2011 Notice of Proposal to Adopt New or Revised Occupational Exposure Limits or Listings for Hazardous Chemical Substances

• Issued: December 2011
• Content last reviewed: December 2011
• See also: 2011 Review of Occupational Exposure Limits in Ontario | Occupational Exposure Limits

The Ontario Ministry of Labour is seeking input on the proposed adoption of new or revised occupational exposure limits (OELs) or listings for 9 hazardous chemical substances that are set out in R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 833 (Control of Exposure to Biological or Chemical Agents) under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).

OELs are set out in the hazardous substance regulations under the OHSA. OELs restrict the amount and duration of worker exposure to hazardous workplace substances such as asbestos, benzene and lead. The proposed changes are based on recommendations by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). ACGIH recommendations regarding exposure limits are the basis of OELs in many North American and other jurisdictions. Stakeholders wanting to learn about the ACGIH, their “Notice of Intended Changes (NIC)” and opportunities to comment can visit http://www.acgih.org/TLV/NIC.htm

The chart posted on the Ministry’s website contains new or revised OELs or listings proposed for 9 substances resulting from changes recently recommended by the ACGIH. Important proposed changes include:

• The revisions to OELs or listings for 7 substances currently regulated.
• The addition of one substance, 2,4-Pentanedione to be regulated
• Withdrawal of the listing and specific exposure limit for one substance, Soapstone. As per the ACGIH, soapstone is proposed to be regulated under the OEL for Talc.

Since a reduction in the OEL or changes in the particle size fraction may impact sampling and analytical methods, we are interested in hearing your comments about these proposed changes.

Stakeholder input is an essential part of the OEL updating process. Stakeholders are invited to submit comments on any or all of the proposed OEL changes. Specific concerns should contain a clear description of the rationale and appropriate documentation.

Where an OEL for a hazardous substance has not been recommended and is not under consideration by the ACGIH at this time, stakeholders are invited during this consultation period to nominate the substance for development of an OEL. The submission should include a proposed limit and supporting documentation used by a jurisdiction that has adopted the proposed limit.

The 2011 consultation period ends February 17, 2012. Submissions may be mailed, faxed, or sent electronically to the following addresses: