In January 2018, the WorkSafeBC Board of Directors retained an external consultant, Paul Petrie, to conduct a review of the WorkSafeBC Rehabilitation and Claims Services policies.

On March 29, 2018, the Board of Directors approved amendments to Item C3-16.10, Pre-Existing Conditions − Specific Injuries, of the Rehabilitation Services & Claims Manual, Volume II (RS&CM).

You're invited to attend the Fatigue Risk Management Symposium on June 7 to learn how to mitigate and manage fatigue-related risk in the workplace. You'll hear from experts across Canada on topics such as: principles for managing the risk of fatigue in the workplace, impact of healthcare worker fatigue on patient and occupational safety, investigating for human fatigue factors, and more.

April 28 has been designated the national Day of Mourning, a time when we all come together to remember those who have lost their lives due to work-related incidents or occupational diseases. Last year 158 workers died as a result of their work.

The Policy, Regulation and Research Division is requesting feedback on the proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation.  

Read the latest issue of WorkSafe Magazine, featuring articles on risk control at a Vancouver Island bison ranch; emergency-response training in Sicamous; and training young workers in the finishing trades.

Between November 20 and December 31, 2017, WorkSafeBC officers conducted the first phase of a three-phase ammonia inspection initiative.

The Policy, Regulation and Research Division is releasing a discussion paper on the PDES 2017 Review with options and draft policies to stakeholders for comment.

The Policy, Regulation and Research Division is requesting feedback on three proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation.

At their January meeting, the Board of Directors approved the Policy, Regulation and Research Division’s 2018 – 2020 Policy Priorities Workplans. These workplans encompass policy priorities relating to compensation, occupational disease, assessments and occupational health and safety.

Read the latest issue of WorkSafe Magazine, featuring articles on committing to road safety at work; tips for snow removal; and ergonomics to bridge the generation gap.

WorkSafeBC’S High Risk Strategies and Industry Initiatives identify and target industries and employers with a high risk of serious workplace injury and a significant contribution to the serious injury rate.

The new B.C. storage rack regulations related to occupational health and safety came into effect as of January 1, 2018.

Four new appointments and one reappointment

On November 22, 2017, the Board of Directors approved changes to policy item #40.13, Measurement of Earnings Loss, of the Rehabilitation Services & Claims Manual, Volume II, to revise the factor used to adjust earnings for inflation in calculating a loss of earnings award.

On November 22, 2017, the Board of Directors approved an extension to the interim policies, Items AP1-42-4 of the Assessment Manual and D2-111-4 of the Prevention Manual. The interim policies expire on December 31, 2018.

On November 22, 2017, the Board of Directors approved a change to the experience rating (ER) policy item AP1-42-1 of the Assessment Manual.

On November 22, 2017, the Board of Directors approved amendments to Schedule B of the Workers Compensation Act to correct a recently identified typographical error in item 6 regarding asthma.

The Policy, Regulation and Research Division has prepared draft Policy Workplans for stakeholder review and comment. These workplans encompass proposed policy priorities relating to compensation, occupational disease, assessments and occupational health and safety.

From now until December 31, WorkSafeBC will be conducting an inspection initiative focused on risk assessment, exposure control plans, and work procedures, as well as emergency response and evacuation plans for ammonia exposure.