Quebec – Québec
Office Ergonomics – Ergonomie du bureau
This material has been extracted from the Acts and Regulations of the Province to help students understand the subject. It is not an official source of information and must not be used for any other purpose.
The following is © Gouvernement du Québec, 2009
c. S-2.1, r.19.01
Regulation respecting occupational health and safety
An Act respecting occupational health and safety
R.S.Q., c. S-2.1, s. 223. 1st par. subpar. (1), (3), (4), (7) to (16), (18) to (21.1), (41) and (42), 2nd par. and 3rd par
DIVISION I
INTERPRETATION AND SCOPE
1. Definitions: In this regulation, the following words and expressions mean:
“stationary work station”: any work station in which a worker is required to perform his duties for at least 4 hours of his working day over a usual work surface of 30 square metres or less ;
“work station”: any place, including a vehicle occupied by a worker to perform his work ;
DIVISION III
ESTABLISHMENT CONDITIONS
16. Work stations: A work station shall
(1) be kept in good condition and free from any obstructions ;
(2) be situated on a surface that is maintained so as not to become slippery, even through wear or humidity ;
(3) have sufficient free space between machines, facilities or material depots in order that workers may carry out their task safely; this free space shall not be less than 600 millimetres.
Subparagraph (3) of the first paragraph does not apply to a work station in a vehicle.
O.C. 885-2001, s. 16.
DIVISION XIV
LIGHTING
125. Illumination levels: Every establishment shall be provided with natural or artificial lighting the intensity of which depends on the nature of the work done at any work station or the nature of the places where workers circulate in order to provide the illumination levels stipulated in Schedule VI.
O.C. 885-2001, s. 125.
126. Method of measurement: For the purpose of enforcing section 125, the illumination level shall be measured at a distance of 750 millimetres from the floor on the usable work surface, with a luxmeter corrected for incident light rays.
O.C. 885-2001, s. 126.
DIVISION XX
SPECIAL ERGONOMIC MEASURES
166. Handling: Workers assigned to the handling of loads or persons shall be instructed in the proper manner of performing their work safely.
When the manual moving of loads or persons compromises the worker's safety, mechanical devices shall be put at his disposal.
O.C. 885-2001, s. 166.
168. Level of work: The height of workbenches and the position of chairs shall be adapted to the work and the worker in such manner as to ensure workers a correct posture and to reduce their fatigue.
O.C. 885-2001, s. 168.
169. Position: Tools, handles and materials shall be located in positions that facilitate work and reduce strain.
O.C. 885-2001, s. 169.
170. Chairs and benches: Workers shall have chairs or benches put at their disposal when the nature of their work so permits.
O.C. 885-2001, s. 170.
171. Break for meals: When the duration of the work exceeds 5 hours, a break of at least 30 minutes shall be granted to allow workers to eat a meal.
Unless there is agreement to the contrary, this break for meals shall begin in a 2-hour period situated in the middle of the worker's work period.
O.C. 885-2001, s. 171.
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