Hazards: chemical

This bulletin introduces occupational health and safety laws that apply to working with harmful substances in the workplace. The focus of this bulletin is Part 4 of the Occupational Health and Safety Code.

PUBLISHED: June 2026

A detailed explanation of WHMIS requirements for workers. Size: 8.5" x 11".

UPDATED: December 2025

***This resource is current to June 2018. For information on the latest OHS requirements, visit OHS website.***

A detailed explanation of WHMIS requirements for employers. Size 8.5" x 11".

PUBLISHED: June 2018

This resource provides information about safe work permits and how they can be used to enhance health and safety for certain types of hazardous work.

UPDATED: May 2025

***This resource is current to June 2011.
For information on the latest OHS requirements, visit OHS website.***

Outlines routes of airborne substance exposure and how to determine worker exposure and exposure limits. Refers to associated OHS legislation.

PUBLISHED: June 2011

***This resource is not yet updated with the current legislation. For information on the latest requirements, visit OHS legislation changes.***

Outlines how to select the most appropriate technique for safe abatement of asbestos-containing materials. Discusses health effects, legislation, personal protective equipment, sampling and analysis.

UPDATED: August 2019

Gives information for those performing debris clean-up and demolition of structures involved in wildfires.

UPDATED: March 2023

List of approved asbestos training agencies.

UPDATED: January 2025

Summarizes the course content, worker re-certification and administrative procedure requirements for agencies approved to deliver the “Occupational Health and Safety for the Asbestos Worker” course.

UPDATED: April 2021

Introduces key properties and health and safety effects, and points to more information about legal requirements that will apply at work sites where coal dust may be present.

UPDATED: JUNE 2026

Introduces key properties, usages and health effects, and points to more information about legal requirements that support healthy and safe use of lead at your work site.

UPDATED: June 2026

This resource provides information about OHS legislative requirements and general safety considerations relating to lithium batteries.

PUBLISHED: November 2023

Introduces - in general terms - OHS legal requirements that will apply if employers choose to authorize naloxone administration as part of an opioid overdose emergency response. Provides related links, including to Government of Alberta requirements.

UPDATED: March 2025

Introduces key properties and health effects of silica, and points to more information about legal requirements that will apply at work sites where silica may be present.

UPDATED: June 2026

***This resource is current to August 2010.
For information on the latest OHS requirements, visit OHS website.***

Describes the properties of ammonia and how it affects the body, and addresses employer and worker legislated responsibilities.

PUBLISHED: August 2010

***This resource is current to August 2010.
For information on the latest OHS requirements, visit OHS website.***

Discusses the properties of benzene, health effects, health monitoring, preventative controls and recommended substitutes.

PUBLISHED: August, 2010

***This resource is current to July 2009.
For information on the current OHS requirements, visit OHS website.***

Describes the health effects of exposure to carbon monoxide and suggested protective controls.

PUBLISHED: July 2009

***This resource is current to July 2010.
For information on the latest OHS requirements, visit OHS website.***

Lists properties of chlorine, health effects, protective controls and possible substitutes.

PUBLISHED: July 2010

***This resource is current to August 2009.
For information on the latest OHS requirements, visit OHS website.***

Guidelines for minimizing asbestos exposure associated with brake maintenance and repair.

PUBLISHED: August 2009

***This resource is current to July 2017.
For information on the latest OHS requirements, visit OHS website.***

Information on the health risk of cyotoxic drug exposure to healthy human cells and suggested protective controls.

PUBLISHED: July 2017

***This resource is current to June 2010.
For information on the latest OHS requirements, visit OHS website.***

Health risks associated with perchloroethylene or "perc" exposure and suggested controls.

PUBLISHED: June 2010

Discusses health risks, legislated exposure limits for workers applying insecticides and suggests controls.

PUBLISHED: August 2010

Recommended procedures for the safe handling and processing of solid sulphur in new facilities.

PUBLISHED: January 2010

Information on the health effects from exposure to different types of wood dust. Recommendations to control exposure.

PUBLISHED: August 2009

Health and safety considerations for the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) as refrigerants with reference to national and provincial OHS codes.

PUBLISHED: January 2013

***This resource is current to August 2012.
For information on the latest OHS requirements, visit OHS website.***

Lists the hazards for workers when working with H2S, suggested controls including protection and first aid, and employer and worker legislated responsibilities.

PUBLISHED: August 2012

***This resource is current to August 2010.
For information on the latest OHS requirements, visit OHS website.***

Describes the health effects of H2S exposure and provides suggested engineering controls.

PUBLISHED: August 2010

***This resource is current to November 2007.
For information on the latest OHS requirements, visit OHS website.***

Lists possible airborne hazardous materials and an employer's responsibilities to protect workers from exposure.

PUBLISHED: November 2007

***This resource is current to January 2010.
For information on the latest OHS requirements, visit OHS website.***

Hazards associated with isocyanates and suggested controls.

PUBLISHED: January 2010

Health risks associated with mercury exposure, suggested alternatives and controls.

PUBLISHED: January 2010

***This resource is current to January 2010.
For information on the current OHS requirements, visit OHS website.***

Methanol properties and health effects and suggested controls to prevent exposure.

PUBLISHED: January 2010

***This resource is current to August 2010.
For information on the latest OHS requirements, visit OHS website.***

Lists properties and health effects of perchloroethylene. Discusses medical monitoring, protective controls, and possible substitutes.

PUBLISHED: August 2010

***This resource is current to August 2017.
For information on the latest OHS requirements, visit OHS website.***

Information on the hazards associated with fentanyl remediation, health effects, safe entry and recommended protective controls.

PUBLISHED: August 2017

***This resource is current to May 2018.
For information on the latest OHS requirements, visit OHS website.***

An in-depth review of hazard control for workers who may be exposed to opioids, addresses job-specific personal protective equipment and decontamination.

PUBLISHED: May 2018

***This resource is current to September 2002.
For information on the latest OHS requirements, visit OHS website.***

Discusses where thiols are found, associated health risks, exposure limits, suggested controls and emergency response.

PUBLISHED: September 2002

***This resource is current to August 2009. For information on the latest OHS requirements, visit OHS website.***

Describes different types of solvents, potential hazards and suggested controls.

PUBLISHED:

PUBLISHED: August 2009

Hazards associated with spray application and suggested controls.

PUBLISHED: August 2010

***This resource is current to July 2009.
For information on the latest OHS requirements, visit OHS website.***

Discusses the properties and health effects of styrene, medical monitoring and preventative controls.

PUBLISHED: July 2009

Lists the hazards associated with using hydrocarbons in vehicle air-conditioning systems and Environment Canada's recommendations if replacing refrigerants with hydrocarbons.

PUBLISHED: November 2010

How to identify nail products containing methyl methacrylate (MMA), health risks and suggested alternatives.

PUBLISHED: March 2010

Discusses exposure to pesticides (insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, rodenticides, etc.), health complications and protective controls.

PUBLISHED: August 2010

***This resource is current to August 2009.
For information on the latest OHS requirements, visit OHS website.***

Basic information to help reduce the health risks associated with welding gases and fumes.

PUBLISHED: August 2009