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UPDATE: Deadline for feedback extended by one month to June 9, 2006.
Proposed Amendments to Assessment and Prevention Policies to address Serious Injuries, Fatalities and the Changing Nature of Working Relationships
In October 2005, the Board of Directors (BOD) hosted a symposium to seek input from stakeholders on the current and possible future state of the occupational health and safety system in B.C. As part of its health and safety initiative, the BOD also directed WCB staff to develop a forceful, rigorous and comprehensive strategy and policy amendment package to reduce serious injuries and fatalities.
Characterization of individuals at the workplace into the categories of persons with statutory duties under the Workers Compensation 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 a practice of contracting out work traditionally undertaken by workers, complicating the process of characterizing an individual as a worker, an employer, a supervisor, an owner, a supplier, or a person with another status, thereby making the process of determining his or her specific responsibilities under the Act more difficult.
To address this issue, assessment policies were reviewed and proposed amendments made to clarify workplace status. Prevention policies were reviewed and proposed amendments made to clarify roles and responsibilities in the workplace and to ensure enforcement policies are fair, strong, comprehensive and effective. The proposed amendments reflect the changing nature of working relationships in BC and holds each workplace party accountable to the extent that each can influence occupational health and safety.
At its January 27, 2006 meeting, the BOD approved the release of the following package of policy discussion papers and draft policy items for stakeholder consultation:
- Assessment Policy Regarding Workplace Status
- Prevention Policies Regarding Roles and Responsibilities of Workplace Parties
- Prevention Policies Regarding Enforcement
There are a number of avenues for stakeholders to provide feedback on the proposed amendments, including:
| (a) | E-mail: policy@worksafebc.com |
| (b) | Mail: Policy and Research Division |
| (c) | Fax: 604-279-7599; or toll-free in B.C. 1-877-279-7599 |
| (d) | Select a Review/Comment button: By clicking on the Review/Comment link beside each proposed policy amendment package you will be able to access policy discussion papers and proposed policy amendments. You will be able to provide your comments and complete a mini survey on line. Once you push the “submit” button at the bottom of the form you cannot access the same form again to make additional comments. Therefore, if you wish to make detailed comments in the feedback section, you may want to draft your comments using a word processing format and cut and paste them into the submission form. |
In response to requests from labour and employer stakeholders, the deadline for feedback has been extended by one month to June 9, 2006. Stakeholder feedback will be reported to the Board of Directors and given consideration prior to making a final decision on policy amendments.
Proposed Policy Amendment Packages |
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Assessment Workplace Status Policy Package |
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Prevention Manual Roles and Responsibilities Policy Package |
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Prevention Manual Enforcement Policy Package |
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You may also view the current Assessment Policy Manual or the Prevention Policy Manual without the proposed amendments.