Updates · 13 provinces and territories

What changed in the Acts and regulations

Every change to a province's or territory's OHS Act and regulations that has been applied to the Ask Canada Safety index: what changed in the official text, when it came into force, when it reached the index, and the official source. Newest first. Changes already made but not yet in force are listed first, under Coming into force.

We check most official sources for changes automatically every week, and the rest by hand. Last check: October 14, 2026. When a change is found, it is applied to the index, verified and listed here.

Coming into force

Made by the government, not in force yet. The date shown is the one the government published; governments can change or delay a date, and the official text is the authority. Until a change is in force, the current text applies.

British ColumbiaComing into force November 6, 2026

Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, B.C. Reg. 296/97

Amended by B.C. Reg. 135/2026 · Part 8, Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment (respirators) · listed here October 10, 2026

Section 8.39 is replaced. A "tight-fitting respirator" is defined as a respirator that requires an effective seal with the face for proper functioning. If a worker is required to wear one, the employer must not permit anything to interfere with the seal or the proper functioning of the respirator. The current requirement that the worker be clean shaven where the respirator seals with the face is removed. Sections 8.40 (fit tests) and 8.41 (user seal checks) now say "tight-fitting respirator".

Until November 6, 2026 the current section 8.39 applies, including the clean-shaven requirement, and that is the text our answers use. We plan to switch our index to the new text on November 6, if that is still the date in force.

Official text of the amendment ↗

Applied to our index

Newfoundland and LabradorIn force September 24, 2026

Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2012, NLR 5/12

Amended by NLR 48/26 · Part VII, Personal Protective Equipment · in our index since October 5, 2026

Section 70 is replaced: "fit check" is no longer defined, "fit test" now means a test under CSA CAN/CSA-Z94.4 to evaluate the fit of a respirator on an individual, and "user seal check" is added. Section 71 is replaced: personal protective equipment must be properly fitted so as not to create a hazard to the wearer. Section 81 is replaced: high visibility safety apparel must meet CSA Standard Z96. Section 85(2) now allows respiratory protection equipment that is NIOSH-certified or meets CSA Standard Z94.4.1, and section 85(7) requires a fit test for a tight-fitting respirator as well as a user seal check before each use.

Official text ↗

QuebecIn force September 10, 2026

Regulation respecting occupational health and safety, CQLR c. S-2.1, r. 13

Amended by O.C. 1305-2026 · Air quality, lighting, sanitation, respirators · in our index since October 5, 2026

"Air contaminants" replaces the old list of gases, dusts, fumes, vapours and mists throughout (ss. 5, 39, 40, 43, 44, 107, 108, 110 and Schedules I and III). Lighting: Schedule VI is replaced with a new table based on EN 12464-1; a 250 lux minimum applies to any task area not otherwise defined (s. 125); new ss. 125.1 (screen work: 300 or 500 lux) and 125.2 (glare and flicker); a new measuring method (s. 126); the lunch-room and toilet rules (ss. 127, 128) are revoked; change rooms need 200 lux (s. 154). Work stations must have no visible mould (s. 16). Respirator rules now cite CSA Z94.4 without an edition and add bioaerosols (ss. 45, 45.1, 312.52). Disinfection now means a Health Canada-authorized disinfectant (s. 152).

Official text ↗

QuebecIn force August 10, 2026

Regulation respecting concrete pumps and distribution masts, CQLR c. S-2.1, r. 9

Amended by O.C. 816-2026 · Testing · in our index since October 5, 2026

Section 58 (sending test reports to the Commission) is struck out. Section 60 is replaced: the employer keeps a copy of every non-destructive test report on a pump-truck, the most recent one must be available in the pump-truck or electronically for the duration of the work, and the principal contractor must get a copy before work begins.

Official text ↗

QuebecIn force August 10, 2026

Safety Code for the construction industry, CQLR c. S-2.1, r. 4

Amended by O.C. 817-2026 · Fall protection and site lighting · in our index since October 5, 2026

Section 2.10.12: a fall arrest connecting device must resist severing where it may contact a sharp or abrasive edge. New s. 2.10.15.1: horizontal lifelines used in steel erection must be engineered (CSA Z259.13 and Z259.16). Section 2.10.16: a travel restraint system cannot be used on surfaces inclined more than 15° and does not need an energy absorber. Site lighting (s. 3.2.4) is now 300 lux for rough work, 500 lux for finishing work and 750 lux for precision work, measured as in the RSST; changing rooms and showers now need 200 lux (ss. 3.2.11, 3.2.15).

Official text ↗

QuebecIn force June 25, 2026

Regulation respecting occupational health and safety in mines, CQLR c. S-2.1, r. 14

Amended by O.C. 815-2026 · Mine rescue, notices, emergency exits, mobile machines, ropes, explosives · in our index since October 5, 2026

Adds a definition of "autonomous or semi-autonomous machine" and new rules for those machines (ss. 214.2-214.4). Mine rescue: new s. 18.1 (opening and closing an underground mine), rescuers must be freed by the employer for training, and new s. 20.1 requires a team of at least 18 rescuers for a major event (6 within 45 minutes, 12 within 3 hours). Notice of opening an underground mine goes from 10 to 90 days, and closing now needs 90 days notice too (s. 25). New s. 72.1 on emergency exits; s. 75.17 revoked. New ss. 190.1-190.2 on remotely operated rail vehicles; new s. 287.1 on electromagnetic rope examination. A surface explosives box may now hold 227 kg (was 75 kg) (s. 417); loading-area signs and markings changed (ss. 423, 448).

Official text ↗

QuebecIn force June 25, 2026

Regulation respecting health and safety in forest development work, CQLR c. S-2.1, r. 12.1

Amended by O.C. 814-2026 · Definitions, equipment standards, first aid · in our index since October 5, 2026

"Forest development" now includes forest inventory, clearing vegetation under transmission lines and tree marking, and ASTM is defined. Section 8 (first aid) is revoked. Forest road bridges need side pieces at least 40 cm high (was 20 cm). Updated standards for chain saws, fuel containers, footwear and leg protection; brush cutters may be modified where the manufacturer permits; an emergency medical technician is added to the first-aid provisions.

Official text ↗

British ColumbiaIn force October 1, 2026

Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, B.C. Reg. 296/97

Amended by B.C. Reg. 39/2026 · Part 31, Firefighting · in our index since October 3, 2026

Section 31.1 now has two subsections: the definition of "fire department" is reworded, "firefighter" is no longer defined, "fire personnel" is added, and a reference to a firefighter in Part 31 is to be read as including fire personnel. Section 31.2 is replaced: Part 31 does not apply to forest fire fighting.

Official text ↗

Informational tool only — not legal advice or an official interpretation. An independent tool, not a product of any government, safety authority or workers' compensation board. The official text of the Act or regulation governs; confirm anything workplace-critical against it.