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Thermal Conditions

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Physical hazards include hazards related to extreme heat and cold. Outdoor workers are commonly exposed to thermal hazards; however, it is important to remember some indoor environments (such as cold storage facilities or processing plants) present similar risks. It is important to identify, assess, and control these hazards.

The approach to minimize the risk is the same hazard assessment process used for any other hazards in the workplace and the hierarchy of controls should be applied as with any other workplace hazard. While outdoor weather conditions are beyond the employer’s control, employers still have a responsibility to protect workers. WSCC has a Code of Practice for Thermal Conditions to assist employers with controls in these environments. While low temperature hazards are the most common in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, heat exposures can also be dangerous to workers. The code of practice outlines potential thermal exposures and control methods for temperature extremes along with case studies, heat and cold stress policies, and weather data.

At indoor worksites, employers are required to maintain conditions in a manner that:

is appropriate for the work;
protects the health and safety of workers; and
provides reasonable comfort for workers.

If the indoor thermal conditions are likely to be a health and safety concern to workers, the employer must have equipment on hand to measure the thermal conditions.

For outdoor environments, or where the conditions are not reasonably possible to control, employers must provide measures to maintain:

effective protection for the health and safety of workers;
reasonable thermal comfort for workers; and
provide suitable clothing and PPE for conditions outside the worker’s normal duties.

Occupational Health and Safety Regulations
R-039-2015

Part 3 GENERAL DUTIES

Section 21 Occupational health and safety Program

21. (1) An employer shall provide an occupational health and safety program under this section if

(a) there are 20 or more workers who work at the work site; or

(b) the employer is so directed by the Chief Safety Officer.

(2) An occupational health and safety program for a work site must include

(a) a statement of the employer’s policy with respect to the protection and maintenance of the health and safety of workers;

(b) an identification of hazards that could endanger workers at the work site, through a hazard recognition program;

(c) measures, including procedures to respond to an emergency, that will be taken to reduce, eliminate and control the hazards identified under paragraph (b);

(d) an identification of internal and external resources, including personnel and equipment, that could be required to respond to an emergency;

(e) a statement of the responsibilities of the employer, the supervisors and the workers;

(f) a schedule for the regular inspection of the work site and inspection of work processes and procedures;

(g) a plan for the control of hazardous substances handled, used, stored, produced or disposed of at the work site and, if appropriate, the monitoring of the work environment;

(h) a plan for training workers and supervisors in safe work practices and procedures, including procedures, plans, policies or programs that the employer is required to develop;

(i) a procedure for the investigation of refusals to work under section 13 of the Act;

(j) a strategy for worker participation in occupational health and safety activities, including audit inspections and investigations of refusals to work under section 13 of the Act; and

(k) a procedure to review and, if necessary, revise the occupational health and safety program not less than once every three years or whenever there is a change of circumstances that could affect the health or safety of workers.

(3) An occupational health and safety program must be implemented and updated in consultation with

(a) the Committee or representative; and

(b) the workers.

(4) An occupational health and safety program required under this section must be in writing and made available to the workers.

Part 6 GENERAL HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

Section 74 Thermal conditions

74. (1) Subject to subsection (3), at an indoor work site, an employer shall provide and maintain thermal conditions, including air temperature, radiant temperature, humidity and air movement, that

(a) are appropriate to the nature of the work performed;

(b) provide effective protection for the health and safety of workers; and

(2) If the thermal environment at an indoor work site is likely to be a health or safety concern to workers, an employer shall provide and maintain an appropriate and suitably located instrument for measuring the thermal conditions.

(3) If it is not reasonably possible to control thermal conditions or if work is being performed outdoors, an employer shall provide and maintain measures for

(a) the effective protection of the health and safety of workers; and

(b) the reasonable thermal comfort of workers.

(4) If a worker is required or permitted to work in thermal conditions that are different from those associated with the worker’s normal duties, an employer shall provide and require the worker to use suitable clothing or other personal protective equipment necessary to protect the health and safety of the worker.

Occupational Health and Safety Regulations
R-003-2016

Part 3 GENERAL DUTIES

Section 21 Occupational health and safety program