OHS Contact Orders

What Is an OHS Contact Order in Alberta

OHS Orders are issued to the employer or worksite party as formal orders under Section 33 of the OHS Act. The OHS officer may also provide a Contact Report documenting inspection observations, which can include one or more orders requiring action. The report will include the details of the order including:

• The section of Alberta OHS legislation that the order is issued under. There may be several sections listed and a contact report can have multiple orders that require action.
• Officer observations. The OHS Officer that issues the Contact Report will conduct an inspection of the worksite and will document their observations on the Contact Report.
• The actions required in order to obtain compliance with OHS legislation.
• Compliance Orders will specify a date by which the non-compliance must be remedied. Stop Work Orders remain in effect until the unsafe condition is corrected and do not include a compliance date.

Types of OHS Orders Alberta Employers May Receive

There are several types of orders that can be issued and for various reasons.

Compliance Orders – are issued when non-compliance issues are observed by the OHS officer. Compliance orders will require action by a specific date. Compliance Orders specify a compliance date. Employers may request an extension from the OHS officer, but extensions are at the discretion of the officer and are not guaranteed under the legislation.

Stop Work Orders – are issued when an OHS Officer determines that work is being done in a manner that is unsafe or unhealthy. A Stop Work Orders are issued by an OHS officer when unsafe work is observed and may apply to the entire worksite, specific areas, or particular activities as identified by the officer. The Stop Work Order will remain in place until the requirements have been complied with.

Stop Use Orders – are issued when a piece of equipment is observed to be unsafe, or has the potential, in the OHS Officers opinion, to seriously injure workers. Stop Use Orders remain in place until the requirements of the order have been complied with.

The Director of Inspection has broad authority under the OHS Act, including issuing orders, establishing codes of practice, requiring health and safety programs, and other directives. These powers are exercised through formal orders or ministerial instruments rather than a distinct 'Director’s Order' category.

Can an OHS Order Be Reviewed or Challenged

Yes — but it's a legal step, not a safety one. If you believe an order is wrong, Alberta gives you a limited window (generally 30 days, with strict deadlines) to formally challenge it. Because it's a legal process, it's handled through a lawyer who specializes in OHS law — not a safety consultant. If you're considering it, get legal advice right away.

Either way, challenging an order does not pause it: the work must still stop or the correction must still be made by the deadline unless you're formally granted a stay. That compliance side is where most employers focus — and where we help. Safety Ahead works alongside employers to understand exactly what the order requires, fix the hazard, and document compliance so the file closes.

How to Comply with an OHS Order on Time

The Contact Report will provide the specific requirements on how to comply with the orders given. Determine what steps need to be taken and who will be responsible to complete/implement the requirements by the date stated on the Contact Report.

OHS recommends that companies request the assistance of a third party consultant if the company is inexperienced in dealing with these matters or if they do not have a designated safety person. This will help to ensure that the Contact Report and orders are effectively dealt with and compliance with legislation is obtained by the required date. This can be the easiest, least stressful route at times. OHS Contact Reports can be varying lengths and can have numerous requirements, depending on the situation. The majority of companies need to get OHS Orders dealt with immediately to prevent them from affecting their operations and finances.

If you have received an OHS Contact Report and are unsure of how to deal with it, let us help. Safety Ahead has experience in dealing with various types of OHS Orders and can assist you in obtaining legislative compliance in a timely manner. Please give us a call, and let us help you.

Safety Ahead's OHS compliance support includes responding to contact orders, preparing written responses, and implementing the corrective actions required to close the file.