Canada – Nova Scotia Offshore Marine Installations and Structures Occupational Health and Safety Transitional Regulations  (SOR/2015-2)

Sound Level Measurement

62 The levels of sound referred to in sections 59 and 60 must be measured by using the slow exponential-time-averaging characteristic and the A-weighting characteristic of a sound level meter.

63 The level of impulse sound referred to in section 61 must be measured by using the impulse exponential-time-averaging characteristic of a sound level meter.

Warning Signs

64 In a workplace when the level of sound is 85 dB or more or when the peak level of impulse sound exceeds 140 dB, the employer must post signs warning persons entering the workplace

• (a) that there is a hazardous level of sound or impulse sound in the workplace;

• (b) if applicable, of the maximum number of hours of exposure determined under subsection 59(2); and

• (c) if applicable, of the requirement to wear a hearing protector.

PART 8Electrical Safety

Interpretation

65 In this Part,control device means a device that will safely disconnect electrical equipment from its source of energy. (dispositif de commande)

Safety Procedures

• 66 (1) All testing or work performed on electrical equipment must be performed by a qualified person or an employee under the direct supervision of a qualified person.

• (2) If there is a possibility that the qualified person or the employee may receive a hazardous electrical shock during the performance of testing or work,

  • (a) the qualified person or the employee must use insulated protection equipment and tools that will protect them from injury during the performance of the work; and

  • (b) the employee must be instructed and trained in the use of the insulated protection equipment and tools.

• 67 (1) If electrical equipment is live or may become live, an employee must not work on the equipment unless

  • (a) the employer has instructed the employee in procedures that are safe for work on live conductors;

  • (b) a safety ground is connected to the equipment; or

  • (c) the equipment is isolated in accordance with section 72.

• (2) Subject to subsections (3) and (4), if an employee is working on or near electrical equipment that is live or may become live, the electrical equipment must be guarded.

• (3) Subject to subsection (4), if it is not practicable for electrical equipment referred to in subsection (2) to be guarded, the employer must take measures to protect the employee from injury by insulating the equipment from the employee or the employee from ground.

• (4) If live electrical equipment is not guarded or insulated in accordance with subsection (2) or (3) or if the employee referred to in subsection (3) is not insulated from ground, an employee must not work so near to any live part of the electrical equipment that is within a voltage range set out in column 1 of an item of Schedule 3 that the distance between the body of the employee or any thing with which the employee is in contact and the live part of the equipment is less than

  • (a) the distance set out in column 2 of that item, when the employee is not a qualified person; or

  • (b) the distance set out in column 3 of that item, when the employee is a qualified person.

• (5) An employee must not work near a live part of any electrical equipment referred to in subsection (4) if there is a hazard that an unintentional movement by the employee would bring any part ofthe employee’s body or any thing with which the employee is in contact closer to that live part than the distance referred to in that subsection.

68 An employee must not work on or near high voltage electrical equipment unless the employee is authorized to do so by the employer.

69 A legible sign with the words “DANGER — HIGH VOLTAGE” and “DANGER — HAUTE TENSION” in letters that are not less than 50 mm in height on a contrasting background or a symbol conveying the same meaning must be posted in a conspicuous place at every approach to live high voltage electrical equipment.

Safety Watcher

• 70 (1) If an employee is working on or near live electrical equipment and, because of the nature of the work or the condition or location of the workplace, it is necessary for the safety of the employee that the work be observed by a person not engaged in the work, the employer must appoint a safety watcher

  • (a) to warn all employees in the workplace of the hazard; and

  • (b) to ensure that all safety precautions and procedures are complied with.

• (2) Safety watchers must be

  • (a) informed of their duties as safety watchers and of the hazard involved in the work;

  • (b) trained and instructed in the procedures to follow in the event of an emergency;

  • (c) authorized to stop immediately any part of the work that they consider dangerous; and

  • (d) free of any other duties that might interfere with their duties as safety watchers.

• (3) For the purposes of subsection (1), employers may appoint themselves as safety watchers.

Coordination of Work

71 If an employee or another person, including every safety watcher, is working on or in connection with electrical equipment, the employee or other person must be fully informed by the employer with respect to the safe coordination of their work.

Isolation of Electrical Equipment

• 72 (1) Before an employee isolates electrical equipment or changes or terminates the isolation of electrical equipment, the employer must issue written instructions with respect to the procedures to be followed for the safe performance of that work.

• (2) The instructions referred to in subsection (1) must

  • (a) state the isolation procedures to be followed;

  • (b) identify the electrical equipment to which the instructions apply;

  • (c) describe any tests to be performed;

  • (d) specify particulars of the tags or signs to be used; and

  • (e) specify the protection equipment to be used.

• (3) A tag or sign referred to in paragraph (2)(d) must

  • (a) contain the words “DO NOT OPERATE — DÉFENSE D’ACTIONNER” or display a symbol conveying the same meaning;

  • (b) show the date and time at which the electrical equipment was isolated;

  • (c) show the name of the employee performing the work or live test;

  • (d) when used in connection with a live test, be distinctively marked as a testing tag or sign;

  • (e) be removed only by the employee performing the work or live test; and

  • (f) be used for no purpose other than to notify persons that the operation or movement of the electrical equipment is prohibited during the performance of the work or live test.

• (4) A copy of the instructions must be shown and explained to the employee.

• (5) The instructions must be kept readily available for examination by employees at the workplace in which the electrical equipment is located.

Control Devices, Switches, Cords and Cables

• 73 (1) Every control device must be so designed and located as to permit quick and safe operation at all times.

• (2) The path of access to every electrical switch, control device or meter must be free from obstruction.

• (3) If an electrical switch or other control device controlling the supply of electrical energy to electrical equipment is operated only by a person authorized to do so by the employer, the switch or other control device must be fitted with a locking device that only such an authorized person can activate.

• (4) Control switches for all electrically operated machinery must be clearly marked to indicate the switch positions that correspond to the electrical circuits being controlled.

• 74 (1) All electrical equipment in a hazardous location, as defined in the Canadian Electrical Code, published by the CSA, must be constructed, certified and marked in accordance with that code.

• (1.1) However, if the hazardous location is on any ship used for construction, production or diving or for geotechnical or seismic work, the equipment must be constructed, certified and marked in accordance with the standards established by the American Bureau of Shipping, Bureau Veritas, DNV GL or Lloyd’s Register.

• (2) Each extension cord of the electrical equipment must be equipped with a terminal that provides an interruption of the circuit before a connecting device is withdrawn.