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Hazard Prevention Program Regulations

Canada Labour Code, Part II Occupational Health and Safety

Regulations to prevent work related injuries and diseases

As of November 28, 2005 the Hazard Prevention Program Regulations are law.

Many companies already have a hazard prevention program in place. You must verify your existing program or create the program required by the Canada Labour Code.

What is a hazard prevention program?

A hazard prevention program is a work place specific program designed to prevent accidents and injury in work places, based on the hazards at that work place.

The federal Hazard Prevention Program Regulations were developed in close consultation with employer and employee representatives.

What if my program already exists?

If you have a current, effective hazard prevention program, it will likely meet most of the federal requirements. The employer must, however, ensure it complies with the current requirements of the Code and regulations.

What are my obligations?

The regulations provide necessary information without prescribing details of what exactly must be done in each work place. You will have to formalize your existing prevention efforts. The key components of the hazard prevention program are:

  • implementation plan;
  • hazard identification and assessment methodology;
  • hazard identification and assessment;
  • preventive measures;
  • employee education; and
  • program evaluation.

How do I get started?

The Labour Program offers several information products and assistance that can help you get started on developing or reviewing a hazard prevention program. Here are some of the tools you may find useful:

Program Development:

  • Hazard Prevention Program Guide

Specifics:

  • Job Safety Analysis Made Simple

You must consult with your policy or work place health and safety committee or representative.

Time frame

The Labour Program will be evaluating the employer’s hazard prevention program in the course of routine work place interventions. Employers who demonstrate an effective program or who demonstrate they are actively implementing an effective hazard prevention program will not be subject to federal compliance measures.

Given that a hazard prevention program’s complexity will depend on the size and nature of an employer, federal health and safety officers will use good judgment when evaluating compliance.

Summary

A good hazard prevention program can prevent work place accidents and injuries while streamlining an employer’s health and safety activities. The Labour Program can also assist you in identifying resources to help you get started. Contact us at one of our district offices today.

The number, 1-800-641-4049, offers 24-hour bilingual information on the Directorate’s programs and services and provides a single point of contact for our clients and Canadians.

You can order this publication by contacting:

Publications Services
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
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Phase IV, 12th Floor
Gatineau, Quebec
K1A 0J9

Fax: 819-953-7260

This document is available on demand in alternative formats (Large Print, Braille, Audio Cassette, Audio CD, e-Text Diskette, e-Text CD, or DAISY), by contacting 1 800-O Canada (1-800-622-6232). If you have a hearing or speech impairment and use a teletypewriter (TTY), call 1-800-926-9105.

© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2009

Paper
Cat. No.: HS24-24/2009
ISBN: 978-1-100-50210-6

PDF
Cat. No.: HS24-24/2009E-PDF
ISBN: 978-1-100-13114-6

Full text of the Hazard Prevention Program Regulations in PDF (61 KB)

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Date Modified:
2012-01-12