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Part of Compliance and enforcement

OHS acceptances, approvals, allowances and recognitions

Work site parties can apply for acceptances, allowances, approvals and inter-jurisdictional recognitions from OHS directors.

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Compliance and enforcement

Acceptances

An acceptance allows a work site party to take an alternative approach to a requirement in the OHS Regulation or Code, if the alternative gives equal or greater protection to workers than the original requirements.

OHS directors can issue acceptances for alternative:

  • equipment
  • work processes
  • standards
  • requirements
  • substances
  • services
  • first aid services, supplies or equipment

An acceptance is not an exemption to a specific requirement in the OHS legislation.

See also: Director order revoking specific allowances, approvals and interjurisdictional recognitions. These are no longer needed due to the OHS Code update effective March 31, 2023.

Approvals

An approval provides added flexibility or enables a work site party to comply with specific provisions in the OHS Code. Certain provisions allow work site parties to apply for an approval from an OHS director. Once an approval is issued, a work site party will have the flexibility to follow the original rule in the OHS Code (where applicable) or follow the approval. For example, you may use or acquire an approval to:

  • use a certain equipment, method or standard
  • develop or use a particular process
  • offer a type of course or training

See the list of current approvals.

Note: this list covers approvals related to multiple work sites. Approvals for an individual employer or work site may not appear on this list.

How to apply

Step 1. Register for an Alberta.ca Account for Organizations

Register for an Alberta.ca Account for Organizations.

Step 2. Apply online (preferred)

Apply online for an acceptance or approval using your Alberta.ca Account for Organizations. Learn more about applying for an OHS acceptance or approval.

You cannot apply online to submit health and safety committee or representative approvals.

If needed, you may fill out the following form and send your application by email or physical mail:

Allowances

Allowances provide flexibility when it is clear that requirements lag behind advances in technology and processes. They permit an OHS director to allow alternatives that vary from the OHS Code if they do not reduce health and safety. An allowance may be granted to specific industries or all industries. A work site will have the flexibility to follow either the current rule in the OHS Code or follow the allowance.

See the list of current allowances

Inter-jurisdictional recognitions

Inter-jurisdictional recognitions provide flexibility by recognizing standards adopted in different Canadian jurisdictions. These may be issued where there is an agreement between Alberta and another jurisdiction. The agreement recognizes that another jurisdiction’s standard appropriately protects the health and safety of workers in Alberta while also supporting interprovincial trade and labour mobility.

See the current list of recognitions

Related

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