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In some cases, legislation provides a range of acceptable temperatures for specific circumstances. In other cases, occupational health and safety jurisdictions use the Threshold Limit Values® for heat stress or cold stress as published by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). Some Canadian jurisdictions have adopted these TLVs as occupational exposure limits and others use them as guidelines.
A summary of legislation concerning temperature is provided below. This list does not cite the exact text of each section. In all cases, consult with your jurisdiction to confirm what legislation applies in your situation, and that the most current legislation is applied. A list of contact information for all Canadian occupational health and safety jurisdictions is available.
Table 1 | ||
Jurisdiction | Regulation | Temperature |
Canada, Federal | Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations | Section 9.9: personal service room and food preparation area: 18°C minimum/29°C maximum |
National Joint Council (Public Service Canada) | Occupational Health and Safety Directive | Section 2.2 Environmental Conditions: Ideal range between 20-26°C. Temperatures between 17°C and 20°C and above 26°C can be uncomfortable, and occupancy in each of those extremes should not exceed 3 hours daily or 60 hours annually. |
British Columbia | Occupational Health and Safety Regulations | Heat: Sections 7.27 to 7.32: current ACGIH TLVs® |
Alberta | (Guidelines only) |
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Saskatchewan | Occupational Health and Safety Regulations | Section 6-7: Thermal conditions: Provide and maintain measures to protect workers, and offer reasonable thermal comfort to workers |
Manitoba | Workplace Safety and Health Regulation | Section 4.12: Thermal Stress: current ACGIH TLVs® for heat and cold exposure |
Ontario | Occupational Health and Safety Act | Clause 25(2)(h): General duty clause |
Construction Projects Regulations | Section 260(3)(d): Change room for underground workers, 27°C minimum | |
Industrial Establishment | Section 129. Enclosed workplace, minimum of 18°C. | |
Quebec | Regulation respecting occupational health and safety | Sections 116 to 120: Heating Environment – Appropriate temperature considering the work being done. Section 118: Lunch rooms - minimum temperature of 20 °C (but does not apply to facilities used as offices) |
New Brunswick | General Regulations | Section 21: In an enclosed place of employment, minimum depends on work being done (e.g., heavy work 12°C; light work 20°C) |
Nova Scotia | Workplace Health and Safety Regulation | Section 2.1 and 2.3: current ACGIH TLVs® for heat and cold exposure (physical agents) |
Prince Edward Island | General Regulations | Section 11.10 and 11.11: In an enclosed place of employment, minimum depends on work being done (e.g., heavy work 12°C; light work 20°C). Exceptions apply. |
Newfoundland and Labrador | Occupational Health and Safety Regulations | Section 44: Reasonable and consistent with the nature and degree of work performed, as established by current ACGIH TLVs® |
Northwest Territories | Occupational Health and Safety Regulations | Section 74: Thermal conditions. Appropriate to nature of the work, effective protection of worker health and safety, and reasonable thermal comfort |
Mine Health and Safety Regulations | Sections 9.57 to 9.62: Program required when thermal conditions and nature of work can cause distress. 1994-1995 ACGIH TLVs®. | |
Nunavut | Occupational Health and Safety Regulations | Section 74: Thermal conditions. Appropriate to nature of the work, effective protection of worker health and safety, and reasonable thermal comfort |
Mine Health and Safety Regulations | Sections 9.57 to 9.62: Program required when thermal conditions and nature of work can cause distress. 1994-1995 ACGIH TLVs®. | |
Yukon Territory | Occupational Health and Safety Regulations | Section 5.75: Conditions specific to tower cranes |
Occupational Health Regulations | Section 9: Thermal environment. Reasonable and appropriate to the work performed. |
Please see the following OSH Answers documents: