Changes due to COVID-19

Officers are responding to all complaints normally investigated under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulation and Code.

OHS officers will observe all COVID-19 control measures on work sites, including physical distancing and sanitation requirements. These inspections also focus on directives required by the chief medical officer of health.

Officers may conduct some work site inspections remotely.

We may collaborate and conduct joint inspections with other regulators, including:

  • Alberta Health Services
  • Canadian Food Inspection Agency
  • Children’s Services

Proactive inspections are currently focusing on services that stayed open during the COVID-19 pandemic, including:

  • grocery stores
  • health care and congregate care
  • fuel and convenience stores
  • meat packing and food processing facilities
  • correctional facilities

We will include other work sites as they open up as part of Alberta’s Relaunch Strategy. Priorities are subject to capacity and may vary by region.

Re-Launch Strategy Phase Proactive Inspections Priorities
Stage 1 As above plus:
  • safety training agencies (e.g. first aid and asbestos training)
  • non-essential retail – malls and other large facilities
  • mining
  • greenhouses
  • restaurants
  • daycares
  • hair styling
Stage 2 As above, plus:
  • allied health services and dentists
  • libraries
  • movie theatres and theatres
  • personal services
  • Wellness Services
  • K-12 education focusing on diploma exams and summer schools
  • municipal rec centres, pools and gyms
  • casinos and bingo halls
Stage 3 As above, plus:
  • sporting events
  • conference centres and other areas with large gatherings (hotels, etc.)
  • on site congregate care inspections

Learn more about temporary workplace rule changes.

Find additional sector-specific resources on BizConnect.

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 or complaints
  • Persistently low rates of compliance
  • 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.

Previous programs and reports

2017

Arena focused inspections program

Care worker violence prevention focused inspection program

2016

Fuel and convenience retailers focused inspections program

Vulnerable workers focused inspections program

2015

Sand and gravel crushing focused inspections program

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

Ask an Expert

Related

OHS Publications