On September 30th, 2015, Grant McMillan, former President, thanked Ken Farey on behalf of COCA for his many years of contributions as the Chair of COCA over 17 years. Then, with incoming Chair Wayne Fettback, Ken was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award. The COCA Board also made Ken an Honorary Board Member.
Consultation on proposed changes to OHS Penalty Policies
October 2, 2015 Dear Stakeholder: WorkSafeBCs Board of Directors has approved the release for consultation of a discussion paper regarding proposed changes to the following policies regarding Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Penalties: Criteria for Imposing OHS Penalties (D12-196-1) Transfer of OHS History (D12-196-3) OHS Penalty Amounts (D12-196-6) Claims Cost Levies (D24-73-1) First Aid Equipment…
Read More2015 Bridging the Gap Conference
November 13 and 14, 2015 ~ Richmond, BC Whether you work in construction or promote health and safety in the industry, join us for a jam-packed two-day conference to network with others and increase your knowledge about a wide range of health and safety issues in construction. For more information and to register, visit the…
Read MoreSeptember 2015 Guideline Updates
Many sections of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation and Workers Compensation Act (“Act“) have associated guidelines. Guidelines are intended to assist with providing ways of complying with the legislation, not to provide exclusive interpretations. Guidelines generally provide information on administrative matters and on technical matters not already addressed by policy. Periodically, guidelines are updated…
Read MoreSeptember 2015 Policy Updates
The Prevention Manual contains policies of WorkSafeBC with respect to prevention matters under the Workers Compensation Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. Consequential policy amendments have been made to the Prevention Manual in response to changes to provisions in the Occupational Heath and Safety Regulation. The Prevention Manual (1 mb) is provided here…
Read MoreSeptember 2015 Regulatory Amendments
Amendments to the Workers Compensation Act were made in September 2015 . The online Regulation and excerpts and summaries of the Act are updated once the amendments come into effect. Part 1 Division 6 – Workers’ Compensation Board Section 81 Board of directors [Amended] Part 3 Division 12 – Enforcement Section 186.1 Compliance agreements [Enacted]
Policy consultation on the Partners in Injury and Disability Prevention Program (Partners Program)
At their meeting on September 8, 2015, WorkSafeBCs governing body, the Board of Directors, approved the release of a discussion paper with options and draft policies to stakeholders for comment. The Partners Program is a voluntary incentive program intended to motivate B.C. employers to take a proactive role in occupational health and safety. Employers registered…
Read MoreNotice of 2015 Public Hearings
September 21, 2015 Dear Stakeholder: Notice of 2015 Public Hearings The Board of Directors approved public hearings to be held in October 2015 regarding the proposed new Lower Maximum Administrative Penalty Regulation (OHS Citations) and changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation relating to Employer Incident Investigations. OHS Citations: Proposed New Lower Maximum Administrative…
Read MoreInterim OHS Compliance Agreements Policy and Housekeeping Change to Policy D12-196-7
September 15, 2015 Dear Stakeholder: OHS Compliance Agreements Policy (D12-186.1-1) At its June 2015 meeting, WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors approved a new policy on OHS Compliance Agreements (D12-186.1-1). This policy came into effect on September 15, 2015 and will apply on an interim basis until it is replaced by a final policy on January 1,…
Read MoreAmendments to the Prevention Manual
September 1, 2015 Dear Stakeholder: At its July 2015 meeting, WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors approved the deletion of three policies from the Prevention Manual. Policy R8.10-1, regarding personal clothing and accessories, is guidance material that is not appropriate as policy and is fully addressed in a guideline. Policy R8.22-1, regarding footwear, unnecessarily duplicates information in…
Read MoreBill 9: Final Legislation Enacted
On August 4, 2015, several provisions of Bill 9, the Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 2015, were brought into force by Order-in-Council. What’s changing? The following changes were brought into force through the August 4, 2015 Order-in-Council: Employer citations (in force now, to be implemented in early 2016) Request for reviews: new timeline (effective Sept. 15,…
Read MoreJuly 2015 Work Related Incidents Reported to WorkSafeBC
Injury Type: Bruised upper and lower body Core Activity: Paving services or asphalt manufacture Location: Interior B.C. Date of Incident: 2015-Jul ID Number: 2015129162270 A worker picked up a can of aerosol paint and the can exploded in his hands. The top blew off and the can acted like a projectile, hitting the worker in…
Read MoreRegulatory amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation relating to WHMIS 2015 came into effect on August 4, 2015
On February 24, 2015, WorkSafeBCs Board of Directors approved amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. These regulatory amendments to the OHSR came into force on the date the consequential amendments to sections 5 and 6 of the Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 2015, Bill 9, came into force. This occurred on August 4, 2015….
Read MoreBridging the Gap Conference – Exhibitor Opportunities
WorkSafeBC, in partnership with the BC Construction Safety Alliance, the BC Association of Restoration Contractors, the British Columbia Common Ground Alliance, the BC Association for Crane Safety, and the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering are proud to host the 10th annual Bridging the Gap, Construction Safety Conference. This conference draws delegates who work in the field of safety in…
Read MoreConsultation on Proposed Policy and Public Hearing on Regulation Changes Regarding Employer Incident Investigations
The Board of Directors approved the release for consultation of proposed new policies and public hearings regarding proposed regulation changes below, as set out in a discussion paper: Policy D10-175-1 – Preliminary Incident Investigation Report and Follow-up Action Policy D10-176-1 – Full Incident Investigation Report and Follow-up Action Deletion of Section 3.4 of the Occupational…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC announces 2016 preliminary rates
WorkSafeBC announces that the average base premium rate for 2016 will remain unchanged at $1.70 per $100 of employers’ assessable payroll. Lower claims costs, excess investment returns, a $55 million withdrawal from the Capital Adequacy Reserve, and the longstanding practice of capping of rate increases for industries at 20 percent have kept the average rate…
Read MorePrevent Bullying and Harassment in Construction
This video series highlights the character and pride of workers in construction, and shows the impact of bullying and harassment on workers in the industry. These videos were created in partnership with the BC Building Trades and Construction Labour Relations Association of BC.
Cost Relief for Certain Compensable Consequences
The Policy, Regulation and Research Division of WorkSafeBC would like to thank you all for your submissions on the “Cost Relief for Certain Compensable Consequences” policy proposals. The stakeholder feedback received by the Board of Directors informed its decision-making on the policy changes. Please click here for a summary of stakeholder comments. On May 27, 2015, the…
Read MoreEmployer Incident Investigation Reporting – Updates
WorkSafeBC has recently updated the form employers can use to record and submit incident investigation reports as well as the accompanying guide. Find the updated information HERE.
WorkSafeBC cracks down on home demos and renos over asbestos concerns
BY TIFFANY CRAWFORD, VANCOUVER SUN | JULY 14, 2015 VANCOUVER — Work safety officials say they are stepping up enforcement of home renovations in B.C. over concerns about asbestos after a high number of contractors were caught trying to cut corners last year. Starting this month, WorkSafeBC says prevention officers will be increasing inspections…
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