Legislation & Policy for Lone Working in Ontario and Nova Scotia

As Canada is divided into federal, provincial and territorial jurisdictions here is the legislation and policy pertaining to workers and lone workers in Ontario and Nova Scotia, including the associated work alone regulations.

Summary of Ontario Lone Worker Legislation

Ontario does not have a specific regulation concerned with “working alone” although the Regulation for Industrial Establishments specifies a minimum number of workers for some hazardous work such as working on live electrical conductors.

Instead, reliance is placed on the employer’s general duty to take all reasonable precautions for the health and safety of the worker, as specified in OHSA Section 25(2)(a) ‘Provide information, instruction and supervision to a worker to protect the health or safety of the worker’; and (h) ‘take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker;’

Summary of Nova Scotia Lone Worker Legislation

Nova Scotia does not have any specific lone worker legislation however they do specify a legal minimum number of workers for some hazardous working situations. For example, when people are working on live electrical conductors, using a self-contained breathing apparatus, operating a chainsaw, or where an employee might become trapped by material. Beyond that, there is only a general duty clause within their respective Health and Safety Acts that requires employers to ensure the health and safety of their workers.

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