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Serious Injuries, Fatalities and the Changing Nature of Working Relationships
In order to address the changing nature of working relationships and to reduce serious injuries and fatalities, the BOD has directed WorkSafeBC staff to develop a forceful, rigorous and comprehensive strategy.
The BOD recognizes that characterization of individuals at the workplace into the categories of persons with statutory duties under the Workers Compensation Act (“ Act” ) is an important step in applying the provisions of the Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation . Many businesses in B.C. have adopted the practice of contracting out work that has traditionally been undertaken by workers. As a result, the process for characterizing a worker, employer, supervisor, owner, supplier or person with another status has been complicated, thereby making the process for determining specific responsibilities under the Act more difficult.
To address this issue, the relevant assessment and prevention policies have been reviewed, resulting in proposed amendments which seek to clarify workplace status and the roles and responsibilities in the workplace, and also ensure that enforcement policies are fair, strong, comprehensive and effective. The proposed amendments reflect the changing nature of working relationships in B.C. and hold each workplace party accountable to the extent that each can influence occupational health and safety.
Stakeholder consultation on the proposed policy amendments was completed in June 2006, and the BOD will be giving further consideration to the issue this Fall.
The Discussion papers and proposed policy amendments can be viewed here:
- Determining Workplace Status
- Prevention Responsibilities of Workplace Parties
- Prevention Enforcement Policies