Changes to the legislation:

The legislation changes to the Construction Regulation (Ontario Reg. 213/91) implemented in 2008. Before letting a worker enter a confined space, the employer must develop a written confined space program meeting the requirements of the Construction Regulation (Part 11.1, Confined Spaces, sections 221.1 to 221 .19). The employer must maintain the program and review it annually for any updates or necessary changes.
Confined Space Program
Among the first requirements for employers developing a confined space program is the need to assess which workers will be entering the confined space and therefore which workers will need a copy of the confined space program.
Employers must provide a copy of the program to the constructor of a project.
In turn, the constructor must provide a copy of the program to the project’s joint health and safety committee or health and safety representative, if any.
A copy must also be available to other employers to which the program relates and every worker if there is no project joint health and safety committee or health and safety representative. If workers from more than one employer will be entering the confined space, the constructor must prepare a confined space coordination program/document.
A copy of the confined space coordination document must be provided to each employer who is performing work in the confined space and to the project’s joint health and safety committee or the health and safety representative. The confined space program can apply to one or more confined spaces.
Program elements must include:
 a method of recognizing each confined space
 a method for assessing the hazards to which workers may be exposed
 a method for developing plans for controlling the hazards
 a method for training workers
 an entry permit system spelling out measures and procedures to be
followed when working in a confined space

Coordination Document:
When workers of more than one employer performs work in the same confined space the constructor must prepare a coordination document to ensure that the various employers perform their duties in a way that protects the health and safety of all workers. A copy of the coordination document must be provided to

 each employer of workers who perform work in the same confined space, and,
 the project’s joint health and safety committee or health and safety
representative.