The following statistics provide a snapshot of our efforts to help workers and employers effectively manage the risk of COVID-19 in the workplace. COVID-19 is a new risk that needs to be managed alongside the many other risks present in B.C.’s workplaces. Our prevention staff continue to educate, consult, and enforce all areas of health and safety, but have focused their efforts where needed to help keep workers safe as the government’s provincial Restart Plan unfolds.

To assist in our education and consultation efforts, we’ve created industry-specific resources and guidance to help reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. These resources are an important tool in educating employers on their responsibilities for health and safety in the workplace. As we reach the final phase of the Restart Plan, WorkSafeBC officers will focus on verifying that employers have a COVID-19 Safety Plan that assesses the risk of exposure at their worksite and implements measures to keep their workers safe.

Prevention Information Line enquiries

Our Prevention Information Line is often our first point of contact for workers and employers enquiring about health and safety in the workplace. Prevention Information Line staff will either resolve the enquiry directly or triage to prevention officers for response as needed.

* The number of reports of workplace incidents has been restated from previous updates due to a change in coding. “Reports of workplace incidents” now only includes serious workplace injuries, fatalities, or issues such as equipment failure with the potential to cause injury or death.

Consultations

Consultations, either virtual or in person, are a key method for helping employers create safe and healthy workplaces. They provide an opportunity for a WorkSafeBC representative to share information and guidance specific to the needs of the employer.

Workers or employers who would like to request a consultation can call WorkSafeBC’s Prevention Information Line, toll-free, at 1.888.621.7233.

Worksite inspections

Worksite inspections are an important component in verifying that employers have a safety plans in place and are meeting their obligations to manage the risk of COVID-19 in their workplaces. During the verification phase of B.C.’s Restart Plan, officers may call or visit unannounced.

See our frequently asked questions (FAQs) to learn more about what you can expect from a WorkSafeBC inspection during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Orders issued

Where a prevention officer observes a health and safety violation, the officer will ordinarily issue an order to the responsible workplace party. Orders are issued as a result of an inspection or can be part of follow-up activity.

Social media enquiries

To help workers and employers understand their rights and responsibilities regarding COVID-19 and the workplace, we use our social media channels to actively promote information and resources. The questions we receive are triaged in a similar way as our Prevention Information Line.

Website activity

To support workers and employers in developing their COVID-19 safety plans, WorkSafeBC’s website includes general health and safety information on COVID-19, industry-specific protocols aligned with each phase of BC’s Restart Plan, and resources to provide guidance to employers and workers.

For more information about industry classifications, visit the insurance section of our site.