Richmond, B.C., February 25, 2015 — WorkSafeBC has fully implemented 23 recommendations of the WorkSafeBC Review and Action Plan, which was prepared by WorkSafeBC special adviser Gordon Macatee in July 2014. In addition, eight more recommendations are in progress and are on track to be completed as scheduled. In his report, Mr. Macatee provided 43…
Read MoreWHMIS 2015
WorkSafeBC is proposing changes to the OHSR relating to Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) in order to implement the amendments with an effective date of June 1, 2015. These proposed changes are to fulfill a national commitment to align the current WHMIS requirements with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals…
Read MoreFebruary 2015 Work Related Incidents Reported to WorkSafeBC
Injury Type: Serious internal injury and fractures Core Activity: Low slope roofing Location: Lower Mainland Date of Incident: 2015-Feb ID Number: 2015171890096 A worker fell about 15 feet from a roof to a concrete sidewalk while inspecting a roof. Injury Type: Close call Core Activity: Residential demolition Location: Lower Mainland Date of Incident: 2015-Feb ID…
Read MoreFebruary 1, 2015 Updates to OHS Regulations and Guidelines
The following guidelines accompany regulatory amendments to construction related OHS Regulations that are effective February 1, 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 G5.3-1 WHMIS application (editorial revision) Part 8 Personal Protective Clothing and…
Read MoreNotice of public hearing for proposed OHSR amendments relating to WHMIS 2015
February 13, 2015 Dear Stakeholder: The Board of Directors approved an expedited public hearing to be held on Friday, February 20, 2015, to consider proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (OHSR) relating to harmonizing Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) to the Globally Harmonized System for the Classification and Labelling of Chemicals…
Read MoreNew Legislation for WorkSafe BC
The B.C. Liberals introduced BILL 9 – 2015 ~ WORKERS COMPENSATION AMENDMENT ACT, 2015 onWednesday with the intention of increased workplace safety following recommendations made in the Macatee Report. The legislation adds enforcement tools for WorkSafeBC that include on-the-spot fines of up to $1,000, wider discretion to stop work deemed unsafe and the ability to take more forceful action against…
Read MoreJanuary 2015 Work Related Incidents Reported to WorkSafeBC
Injury Type: Temporary loss of consciousness, upper-body fractures Core Activity: Mechanical insulation Location: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C. Date of Incident: 2015-Jan ID Number: 2015161290003 A mechanical trades worker installing pipe insulation fell from a wooden stepladder to the concrete floor below. Injury Type: Internal injuries Core Activity: Oil or gas pipeline construction or repair Location: Northern…
Read More2015–2017 Compensation, Occupational Disease and Assessment Policy Priorities Workplan
The Board of Directors of WorkSafeBC has approved this year’s Compensation, Occupational Disease and Assessment Policy priorities workplan. The finalized workplan is now available on the WorkSafeBC website and we encourage everyone to take a look at what they will be working on from 2015 to 2017. Though issues may arise during the year that will require…
Read MoreOH&S 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. On December 19, 2014,…
Read MoreAmendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation Effective February 1, 2015
At its October 2014 meeting, WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors approved amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. These amendments will become effective on February 1, 2015. Changes regarding avalanche risk assessments and safety plans Updating the reference to the B.C. Fire Code Updating Repealed Acts in Part 5, Chemical Agents and Biological Agents New…
Read MoreDecember Work Related Incidents Reported to WorkSafeBC
CONSTRUCTION Injury Type: Undetermined injuries Core Activity: Low slope roofing Location: Lower Mainland Date of Incident: 2014-Dec ID Number: 2014173920042 A worker fell from a ladder while performing a roofing estimate. Injury Type: Abrasion, back strain Core Activity: Concrete placing / Industrial, commercial, institutional, or highrise residential contracting or construction Location: Lower Mainland Date of…
Read MoreNew and Revised Occupational Exposure Limits Effective February 1, 2015
January 5, 2015 At the November 2014 meeting, the Board of Directors (BOD) approved the adoption of the 2012 new and revised American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists Threshold Limit Values (ACGIH TLVs), as well as substances from previous years. The BOD decided to adopt the ACGIH TLVs as B.C. Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) for carbonyl sulfide,…
Read MoreChair announces four new appointments to WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors
George Morfitt, chair of WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors, announces four new members of the board. I’m pleased to announce the appointment of four new members to WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors: Lillian White, employer representative (replacing Joe Lindgren) (January 3, 2015 – December 1, 2016) Lillian is president of Treen Safety, a Vancouver-based company that specializes…
Read MoreNovember Work Related Incidents Reported to WorkSafeBC
Injury Type: Injuries to head Core Activity: Industrial, commercial, institutional, or highrise residential contracting or construction Location: Lower Mainland Date of Incident: 2014-Nov ID Number: 2014163750093 During the operation of the permanent traveller (movable work platform) below the bridge deck, a worker’s head became pinned between the traveller guardrail and a steel cross-brace. The worker…
Read MorePersonal Optional Protection Update
Minimum coverage increasing in 2015 Are you a proprietor or partner in an unincorporated construction company? WorkSafeBC Personal Optional Protection is an optional insurance plan for individuals who are not automatically covered by the Workers Compensation Act. If injured at work, customers who have Personal Optional Protection coverage are protected against income loss and the…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC Chair announces appointment of President and Chief Executive Officer
Richmond, B.C., December 9, 2014 — On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am pleased to announce that Diana Miles has been appointed to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of WorkSafeBC. Ms. Miles joined WorkSafeBC in 2004 as Senior Vice-President of the Worker and Employer Services Division, with the mandate of…
Read MoreAmendments to the OH&S High Risk Policy (D12-196-2)
December 1, 2014 At it’s October 2014 meeting, WorksafeBC’s Board of Directors approved amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) High Risk Policy (D12?196?2). The amendments became effective on December 1, 2014. The Board of Directors’ resolution is available for reference. The amendments establish six designated high risk violations and simplify the criteria for…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC Review and Action Plan — Implementation
In July 2014, WorkSafeBC accepted the WorkSafeBC Review and Action Plan that had been prepared by Gordon Macatee and which outlines 43 recommendations relating to occupational health and safety inspections and investigations at WorkSafeBC. The Implementation Status Report is designed to provide updates on the progress and implementation of the recommendations. December 9, 2014 –…
Read MoreOctober and November 2014 Work Related Incidents Reported to WorkSafeBC
Injury Type: Fractured skull and arm Core Activity: Tower crane operation Location: Lower Mainland Date of Incident: 2014-Nov ID Number: 2014122700068 A tower crane operator crawled through the crane mast onto an unsupported filler piece on the deck and fell about 3 m (10 ft.) to the floor below. Injury Type: Close call Core Activity:…
Read MoreView from the Board: Crossroads for worker compensation
Journal of Commerce by DAVE BASPALY Nov 6, 2014 After years of stability and progress, WorkSafeBC faces serious challenges. WorkSafe BC President/CEO David Anderson retired in June, 2014, and four of the seven WorkSafeBC board of directors will leave in early 2015, their terms having expired. The coming 12 months will see major changes in the leadership…
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