Jurisdiction Pack - Manitoba

This is the Manitoba pack of Part 10: this preface, followed by the Manitoba section of every topic page listed in the 00 Jurisdiction Index. The sections are generated from the topic pages, so the pack and the topic pages always say the same thing, and both state the law as researched to 2026-10-23. It is general information, not legal advice: check every requirement against the official consolidation before you rely on it.

A Manitoba fire department works under the Workplace Safety and Health Act and the Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, whose Part 42 is written for firefighters (The Workplace Safety and Health Act [MB], 2026; Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, ss. 42.1-42.7). The Workplace Safety and Health Branch of the department responsible for labour enforces both, and SAFE Work Manitoba, a division of the Workers Compensation Board, runs prevention and certification programs. Serious incidents are reported by phone to 204-957-7233 in the provincial capital or 1-855-957-7233 toll-free, option 1, at any time (Government of Manitoba, n.d.-b). Every municipality must provide fire protection services, by a force that may be wholly or partly volunteer, and the fire chief is the Fire Commissioner’s local assistant under the Fires Prevention and Emergency Response Act (The Municipal Act [MB], 2026, ss. 264-265; The Fires Prevention and Emergency Response Act [MB], 2026, ss. 2, 23). The Workers Compensation Board administers compensation and the firefighter presumptions (The Workers Compensation Act [MB], 2026, s. 4(5.1)-(5.8)).

• A firefighter Part that makes the department write down its resourcing. Written procedures for emergency response must be kept at each station and must state, for each type of emergency the department serves, the number and type of vehicles and firefighters for the initial response, for subsequent dispatch and to perform each procedure safely, plus a system for starting safety procedures at the scene and a personnel accountability system (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, s. 42.2). Every training session is recorded in writing (s. 42.3).
• A team, a readily available rescue team, and weekly PASS tests. Firefighters entering a building, enclosed structure, vehicle, vessel, aircraft or other large object for fire suppression or rescue, or responding to water rescue, confined space, high-angle or hazardous materials emergencies, must work in a team with a suitably equipped rescue team readily available; the law sets no team size and no time (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, s. 42.6(1)). PASS devices meet NFPA 1982 (1998) and are tested at least weekly and before each use (s. 42.6(2)-(3)).
• Apparatus rules. Vehicles are operated by a competent person and inspected by a competent person to the manufacturer’s specifications, with a signed record readily available; firefighters ride seated and belted, never on tailsteps or running boards, except where there are too few seats and the employer provides a safe alternate means of transport, or at prairie, grassland, forest or crop fires with a restraint, communication with the operator and a speed of no more than 20 km/h (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, ss. 42.4-42.5).
• Fires, collapses and respirator failures are serious incidents. The list includes, with no injury, a collapse or structural failure, an explosion, fire or flood, an uncontrolled spill, and the failure of an atmosphere-supplying respirator; notice goes to the branch immediately by the fastest means, nothing is moved for at least 24 hours after notice except to free a trapped person, avoid a further hazard or as a safety and health officer directs, and the committee co-chairs investigate or, without a committee, the employer with the representative or a non-management worker (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, ss. 2.6-2.9).
• The right to refuse was narrowed for every worker, with no firefighter carve-out. Since 2025-06-03, under The Workplace Safety and Health Amendment Act, S.M. 2025, c. 26, a refusal needs reasonable grounds to believe there is an imminent risk of serious physical or health injury and that the employer has not put reasonable measures in place; the refusing worker keeps full pay, and the work cannot go to another worker without written notice of the refusal (The Workplace Safety and Health Act [MB], 2026, ss. 43-43.2).
• The committee rhythm is quarterly, with a 30-day answer. At 20 or more regularly employed workers, counted by average daily presence over 12 months, the committee meets at least every three months, inspects the workplace before each regular meeting, and keeps signed minutes for 10 years; the employer answers a recommendation that identifies a danger in writing within 30 days, and members receive the greater of 16 hours or two shifts of paid educational leave a year (The Workplace Safety and Health Act [MB], 2026, ss. 40, 41.1, 44(1.1); Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, ss. 3.2.2, 3.3, 3.7).
• A 12-element OHS program, reviewed every three years, is required at 20 or more workers and designed with the committee (The Workplace Safety and Health Act [MB], 2026, s. 7.4).
• Officers carry their own duties, and training time is paid. Supervisors are separate duty-holders, and a supervisor convicted of requiring work in a known dangerous condition is barred from supervising for six months (The Workplace Safety and Health Act [MB], 2026, ss. 4.1, 43.3, 55(4)). Training time is paid at the same wages and benefits as regular duties (s. 4(6)).
• A 10 percent LEL limit for confined spaces. A hazardous confined space is purged or ventilated to below 10 percent of the lower explosive limit with oxygen between 19.5 and 23 percent; a firefighter responding to an emergency is exempt only from the bans on entry where a flammable or explosive substance cannot be kept below 10 percent of the LEL, so the permit, the standby first aider, monitoring and the rescue plan still apply (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, ss. 15.9, 15.11(b), 19.8(2)). The rope access Part does not apply to firefighters, while fall protection applies at 3 m with no emergency exemption (ss. 14.1, 28.1.1(2)).
• Volunteers are covered, if the roster is approved. A fire brigade member available on a casual basis, paid or not, is a casual emergency worker for compensation only if the chief or the municipality approved the membership; the cancer (19 sites), heart (24 hours after an emergency response) and PTSD presumptions then apply, but the re-employment duty does not (The Workers Compensation Act [MB], 2026, ss. 1(4), 4(5.2)-(5.8), 49.3(2)(a)).
• Roadway scenes are workplaces with a traffic risk. Part 20 requires traffic control procedures and certified flagpersons, and apparel meets CSA Z96 (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, ss. 6.7, 20.1, 20.5-20.6). Drivers passing a stopped fire, police or ambulance vehicle with its emergency lamps on slow to 40 km/h, or 60 km/h where the limit is 80 or more, and change lanes on multi-lane roads where it is safe; emergency privileges need a horn or siren and the lights; and a volunteer’s own vehicle may use them only with a lit red flashing lamp (The Highway Traffic Act [MB], 2026, ss. 106, 109.1; Vehicle Equipment, Safety and Inspection Regulation [MB], 2026, s. 3.10).
• The fire statute sets reporting and command duties. Each local authority establishes a local incident management system consistent with the provincial one; the fire chief notifies the Fire Commissioner and police at once of a fire death or serious injury, files a fire report within 14 days and reports emergency response resources every year; and couplings for 1½, 2½ and 4-inch hose use Manitoba Standard Screw Threads (The Fires Prevention and Emergency Response Act [MB], 2026, ss. 22, 24-26; Fire Hose Regulation [MB], 1987, s. 1).

1. Citing British Columbia’s 10-minute rule as Manitoba law, or never defining “readily available”. Manitoba sets no number or time (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, s. 42.6(1)). Fix: state in writing what a readily available rescue team means for each response model, including water, confined space, high-angle and hazardous materials work. See J12 Fire Service OHS Rules and Fireground Operations.
2. No resourcing table in the written procedures. Fix: for every emergency type served, record the vehicles and firefighters for initial response, subsequent dispatch and each procedure, keep it at every station and match it to dispatch (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, s. 42.2(2)-(3)). See J12 Fire Service OHS Rules and Fireground Operations.
3. Testing PASS devices only before use. Fix: a weekly PASS test log (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, s. 42.6(3)). See J13 Firefighter PPE and Protective Equipment.
4. Not reporting an SCBA failure or a fire at a workplace, or clearing the scene too soon. Fix: a quarantine-and-report step for respirator failures, immediate notice to the branch, and a 24-hour hold on the scene after notice unless a safety and health officer directs otherwise (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, ss. 2.6-2.8). See J08 Incident Reporting and Investigation.
5. Teaching that firefighters cannot refuse, or teaching the old test. There is no firefighter carve-out; the 2025 test narrowed the right for every worker to an imminent risk of serious physical or health injury with reasonable measures not in place (The Workplace Safety and Health Act [MB], 2026, s. 43(1.1)). Fix: update the refusal procedure and officer training. See J07 Right to Refuse and Reprisal Protection.
6. Late answers to the committee and no pre-meeting inspection. Fix: a recommendation register with the 30-day clock, and an inspection scheduled before every regular meeting (The Workplace Safety and Health Act [MB], 2026, s. 41.1; Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, s. 3.2.2). See J05 Joint Committee and Health and Safety Representative.
7. Volunteers without an approved membership record. Without approval by the chief or the municipality, a member is not a casual emergency worker for compensation (The Workers Compensation Act [MB], 2026, s. 1(4)(a)). Fix: an approved roster, kept current. See J11 Volunteer Firefighters.
8. Using firefighters as flagpersons. A flagperson needs an approved certificate (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, s. 20.6(1)). Fix: rely on blocking, signs and lane control, or certify the members who will flag. See J31 Roadway Incident Scenes.
9. Reading the LEL exemption as a confined space exemption. Fix: a technical rescue procedure that shows how the permit, standby, monitoring, oxygen ceiling and rescue plan are met at an emergency (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, ss. 15.5-15.12). See J17 Confined Space.
10. Unpaid training time for paid members. Training time must be paid at regular wages and benefits (The Workplace Safety and Health Act [MB], 2026, s. 4(6)). Fix: check payroll rules for drills and courses. See J02 Duties of Employers, Supervisors, Workers and Contractors.

Each row is a legal obligation, so it belongs in Stage 1; a row for a specialty service applies only where the department provides that service. The topic page gives the detail.

The chapters of this book are written once for every Canadian fire department: where a requirement comes from provincial law, a chapter states it generically and links the topic page that holds each jurisdiction’s version. This pack collects Manitoba’s section from every one of those topic pages, so a Manitoba department can read its whole legal layer in one place and use the checklist above as the legal overlay for its gap assessment and audit. Adopt nothing from this pack without checking the official text of the statute or regulation and taking the advice of your own counsel.

Each section below is copied from the topic page it names; the topic page also shows every other jurisdiction for comparison.

Law. The Workplace Safety and Health Act, C.C.S.M. c. W210 (The Workplace Safety and Health Act [MB], 2026); Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, Man. Reg. 217/2006, including Part 42 “Firefighters” (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, Part 42). The regulator is the Workplace Safety and Health Branch of the department responsible for labour (The Workplace Safety and Health Act [MB], 2026, s. 1); prevention programs sit with SAFE Work Manitoba.

What must be covered.

• Reporting line. 1-855-957-7233 (204-957-7233 locally), option 1; “call any time to report serious workplace incidents, injuries or fatalities”; no online serious-incident form (Government of Manitoba, n.d.-b).
• Posting. Committee members’ names (The Workplace Safety and Health Act [MB], 2026, s. 40(9)); the representative’s name (s. 41(3)); where there is no committee or representative, an improvement order is posted at or near the workplace for 7 days or until compliance, whichever is longer (s. 36.3(2)). The Act, regulations and applicable codes of practice must be readily accessible (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, s. 2.3).
• Orders. Improvement orders (The Workplace Safety and Health Act [MB], 2026, s. 26) and stop work orders (s. 36).
• Appeal. To the director by written notice within 14 days of the order (s. 37(1)-(2)), then to the Manitoba Labour Board within 14 days of the director’s decision (s. 39(1)-(2)).
• Administrative penalties. Up to $5,000, including for failing to notify a serious incident; appeal to the Board within 14 days (s. 53.1(1)(a.1), (4), (5)(c)).
• Offences. First offence: up to $500,000 plus $50,000 a day; subsequent: up to $1,000,000 plus $100,000 a day; plus up to 6 months’ imprisonment; prosecutions within 2 years; the court may order an education payment within the maximum; directors and officers who take part are parties (ss. 55, 55.1, 56). The accused must prove it was not reasonably practicable to do more (s. 57(1)).

Fire-service nuance.

• A supervisor convicted of requiring work in a known dangerous condition may not work in a supervisory capacity at any workplace for six months after the conviction (The Workplace Safety and Health Act [MB], 2026, ss. 43.3(1), 55(4)); see J02 Duties of Employers, Supervisors, Workers and Contractors.
• Failure of an atmosphere-supplying respirator, and a fire, explosion or collapse at a workplace, are reportable serious incidents; see J08 Incident Reporting and Investigation.

Status. Verified against the official text on 2026-10-23 (Act and regulation current to 2026-10-20); the reporting page was read on 2026-10-23. Section numbers, thresholds and amounts re-checked against the same consolidations on 2026-10-24.

Law. The Workplace Safety and Health Act, ss. 4 to 7.3 (The Workplace Safety and Health Act [MB], 2026, ss. 4-7.3).

What must be covered.

• Employer. Ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety, health and welfare at work of all its workers, and comply (s. 4(1)). Specific duties: a safe workplace, equipment, systems and tools; information, instruction, training, supervision and facilities; acquaint workers, “and particularly their supervisors, forepersons, chargehands or similar persons”, with hazards; protect people outside its service; have any required risk assessment made by a competent person; consult and co-operate with the committee or representative; and ensure workers are supervised by a person who is competent and familiar with the Act and regulations (s. 4(2)). Training is required before new work, different work or a move to a different area (s. 4(4)), and training time is paid at the same wages and benefits as regular duties (s. 4(6)).
• Supervisor: a separate duty-holder. So far as reasonably practicable, take all precautions necessary to protect the workers they supervise, ensure those workers follow the required procedures and use the devices, clothing and PPE designated or required; advise them of known or reasonably foreseeable risks; and co-operate (s. 4.1). No employer, agent or supervisor may require work in a known dangerous condition (s. 43.3(1)), and a person convicted of that may not work in a supervisory capacity at any workplace for six months after the conviction (s. 55(4)).
• Worker. Take reasonable care, use the safety equipment and PPE required, co-operate with the committee and others, and comply (s. 5); not work while impaired (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, s. 2.19).
• Others. Prime contractors (The Workplace Safety and Health Act [MB], 2026, s. 7), contractors (s. 7.1), owners (s. 7.2) and suppliers (s. 7.3).

Fire-service nuance.

• Volunteers are workers by interpretation of “worker” (a person employed “whether for gain or reward, or hope of gain or reward or not”, s. 1), so the s. 4(6) paid-training rule is relevant to paid-on-call members; see J11 Volunteer Firefighters.
• The supervising ban in s. 55(4) is the sharpest personal consequence for a company officer anywhere in Canada.

Status. Verified against the official consolidation (to 2026-10-20) on 2026-10-23. Section numbers, thresholds and amounts re-checked against the same consolidations on 2026-10-24.

Law. The Workplace Safety and Health Act, s. 7.4 (The Workplace Safety and Health Act [MB], 2026, s. 7.4); Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, ss. 10.1 and 11.3 (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, ss. 10.1, 11.3).

What must be covered.

• Policy. No stand-alone threshold; “a statement of the employer’s policy with respect to the protection of the safety and health of workers” is element (a) of the program. Every employer needs a harassment prevention policy (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, s. 10.1), and a violence prevention policy is required wherever Part 11 applies (s. 11.3).
• Program threshold. A written program “for each workplace where 20 or more workers of that employer are regularly employed” (The Workplace Safety and Health Act [MB], 2026, s. 7.4(1)), counted by averaging the full-time and part-time workers present each working day over the previous 12 months (s. 7.4(2)). The director may permit one program for more than one workplace (s. 7.4(3)).
• Program elements (s. 7.4(5)). (a) policy statement; (b) identification of existing and potential dangers and the control measures, including emergency procedures; (c) internal and external emergency resources; (d) responsibilities of the employer, supervisors and workers; (e) a schedule for regular inspection of the workplace and of work processes and procedures; (f) a plan to control biological and chemical substances; (g) procedures for other employers and self-employed persons working at the workplace, with criteria for selecting them and for monitoring them; (h) a training plan for workers and supervisors; (i) a procedure for investigating incidents, dangerous occurrences and refusals; (j) worker participation, including inspections and investigations; (k) review and revision “every three years or more often” if circumstances change; (l) anything prescribed.
• Consultation and copies. The program is designed with the committee or representative and made available on request (s. 7.4(6)-(7)).

Fire-service nuance.

• The daily-average count means an all-volunteer department, whose members are present only for calls and training, may stay below 20 even with a large roster (interpretation); the municipality’s count usually decides it.
• Element (g) suits mutual aid partners, contractors who service apparatus and SCBA, and training-facility operators; see J02 Duties of Employers, Supervisors, Workers and Contractors.

Status. Verified against the official consolidation (to 2026-10-20) on 2026-10-23. Section numbers, thresholds and amounts re-checked against the same consolidations on 2026-10-24.

Law. The Workplace Safety and Health Act, ss. 4(2)(d.1), 7.4(5)(b), (e) and 40(10)(h) (The Workplace Safety and Health Act [MB], 2026); Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, ss. 2.1, 2.4 and 3.2.2 (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026).

What must be covered.

• Hazard duty. Where there is a risk to a worker’s safety or health, the employer must eliminate it, if reasonably practicable, through the design of the workplace or work process or engineering controls; control any remaining risk the same way and then with safe work procedures; and then provide PPE for any remaining risk (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, s. 2.1). Wherever the law requires a risk assessment, a competent person must make it (The Workplace Safety and Health Act [MB], 2026, s. 4(2)(d.1)). At 20 or more workers, the program identifies existing and potential dangers and the measures to control them (s. 7.4(5)(b)).
• Inspections. The employer must ensure “regular inspections of the workplace and of work processes and procedures” are conducted to identify risks, correct unsafe conditions as soon as reasonably practicable, and protect people in the meantime (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, s. 2.4(1)). The program includes an inspection schedule (The Workplace Safety and Health Act [MB], 2026, s. 7.4(5)(e)); the committee’s duties include “the inspection of the workplace at regular intervals” (s. 40(10)(h)), and it inspects before each regularly scheduled meeting (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, s. 3.2.2), which makes the inspection at least quarterly.

Fire-service nuance.

• Part 42 requires written procedures covering the apparatus and firefighters needed for each emergency type, which serves as the incident-type assessment; see J06 Written Procedures and Committee Consultation.
• Failure of an atmosphere-supplying respirator is a reportable serious incident, so the inspection schedule should include the post-use SCBA check; see J08 Incident Reporting and Investigation.

Status. Verified against the official consolidations (to 2026-10-20) on 2026-10-23. Section numbers, thresholds and amounts re-checked against the same consolidations on 2026-10-24.

Law. The Workplace Safety and Health Act, ss. 40 to 44 (The Workplace Safety and Health Act [MB], 2026, ss. 40-44); Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, Part 3 (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, ss. 3.1-3.11).

What must be covered.

• Threshold. A committee where 20 or more workers are regularly employed; for seasonal or temporary work, 20 or more for work of 90 days or more; the director may order a committee for more or fewer (The Workplace Safety and Health Act [MB], 2026, s. 40(1), (4)-(6)). A representative where 5 to 19 workers are regularly employed (s. 41(1)(a)); the representative’s name is posted (s. 41(3)), and the representative meets the employer at least every 3 months (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, s. 3.9(1)).
• Composition. 4 to 12 members, at least half worker members not associated with management, appointed by the union or elected; two co-chairs, one chosen by each side, who alternate (The Workplace Safety and Health Act [MB], 2026, s. 40(8)). The election is run by non-management workers and the employer must not influence it (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, s. 3.1). Members’ names are posted (The Workplace Safety and Health Act [MB], 2026, s. 40(9)); terms are 2 years (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, s. 3.2(1)).
• Meetings and minutes. First meeting within 1 month of formation, then at intervals of no more than 3 months, with 3 days’ notice; quorum is half of each side (ss. 3.3-3.5). Minutes are in a form acceptable to the branch, signed by both co-chairs, kept 10 years, copied by the employer to every member within 7 days, and posted until the matters are resolved (ss. 3.7, 3.11(2)).
• Response clock. Where a recommendation identifies a danger, the employer answers in writing within 30 days, with a timetable for the parts it accepts, the interim measures to protect workers, and reasons for the parts it rejects (The Workplace Safety and Health Act [MB], 2026, s. 41.1(2)-(3)). If the committee cannot agree, either co-chair may make written recommendations alone (s. 41.1(1.1)).
• Functions. Receive and dispose of concerns and complaints; participate in identifying risks; develop and promote protective measures and check their effectiveness; co-operate with any occupational health service and with officers; develop education programs; make recommendations; inspect the workplace at regular intervals; participate in investigations of incidents and dangerous occurrences; keep records (s. 40(10)). The committee inspects before each regularly scheduled meeting (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, s. 3.2.2).
• Training and paid time. The employer ensures members “are trained to competently fulfill their duties”; there is no certification scheme (The Workplace Safety and Health Act [MB], 2026, s. 40(13)). Each member has paid educational leave of the greater of 16 hours or two normal shifts a year (s. 44(1.1)).

Fire-service nuance.

• Volunteers. Volunteers are workers by interpretation of “worker”, and nothing bars them from membership; the 20-worker test averages daily presence, which an all-volunteer department may not reach (s. 40(4)) (an interpretation; confirm with the branch); see J11 Volunteer Firefighters.
• The 30-day clock applies to recommendations that identify a danger; the terms of reference should apply the same clock to every recommendation.

Status. Verified against the official consolidations (to 2026-10-20) on 2026-10-23. Section numbers, thresholds and amounts re-checked against the same consolidations on 2026-10-24.

Law. The Workplace Safety and Health Act, s. 7.4(6) (The Workplace Safety and Health Act [MB], 2026, s. 7.4(6)); Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, ss. 2.1, 2.1.1, 2.2 and 42.2 (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026).

What must be covered.

• General. Where a risk remains after design and engineering controls, the employer controls it “by implementing safe work procedures that reduce the remaining risk as much as reasonably practicable” (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, s. 2.1(2)(b)). An employer required to implement safe work procedures must develop them for the work done at the workplace, train workers so they can apply them, and ensure workers comply (s. 2.1.1).
• Fire-service procedures. Written standard operating procedures for firefighting, including the number and type of apparatus and firefighters for initial response, for subsequent dispatch and for each identified procedure, for every emergency type the department serves, and a personnel accountability system, kept available at every station (s. 42.2(2)-(3)); see J12 Fire Service OHS Rules and Fireground Operations.
• Consultation. “In developing and implementing the safe work procedures required under section 2.1 and any other Part of this regulation, an employer must consult with” the committee, the representative or, where there is neither, the workers (s. 2.2). The program is designed with the committee or representative (The Workplace Safety and Health Act [MB], 2026, s. 7.4(6)).

Fire-service nuance.

• Manitoba’s s. 2.2 is one of the broadest consultation duties in Canada: every safe work procedure, not only the program, goes through the committee.
• The resourcing table in Part 42 doubles as the department’s incident-type assessment; see J04 Hazard Assessment and Workplace Inspections.

Status. Verified against the official consolidations (to 2026-10-20) on 2026-10-23. Section numbers, thresholds and amounts re-checked against the same consolidations on 2026-10-24.

Law. The Workplace Safety and Health Act, ss. 42 to 43.3, as amended by The Workplace Safety and Health Amendment Act, S.M. 2025, c. 26 (The Workplace Safety and Health Act [MB], 2026, ss. 42-43.3).

What must be covered.

• The right. A worker may refuse work they believe on reasonable grounds “constitutes a danger to their safety or health or to the safety or health of another worker or another person” (s. 43(1)).
• The 2025 definition of danger, verbatim. “For the purpose of subsection (1), work constitutes a danger to the safety or health of a worker or another person where (a) an imminent risk of serious physical or health injury is created by (i) a hazard, or (ii) the health of the worker or other person; and (b) the employer has failed to implement reasonable measures to reduce, eliminate or control the risk or hazard” (s. 43(1.1)). Both parts must be met. The definition came in with The Workplace Safety and Health Amendment Act, S.M. 2025, c. 26, which received royal assent and came into force on 2025-06-03 (The Workplace Safety and Health Act [MB], 2026, s. 43(1.1)).
• Steps.
  1. The worker promptly reports the refusal to the employer or supervisor (s. 43(2)).
  2. If the condition is not remedied at once, the employer inspects with the worker and the worker co-chair, the representative, or a worker the refuser chooses (s. 43(3)), and remedies it (s. 43(4)).
  3. The worker may keep refusing until the condition is remedied (s. 43(5)).
  4. If not resolved, the matter goes to a safety and health officer, who decides and gives a written decision or orders (s. 43.1).
• Giving the work to someone else. Only with written notice of the refusal and its reasons (s. 43(6)).
• Pay. Same wages and benefits during the refusal; temporary alternative work allowed (s. 43.2).
• Reprisal. Prohibited for refusing and for other protected conduct (s. 42). A referral to an officer must be made “within six months after the date of the alleged reprisal” (s. 42.1(1.1)). Once the worker shows a reprisal and protected conduct, the reprisal is presumed to be because of that conduct, and the employer or union must prove otherwise (s. 42.1(4)).

Fire-service nuance.

• No firefighter carve-out, but a narrower test for everyone. Section 43 names no firefighters or emergency work. The 2025 definition means a refusal now needs both an imminent risk of serious injury and an employer that has failed to put reasonable measures in place. At a fire, where the department has written procedures, a rescue team and working equipment, ordinary fireground hazards will rarely meet the test; a failed SCBA, a missing rescue team required by the firefighter Part, or an untrained assignment can (interpretation).
• Supervisors. An employer or supervisor must not require or permit work in a condition they know or ought to know is dangerous until it is remedied (s. 43.3(1)), except work needed to remedy the condition (s. 43.3(2)).
• Volunteers. “Worker” includes a person working “whether for gain or reward, or hope of gain or reward or not”, so volunteers are covered (interpretation; see J11 Volunteer Firefighters).

Status. Verified against the official text on 2026-10-23 (Act consolidated to 2026-10-20; amending Act read).

Law. Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, ss. 2.6 to 2.9 (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, ss. 2.6-2.9); The Workers Compensation Act, ss. 17 to 19 (The Workers Compensation Act [MB], 2026, ss. 17-19); The Fires Prevention and Emergency Response Act, ss. 24 and 25 (The Fires Prevention and Emergency Response Act [MB], 2026, ss. 24-25).

What must be covered.

• Serious incidents with injury. A worker killed; an injury from electrical contact; unconsciousness from a concussion; a fracture of the skull, spine, pelvis, arm, leg, hand or foot; amputation of an arm, leg, hand, foot, finger or toe; third-degree burns; loss of sight; a laceration needing hospital treatment; asphyxiation or poisoning (s. 2.6).
• Serious incidents with no injury. Collapse or structural failure of a building, structure, crane, hoist, lift, temporary support or excavation; “an explosion, fire or flood”; an uncontrolled spill or escape of a hazardous substance; and “the failure of an atmosphere-supplying respirator” (s. 2.6(c)).
• Notice. “Immediately and by the fastest means available” to the Workplace Safety and Health Branch, with the names, employer, witnesses, date, time, place and apparent cause, and correction of any wrong information at once (s. 2.7). The Branch’s line is 1-855-957-7233, option 1 (Government of Manitoba, n.d.-b).
• Scene. Nothing is altered or moved until at least 24 hours after the notice, except to free a trapped person or avoid a further hazard, or as an officer directs (s. 2.8).
• Investigation. Every serious incident, and every accident or dangerous occurrence that needed medical treatment or could have caused a serious incident, is investigated “as soon as reasonably practicable” by the co-chairs, or the employer with the representative or a non-management worker, with a written report of prescribed content (s. 2.9). No deadline is set.
• Compensation report. Within five business days of the worker’s report or the employer otherwise learning of the injury, whichever is earlier (The Workers Compensation Act [MB], 2026, s. 18(1)-(1.1)); the employer also notifies the WCB of a return to work (s. 18.1(1)). The worker reports as soon as practicable and within 30 days (s. 17(1)) and claims within one year (s. 19(2)).

Fire-service nuance.

• SCBA failure is a serious incident. Report it immediately even when nobody is hurt.
• At a fire you are fighting. “An explosion, fire or flood” is not limited to fires at your own premises on the face of the text. The practical reading is that the fire you were called to is not your serious incident, but an explosion, a fire event that catches crews, or a collapse where members are working is (interpretation; confirm with the Branch in writing).
• Fire statute reports. The fire chief, as local assistant, must immediately notify the Fire Commissioner and the police of a death or serious injury from fire or a suspicious fire, and the Fire Commissioner of injurious explosions, fires of undetermined cause and significant losses (FPERA s. 24); every fire is investigated and reported within 14 days (s. 25).
• Volunteers. Volunteers are workers under the Act, so these duties apply (J11 Volunteer Firefighters).

Status. Verified against the official text on 2026-10-23 (Regulation, compensation Act and fire Act consolidated to 2026-10-20). The reporting line comes from a Branch web page; the fire-scene reading is interpretation.

Law. Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, ss. 2.10, 3.7, 5.7, 12.5, 36.6 and 37.4 (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, ss. 2.10, 3.7, 5.7, 12.5, 36.6, 37.4); The Fires Prevention and Emergency Response Act, s. 21 (The Fires Prevention and Emergency Response Act [MB], 2026, s. 21); The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, s. 40 (The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act [MB], 2026, s. 40); The Personal Health Information Act, s. 17 (The Personal Health Information Act [MB], 2026, s. 17).

What must be covered.

• Default. Any record the Regulation requires is kept for five years unless another period applies (s. 2.10). This captures the firefighter training record (s. 42.3) and orientation records.
• Other periods.
  • Committee minutes: 10 years (s. 3.7).
  • Injury and illness records: five years (s. 5.7).
  • Fire safety inspection records: seven years (FPERA s. 21(2)(c)).
  • Personal information and personal health information: written retention and destruction policies are required (FIPPA s. 40; PHIA s. 17).
• Exposure and health records.
  • Chemical and biological exposure monitoring records: 30 years (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, s. 36.6(5)).
  • Asbestos inventory and inspection records: 30 years (s. 37.4).
  • Audiometric records: 10 years (s. 12.5(2)(c)).

Fire-service nuance.

• Five years is too short for presumptions. The default would let training and attendance records go after five years; the cancer presumption needs cumulative service measured over decades. Keep service and training records permanently.
• Fire smoke. No rule names firefighter smoke exposure; exposure records kept under s. 36.6 for a measured chemical exposure are a 30-year precedent the department can follow by policy.

Status. Verified against the official text on 2026-10-23 (Regulation and fire Act consolidated to 2026-10-20; FIPPA and PHIA current versions read).

Law. The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, ss. 1 and 40 (The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act [MB], 2026, ss. 1, 40); The Personal Health Information Act, ss. 1 and 17 (The Personal Health Information Act [MB], 2026, ss. 1, 17).

What must be covered.

• Access and privacy. A municipality is a “local government body” under FIPPA (s. 1). The public body must have a written retention policy for personal information used in decisions, giving the individual a reasonable opportunity to obtain access (s. 40).
• Health information. A “trustee” is “a health professional, health care facility, public body, or health services agency that collects or maintains personal health information” (PHIA s. 1). Because a municipality is a public body, the fire department is a trustee for the personal health information it collects or maintains, such as member medical results and patient care records. A written policy on retention and destruction is required (s. 17).

Fire-service nuance.

• The department is a trustee. Manitoba is the clearest case: member health information held by the department is governed by PHIA, not only FIPPA. Apply PHIA’s security and need-to-know rules to medical, fitness, exposure and injury files.
• Clinicians. Licensed health professionals are trustees in their own right.

Status. Verified against the official text on 2026-10-23 (FIPPA version in force since 2025-11-01; PHIA version since 2023-05-30; definitions read).

Law. The Workplace Safety and Health Act, ss. 1 and 40 (The Workplace Safety and Health Act [MB], 2026, ss. 1, 40); Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, s. 1.1 (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, s. 1.1); The Workers Compensation Act, ss. 1(4)-(5), 4(5.1)-(5.8) and 49.3 (The Workers Compensation Act [MB], 2026, ss. 1, 4, 49.3); Minimum Periods of Employment and Non-Smoking Regulation, Man. Reg. 160/2005, s. 2 (Minimum Periods of Employment and Non-Smoking: Firefighters and OFC Personnel Regulation [MB], 2026, s. 2).

What must be covered.

• OHS status. “Worker” includes a person employed “whether for gain or reward, or hope of gain or reward or not” (The Workplace Safety and Health Act [MB], 2026, s. 1), and a “firefighter” is “a worker who provides” fire suppression, search and rescue, emergency medical care or hazardous materials response at an emergency, with no distinction between paid and volunteer (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, s. 1.1). Volunteers are therefore workers (interpretation; no tribunal decision checked).
• Committee. Required where 20 or more workers are regularly employed, counted by average daily presence (The Workplace Safety and Health Act [MB], 2026, s. 40); worker members must not be associated with management (s. 40(8)). Nothing bars volunteers; an all-volunteer department may not reach an average of 20.
• Refusal and reprisal. The s. 43 right and the s. 42 protection apply, with referral to an officer within six months; removal from the roster after a refusal or a safety report is a reprisal in substance (interpretation; see J07 Right to Refuse and Reprisal Protection).
• Compensation. A “casual emergency worker” includes a member of a municipal fire brigade available on a casual basis “with or without remuneration” whose “membership has been approved by the chief or the municipality”, and a person helping at a fire under a fire guardian, conservation officer, chief or the Fire Commissioner (The Workers Compensation Act [MB], 2026, s. 1(4)(a), (c)); the municipality is the deemed employer (s. 1(5)(a)).
• Presumptions. The 19 cancers apply to full-time and part-time firefighters, part-time meaning a casual, volunteer or part-time member of a municipal fire brigade, and to wildfire firefighters and Office of the Fire Commissioner personnel, with a minimum cumulative period of employment and regular fire-scene exposure (s. 4(5.1)-(5.3)); the minimum periods apply equally to part-time firefighters (M.R. 160/2005 s. 2). Heart injury within 24 hours after attendance at an emergency response (s. 4(5.6)); post-traumatic stress for all workers (s. 4(5.8)). There is no participation percentage.
• Return to work. The re-employment duty excludes casual emergency workers (s. 49.3(2)(a)); a volunteer has no statutory right back to the fire department.

Fire-service nuance.

• Approval is the gateway. Coverage depends on membership approved by the chief or the municipality. Record the approval, and the end date when a member leaves.
• Volunteer vehicle lights. A 2025 amendment changed the rules for lights on volunteers’ personal vehicles; see J30 Emergency Vehicles, Drivers and Licensing.

Status. Verified against the official text on 2026-10-23 (Act, Regulation and compensation Act consolidated to 2026-10-20; M.R. 160/2005 current version read). Volunteer worker status is an interpretation of the definition.

Law. The Workplace Safety and Health Act, s. 4 (The Workplace Safety and Health Act [MB], 2026, s. 4); Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, Part 42 “Firefighters”, ss. 42.1 to 42.7, with s. 6.16 (SCBA) and s. 2.6 (serious incidents) (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026); The Fires Prevention and Emergency Response Act, ss. 2(3)(f), 22 and 33 (The Fires Prevention and Emergency Response Act [MB], 2026).

What must be covered.

• Scope. Part 42 applies to firefighters and their employers, except underground mine fire suppression (s. 42.1). A firefighter is a worker who provides fire suppression, search and rescue, emergency medical care or hazardous materials response at an emergency (s. 1.1).
• Written safe work procedures for emergency response, training and compliance, readily accessible at each station, that include: (a) firefighting procedures; (b) procedures for the other emergencies the employer serves (water rescue, confined space entry, high-angle rescue, hazardous materials); (c) for each type of emergency, the number and type of firefighting vehicles and the number of firefighters for the initial response, for subsequent dispatch, and to safely perform each identified procedure; (d) a system for initiating safety procedures at the scene; and (e) a personnel accountability system that keeps track of the number and location of all personnel (s. 42.2(1)-(3)).
• Training record of all training given to firefighters (s. 42.3), kept at least five years under the default rule (s. 2.10).
• Team and rescue team. Firefighters must work in a team, and a suitably equipped rescue team must be readily available, whenever they enter a building, enclosed structure, vehicle, vessel, aircraft or other large object for suppression or rescue, and for water rescue, confined space entry, high-angle rescue and hazardous materials responses (s. 42.6(1)). No team size or time limit is stated.
• PASS to NFPA 1982 (1998) for every firefighter entering a structure, tested at least weekly and before each use and maintained to the manufacturer’s instructions (s. 42.6(2)-(3)).
• SCBA. Open-circuit, pressure-demand or positive-pressure, rated for at least 30 minutes, for any IDLH entry (s. 6.16(1)(a)).
• SCBA failure is a serious incident. Failure of an atmosphere-supplying respirator must be reported immediately and the scene kept for 24 hours (ss. 2.6(c)(iv), 2.7, 2.8); see J08 Incident Reporting and Investigation.
• Local incident management system. Every local authority must establish a local incident management system consistent with the Fire Commissioner’s provincial system (The Fires Prevention and Emergency Response Act [MB], 2026, ss. 2(3)(f), 22).

Fire-service nuance.

• Volunteers fall within the Act’s “worker” (“whether for gain or reward, or hope of gain or reward or not”) and the regulation’s “firefighter”; this is an interpretation, not a tribunal finding; see J11 Volunteer Firefighters.
• Activity-based exemptions: confined space LEL limit (s. 15.11(b)), flammable atmosphere entry (s. 19.8(2)), firefighters on a moving aerial ladder (s. 22.21(3), with fall protection still required under s. 22.21(2)), and rope access (Part 28.1 does not apply, s. 28.1.1(2)).
• No rehabilitation rule beyond the general thermal stress rule (s. 4.12), no structural PPE standard, no driver training content and no firefighter medicals; see J13 Firefighter PPE and Protective Equipment.
• Equipment must meet the most recent edition of a cited standard that existed when it was made (s. 1.3); NFPA 1982 is now part of NFPA 1970 (2025), so confirm how that rule applies to new PASS purchases.
• The Fire Commissioner may publish fire suppression guidelines, including training and the number of firefighters and vehicles (The Fires Prevention and Emergency Response Act [MB], 2026, s. 33). The branch’s codes of practice and guidelines list has nothing for the fire service.

Status. Verified against the official text on 2026-10-23 (regulation and Act current to 2026-10-20).

Law. Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, ss. 1.3, 6.1 to 6.14 and 42.4(1)(c) (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026).

What must be covered.

• General duty. The employer ensures PPE is worn (s. 6.1), with safe work procedures and training (s. 6.2); PPE is free, properly stored, and repaired or replaced at once if defective (s. 6.3); before issue, the employer inspects or tests it or follows the manufacturer’s pre-use procedure, and ensures fit and knowledge of limits (s. 6.4); the worker wears it to the manufacturer’s specifications, prevents damage and reports defects (s. 6.5(1)).
• General standards. Headwear at workplaces other than construction sites: CSA Z94.1-15 or ANSI Z89.1-2003, supplied by the employer (s. 6.10(1)); footwear supplied by the worker to CSA Z195:14 (R2019) or Z195.1-16, with the employer supplying metatarsal guards and footwear for hot or corrosive substances (s. 6.12); eye protection to CSA Z94.3-15 and Z94.3.1-16 (s. 6.13); hand and body protection (s. 6.14). Contaminated clothing is handled under s. 6.9; high visibility to CSA Z96 (s. 6.7).
• Firefighter PPE. PPE “appropriate to the risks” (s. 42.4(1)(c)); no NFPA structural standard is named.
• SCBA and PASS. SCBA rated for at least 30 minutes (s. 6.16); PASS to NFPA 1982 (1998), tested weekly and before use (s. 42.6(2)-(3)).

Fire-service nuance.

• Specify NFPA 1970 ensembles as “appropriate to the risks” and consider asking the director for written approval of an equivalent standard where a general head or foot rule conflicts with firefighting gear (s. 1.3(3)) (NFPA 1970, 2025).
• The worker-supplied footwear rule does not suit structural boots; the department should supply them as firefighting PPE (department practice).

Status. Verified against the official text on 2026-10-23 (regulation current to 2026-10-20).

Law. Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, ss. 6.15, 6.15.1, 6.16 and 1.3 (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, ss. 1.3, 6.15-6.16).

What must be covered.

• CSA Z94.4 edition. Respirators are selected, used and maintained in accordance with CAN/CSA-Z94.4-11 (s. 6.15(1)); work may follow the cited edition or any more recent one (s. 1.3(2)-(2.1)), so Z94.4-18 may be used.
• Training and checks. Workers are trained by a competent person in fit, testing, maintenance, use, cleaning and limitations, and inspect and test the respirator before each use (s. 6.15(2)).
• Fit test. The regulation sets no interval or method; under Z94.4 the test is repeated at least every two years and on a change of facepiece or physical condition.
• Breathing air. Purity to CAN/CSA-Z180.1-13 for atmosphere-supplying respirators (s. 6.15.1); the regulation sets no test interval.
• SCBA. Open-circuit, pressure-demand or positive-pressure, rated for at least 30 minutes, for any IDLH entry (s. 6.16(1)(a)).
• Medical. No requirement in the regulation; the health screening in Z94.4 applies through s. 6.15(1).

Fire-service nuance.

• Failure of an atmosphere-supplying respirator is a serious incident that must be reported immediately, with the scene kept for 24 hours (s. 2.6(c)(iv)); build a quarantine-and-report step into the SCBA program; see J08 Incident Reporting and Investigation.
• Records the regulation requires are kept at least five years by default (s. 2.10).
• Volunteers are treated as workers under the Act’s definition (interpretation); see J11 Volunteer Firefighters.

Status. Partly verified: regulation read on 2026-10-23 (current to 2026-10-20). Intervals and medical screening from the standard were not read.

Law. Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, ss. 2.10, 13.11 to 13.19, 16.4, 16.25, 22.3, 22.20 to 22.21, 28.37 to 28.44 and 42.4(2) (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026).

What must be covered.

• General inspection. Machines and tools are used, inspected and operated to the manufacturer’s specifications, installed, tested, repaired and maintained to the manufacturer’s or an engineer’s specifications, and inspected at regular intervals (s. 16.4); hand and power tools are inspected before use and defective ones removed (s. 16.25); powered mobile equipment is inspected by a competent person as often as necessary and not operated until defects are fixed (s. 22.3).
• Firefighting vehicles and equipment. Inspected by a competent person to the manufacturer’s specifications, with a signed written record readily available to firefighters; defects repaired by a competent person as soon as reasonably practicable, with interim protection (s. 42.4(2)).
• Records. Any record the regulation requires is kept at least five years by default (s. 2.10).
• Aerial devices and platforms. An “aerial device” includes an aerial ladder (s. 1.1); elevating work platforms and aerial devices meet CAN/CSA-B354 parts or CAN/CSA-C225-10 (R15) (s. 28.37(1)), with a competent person’s inspection before first use and daily while in use (s. 28.44).
• Ladders. Commercially manufactured portable ladders meet CSA Z11-18 or ANSI A14.1, A14.2 or A14.5 (2017) (s. 13.11); no NFPA ground ladder standard is named.

Fire-service nuance.

• Firefighters on firefighting equipment are exempt from the ban on riding a moving boom ladder, but fall protection still applies on a boom ladder (s. 22.21(2)-(3)); see J16 Fall Protection and Rope Access.
• Manitoba sets no NFPA pump, aerial or ladder test interval; adopt NFPA 1910 and the NFPA ground ladder standard as the department’s own standard rather than citing them as law (NFPA 1910, 2024).
• Fire safety inspection records under the fire statute are kept seven years (The Fires Prevention and Emergency Response Act [MB], 2026, s. 21(2)(c)).

Status. Verified against the official text on 2026-10-23 (regulation current to 2026-10-20).

Law. Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, Part 14 (fall protection), s. 22.21 (ladders on extending booms), Part 28.1 (rope access) and s. 42.4 (firefighters’ ropes and harnesses) (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, ss. 14.1-14.14, 22.21, 28.1.1, 42.3-42.4).

What must be covered.

• Trigger. Part 14 applies where a worker may fall 3 m or more, or less where the landing surface increases the risk, into operating machinery, water or a hazardous substance, through an opening, and more than 1.2 m beside a wheelbarrow path (s. 14.1(1)).
• Written procedures. Safe work procedures whenever Part 14 applies, naming the hazards and, where guardrails or systems are used, their locations, assembly, inspection and use, and rescue procedures (s. 14.2). There is no separate plan threshold.
• Training. By a competent person in the use, care and inspection of the system (s. 14.11); no interval and no Part 14 record (firefighter training is recorded under s. 42.3).
• Equipment. CSA Z259.1-05, Z259.2.1-98, Z259.2.2-17, Z259.2.3:16, Z259.10-18, Z259.11-05, Z259.12-16, Z259.13-16 and Z259.16-15, and ANSI/ASSE A10.11-2010 for nets (s. 14.7(1)(a)); peak arrest force no more than 8 kN (s. 14.13(4)).
• Anchors. Permanent anchorage on a building: 22.2 kN per worker, certified by a professional engineer (s. 14.14(1)); temporary fixed supports: 8 kN static without a shock absorber, 6 kN with one, 2 kN for travel restraint (s. 14.14(2)).
• Aerial ladders. A worker on a ladder attached to an extending boom complies with Part 14 (s. 22.21(2)).
• Firefighters’ equipment. Safety ropes, harnesses and hardware appropriate to the risk and used (s. 42.4(1)).

Fire-service nuance.

• No emergency relief in Part 14.
• The ban on a worker being on a boom ladder while it moves does not apply to firefighters on firefighting equipment (s. 22.21(3)), but the fall protection duty in s. 22.21(2) still does.
• The rope access Part “does not apply to … (a) firefighters; (b) persons providing emergency response services or search and rescue services” (s. 28.1.1(2)), so rope rescue rests on the department’s own technical rescue procedures, which s. 42.2 requires for high-angle rescue.

Status. Verified against the official text on 2026-10-23 (regulation current to 2026-10-20).

Law. Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, Part 15 (confined spaces, ss. 15.1 to 15.13), s. 19.8 (flammable atmospheres) and Part 36 (chemical and biological substances) (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, ss. 15.1-15.13, 19.8, 36.5).

What must be covered.

• Procedures. Safe work procedures covering isolation and lockout and, for hazardous spaces, standby communication, an emergency response and rescue plan and an entry permit system (s. 15.2).
• Hazardous spaces. A harness and lifeline attached to a personal hoisting device unless there is an alternate safe means of rescue; controls for engulfment; lockout to zero energy; rescue equipment at the space (s. 15.5).
• Permit. Signed by a competent person, available at the space, and reviewed when conditions change (ss. 15.5(e), 15.6, 15.7).
• Standby worker. Present at the entrance at all times, a first aider under Part 5, trained in the procedures and in rescue, able to summon help and in direct communication (s. 15.8).
• Atmosphere. Purge or ventilate to less than 10 percent of the LEL and oxygen of at least 19.5 and not more than 23 percent (s. 15.9(1)), with continuous ventilation and monitoring by a competent person (s. 15.9(2)); hydrogen sulphide and carbon monoxide through the ACGIH limits adopted in Part 36 (s. 36.5).
• Rescue. The rescue plan is implemented in an emergency (s. 15.12); top-entry rules (s. 15.13).
• Training. In the procedures (s. 15.2(1)(b)); no interval.

Fire-service nuance.

• The exemption, verbatim. Entry is prohibited for “a worker, other than a firefighter responding to an emergency, … if a concentration of a flammable or explosive substance in the space cannot be reduced to less than 10% of its lower explosive limit” (s. 15.11(b)); a similar exemption applies to flammable atmospheres (s. 19.8(2)).
• The 23 percent oxygen ceiling (s. 15.11(a)), the permit, the first-aider standby, the rescue plan and continuous monitoring still apply to firefighters. Technical rescue procedures under s. 42.2 must show how each is met at an emergency.

Status. Verified against the official text on 2026-10-23 (regulation current to 2026-10-20). The ACGIH values were not read.

Law. Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, Part 26 (excavations and tunnels) (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, ss. 26.1-26.16.1).

What must be covered.

• Scope. Part 26 applies to every workplace where excavation work takes place (s. 26.1).
• Open excavations. Support only where there is a danger of cave-in at 1.5 m or less; more than 1.5 m to 3 m: walls sloped no steeper than 45 degrees, or benched with a vertical face of no more than 1 m, or shored to the Schedule, or otherwise supported, or engineered (s. 26.15(2)); more than 3 m: designed and certified by a professional engineer (s. 26.15(4)-(5)).
• Trenches. More than 1.5 m to 4.5 m: Schedule shoring or an engineered alternative (s. 26.16(2)); more than 4.5 m: engineered (s. 26.16(4)); adjacent structures supported to an engineer’s design (s. 26.16.1).
• Spoil. At least 1 m from the edge (s. 26.10(2)).
• Guarding. Where a fall of more than 3 m into the excavation is possible (s. 26.12(2)).
• Access. A ladder, stairway or ramp for excavations or trenches more than 1.5 m deep; the ladder extends 1 m above the top and is no more than 3 m from a worker in a trench (s. 26.14).

Fire-service nuance.

• No firefighter exemption. Part 42 requires written procedures for the specialized rescues a department provides (s. 42.2); see J12 Fire Service OHS Rules and Fireground Operations.
• The 3 m ladder spacing is the strictest in Canada; plan ladder placement in rescue shoring layouts.

Status. Verified against the official text on 2026-10-23 (regulation current to 2026-10-20).

Law. Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, ss. 16.4 to 16.17 (machine and tool safety and lockout), Part 25 (overhead power lines, ss. 25.1 to 25.7) and Part 38 (electrical safety, s. 38.7) (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, ss. 16.4-16.17, 25.1-25.7, 38.7).

What must be covered.

• Lockout. Lockout under ss. 16.14 to 16.17.
• Guarding. Machine and tool safety under ss. 16.4 to 16.13.
• Overhead lines. Part 25 applies within 3 m of an overhead line; before work or equipment comes within 3 m, the employer notifies the electrical authority and obtains its written confirmation or instructions (ss. 25.1, 25.4-25.6); contact procedures (s. 25.7). There is no voltage-graded table.
• Exposed energized equipment. Work near it is done so as to prevent contact (s. 38.7).

Fire-service nuance.

• No emergency relief. With no voltage-graded table, adopt a table by policy (for example the national pattern of 3 m to 25 kV and more for higher voltages) and the utility’s responder guidance.
• Electrical licensing and inspection sit in separate statutes not read for this page.

Status. Verified against the official text on 2026-10-23 (regulation current to 2026-10-20). Code adoption and licensing were not checked.

Law. Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, ss. 4.1 to 4.15, 13.1 to 13.5, 14.1, 14.4 and 19.3 (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026); The Fires Prevention and Emergency Response Act, ss. 19 and 20 (The Fires Prevention and Emergency Response Act [MB], 2026).

What must be covered.

• Floors. Floors, walkways, ramps and stairs in good repair and free of slip and trip hazards, with unsafe areas barred and signed (s. 4.5); aisles marked (s. 4.4).
• Guardrails. Fall protection at 3 m or more or at openings (s. 14.1(1)); guardrails at 900 to 1,060 mm with an intermediate rail at 450 to 530 mm, a 900 N load and a 125 mm toe board (s. 14.4). Building stairs and handrails are left to the building code.
• Lighting and air. Sufficient lighting, emergency lighting and at least 50 lux where workers pass (s. 4.14); air quality, mechanical ventilation to the Manitoba Building Code, inspected and maintained, and air cleaning where air is recirculated (ss. 4.1-4.3).
• Egress and fire. Access and egress comply with the Manitoba Building and Fire Codes and are kept free of ice and snow (s. 13.1); secondary egress (s. 13.4); emergency exits marked (s. 13.5); fire equipment to the Manitoba Fire Code (s. 19.3).
• Sanitation. Water (s. 4.6); toilets and wash basins by number of workers (s. 4.7: one each for 1 to 10, two for 11 to 25, three for 26 to 50); free menstrual products and access (s. 4.8, in force 2026); change and washing facilities (s. 4.11); no eating in contaminated areas (s. 4.15).
• Pressure equipment. Governed by the steam and pressure plants statute and regulation, administered by the provincial inspection service; reported to cover air receivers.
• Codes. The Act lets the National Fire Code be adopted as the Manitoba Fire Code, enforced by local authorities (The Fires Prevention and Emergency Response Act [MB], 2026, ss. 19-20); the national codes board lists the 2020 codes with variations in force from 2024-01-01 (CBHCC, n.d.).

Fire-service nuance.

• No fire-hall exhaust rule exists; the general air quality duty and the adopted exposure limits apply; see J22 Exposure Limits, Heat and Cold Stress.
• M.R. 26/2026, in force 2027-04-01, changes washroom duties on construction projects, which matters only when a station is being built.

Status. Partly verified: regulation and Act read on 2026-10-23 (current to 2026-10-20); pressure statute and building code instrument not read.

Law. Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, Part 35 (WHMIS), Part 36 (chemical and biological substances) and Part 37 (asbestos, rewritten by Man. Reg. 108/2025) (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, ss. 35.1-35.26, 36.1-36.10, 37.1-37.23). Release reporting falls under the province’s environmental accident reporting rules, which were not read for this page.

What must be covered.

• WHMIS education and training. Training covers the procedures for safe use, storage, handling and disposal and “the procedures to be followed in case of an emergency involving the hazardous product” (s. 35.3), is developed with the committee or representative, and is reviewed and revised with them at least annually or sooner on a change in conditions or hazard information (s. 35.4).
• Chemical and biological substances. Every workplace where such a substance is present: assessment of the substances (s. 36.2) and controls (ss. 36.3-36.5).
• Release reporting. Report to the provincial line, 204-944-4888 or 1-855-944-4888 (Environment and Climate Change Canada, 2023).
• Asbestos inventory. The employer and the owner ensure an inventory of all asbestos-containing material, prepared by a qualified person and updated whenever material is added or removed, and an inspection of its condition by a competent person at least annually (s. 37.3(1)); the inventory shows locations, including damaged material (s. 37.3(2)), and damaged material is dealt with (s. 37.3(3)).
• Asbestos management. Records (s. 37.4), signage (s. 37.5), an asbestos control plan (s. 37.6), abatement or removal (s. 37.8) and rules before alteration, renovation or demolition (s. 37.9).
• Certification. Approved training providers, worker certificates, ongoing training and a registry of asbestos businesses (ss. 37.11-37.23). The provisions that require certified workers and registered businesses come into force on 2027-06-01 under s. 5(2) of Man. Reg. 108/2025 (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, ss. 37.11-37.23).

Fire-service nuance.

• From 2027-06-01, removal from a station or an acquired structure must be done by certified workers of a registered business; plan training burns and renovations accordingly.
• The annual condition inspection of asbestos material in stations fits the station inspection cycle in J04 Hazard Assessment and Workplace Inspections.

Status. Partly verified: the regulation read on 2026-10-23 (current from 2026-09-01 to 2026-10-20) and M.R. 108/2025 read. The release reporting rules were not read.

Law. Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, ss. 1.1 (definition of threshold limit value), 4.12-4.13 (thermal stress) and Part 36 (chemical and biological substances) (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, ss. 1.1, 4.12, 4.13, 36.1.1, 36.5).

What must be covered.

• Basis of limits. Where an assessment shows an airborne substance creates or may create a risk, the employer sets an exposure limit no higher than the ACGIH TLV, as close to zero as possible for designated materials, and, where ACGIH has no TLV, either controls that eliminate the risk or a limit set by a competent person (s. 36.5(1)); a lower limit where the TLV would still leave a risk (s. 36.5(2)).
• Edition. “Threshold limit value” means the value in the ACGIH 2019 TLV and BEI publication (s. 1.1). The director must seek input every three years on the applicable TLVs (s. 36.1.1).
• Heat and cold. Where heat or cold may create a risk, safe work procedures and controls ensuring that the ACGIH 2019 thermal stress TLVs are followed, and information, instruction and training in the symptoms of thermal stress and the precautions (s. 4.12); indoor thermal conditions appropriate to the work (s. 4.13).

Fire-service nuance.

• Firefighting is not exempt from s. 4.12, so the ACGIH heat stress TLV is the legal basis for work-rest cycles at fires and training.
• No long-shift adjustment rule was found in the text searched.

Status. Partly verified: ss. 1.1, 4.12, 4.13, 36.1.1 and 36.5 read on 2026-10-23 (current from 2026-09-01 to 2026-10-20); a long-shift rule was not found.

Law. Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, Part 12 (ss. 12.1-12.6) (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, ss. 1.1, 12.2-12.6).

What must be covered.

• Limit and exchange rate. 85 dBA Lex (s. 12.4), with “Lex” defined on a 3 dB exchange rate (s. 1.1).
• Assessment. A noise exposure assessment to CAN/CSA Z107.56-13, and a posted report, where exposure may exceed 80 dBA (s. 12.2); protectors on request between 80 and 85 dBA (s. 12.3).
• Above the limit. Controls, hearing protectors to CAN/CSA Z94.2-14, training, and audiometric tests: a baseline within six months of first exposure above 85 dBA Lex and at least every two years after (s. 12.4(2)(c)).
• Records and reporting. Test records kept 10 years (s. 12.5(2)(c)); every two years, a report to the physician or audiologist, the committee and the director within 30 days (s. 12.6).

Fire-service nuance.

• Volunteers are workers by interpretation, so the testing duty covers them.

Status. Verified against the regulation current to 2026-10-20.

Law. Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, Part 5 (ss. 5.1-5.19) and Schedule C (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, ss. 5.5-5.12).

What must be covered.

• Standards. First aiders at the CSA Z1210-17 levels (basic, intermediate, advanced) (s. 5.5(2)(c)), with certificates valid three years (s. 5.5(5)); kits to CSA Z1220-17 (s. 5.12(1)).
• Minimum first aiders per shift (close workplace, hospital within 30 minutes, other work). None at 1-10 workers; one intermediate at 11-40; two intermediate at 41-199; three intermediate at 200 or more. Distant (within two hours) and isolated workplaces need more, up to advanced first aiders (s. 5.5(1)).
• Posting and records. First aider list posted (s. 5.5(4)); injury and illness records kept five years (s. 5.7).
• Transport and clean-up. A means of reaching an ambulance service within 30 minutes or a stretcher-capable vehicle (s. 5.8); blood and body fluid clean-up by a competent person (s. 5.10).
• Vehicles. A vehicle, boat or aircraft used to transport workers is deemed a workplace, with kits sized to its seating capacity (s. 5.12(2)).

Fire-service nuance.

• A close station with 10 or fewer members on shift needs a kit but no designated first aider; most departments exceed this by policy because members are trained.
• Apparatus kits must be sized to seating, so a six-seat cab needs a larger kit than a two-seat utility.

Status. Verified against the regulation current to 2026-10-20.

Law. Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, s. 5.10 and Part 36 (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, ss. 5.10, 36.1-36.5). Source testing: The Testing of Bodily Fluids and Disclosure Act, in force 2009-09-15 (The Testing of Bodily Fluids and Disclosure Act [MB], 2009).

What must be covered.

• Biological substances. Part 36 applies to every workplace where a chemical or biological substance is present: assessment (s. 36.2) and controls (ss. 36.3-36.5).
• Clean-up. Blood and body fluid contamination is cleaned up or disposed of by a competent person who is protected from exposure (s. 5.10).
• Health care Part. Part 39 (safe work procedures for infectious materials, sharps) applies only to health care facilities (s. 39.1); use it as a model, not a legal requirement.
• Source testing. A person who contacted another person’s bodily fluid as a crime victim, while giving emergency medical assistance, or while working as a firefighter, emergency medical responder, paramedic or peace officer may apply for a testing order (The Testing of Bodily Fluids and Disclosure Act [MB], 2009).
• Medical first response. Not researched.

Fire-service nuance.

• Without a fire-specific exposure plan rule, the Part 36 assessment is the legal hook for the department’s infection control plan.

Status. Partly verified: ss. 5.10, 36.1-36.5 and 39.1 read on 2026-10-23 (current to 2026-10-20). The testing statute rests on a provincial health document and a news report seen in search.

Law. Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, Part 11, ss. 11.1 to 11.8 (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, ss. 11.1-11.8).

What must be covered.

• Listed workplaces are subject to Part 11 automatically: health care workplaces, which include an ambulance (s. 11.8); pharmacies; education; financial services; police, corrections and other law enforcement; security; crisis counselling and intervention; taxis and transit buses; late-night retail; and licensed premises (s. 11.1(a)-(d)).
• Every other employer must assess the risk of violence in consultation with the committee, the representative or the workers. The workplace becomes subject to Part 11 if a risk is identified (ss. 11.1(e), 11.2).
• If subject to the Part: develop and implement a violence prevention policy with the committee or representative, train workers in it and ensure they comply (s. 11.3).
• Policy contents (s. 11.4): worksites and job functions where violence has occurred or may be expected; measures to eliminate or control the risk; measures and procedures for summoning immediate assistance; how and when a worker reports an incident; how the employer documents and investigates incidents and implements the resulting controls; a recommendation that a harmed worker consult their health care provider for treatment or referral for post-incident counselling; and confidentiality.
• Information to workers, including about persons with a history of violence (s. 11.5); investigation of each incident (s. 11.6); an annual report of violent incidents to the committee or representative (s. 11.7).
• Review cycle. No policy review cycle is stated.

Fire-service nuance.

• Fire departments are not on the list; ambulances are. A department that operates or staffs ambulances is covered at those workplaces. For everything else the s. 11.2 assessment is mandatory, and medical, mental health and crowd calls will almost always produce a finding of risk that brings the whole Part into force (interpretation). Treat medical first response as in scope from the start.
• Use the annual incident report to the committee as the review trigger the regulation does not otherwise set.
• The 2025 amendments to the Act (S.M. 2025, c. 26) changed the definition of danger used in refusals (The Workplace Safety and Health Act [MB], 2026, s. 43(1.1)); check how a violence-based refusal is handled in J07 Right to Refuse and Reprisal Protection.

Status. Verified against the official text on 2026-10-23 (Regulation consolidated to 2026-10-20).

Law. Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, Part 10, ss. 10.1 to 10.3, and the definition in s. 1.1 (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026).

What must be covered.

• Written policy to prevent harassment, implemented by every employer, with worker compliance ensured, developed in consultation with the committee, the representative or the workers (s. 10.1).
• Required statements (s. 10.2(1)): every worker is entitled to work free of harassment; the employer must ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, that no worker is harassed; corrective action against anyone under the employer’s direction who harasses; non-disclosure of names and circumstances except to investigate, correct or as required by law; the right to complain to the Manitoba Human Rights Commission; and that the policy does not limit other legal rights.
• Procedures (s. 10.2(2)): how to make a complaint, how it will be investigated, and how the complainant and alleged harasser will be told the results.
• Posting in a conspicuous place (s. 10.3).
• Training and review. None specified.

Fire-service nuance.

• “Harassment” means objectionable conduct that creates a risk to the health of a worker, or severe conduct that adversely affects a worker’s psychological or physical well-being (s. 1.1), so a single serious incident can qualify.
• No training duty is written, but a policy members have never been taught on is hard to defend as reasonably practicable; train every member and officer.

Status. Verified against the official text on 2026-10-24 (Regulation consolidated to 2026-10-20, including the s. 1.1 definition).

Law. The Workplace Safety and Health Act, s. 1 (The Workplace Safety and Health Act [MB], 2026, s. 1); Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, Parts 10 and 11 (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026).

What must be covered.

• In the statute. Yes. “Health” means “the condition of being sound in body, mind and spirit” (The Workplace Safety and Health Act [MB], 2026, s. 1), so the Act’s duties about workers’ health reach mental health (interpretation).
• Psychosocial duty. No separate psychosocial regulation. Harassment includes severe conduct that adversely affects psychological or physical well-being (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, s. 1.1) (J27 Workplace Harassment); violence prevention is in Part 11 (J26 Workplace Violence).
• Crisis resources. 9-8-8 (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2026). A provincial line was not confirmed on the research date.

Fire-service nuance.

• The PTSD presumption covers all workers, including volunteer firefighters, but other mental stress is compensable only as an acute reaction to a traumatic event (J32 Workers' Compensation and Firefighter Presumptions). Prevention carries more of the load for chronic stressors.
• CSA Z1003-13 is voluntary here.

Status. Partly verified: the Act and Regulation (consolidated to 2026-10-20) were read; the provincial crisis line was not confirmed.

Law. Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, Part 43 (diving operations, ss. 43.1 to 43.3) (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, ss. 43.1-43.3).

What must be covered.

• Scope. Part 43 applies to every workplace where diving operations take place (s. 43.1), so to fire department dive teams.
• Procedures. Safe work procedures that meet CSA Z275.2-15 (s. 43.2).
• Competency. Each diver gives the employer written evidence of competency to CSA Z275.4-12 (R2017), kept for as long as the diver is employed (s. 43.3).

Fire-service nuance.

• No public safety diving provisions and no emergency relief.
• The team size and medical interval come from CSA Z275.2-15 through s. 43.2.

Status. Partly verified: Part 43 read on 2026-10-23 (regulation current to 2026-10-20). The CSA Z275.2-15 requirements were not read.

Law. The Highway Traffic Act, ss. 1, 106 and 109.1; Vehicle Equipment, Safety and Inspection Regulation, ss. 3.8 and 3.10; Driver Licensing Regulation, ss. 1 and 11(2); Commercial Vehicle Trip Inspection Regulation, s. 2(1)(e); Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, ss. 42.4-42.5 (The Highway Traffic Act [MB], 2026, ss. 1, 106, 109.1; Vehicle Equipment, Safety and Inspection Regulation [MB], 2026, ss. 3.8, 3.10; Driver Licensing Regulation [MB], 2026, ss. 1, 11; Commercial Vehicle Trip Inspection Regulation [MB], 2024, s. 2; Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, ss. 42.4-42.5). No replacement statute; s. 109.1 amended in 2025.

What must be covered.

• Emergency vehicle. Includes a fire department vehicle and “a vehicle not ordinarily used for emergencies” used to respond by a volunteer, part-time or on-call emergency responder (s. 1).
• Exemptions. Speed, red lights and stop signs, direction and turning rules, and stopping or standing (s. 106(1)), only while sounding the horn or siren with the required lighting lit (s. 106(2)), with due regard for safety (s. 106(4)) and never negligently (s. 106(8)).
• Lights. Fire apparatus lighting (VESI s. 3.8). A part-time emergency vehicle needs a forward-facing flashing red visor or dash lamp and/or a removable flashing red roof lamp to use the s. 106 privileges; the red lamp must be lit; red or amber rear lamps are optional; the roof lamp is mounted only while responding (VESI s. 3.10, as amended by M.R. 123/2025).
• Other drivers. Slow to 40 km/h where the limit is 41-79 km/h and 60 km/h where it is 80 or more when passing a stopped fire, police or ambulance vehicle with lamps on, and change lanes where safe (s. 109.1).
• Seat belts and operation. A competent operator (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, s. 42.4(1)(a)); seated and belted, no tailstep or running-board riding, with the too-few-seats and grass or forest fire (20 km/h) exceptions (s. 42.5).
• Licence. Class 4 covers “an ambulance and all other emergency vehicles”; a truck with more than two axles is a Class 3 vehicle; an air brake endorsement is required for any air-braked vehicle (Driver Licensing Regulation [MB], 2026, ss. 1, 11(2)).
• Trip inspections. Not required while a commercial vehicle is used in relation to a fire, flood or similar event (M.R. 95/2008, s. 2(1)(e)).

Fire-service nuance.

• Manitoba is the only western province where a volunteer’s personal vehicle, properly lit with red lamps, has the full s. 106 privileges, and with them the full liability of an emergency driver; the department should authorize, train and evaluate those drivers.
• Office of the Fire Commissioner bulletins from 2022 describe the earlier version of s. 3.10 and are superseded in detail.

Status. Verified against the official texts (current to 2026-10-20; VESI from 2026-01-01).

Law. Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, s. 6.7 and Part 20 (ss. 20.1, 20.5, 20.6); The Highway Traffic Act, s. 109.1 (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, ss. 6.7, 20.1, 20.5-20.6; The Highway Traffic Act [MB], 2026, s. 109.1).

What must be covered.

• Traffic control. Part 20 applies to every workplace where traffic is a risk (s. 20.1): traffic control safe work procedures (s. 20.5) and certified flagpersons (s. 20.6(1)). There is no emergency exemption, and the Designated Construction Zones Regulation does not mention emergency scenes.
• High visibility. Apparel to CAN/CSA-Z96-02 with Z96.1 (s. 6.7); flagpersons wear Class 3 Level 2 apparel to CSA Z96-15 in fluorescent yellow-green (s. 20.6(2)(b)(ii)).
• Move-over. Slow to 40 km/h where the limit is 41-79 km/h and 60 km/h where it is 80 km/h or more when passing a stopped fire, police or ambulance vehicle with emergency lamps on, and change lanes on multi-lane roads where safe (s. 109.1).

Fire-service nuance.

• A member directing traffic is a flagperson for Part 20 purposes unless the regulator accepts otherwise; confirm how it applies the certification rule at emergency scenes.

Status. Verified against the regulation and Act (current to 2026-10-20).

Law. The Workers Compensation Act, ss. 1(1), 1(1.1), 1(4), 1(5), 4(4.1) and 4(5.1) to 4(5.8) (The Workers Compensation Act [MB], 2026); Minimum Periods of Employment and Non-Smoking: Firefighters and OFC Personnel Regulation, ss. 2 and 3 (Minimum Periods of Employment and Non-Smoking: Firefighters and OFC Personnel Regulation [MB], 2026); Occupational Diseases Regulation, Schedule (Occupational Diseases Regulation [MB], 2024). Board: Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba.

What must be covered.

• Board administration. Check contractors’ standing before work and payment.
• Cancers. 19 primary-site cancers for full-time firefighters, part-time firefighters (casual, volunteer or part-time members of a municipal fire brigade), wildfire firefighters and Office of the Fire Commissioner personnel, with minimum cumulative service and regular fire-scene exposure (s. 4(5.1)-(5.3); MR 160/2005 s. 2):

• Lung. No smoke-free period is needed for a person who smoked fewer than 365 cigarettes, cigars or pipes in a lifetime; otherwise 6 years (fewer than 10 a day) up to 28 years (40 or more a day), and 8 years for more than one cigar or pipe a day (s. 4(5.4); MR 160/2005 s. 3).
• Effective dates. Full-time firefighters, accidents on or after 1992-01-01; part-time and Fire Commissioner personnel, on or after 2005-06-09; wildfire firefighters, from the date their clause came into force (s. 4(5.5)).
• Heart. An injury to the heart within 24 hours after attendance at an emergency response, for full-time, part-time and wildfire firefighters and Fire Commissioner personnel (s. 4(5.6)).
• PTSD. Presumed for any worker exposed to a traumatic event related to work and diagnosed with PTSD by a physician or psychologist, casual emergency workers included (s. 4(5.8)).
• Other mental stress. Not compensable unless it is an acute reaction to a traumatic event or s. 4(5.8) applies; employment decisions are excluded (s. 1(1.1)).
• Smoke poisoning. The scheduled occupational disease presumption covers poisoning by asphyxiants such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen cyanide with occupational exposure (s. 4(4.1); Occupational Diseases Regulation [MB], 2024, Sch. item 1(b)).
• Volunteers. A “casual emergency worker” includes a municipal fire brigade member, paid or not, whose membership has been approved by the chief or the municipality, and people assisting at a fire under a fire guardian, conservation officer, chief or the Fire Commissioner (s. 1(4)(a), (c)). The municipality is the deemed employer (s. 1(5)(a)).

Fire-service nuance.

• Wildfire firefighters were added to the cancer and heart presumptions by S.M. 2023, c. 21, in force 2024-01-01.
• Keep each volunteer’s approval as a brigade member on file; coverage depends on it.

Status. Verified against the official text on 2026-10-23 (Act consolidated to 2026-10-20; MR 160/2005 version from 2024-01-01). The wildfire in-force date and contractor clearance are not verified.

Law. The Workers Compensation Act, ss. 18.1 and 49.3 (The Workers Compensation Act [MB], 2026); The Human Rights Code, ss. 9, 12 and 14 (The Human Rights Code [MB], 2026); The Employment Standards Code, ss. 10 and 19 (The Employment Standards Code [MB], 2026); Employment Standards Regulation, s. 9 (Employment Standards Regulation [MB], 2026, s. 9).

What must be covered.

• Re-employment (The Workers Compensation Act [MB], 2026, s. 49.3): employers with 25 or more workers must offer re-employment to a worker with 12 continuous months of service, until the earliest of the second anniversary of the accident, six months after the worker is fit for pre-accident work, or retirement, and must accommodate the work or workplace to the point of undue hardship. The duty prevails over a collective agreement that gives less (s. 49.3(16)). The employer must notify the board when a worker returns (s. 18.1).
• Penalty. An administrative penalty of up to the worker’s net average earnings for the year before the accident (s. 49.3(15)).
• Accommodation. “Discrimination” includes the “failure to make reasonable accommodation for the special needs” of a person based on a protected characteristic (The Human Rights Code [MB], 2026, s. 9(1)(d)). Employment discrimination is prohibited unless based on “bona fide and reasonable requirements or qualifications” (s. 14(1)), and that defence “does not extend to the failure to make reasonable accommodation” (s. 12).
• Hours of work. Standard hours are 40 a week and 8 a day, or more where a collective agreement provides (ESC s. 10). An employer has no implied right to require overtime (s. 19(1)) but may require it while an urgent situation threatens life, health, safety, essential or municipal services, or in a declared disaster or emergency (s. 19(2)). The weekly day of rest does not apply while an employee works in such an emergency (Employment Standards Regulation [MB], 2026, s. 9(c)). No firefighter-specific hours rule was found.

Fire-service nuance.

• Casual emergency workers, which includes volunteer and paid-on-call firefighters, are excluded from the re-employment duty (s. 49.3(2)(a)).
• The 25-worker threshold is higher than in most provinces; small departments inside larger municipalities count the municipality’s workforce (interpretation).

Status. Verified against the official text on 2026-10-23 (Act consolidated to 2026-10-20; Human Rights Code and Employment Standards Code to 2026-10-21; Regulation current on 2026-10-23).

Law. The Municipal Act, ss. 264 to 270, 391 and 403 to 404 (The Municipal Act [MB], 2026); The Fires Prevention and Emergency Response Act, ss. 2, 5, 22 to 26, 33 to 35 and 40 (The Fires Prevention and Emergency Response Act [MB], 2026); Fire Hose Regulation (Fire Hose Regulation [MB], 1987).

What must be covered.

• Duty to provide. “Every municipality must provide fire protection services within its boundaries” (The Municipal Act [MB], 2026, s. 264); the force may be wholly or partly volunteer (s. 265); services may be provided by agreement (s. 266); other services such as medical and rescue with council approval (s. 268).
• Powers at incidents. The fire protection force may use property, enter, and demolish or remove buildings, trees, structures or crops (s. 270).
• Liability. The standard of care weighs population, geography, volunteer status and assessment base (s. 391); good-faith immunity and indemnity for volunteer workers (ss. 403-404).
• Chief and reporting. The chief is the “local assistant” with fire investigation and inspection powers (The Fires Prevention and Emergency Response Act [MB], 2026, s. 23(1)(a)); immediate notifications of listed events (s. 24); a fire report within 14 days (s. 25); an annual report on emergency response resources (s. 26).
• Local incident management system consistent with the Fire Commissioner’s provincial system (ss. 2(3)(f), 22).
• Fire Commissioner. Administers the Act, advises on training and equipment, provides critical incident stress management, search and rescue co-ordination and the provincial incident management system (s. 2(3)); in an emergency may evacuate, enter, demolish and direct all emergency response personnel, including a local authority’s (s. 5), and that direction prevails over other orders except those under the emergency measures statute (s. 40); may publish fire suppression guidelines, including training and the number of firefighters and vehicles (s. 33); runs the training college and regional schools and issues certificates (s. 34).
• Mutual aid. The Fire Commissioner may establish or recognize mutual aid districts (s. 35); couplings for 1½, 2½ and 4-inch hose use Manitoba Standard Screw Threads (Fire Hose Regulation [MB], 1987, s. 1).

Fire-service nuance.

• No mandatory firefighter certification exists in the Act or its regulations; the Fire Commissioner may issue certificates of qualification (s. 34). The provincial emergency services college reports IFSAC and Pro Board accreditation.
• Manitoba is one of three provinces found that require municipalities to provide fire protection, with Prince Edward Island and, for towns, Newfoundland and Labrador; Ontario requires public education and fire prevention but leaves other services to council.

Status. Verified against the official text on 2026-10-23 (Act current to 2026-10-20; Municipal Act version in effect 2026-09-30). College accreditation not verified.

Law. The Wildfires Act, ss. 1, 13 to 16 and 18 to 21 (The Wildfires Act [MB], 2024, ss. 1, 13-16, 18-21); Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, s. 42.5 (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, s. 42.5).

What must be covered.

• Season. “Wildfire season” means “the period in each year commencing on April 1 and ending on November 15”, or another period the minister designates (s. 1).
• Responsibility. “A municipality is responsible for wildfire protection operations within its boundaries”, subject to agreements and the minister’s powers (s. 13(1)), and “shall obey all orders of an officer regarding wildfire protection operations” (s. 13(2)); a municipality may appoint and pay fire guardians (s. 14); the Crown need not reimburse a municipality but may do so for fires that start on unoccupied Crown land (s. 16).
• Permits. No outdoor fire in a burning permit area during the wildfire season except under a burning permit (s. 19(1)); permit areas are designated by regulation (s. 19(2)); officers issue, condition, suspend or cancel permits (s. 19(3)). The permit Part does not apply in cities, towns, villages or national parks, except non-urban areas of extended towns (s. 18).
• Aircraft. The Act has travel permits and restrictions around water bombing operations (ss. 20-21).

Fire-service nuance.

• Firefighters may ride outside seats when fighting prairie, grassland, forest or crop fires from a moving vehicle only with a restraint, communication with the operator and a speed of no more than 20 km/h (s. 42.5).
• Wildfire firefighters are covered by the cancer and heart presumptions (The Workers Compensation Act [MB], 2026, s. 4(5.1)-(5.6)); see J32 Workers' Compensation and Firefighter Presumptions.
• No statutory wildland qualification for municipal crews was found; the provincial agency’s training expectations were not checked.

Status. Partly verified: the Act (version in effect since 2024-04-01) and regulation read on 2026-10-23. Agency standards were not read.

Law. No statute requires external verification. SAFE Work Certified is a compensation board program (SAFE Work Manitoba, n.d.); the district fund is administered by the Office of the Fire Commissioner (Office of the Fire Commissioner, 2024).

What must be covered.

• No COR. Manitoba uses SAFE Work Certified, overseen by the compensation board’s prevention division and delivered through certifying partners for construction, manufacturing, health care, trucking, sales and service and heavy construction. No partner for municipalities or local government is listed (SAFE Work Manitoba, n.d.).
• Incentive. Certified employers receive a rebate of the greater of 15 per cent of premium or $3,000, capped at 75 per cent of premium (SAFE Work Manitoba, n.d.).
• Grant. The 17 mutual aid districts and three training districts receive an annual allocation, administered by the Office of the Fire Commissioner, for “initiatives or projects that will enhance the training capacity of the District”: regional training sites and props, training materials and mannequins, audiovisual and computer equipment, staged exercises, hazard-specific training, limited travel (up to $3,000 per district) and public education. Paperwork is due by 31 December each fiscal year, and there is “no guarantee of continued funding support from year to year” (Office of the Fire Commissioner, 2024).

Fire-service nuance.

• The fund goes to districts, not departments. A department reaches it through its mutual aid district’s resolution and plan.
• Training college accreditation. The provincial emergency services college reports accreditation for firefighter qualification standards, a further external check on training.

Status. Partly verified on 2026-10-23 (district fund terms of January 2024 read; SAFE Work Certified page treated as secondary in the research). Confirm that the district fund continues in the current fiscal year.

Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes [CBHCC]. (n.d.). Provincial and territorial adoption. https://cbhcc-cchcc.ca/en/provincial-territorial-adoption/

Government of Manitoba. (n.d.-b). Report a serious incident. Workplace Safety and Health Branch. https://gov.mb.ca/labour/safety/report-serious-incident.html

SAFE Work Manitoba. (n.d.). SAFE Work Certified. Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba. https://www.wcb.mb.ca/safeworkmanitoba/safety-training-and-certification/safe-work-certified/