At its January 2019 meeting, WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors approved amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation and consequential changes to Item R20.17-1 in the Prevention Manual.

On January 23, 2019, the Board of Directors approved new policy item #97.70, Surveillance, of the Rehabilitation Services & Claims Manual, Volume II.

The Policy, Regulation and Research Division is releasing a discussion paper with options on proposed policy amendments to policy item #2.20 to stakeholders for comment.

The Policy, Regulation and Research Division has prepared a discussion paper on Housekeeping Amendments to the Prevention Manual (OHS Policies) for stakeholder review and comment.

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.

On November 22, 2018, the Board of Directors approved new policies for the Certificate of Recognition Program, Items AP1-42-4 of the Assessment Manual and D2-111-4 of the Prevention Manual.

The Policy, Regulation and Research Division is releasing a discussion paper with options on proposed policy regarding an instalment model for quarterly reporting to stakeholders for comment.

On October 25, 2018 the Board of Directors approved amendments to the Permanent Disability Evaluation Schedule (PDES) in the Rehabilitation Services and Claims Manual, Volume II, to update conditions to ensure the PDES reflects best practices for assessment and diagnosis.

The Policy, Regulation and Research Division is releasing a discussion paper reviewing how section 55 of the Workers Compensation Act is applied to mental disorder claims. The discussion paper includes questions for consideration. The feedback received will inform the development of draft policy which will then be released for consultation prior to the Board of Directors’ consideration and approval.

WorkSafeBC will hold public hearing sessions in October 2018 regarding changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation.

The Policy, Regulation and Research Division is releasing a discussion paper on proposed policy amendments to Part 24 policies on Diving, Fishing, and Other Marine Operations in the Prevention Manual.

The Policy, Regulation and Research Division is requesting feedback on the proposed amendments to Part 16, Mobile Equipment, together with consequential amendments to 9 other Parts, of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation.

On July 12, 2018, the Board of Directors approved amendments to Chapter 3 in the Rehabilitation Services & Claims Manual, Volume II.

On July 12, 2018, the Board of Directors approved replacing health care policies in Chapter 10 of the Rehabilitation Services & Claims Manual (RS&CM), Volume I with revised policies from the RS&CM, Volume II.

The Policy, Regulation and Research Division (the PRRD) is releasing a discussion paper on proposed policy amendments to the Certificate of Recognition (COR) Program. In addition, the Industry and Labour Services department is releasing practice materials on proposed program developments.

OHS Policy R5.48-1 has been amended to maintain the current exposure limits for substances listed on the 2018 new or revised Threshold Limit Values from the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists.

The B.C. government has recently proposed changes to the language and numbering of the Workers Compensation Act. The proposed changes are not intended to change the Act's legal effect. Rather, they are intended to make the Act easier to read and understand, and to reorganize it so that specific laws are easier to find.

At the May 2018 meeting, the Board of Directors approved the adoption of the 2013, 2014, and 2015 new and revised American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists Threshold Limit Values.

The Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 2018 (Bill 9) amends the Workers Compensation Act by adding a mental disorder presumption for correctional officers, emergency medical assistants, firefighters, police officers and sheriffs who are exposed to one or more traumatic events as part of their employment.

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).