New Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements Effective January 1, 2026
Subcontractors regularly working on EllisDon and other major general contractor projects are expected to comply with new safety standards across all applicable sites, effective January 1, 2026. Please note these standards may require contractors to budget for and purchase the following new safety products.
1. Hard Hats
All personnel—including employees, subcontractors, and visitors—working on EllisDon job sites must wear:
CSA/ANSI Type II Enhanced Hard Hats with the following specifications:
side‑impact protection
reinforced outer shell providing increased resistance to penetration
integrated four‑point chin strap
manufacturer‑approved
must be worn and always secured, in accordance with manufacturer specifications
2. Footwear Requirements
Slip‑on footwear is prohibited on all Ellis Don job sites. Footwear must meet the following criteria:
CSA‑approved
steel‑toe
laced work boots providing proper ankle and foot support
The following do not comply and will not be permitted:
slip‑on work boots
CSA‑approved steel‑toe running shoes
any footwear without laces
Exceptions (where laced boots may introduce additional hazards):
concrete pouring or placing operations
work in excavations, mud, or similar conditions
tasks involving chemical or other task‑specific hazards
*(Exceptions must be task‑based and approved by site supervision.)
3. High‑Visibility Safety Vests
Effective January 1, 2026, all workers must wear high‑visibility safety vests that meet the following requirements:
fluorescent orange or fluorescent yellow only
The following colours are no longer acceptable due to insufficient visual contrast:
red
blue
black
High‑visibility apparel must provide maximum contrast against job‑site surroundings to always ensure worker visibility.
EllisDon and the following major general contractors have adopted or are adopting the same standards:
Ledcor
Turner
Bird
Graham
PML
Modern Niagara
Clark
Trotter & Morton
