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…
Read MoreReduced Duration in Construction
Our work with WorkSafeBC to improve early return to work outcomes and reduce duration is paying off. Construction – 12-Month Rolling STD Duration The reduction can be attributed to: Working together through the Construction Claims Action Committee that helped identify ‘drivers of duration’ and then acting on those areas. Introduction of programs from Point 1 findings…
Read MoreConsultation on proposed changes to OHS policies and regulations
The Board of Directors has approved consultation on proposed occupational health and safety (OHS) policy changes, and public hearings on proposed regulation changes. To review the discussion papers and proposed changes, and provide feedback, click on the links below. (For convenience, a link to the consultation on stop work orders that is already underway is…
Read MoreAsbestos: be aware enforcement initiative
Source: WorkSafeBC Initiatives for Construction From June 1 to December 31, 2015, WorkSafeBC prevention officers will conduct planned inspections of residential demolition and renovation worksites to ensure homeowners, prime contractors, hazardous material survey contractors, asbestos abatement contractors, and consultants are informed and equipped to safely remove asbestos containing materials and are complying with the Occupational…
Read MoreJoin WorkSafeBC’s Rate Consultation Sessions
An invitation from WorkSafeBC You, and your members, are invited to attend a session on WorkSafeBC’s insurance rates for 2016. This year we are hosting eight different sessions around the province. Please forward the invitation below to your members and/or post the information on your website. It is also attached as a pdf for…
Read MoreAsbestos exposure enforcement ramping up in B.C.
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…
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