Proposed amendments to Workplace Safety and Health Regulation
Date posted: September 10, 2026
The proposed amendments to the Workplace Safety and Health Regulation implement consensus recommendations of The Workplace Safety and Health Act Review Committee. The proposed regulatory amendments relate to the definitions of restricted and confined spaces, protective headwear for off-road vehicles, fire extinguishers on powered mobile equipment, scaffold tagging and electrical safety, and various administrative clean-ups. Proposed changes include:
Changing the terms used in the WSH Regulation so it is clearer which fully or partially enclosed spaces require enhanced training and measures due to increased risk (confined spaces), and which spaces require general training and measures (restricted spaces).
Replacing the term “protective headwear” with “safety helmet” for all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles and adopt the same safety helmet standards recognized by the Off-Road Vehicles Regulation, administered by Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure in partnership with Manitoba Public Insurance and enforced by local police services and RCMP.
Adding a cross-reference to The Highway Traffic Act to clarify that vehicles required to have a fire extinguisher under that Act will continue to require one, while all other powered mobile equipment will require an assessment to determine whether there is a need.
Requiring inspection tagging of open access scaffolds more than 10 metres in height and enclosed or hoarded access scaffolds more than 7.5 metres in height.
Adding requirements for colour-coded scaffold tags to be dated and installed at the entry points of the scaffolding, so that it is visible to workers prior to their ascending/descending the scaffolding. Tags must expire 21 calendar days after the date of inspection.
Adding clear language recognizing arc flashes as a form of electrical contact, in addition to physical contact.
Requiring that safe work procedures to de-energize electrical equipment conform with the requirements of Canadian Standards Association Workplace Electrical Safety, CSA Z462-24.
Various administrative corrections, including references to the current names of The Smoking and Vapour Products Control Act and the Trades of Boom Truck Hoist, Mobile Crane and Tower Crane Operator Regulation, incorrectly cited standard references for protective headwear, and replacing the outdated term ‘shock absorber’ with ‘energy absorber.’
Date posted: September 10, 2026
The proposed amendments to the Workplace Safety and Health Regulation implement consensus recommendations of The Workplace Safety and Health Act Review Committee. The proposed regulatory amendments relate to the definitions of restricted and confined spaces, protective headwear for off-road vehicles, fire extinguishers on powered mobile equipment, scaffold tagging and electrical safety, and various administrative clean-ups. Proposed changes include:
Changing the terms used in the WSH Regulation so it is clearer which fully or partially enclosed spaces require enhanced training and measures due to increased risk (confined spaces), and which spaces require general training and measures (restricted spaces).
Replacing the term “protective headwear” with “safety helmet” for all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles and adopt the same safety helmet standards recognized by the Off-Road Vehicles Regulation, administered by Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure in partnership with Manitoba Public Insurance and enforced by local police services and RCMP.
Adding a cross-reference to The Highway Traffic Act to clarify that vehicles required to have a fire extinguisher under that Act will continue to require one, while all other powered mobile equipment will require an assessment to determine whether there is a need.
Requiring inspection tagging of open access scaffolds more than 10 metres in height and enclosed or hoarded access scaffolds more than 7.5 metres in height.
Adding requirements for colour-coded scaffold tags to be dated and installed at the entry points of the scaffolding, so that it is visible to workers prior to their ascending/descending the scaffolding. Tags must expire 21 calendar days after the date of inspection.
Adding clear language recognizing arc flashes as a form of electrical contact, in addition to physical contact.
Requiring that safe work procedures to de-energize electrical equipment conform with the requirements of Canadian Standards Association Workplace Electrical Safety, CSA Z462-24.
Various administrative corrections, including references to the current names of The Smoking and Vapour Products Control Act and the Trades of Boom Truck Hoist, Mobile Crane and Tower Crane Operator Regulation, incorrectly cited standard references for protective headwear, and replacing the outdated term ‘shock absorber’ with ‘energy absorber.’
