The 28th Edition of the Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC) came into effect May 5, 2022. All electrical installations or notifications filed after this date must meet the new and amended requirements. Compliance with the requirements of the latest edition of the OESC is the law for anyone performing electrical installations in the province of Ontario.

The new OESC is based on the 25th edition of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I, which is developed through the efforts of a number of volunteer technical committees and subcommittees representing key electrical industry stakeholders and jurisdictions across Canada.

Training Courses to Get Familiar with Code

Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) offers paid training courses throughout the province to provide the construction industry with an overview of the more than 200 new and amended requirements of the 2021 OESC.

ESA’s 2021 OESC – General Level 1 course is available through in-person training, self-directed online training, and virtual instructor-led training. For more information, click here.

OAA licensed members can access the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I (25th Edition), Safety Standard for Electrical Installations via the OAA’s CSA Standards Access Program. Click here for more details.

The 28th edition of the Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC) includes the 25th edition of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I, plus Ontario-specific amendments. Here are some key changes:

• Requirements to support reduction in the potential for fires and the loss of animals in buildings housing livestock;
• Electrical safety installation requirements for energy storage systems (ESS), harmonized with other codes and standards;
• Introduced guidance for electrical installations in flood hazard zones and when electrical equipment has been exposed to water to mitigate the potential risks;
• Requiring GFCI protection for all outdoor receptacles to mitigate the potential for electrical shock hazard;
• Keeping workers safe by requiring additional receptacles for mobile structures connected to transfer equipment;
• Mitigating the potential for shock or electrocution when structures are erected in close proximity to customer-owned power lines; and 
• Keeping reduced conductor sizes for services and feeders for dwelling units by following current installation practices.

What is the ESA?

The Electrical Safety Authority's role is to enhance public electrical safety in Ontario. As an administrative authority acting on behalf of the Government of Ontario, ESA is responsible for administering specific regulations related to the Ontario Electrical Safety Code, the licensing of Electrical Contractors and Master Electricians, electricity distribution system safety, and electrical product safety. ESA works extensively with stakeholders throughout the province on education, training, and promotion to foster electrical safety across the province.

This article originally appeared in the Practice Advisory—the OAA’s bimonthly e-newsletter developed by the OAA’s Practice Advisory Services team, comprising architects and other staff, which offers numerous resources for both member and the public. The OAA does not provide legal, insurance, or accounting advice. Readers are advised to consult their own such representatives to obtain suitable professional advice in those regards.