WorkSafeBC

Fifth annual Health Care Provider Conference

On Friday, May 8, 2009, WorkSafeBC is hosting the fifth annual Health Care Provider Conference at the Hilton Metrotown hotel in Burnaby, B.C.

Please be advised there are a number of sponsorship/exhibtor opportunities available. Visit the website for more details.

Are you still making excuses for drinking and driving?

WorkSafeBC, in partnership with ICBC, reminds you that if you drink at a holiday party, think twice before driving.

Changes to multiple classification policy

WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors has approved amendments to the multiple classification policy in the Assessment Manual.

Revised working alone or in isolation guidelines

Working alone requirements only apply when a worker has been "assigned to work alone or in isolation." Revised guidelines now include a discussion of what it means to be assigned, as well as changes to "late night hours" following proposed amendments to these hours.

Consultation on the 2009 — 2011 Compensation, Occupational Disease, and Assessment Policy Priorities Workplan

The Policy and Research Division has prepared a draft 2009 – 2011 Compensation, Occupational Disease, and Assessment Policy Priorities Workplan for stakeholder review and comment.

WorkSafeBC speaks your language

WorkSafeBC's new service offers general information and online resources to its Chinese and Punjabi speaking customers. The pages are easily accessible through translated links at the top of the page.

Request for proposals: Focus on Tomorrow

WorkSafeBC invites applications for research project funding as part of its 2009 Focus on Tomorrow research competition.

Resource Roads Demonstration Project to improve worker safety

WorkSafeBC introduces the Resource Roads Safety Demonstration Project — an initiative designed to improve safety for workers who travel along B.C.’s 400,000 kilometers of resource roads.

Coverage for apprentices attending technical training at private training institutions

Individuals registered as apprentices with the Industry Training Authority ("ITA"), attending ITA-approved apprenticeship technical training at ITA-designated private training institutions are covered as workers under the Workers Compensation Act.

WorkSafeBC recognizes construction safety winners

Construction firms are awarded for their innovative efforts in workplace safety as part of the Vancouver Regional Construction Association’s Awards of Excellence.

Real estate licensees who form corporations are required to register with WorkSafeBC

Amendments to the Real Estate Services Regulation which will allow individual real estate licencees to form personal real estate corporations as of January 1, 2009, means some licensees will be required to register with WorkSafeBC.

2009 premium rates to remain among lowest in Canada

Premium rates for B.C. employers will continue to be among the lowest in Canada during 2009.

View CSA Standards online

Online access to CSA Standards referenced in federal, provincial, and territorial OHS Regulations is now available. This two year pilot project has been funded by WorkSafeBC and its partners across Canada, and the Canadian Standards Association.

View CSA OHS Standards referenced in Canadian regulations.

The Board of Directors’ decisions in September 2008 regarding proposed amendments to Parts 1, 4, 5, 14, 17, 20, 22 and 23 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation are available for review.

The Board of Directors has also approved taking to the 2009 public hearing an adjustment to Part 4 relating to working alone or in isolation to harmonize it to the requirements of the Liquor Control and Licensing Regulation: Late night hours will be defined as being between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., rather than between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Also see News Release.

Late Night Retail Provisions Update - September 2008

See recent updates to WorkSafeBC's compliance timelines for the requirement for late night retail premises to have either a second worker during late night hours or a physical barrier or locked door between the worker and the customers.

New options for fuel prepayment outside of urban centres

WorkSafeBC has developed a new OHS Guideline outlining alternative methods for securing payment at gas stations in small, rural or remote locations.

New versions of forms now available

To help simplify claims reporting, WorkSafeBC has released new versions of claim-related forms for reporting a workplace injury or illness.

Notice of Project (Construction) form modified

The Notice of Project for Construction (NOPC) form has been modified to accommodate use of an Assured Grounding Program (AGP) in lieu of Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) on construction and demolition sites.

New BC Trucking Safety Council aims to reduce trucking incidents

WorkSafeBC and the BC Trucking Association have worked together to create the BC Trucking Safety Council in order to strengthen industry performance and reduce injuries and fatalities.

WorkSafeBC investigates agricultural fatalities

On Friday, September 5th, an incident at an agricultural worksite in Langley claimed the lives of three workers and injured three others. WorkSafeBC officers are investigating this confined space incident...

Proposed policy amendments regarding Variable Shift Workers

The Board of Directors approved the release of a discussion paper with options and proposed policy amendments to stakeholders for comment...

Employers: Log on to learn how to earn valuable rebates available through WorkSafeBC’s Partners Program

WorkSafeBC’s Partners Program has updated its web site to help B.C. employers discover how they can earn valuable (and recently increased) rebates by practicing good safety management…

Policy Consultation – Workers Participating in Non-WorkSafeBC Return to Work Programs

WorkSafeBC’s governing body, the Board of Directors, has approved the release of a discussion paper with options and proposed policy to stakeholders for comment.

Amended Working Alone or in Isolation Regulations begin February 1^st

Amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation to improve the health and safety of workers that are working alone or in isolation take the effect of law beginning February 1, 2008.

Implementation of new working alone or in isolation provisions

Changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation dealing with working alone and fuel prepayment will become law on February 1, 2008. Those affected by or interested in the changes are encouraged to read the following information.

Download customer notification sign now (PDF 447 KB).