AMENDMENTS TO OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATIONS PASSED

Labour Minister David Forbes today announced amendments to The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 1996 protecting workers from on-the-job injuries.

"These changes represent our Governments' commitment to modernize and enhance Saskatchewan's workplace safety laws," Forbes said. "These changes will prevent workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities, and will ensure that Saskatchewan workers are protected from preventable injuries."

The majority of the changes will take effect October 9, 2007, 60 days after being published in the Saskatchewan Gazette on August 10, 2007

The amendments follow the Occupational Health and Safety Council's review of occupational health and safety legislation and a first phase of government consultation, which focused on those recommendations by the council expected to have the greatest impact on reducing Saskatchewan's workplace injury rate.

The amendments include changes to:

•  fall protection regulations;
• powered mobile equipment regulations;
• regulations to reduce explosion risks in the oil and gas industry;
• contamination limits; and
• requirements for respiratory protective devices.

"Safe and healthy workplaces contribute to our province's prosperity and benefit all Saskatchewan people," Forbes said. "Effective occupational health and safety legislation is a fundamental element in our government's commitment to continue making Saskatchewan the best place for people to live, work and build strong futures."

Saskatchewan Labour is currently conducting consultations on further recommendations by the Occupational Health and Safety Council, a bi-partite group with representation from both employers and workers. These consultations will wrap up August 31, 2007.

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For more information, contact:

Shannon Dumba
Labour
Regina
Phone: 306-787-3021
Email: sdumba@lab.gov.sk.ca