Introducing amendments to regulations under Part II of the Canada Labour Code

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• Amendments to regulations under Part II of the Canada Labour Code (Code)
• Key revised obligations
• Update of the references to standards

Amendments to regulations under Part II of the Canada Labour Code (Code)

As of February 2026, several amendments to Regulations made under the Canada Labour Code (Code) Part II will be published and will come into effect in February 2027. These changes aim to modernize protective measures to better manage emerging workplace risks. Here are the key revised obligations in preparation for the update.

Key revised obligations

1. Record of Hazardous Substances

Employers will be required to maintain a record of hazardous substances used, produced, handled, or stored in the work place, including those used, produced, handled, or stored in the work place by contractors. Therefore, hazardous substances related to contractors will need to be added to the existing register.

Information regarding the hazardous substances register can be found in the Guide to Management: Hazardous Substances.

2. Measurement of Contaminant Concentrations

Regarding the measurement of chemical agents' concentrations in the air, as well as airborne asbestos fibers that may exceed zero, it will now be required to conduct analyses in the breathing zone of employees most exposed to the highest levels of these contaminants. Furthermore, the approved methods for sampling have been updated to reflect current approaches and to ensure better adaptability to emerging risks.

Information regarding the measurement of contaminant concentrations can be found in the Canadian Occupational Chemical Agent Compliance Sampling Guideline.

3. Maintaining Chemical Agent Concentrations

Employers will be required to ensure that the concentration of a chemical agent in the air is kept as low as reasonably achievable when no values have been established by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) in its publication entitled Threshold Limit Value (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs). This requirement will not apply to airborne dust from grains and flour, nor to airborne asbestos fibers.

Information regarding maintaining chemical agent concentrations can be found in the Canadian Occupational Chemical Agent Compliance Sampling Guideline.

4. Management of Engineered Nanomaterials

If engineered nanomaterials are present in the workplace, the employer will be required to implement the CSA Group Standard Z12885, entitled Nanotechnologies — Exposure control program for engineered nanomaterials in occupational settings, to establish prevention and protection objectives, and to control the exposure related to their handling, use, and storage.

Information regarding the Management of Engineered Nanomaterials can be found in the publication Engineered Nanomaterials: Health and Safety Considerations.

5. Control of Exposure to Extreme Conditions

Employers will be required to take measures to control employee exposure to extreme cold or heat when thresholds specified in the ACGIH publication: Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs), are reached. The employer will be required to consult with the policy committee, or in its absence, the work place committee or health and safety representative, to develop procedures to mitigate this risk. Incidents related to extreme heat and cold to be kept in the record of hazardous substances.

Information regarding the control of exposure to extreme conditions can be found in the publication Thermal Stress in the Work Place.

6. Radon Exposure Limit

The exposure limit for radon for employees not working in the nuclear sector will be lowered to 200 Bq/m³.

Information regarding radon exposure limit can be found in subsection 10.26(4) of the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations. Information regarding the management and investigation of hazardous substances is available in the Guide to Management: Hazardous Substances.

7. Control of UV Radiation Exposure

Employee exposure to ultraviolet radiation, excluding solar radiation, must be controlled to ensure it does not exceed the exposure limits published in the ACGIH’s document entitled Threshold Limit Value (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs).

Information regarding UV radiation exposure limit can be found in subsection 10.26(5) of the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations. Information regarding the management and investigation of hazardous substances is available in the Guide to Management: Hazardous Substances.

8. Control Banding

Control Banding is a structured method for assessing and managing workplace risks. It may be applied by federally regulated employers to address worker exposure to hazardous substances for which no occupational exposure limit has been established. The guideline developed by the Labour Program serves as a reference for qualified persons who must recommend appropriate control measures. Its purpose is to strengthen employee health and safety by promoting solutions that are effective, tailored, and proportionate based on the identified level of hazards.

Information regarding the Control Banging is available in the Control Banding Guideline.

Update of the reference to standards

Most references to standards in regulations made under the Code will be updated to refer to the most recent version along with its successive amendments.

Contact us

For more information or questions regarding the upcoming regulatory changes, please contact the Labour Program at 1-800-641-4049.