| Topic: Biological, Physical and Chemical Agents – Definitions | Issued by: Chief Compliance Officer |
| Statute: Occupational Health and Safety Act | Date Issued: January 10, 2006 |
| Section: subsection, paragraph: 9(2)(b), 9(2)(c.3)(iv), 9.1(2)(a), 13, 42 & 43(4)(a) | Date Revised: July 26, 2024 |
Question
What is meant by biological, chemical, and physical agents?
Response
Biological agent is a term used to describe microorganisms that are biological in nature and origin, to which exposure in sufficient quantities and duration may result in illness or injury to human health. Biological agents include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites or parts thereof or products they generate.
Chemical agent is a term used to describe all chemical elements and compounds in a natural state or a processed state and their byproducts, the exposure to which in sufficient quantities and duration may result in illness or injury to human health.
Physical agent is a term used to describe energies, the exposures to which in sufficient quantities and duration may result in illness or injury to human health. Physical agents include noise, ionizing or non-ionizing radiation, extremes in temperature and pressure, vibration, and electric and magnetic fields.
Referenced Legislation
9(2)(a) Without limiting the generality of the duties under subsection (1), every employer shall acquaint an employee with any hazard in connection with the use, handling, storage, disposal and transport of any tool, equipment, machine, device or biological, chemical, or physical agent
9(2)(c.3)(iv) Without limiting the generality of the duties under subsection (1), every employer shall ensure that work at the place of employment is competently supervised and that supervisors have sufficient knowledge of all of the following with respect to matters that are within the scope of the supervisor’s duties: any health and safety procedures with respect to hazards in connection with the use, handling, storage, disposal and transport of any tool, equipment, machine, device or biological, chemical or physical agent by employees who work under the supervisor’s supervision and direction
9.12(2)(a) Without limiting the generality of the duties under subsection (1), every supervisor shall acquaint the employees under the supervisor’s supervision and direction with any hazard in connection with the use, handling, storage, disposal, and transport of any tool, equipment, machine, device, or biological, chemical, or physical agent
13 Every supplier shall
(a) take every reasonable precaution to ensure that any tool, equipment, machine, or device or any biological, chemical, or physical agent supplied by the supplier
(i) is reasonably safe when used as directed by the supplier or in accordance with the directions supplied by the supplier, and
(ii) complies with this Act and Regulations.
(b) provide directions respecting the safe use of any tool, equipment, machine, or device or any biological, chemical, or physical agent obtained by an employer to be used at a place of employment by employees; and
(c) ensure that any biological, chemical, or physical agent supplied by the supplier is labeled in accordance with the applicable federal and provincial regulations.
42(1) Every employer at a place of employment shall prepare a list, in co-operation with the committee at the place of employment, if one exists, of all biological, chemical, or physical agents used, handled, produced, or otherwise present at the place of employment which may be hazardous to the health or safety of employees or which are suspected by the employees of being hazardous.
43(4)(a) The employer shall notify the Commission immediately if an accidental explosion or accidental exposure to a biological, chemical, or physical agent occurs at a place of employment, whether or not a person is injured.