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Part of Inspections

OHS proactive inspection program

OHS officers focus inspections on specific industry sectors, employers or types of work.

Overview

Each year, OHS proactively inspects employers to monitor compliance with legislation. OHS chooses employers and sectors with:

  • Relatively high injury and illness rates
  • High frequency of incidents
  • Emerging trends

Inspection programs help work site parties identify health and safety hazards and measures to mitigate the hazards. More information on prevention priorities for the OHS system is available in the Prevention Initiative for Alberta's OHS System.

How inspections are done

An OHS officer’s role is to monitor compliance with the legislation through review of records and documents, observations and conversations with work site parties. OHS officers may take measurements, samples, photos or recordings. A record of the inspection will be provided to work site parties at the conclusion of a site visit.

Work site parties are responsible for correcting any non-compliance identified by the OHS officer.

OHS officers may re-inspect sites to check on previous non-compliance with OHS laws.

Current programs

Programs will run from April 2023 to December 2024.

Under each program, OHS will work with employers and workers to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses and fatalities, and to proactively address health and safety concerns. Each proactive program has specific areas of focus, based on the most common hazards and incidents in those industry sectors. In addition, OHS will focus on educating industry sectors on the OHS Code changes most relevant to them.

  • Manufacturing Inspection Program

    The industry sectors included with this program plan are:

    • wood product manufacturing
    • soft drinks, water and ice manufacturing
    • fibreglass and artificial stone products manufacturing
    • rope and carpet manufacturing and repair
    • treating of timber
    • steel pipe manufacturing
    • steel manufacturing (excluding foundries)

    Specific areas of focus for this program plan will be:

    • musculoskeletal disorders
    • noise
    • exposure to harmful substances
    • small businesses

    OHS code changes relevant to this industry are:

    • Part 5 – Confined Space
    • Part 11 – First Aid
    • Part 15 – Managing the Control of Hazardous Energy
    • Part 16 – Noise
    • Part 18 – Personal Protective Equipment
    • Part 23 – Scaffolds and Temporary Work Platforms

  • Wholesaling, Warehousing and Department Stores Inspection Program

    The industry sectors included with this program plan are:

    • warehousing
    • wholesaling
    • department and general stores

    Specific areas of focus for this program plan will be:

    • musculoskeletal disorders
    • noise
    • exposure to harmful substances

    Relevant code changes are:

    • Part 11 – First Aid
    • Part 18 – Personal Protective Equipment

  • Continuing Care Inspection Program

    The industry sectors included with this program plan are:

    • seniors’ supportive living and lodges
    • home support services
    • continuing care facilities

    Specific areas of focus for this program plan will be:

    • musculoskeletal disorders
    • exposure to harmful substances
    • personal protective equipment
    • violence and harassment

    Relevant code changes are:

    • Part 11 – First Aid
    • Part 18 – Personal Protective Equipment

  • Cities Inspection Program

    Specific areas of focus for this program plan will be:

    • violence and harassment
    • musculoskeletal disorders
    • exposure to harmful substances
    • noise

    Relevant code changes are:

    • Part 5 – Confined Space
    • Part 9 – Fall Protection
    • Part 11 – First Aid
    • Part 15 – Managing the Control of Hazardous Energy
    • Part 16 – Noise
    • Part 18 – Personal Protective Equipment
    • Part 23 – Scaffolds and Temporary Work Platforms
    • Part 39 – Tree Care Operations
    • Part 41 – Work Requiring Rope Access

  • Selected Industry Inspection Program

    The industry sectors included with this program plan are:

    • iron and steel foundries
    • sales and installation of refractory linings
    • fire protection cooperatives
    • rendering plants
    • timber management

    Specific areas of focus for this program plan will be:

    • musculoskeletal disorders
    • exposure to harmful substances

    Relevant code changes are:

    • Parts 5 – Confined Space
    • Part 11 – First Aid
    • Part 15 – Managing the Control of Hazardous Energy
    • Part 16 – Noise
    • Part 18 – Personal Protective Equipment
    • Part 23 – Scaffolds and Temporary Work Platforms

Previous program reports

2022

2021

2019

2017

Contact

Connect with OHS:

Phone: 780-415-8690 (Edmonton)
Toll free: 1-866-415-8690 
TTY: 780-427-9999 (Edmonton)
TTY: 1-800-232-7215

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