fastening tools used by employees shall meet the standards set out in CSA Standard Z166-1975, Explosive Actuated Fastening Tools, dated June 1975.

• (2) No employee shall operate an explosive actuated fastening tool unless authorized to do so by his employer.

• (3) Every employee who operates an explosive actuated fastening tool shall operate it in accordance with the CSA Standard referred to in subsection (1).

14.8 All chain saws used by employees shall meet the standards set out in CSA Standard CAN3-Z62.1-M85, Chain Saws, dated February 1985.

Defective Tools and Machines

14.9 Where an employee finds any defect in a tool or machine that may render it unsafe for use, he shall report the defect to his employer as soon as possible.

14.10 An employer shall mark or tag as unsafe and remove from service any tool or machine used by his employees that has a defect that may render it unsafe for use.

Instructions and Training

14.11 Every employee shall be instructed and trained by a qualified person appointed by his employer in the safe and proper inspection, maintenance and use of all tools and machinery that he is required to use.

• 14.12 (1) Every employer shall maintain a manual of operating instructions for each type of portable electric tool, portable air-powered tool, explosive actuated fastening tool and machine used by his employees.

• (2) A manual referred to in subsection (1) shall be kept by the employer readily available for examination by an employee who is required to use the tool or machine to which the manual applies.

General Requirements for Machine Guards

• 14.13 (1) Every machine that has exposed moving, rotating, electrically charged or hot parts or that processes, transports or handles material that constitutes a hazard to an employee shall be equipped with a machine guard that

  • (a) prevents the employee or any part of his body from coming into contact with the parts or material;

  • (b) prevents access by the employee to the area of exposure to the hazard during the operation of the machine; or

  • (c) renders the machine inoperative if the employee or any part of his clothing is in or near a part of the machine that is likely to cause injury.

• (2) So far as is reasonably practicable, a machine guard referred to in subsection (1) shall not be removable.

• (3) A machine guard shall be so constructed, installed and maintained that it meets the requirements of subsection (1).

Use, Operation, Repair and Maintenance of Machine Guards

14.14 Machine guards shall be operated, maintained and repaired by a qualified person.

• 14.15 (1) Subject to subsection (2), where a machine guard is installed on a machine, no person shall use or operate the machine unless the machine guard is in its proper position.

• (2) A machine may be operated when the machine guard is not in its proper position in order to permit the removal of an injured person from the machine.