Indoor Air Quality - Legislation
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What does Canadian legislation state about the concentration of contaminants in indoor air for non-industrial workplaces?
Back to topMany Canadian jurisdictions do not have specific legislation that deals with indoor air quality issues in non-industrial workplaces. In the absence of such legislation, the "general duty clause" applies. This clause, common to all Canadian occupational health and safety legislation, states that an employer must provide a safe and healthy workplace. Thus, making sure the air is of good quality is the employer's duty.
However, there are often ventilation and other requirements that apply to indoor air in occupational health and safety legislation as well as from applicable Building Codes or other standard setting organizations such as the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Group, and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).
Several organizations* have published recommended guidelines for indoor air quality. For example, the Government of Canada has prepared a number of publications on air quality. Note that indoor air reference limits (IARLs) have been published by Health Canada, and other organizations. Other guidelines recommend that contaminants be kept at or below one tenth of their listed OEL.
In addition, IAQ is stated or implied in most building codes as design and operation criteria. Building codes and health and safety legislation in Canada and the U.S. generally refer to a version of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers* (ASHRAE) Standard 62.1-Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality (or previous versions), or other acceptable standards.
Please see the OSH Answers Indoor Air Quality–General for more information.
*We have mentioned these organizations as a means of providing a potentially useful referral. You should contact these organizations directly for more information.
Where is ventilation related to indoor air listed in legislation?
Back to topA summary of legislation concerning indoor air quality in non-industrial situations is provided below. This list does not cite the exact text of each section and other legislation may apply. In all cases, consult with your jurisdiction to confirm what legislation applies in your situation, and that the most current legislation is applied. A list of contact information for all Canadian occupational health and safety jurisdictions is available.
Table 1: Summary of regulation and guidelines on indoor air quality (IAQ) or ventilation
Jurisdiction |
Legislation Title |
Section NOTE: Other legislation may apply. |
Related Publications |
Federal |
Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations |
Division III, HVAC systems |
Indoor Air Quality in Office Buildings: A Technical Guide. Health Canada |
Alberta |
Occupational Health and Safety Code |
Part 26 – Ventilation systems |
|
British Columbia |
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, B.C. Reg. 296/97 |
Part 4, Sections 4.70 to 4.80 Indoor Air Quality Part 5, Sections 5.60 to 5.71 Ventilation Part 5, Sections 5.72 to 5.75 Internal Combustion Engines (when operating indoors) |
Indoor Air Quality: A Guide for Building Owners, Managers, and Occupants |
Manitoba |
Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, Man. Reg. 217/2006 |
Part 4 General Workplace Requirements, Sections 4.1 to 4.3 |
|
New Brunswick |
General Regulation - Occupational Health and Safety Act, N.B. Reg. 91-191 |
Part III Indoor Air Quality, Section 19 to 25.2
|
|
Newfoundland and Labrador |
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2012, N.L.R. 5/12 |
Part VI Occupational Health Requirements, Section 45 |
|
Northwest Territories |
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, R-039-2015
|
Part 6 General Health Requirements, Sections 68 to 74, 81 (smoking)
|
Office Accommodation: Fit-up Technical Standards and Criteria by Public Works and Services NWT |
Nova Scotia |
Occupational Safety General Regulations |
Part 4 - Ventilation, Lighting, Sanitation and Accommodation, Sections 15 |
|
Nunavut |
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, R-003-2016 |
Part 6 General Health Requirements, Sections 68 to 74, 81 (smoking) |
|
Ontario |
Industrial Establishment Regulation, R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 851 |
Part III Industrial Hygiene |
Ventilation Inspection and Report for Health Care and Residential Facilities |
Prince Edward Island |
Occupational Health and Safety Act General Regulations, EC180/87 |
Part 11 – Ventilation |
|
Quebec |
Regulation respecting occupational health and safety under the Act respecting occupational health and safety |
Division V, Air Quality Section 39 Division XI, Ventilation and Heating, Sections 101 to 114 |
|
Saskatchewan |
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020 (c. S-15.1, Reg 10) |
Part VI General Health Requirements, |
Indoor Air Quality: Investigating Concerns
|
Yukon |
Occupational Health and Safety and Regulations
Occupational Health Regulations |
Occupational Health and Safety and Regulations, Section 126 |
|
- Fact sheet last revised: 2022-12-12