FLHA rules in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan has the lowest committee threshold in Canada (10 workers) and needs a representative at 5 to 9 workers on building and road construction. A written fall protection plan is needed from 3 m where there are no guardrails. Dangerous occurrences must be reported even when nobody is hurt.
What is different in Saskatchewan
- An occupational health committee is required at 10 or more workers of one employer (Act s.3-22).
- A representative is required at more than 4 but fewer than 10 workers in building construction and in road construction, earthwork, urban sewer and water construction and tunnelling (Act s.3-24, Reg s.4-8, Table 7).
- A prime contractor is required where 10 or more workers or self employed persons under 2 or more employers are working. Dwellings of fewer than 4 units are not part of the construction industry definition (Reg s.33-1, s.33-2).
- Fall protection is needed where a worker may fall 3 m or more, or a shorter fall could cause injury. Guardrails are needed at permanent work areas for falls between 1.2 m and 3 m (Reg s.9-2).
- A written fall protection plan, including rescue procedures, is needed at 3 m or more without guardrails. It must be ready before work starts and workers must be trained on it (Reg s.9-3).
- Trenches deeper than 1.2 m need cave in protection (Reg s.17-7).
- Working alone: identify the risks with the committee or representative and set up an effective communication system such as radio or phone (Reg s.3-24).
The law and the regulator
Regulator: Saskatchewan Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety, OHS Division, phone 1-800-567-7233 (press 1 to report, 24/7).
What you must notify
- New operations (Reg s.2-1(1)), as soon as reasonably possible: a construction site where 10 or more workers will be employed for 6 months or more; an excavation, trench or shaft over 5 m deep that a worker will enter; or any tunnel a worker will enter.
- High risk asbestos work: notice at least 14 days before the process begins (Reg s.2-1(2)).
- Demolition by explosives: send the procedure at least 30 days before (Reg s.27-9). Work in compressed air: notice at least 30 days before (Reg s.19-3).
- Serious injury or death (Reg s.2-2): report as soon as reasonably possible on 1-800-567-7233 when an accident causes or may cause death or a hospital in patient stay of 72 hours or more. Give a copy to the committee co-chairs or representative.
- Dangerous occurrences (Reg s.2-3), even with no injury: for example collapse of a structure, scaffold, falsework, formwork, trench or excavation, crane or hoist failure or overturning, or contact with an energized conductor.