Table of Contents
Indoor Air Quality
Last Updated: August 2022
Prepared by CCOHS
There are only a few references which specifically mention "indoor air quality" in Canadian legislation. This list is of what is available on the CCOHS Canadian EnviroOSH Legislation plus Standards service. Where legislation does not exist, the jurisdictions should be contacted for the most current information. Check the Canadian Governmental Occupational Health & Safety Departments (http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/information/govt.html) list for contact information.
ANSI/ASHRAE Standards 62.1 "Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality" is the recognized standard for workplace ventilation system design and acceptable indoor air quality (IAQ). It is available from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. ASHRAE can be contacted at: https://www.ashrae.org
In some cases, the Building Code for your area may apply.
Additional information is available from other sources such as:
Health Canada https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/air-quality.html or by contacting your local office.
Some of the references regarding Environmental Tobacco Smoke in workplaces may also apply.
This list is prepared by CCOHS as part of the Canadian enviroOSH Legislation service . This service is a comprehensive and easy to search compilation of the full text of Canadian health, safety and environmental legislation and critical guidelines and codes of practice from all jurisdictions. All the legislation is compiled into one convenient location and is regularly updated with amendments highlighted.
Subscribers to this service and paid learners of the CCOHS e-courses have access to the full text of the legislation listed in this document. To become a subscriber please contact Client Services .
Canada
As made under the o Canada Labour Code, Part II (R.S.C. 1985, c. L-2),
Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (SOR/86-304)
Division III, HVAC Systems
Alberta
As made under o Occupational Health and Safety Act (S.A. 2020, c. O 2.2),
Occupational Health and Safety Code (Alta. Reg. 191/2021)
Part 4, Chemical hazards, biological hazards and harmful substances
Section 17 Exposure to multiple substances
Section 18 Exposure during shifts longer than 8 hours
Section 20 Airborne concentration measurements
Section 21 Potential worker exposure
Section 22 Worker overexposure
Section 28 General provisions for asbestos, silica, coal dust and lead
Section 33 Asbestos in air distribution systems
Section 42 Lead - air monitoring
As made under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (R.S.A. 2000, c. E-12),
Alberta ambient air quality objectives and guidelines summary (January 2019)
See also:
Alberta Ambient Air Quality Objectives
British Columbia
As made under the Workers Compensation Act (R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 492),
Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (B.C. Reg. 296/97)
Part 4 General Conditions
Indoor Air Quality
Section 4.72 Design and operation
Section 4.73 Building modifications
Section 4.76 Ventilation openings
Section 4.78 Preventive maintenance
Section 4.80 Temperature and humidity
Part 5 Chemical Substances And Biological Agents
Ventilation
Section 5.61 Engineering principles
Section 5.63 Building modifications
Section 5.64 Controlling air contaminants
Section 5.66 Ventilation openings
Section 5.71 Flammable air contaminants
Manitoba
As made under the Workplace Safety and Health Act (C.C.S.M. c. W210),
Workplace Safety and Health Regulation (Man. Reg. 217/2006)
Part 4, General Workplace Requirements
Section 4.1, Air quality and ventilation
Section 4.2, Mechanical ventilation
Section 4.3, Air cleaning systems
Investigation, Remediation and Assessment of Mould in Workplaces (July 2015)
New Brunswick
As made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (S.N.B. 1983, c. O-0.2),
General Regulation - Occupational Health and Safety Act (N.B. Reg. 91-191)
Newfoundland and Labrador
As made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (R.S.N.L. 1990, c. O-3),
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2012 (N.L.R. 5/12)
Part VI, Occupational health requirements
Part XVIII, Excavation, underground work and rock crushing
Northwest Territories
As made under the Safety Act (R.S.N.W.T. 1988, c. S-1),
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (R-039-2015)
Part 6, General Health Requirements
Section 69, Ventilation and air supply
Section 70, Mechanical ventilation
Section 71, Cleaning and maintaining ventilation systems
Guideline for Ambient Air Quality Standards in the Northwest Territories (February 2014)
Nova Scotia
As made under Occupational Health And Safety Act (S.N.S. 1996, c. 7),
Occupational Safety General Regulations (N.S. Reg. 44/99)
Part 4, Ventilation, Lighting, Sanitation and Accommodation
Nunavut
As made under the Safety Act (R.S.N.W.T. 1988, c. S-1),
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (R-003-2016)
Part 6, General Health Requirements
Section 69, Ventilation and air supply
Section 70, Mechanical ventilation
Section 71, Cleaning and maintaining ventilation systems
Ontario
As made under the Occupational Health And Safety Act (R.S.O. 1990, c. O.1),
Industrial Establishments (R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 851)
Part III, Industrial Hygiene
Construction Projects (O. Reg. 213/91)
Part IV, Tunnels, Shafts, Caissons and Cofferdams
Sections 329 - 331, Ventilation
Prince Edward Island
Occupational Health and Safety Act (R.S.P.E.I. 1988, c. O-1.01),
Occupational Health and Safety Act General Regulations (EC180/87)
Quebec
As made under the Act respecting occupational health and safety (CQLR c. S-2.1),
Regulation respecting occupational health and safety, C.Q.L.R. c. S-2.1, r. 13 O.C. 885-2001
Division XI, Ventilation and Heating
Saskatchewan
As made under the Saskatchewan Employment Act (S.S. 2013, c. S-15.1),
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020 (c. S-15.1 R.10)
Part 6, General Health Requirements
Section 6-2 Ventilation and air supply
Section 6-3 Mechanical ventilation
Section 6-4 Cleaning and maintaining ventilation systems
Section 6-7 Thermal conditions
Yukon
As made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (R.S.Y. 2002, c. 159)
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations,(O.I.C. 2006/178)
Protective Equipment and Clothing - Respiratory
Section 1.26, Air quality evaluation
Section 1.27, Requirement for use
Section 1.28, Worker IDLH or oxygen deficient atmosphere
Section 1.29, Emergency escape air bottle
Section 1.30, Annual testing of air quality
Standards
CAN/CSA Z204-94, Guideline for Managing Air Quality in Office Buildings (WITHDRAWN)
CAN/CSA Z412-00 (R2016) Guideline on Office Ergonomics
CAN/CSA Z412-17 Office ergonomics - An application standard for workplace ergonomics