Source: Journal of Commerce ~ by RUSSELL HIXSON Jun 23, 2015 WorkSafeBC is stepping up enforcement of asbestos violations. “We are working to hold employers accountable to prevent further exposures to workers,” said Gary McComb, North Vancouver Regional Prevention Manager for WorkSafeBC. “Anyone that has been exposed to asbestos fibers is at risk of developing serious and potentially…
Read MoreApril to June 2015 ~ Work-related incidents reported to WorkSafeBC
Injury Type: Fatal Core Activity: Manual tree falling and bucking / Excavation, or private landfill or transfer station operation Location: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C. Date of Incident: 2015-Jun ID Number: 2015161750050 A worker (arborist) was falling a hemlock tree and was moving away from the tree as it started to fall. The tree kicked back, striking and…
Read MoreMay 27, 2015 Policy Updates – Prevention Manual
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 MoreRegulatory Amendments – May 14, 2015
Amendments to the Workers Compensation Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation made in May 14th, 2015 are noted below. The online Regulation and excerpts and summaries of the Act are updated once the amendments come into effect. Workers Compensation Act Part 1 Division 4 — Accident Fund and Assessments Section 46 Power to…
Read MoreConsultation on proposed changes to the Stop Work Orders Policy (D12-191-1)
The WorkSafeBC Board of Directors, at its May 2015 meeting, approved the release for consultation of a discussion paper and proposed changes to the policy regarding stop work orders. Please provide your feedback by 4:30 p.m., Thursday, October 15, 2015. The discussion paper, proposed policy changes, and information on how to provide feedback are available…
Read MoreB.C. works with industry to improve safety regulations
3 Jun 2015 | Journal of Commerce | RUSSELL HIXSON staff writer The Council of Construction Associations (COCA) of B.C., which initially had concerns about recently implemented changes to the Workers Compensation Act, is now applauding the province for working with industry to improve the regulations. COCA president Dave Baspaly said that while he was…
Read MoreIndustry Voices: Busting myths about worker claims
by DAVE BASPALY Journal of Commerce ~ Jun 2, 2015 The longer an injured worker stays off work, the higher your WorkSafeBC (WSBC) costs and the lower the chances that the worker will ever return to work. This column contains specific steps to assist with a safe, prompt return to work. Two myths first need to…
Read MoreCOCA’s Perspective on Legislative Changes (in effect from May 14, 2015)
Stop Work Orders The changes are aimed at irresponsive employers who have not acted to eliminate high risk situations. The more vigorous actions permitted by this legislation are reasonable. Incident Investigation There are two major changes in the legislation. First, the employer is required to undertake a preliminary investigation within 48 hours. This is reasonable…
Read MoreBill 9 Related Changes to Occupational Health and Safety (“OHS”) Policies
Bill 9 received Royal Assent on May 14 and contains a number of changes to Part 3 of the Workers Compensation Act (Act). The goal of the changes is to improve workplace health and safety and strengthen the tools that WorkSafeBC uses to enforce the Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. To support the…
Read MoreWorkers Compensation Amendment Act, 2015 (Bill 9)
Bill 9 received Royal Assent on May 14 and contains a number of changes to Part 3 of the Workers Compensation Act (the Act). The goal of the changes is to improve workplace health and safety and strengthen the tools that WorkSafeBC uses to enforce the Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. Highlights…
Read MoreWorkSafe BC 2014 Annual Report and 2015–2017 Service Plan
The annual report provides an overview of WorkSafe BC’s performance results and financial highlights for 2014 and performance targets until 2017. 2014 Annual Report and Service Plan (PDF 5.2mb) 2014 Annual Report and Service Plan (Flip Book) Ten-year summary of consolidated financial statements (PDF 562kb) Statement of Changes in Rate Group Balances (PDF 31kb) Gain and…
Read MoreMay 1, 2015 Updates to OHS Regulations
The following guidelines accompany regulatory amendments to construction related OHS Regulations that are effective March 31, 2015. These are both new and revised guidelines which align with the new regulatory provisions. For information on the regulatory amendments, CLICK HERE. May 1, 2015 Part 5 Chemical Agents and Biological Agents Table of exposure limits for chemical and biological substances…
Read MoreHiring a Health and Safety Practitioner
Hiring a Health and Safety Practitioner – A Guide for Employers and OH&S Practitioners has been prepared by Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE) in the pursuit of CSSE’s mission, vision and goals. The Guide is intended to serve as a resource to employers when hiring a health and safety practitioner. It also provides guidance…
Read More2015 New or Revised ACGIH Threshold Limit Values and B.C. OELs
May 1, 2015 Dear Stakeholder: Each year, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) publishes a list of substances for which it has set new or revised Threshold Limit Values (TLVs). A TLV is an exposure limit that is the suggested maximum allowed airborne concentration for a particular substance where nearly all workers are…
Read MoreApril 2015 Work Related Incidents Reported to WorkSafe BC
Injury Type: Bruising and abrasions (2 workers) Core Activity: Industrial, commercial, institutional, or highrise residential general contracting or construction Location: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C. Date of Incident: 2015-Apr ID Number: 2015138190009 Two workers in a boom-style elevating work platform were struck by sheets of plywood that fell about 30 feet from a concrete form system that…
Read More2015 Day of Mourning
Remember that April 28th is the Day of Mourning. Honour and remember the 175 workers who died on the job in 2014. For more information visit dayofmourning.bc.ca.
March 31, 2015 Updates to OHS Regulations
The following guidelines accompany regulatory amendments to construction related OHS Regulations that are effective March 31, 2015. These are both new and revised guidelines which align with the new regulatory provisions. For information on the regulatory amendments, CLICK HERE. Part 5 Chemical Agents and Biological Agents G5.30 Dispensing This guideline is no longer required, it has now been…
Read MoreAdditional March 2015 Work Related Incidents Reported to WorkSafeBC
Injury Type: Close call Core Activity: Structural concrete forming Location: Lower Mainland Date of Incident: 2015-Mar ID Number: 2015163750111 A flyform was being guided down between the building structure and adjacent high-voltage power lines. A gust of wind pushed the flyform into contact with the power lines, resulting in a loss of power to buildings…
Read MoreMarch 2015 Work Related Incidents Reported to WorkSafeBC
Injury Type: Possible upper-body fractures; scrapes Core Activity: Industrial, commercial, institutional or highrise residential general contracting or construction Location: Lower Mainland Date of Incident: 2015-Mar ID Number: 2015113830016 A young worker was ascending a ladder to the top of a wall form (16.75 feet high). As he neared the top of the wall form, a…
Read MoreMark Your Calendars
Remember that April 28th is the Day of Mourning. Honour and remember the 175 workers who died on the job in 2014. For more information visit dayofmourning.bc.ca. WorkSafe BC is hosting a Steep Slope Roofing Symposium on April 25th in Victoria. This symposium includes sessions on safety responsibilities in the roofing industry, fall protection planning and procedures,…
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