OTTAWA, ONTARIO, JUNE 30, 2010—To further protect the health and safety of workers on board vessels, today the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Canada’s Minister of Labour, and Canada’s Transport Minister, John Baird, announced the implementation of new regulations for the marine sector.
To ensure Canadian workers remain healthy, competitive and productive, the Government of Canada must create legislation that reflects our modern workforce,” said Minister Raitt. “We are implementing these regulations to protect marine workers and prevent accidents and injuries in their place of work.”
“The Government of Canada has taken action to improve the health and safety of marine workers by taking into account the particular characteristics of vessels as a work place,” said Minister Baird. “These new regulations better protect mariners from the hazards of working on ships.”
The regulatory changes harmonize the new regulations with the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, in order to ensure that employees working on board vessels enjoy the same level of health and safety protection as off‑board employees. Extensive consultations were completed to ensure that they reflect current technology, national and international standards, as well as modern marine industry practices. The new regulations replace the existing Marine Occupational Safety and Health Regulations, which came into force under Part II of the Canada Labour Code in 1987.
- 30 -
For further information (media only):
Jocelyne Turner
Office of Minister Raitt
819-953-5646
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills
Development Canada
819-994-5559
