Published on: September 4, 2026

Several changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation will take effect over the coming year. They are intended to improve workplace health and safety and clarify employer responsibilities.

By Steven Gilstead

You can find a complete list of approved regulatory changes at the end of this article. Two significant amendments involve:

• Combustible dusts
• Society fire brigades and volunteer firefighters

New requirements for combustible dusts

Changes to Part 6, Substance Specific Requirements (Combustible Dusts), will take effect on January 4, 2027.

These amendments will:

1. Provide a broader definition of combustible dusts. Previously, combustible dust management programs applied only to wood dust. The amendments expand these requirements to all types of combustible dust, including those from metals, plastics, and flours.
2. Strengthen requirements for a risk-based approach to managing combustible dust hazards. Employers that generate or handle dusts will need to determine whether the dust could cause a fire or explosion. If there is a risk of combustion, employers must assess the level of risk, and put controls in place to reduce it. This risk management must be done in consultation with workers.

With the new requirements taking effect in January 2027, employers are encouraged to start preparing now.

New requirements for society fire brigades and volunteer firefighters

Changes to Part 31, Firefighting, will take effect on October 1, 2026.

These amendments clarify the health and safety requirements that apply to society fire brigades and volunteer firefighters.

The changes clarify how Part 31 applies in practice:

Society fire brigades that engage firefighters, including volunteer firefighters, are considered fire departments. As a result, they must meet the employer requirements in Part 31.

A new term, “fire personnel,” applies to workers who are not firefighters but do certain fire-related activities, such as training, inspection, and maintenance.

The requirements for forest firefighting are unchanged, and this work remains excluded from Part 31.

Volunteer firefighters are considered workers

Volunteer firefighters are considered workers under B.C.’s occupational health and safety system. As workers, they have the same health and safety protections and coverage as other workers in B.C.

Registration with WorkSafeBC is required

For society fire brigades, the changes make employer responsibilities clearer. Organizations that are not yet registered with WorkSafeBC will need to register. In addition to their health and safety responsibilities, they must also meet requirements related to insurance coverage.

Upcoming legislation at a glance

For ease of reference, the table below provides a complete list of upcoming changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation and their effective dates.

Visit worksafebc.com/BOD-decisions to find the full text of all Regulation changes approved by the Board of Directors.

This article originally appeared in the Fall 2026 issue of WorkSafe Magazine.

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