Preface
This Express Document is the preliminary draft of CSA EXP1010, Management of work in extreme conditions. It will be used as a seed document for the future development of a new Standard. This Express Document is not a consensus product; that is, it is not a Standard and it has not been formally reviewed or approved by a CSA Technical Committee.
The purpose of this Express Document is to address the application of occupational health and safety management systems to plans for work performed under heightened-risk conditions presented by extreme environmental temperatures, severe weather, low or high atmospheric pressure, and poor air quality (causing impairment of breathing or visibility). This Express Document will be used as the basis for development of a new standard on this subject area, which will become part of the CSA Z1000 series of OHS management systems standards.
Introduction
0.1 General
Environmental conditions, whether outside or inside buildings, encountered by workers can have a significant adverse effect on workers’ health and safety. Completion of work tasks can be slowed or quality diminished as a result of exposure to extreme environmental/weather conditions.
The effects of extreme conditions can be both physiological and psychological. Physiological effects are determined by the ability of muscle cells to transform chemically bound energy from food intake into mechanical energy for muscular work. This process can be impaired by factors that reduce oxygen and fuel availability to muscle tissue. Psychological factors, including motivation and focus, can also be influenced by the environmental conditions that the workers experience (Rodahl, 2002). The ultimate result can be injuries, occupational illness, reduced work output, or decreased quality of work performed.
0.2 Content of this Express Document
This Express Document specifies the requirements for a management system for managing work performed both indoors and outdoors under conditions of
a) extreme heat (elevated temperatures);
b) elevated humidity levels;
c) extreme cold;
d) high wind;
e) extreme levels of precipitation;
f) severe weather;
g) high altitude;
h) high and low atmospheric pressure conditions; and
i) smoke, smog, and allergens.
This Express Document is intended to be consistent with CAN/CSA-Z1000 so that a program to manage work in extreme environmental conditions can be integrated into an organization’s existing occupational health and safety management system.
This Express Document specifically addresses hazards and risk assessment (Clause 5), program planning and implementation (Clauses 6 and 7), and emergency preparedness (Clause 9). Examples of safe work programs, information on other resources, and cross references to related standards are included in the Annexes.
Scope
1.1
This Express Document, following the principles set out in CAN/CSA Z1000, specifies requirements for
a) establishing and maintaining an extreme conditions management system in accordance with OHMS principles;
b) defining the roles and responsibilities of the management representative, the monitoring team, and the worker;
c) managing external service providers;
d) establishing the parameters of extreme conditions;
e) identifying hazards and assessing risks relating to work in extreme conditions, including
i) high winds, tornados, hurricanes;
ii) extreme temperatures (hot and cold), humidity, and wind-chill;
iii) heavy rain, lightening, flash flooding;
iv) icy conditions — ice buildup, slippery conditions, sleet and hail;
v) poor visibility from stormy/foggy conditions;
vi) terrain — rough, rocky, uneven, sloped;
vii) high altitude – low atmospheric pressure, hyperbaric conditions, pressurized atmosphere;
viii) icy roads — thickness, travel safety;
ix) travel/transportation to and from workplace; and
x) rescue operations; and
f) managing and controlling hazards and risks relating to work in extreme conditions, including
i) development of general safety procedures for extreme conditions;
ii) use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and apparel used for work in extreme conditions;
iii) health and safety monitoring systems for work in cold and damp conditions, and high winds, as well as work in extreme heat and high humidity (both indoors and outdoors);
iv) health and safety monitoring systems for inclement weather and storms involving high winds, heavy rains, tornadoes, sleet and hail, lightning, and other severe weather conditions;
v) health and safety monitoring systems for work at high altitudes, low atmospheric conditions and pressurized atmospheres, hyperbaric conditions;
vi) emergency rescue plan development and implementation;
vii) training for work in extreme conditions; and
viii) determination of fitness for work in extreme conditions.
1.2
This Express Document does not address safety management of
a) exposure to ionizing radiation;
b) toxic or caustic atmospheres;
c) high-noise environments;
d) work in underwater environments;
e) exposure to dangerous animals, insects, or plants; and
f) conditions resulting from human behaviour in socio-political situations.
1.3
This Express Document is designed to be used with related health and safety management standards. It is intended to be referenced by standards as the primary set of requirements for health and safety management of work in extreme conditions. This Express Document is designed for use in workplaces in all regions of Canada.
1.4
This Express Document is designed for voluntary application in Canadian workplaces. However, the principles established in this Express Document are based on best practices recognized internationally. As such they may be applied to any work involving extreme conditions.
1.5
In this Standard, shall is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the standard; should is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; may is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the standard; and can is used to express possibility or capability.
Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material.
Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements.
Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application.
1.6
The values given in SI units are the units of record for the purpose of this Express Document. The values given in parentheses are for information and comparison only.
