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Regulation Review: Part 6

Workers in Manitoba have legislated regulations to help keep us safe, day in and day out – no matter what job we do. These regulations are a part of the framework for building safe workplaces in Manitoba. 

The Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Act and associated regulations are in place to protect you – the worker – from workplace hazards and the risks they present. Manitoba Regulation 217/2006 is a 44-part document containing requirements and guidelines for workplaces, including site-specific rules and other valuable information to prevent harm from coming to workers.  

Over the coming months, Safety Check is profiling one part of the Regulation in each issue to help remind you of the Regulation’s specifics and to help keep safety top-of-mind for all Manitobans.  

This issue, it’s Regulation Part 6 – Personal Protective Equipment (General). 

First and foremost, Regulation Part 6 demands workplaces develop, implement and train workers on SAFE Work procedures.  

Employers must also provide personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate to the risks involved in a worker’s tasks at no cost to the worker, except for protective footwear across all industries and protective headwear in the construction sector.  

Employers must also ensure equipment is fit for its purpose, fits the worker correctly and that the worker is informed and understands the risks.  

Workers must wear and use equipment according to the manufacturer’s specifications, take reasonable steps to prevent damage and inform the employer if equipment becomes defective.  

When a worker is required to provide protective headwear or footwear, the employer must ensure the PPE meets and is used according to the Regulation.  

Specific types of PPE include:

  • High visibility apparel (where there is a risk from moving vehicles or visibility risks from environmental conditions)
  • Skin protection equipment (where there is a risk from sparks, molten metal or radiation)
  • Protective clothing (where there is a risk from contamination of the worker’s skin or clothing by a hazardous substance)
  • Protective headwear and footwear
  • Eye and face protectors (where there is a risk of irritation or injury to the worker’s face or eyes from flying objects or particles, splashing liquids or molten metal, radiation or any other material. Prescription lenses are not included as eye protection.
  • Hand, arm, leg and body protection (responsibility of the employer where there is a risk of injury)
  • Respiratory protective equipment (appropriate to the risks)

 

Employers must also provide protection when working in dangerous atmospheres, protection from drowning and protection when all-terrain vehicles or snowmobiles are in use.  

This description is just a summary. For more information on the Regulation, download the document in its entirety.