Part 5 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation sets out the requirements for emergency planning relating to hazardous substances. On February 3, 2025, amendments to these requirements will come into effect.

At their July 11, 2024, meeting, WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors approved the Policy, Regulation and Research Department’s 2024–2026 Policy Workplans and 2024–2026 Occupational Health and Safety Regulation Workplan. These workplans include policy priorities relating to compensation, occupational disease, assessments, and occupational health and safety.

Starting October 1, 2024, every employer is required to submit a Notice of Project (NOP) for tower crane erection, climbing, repositioning, and dismantling. Employers are also required to ensure these activities are done under the direction of a qualified supervisor.

New requirements for washroom facilities at construction sites with 25 or more workers came into effect on October 1, 2024.

Prevention Policy Item R5.48-1 has been amended to maintain the current B.C. exposure limits for substances listed on the 2024 new or revised Threshold Limit Values from the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists.

On July 11, 2024, WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors approved amendments to the Permanent Disability Evaluation Schedule (Appendix 3) of the Rehabilitation Services & Claims Manual, Volume II, to enhance clarity and administrative efficiency for the loss of strength rating process.

At its May 2024 meeting, WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors approved amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation.

At its May 2024 meeting, WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors (BOD) approved the adoption of the 2019 and 2020 new and revised American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists Threshold Limit Values (ACGIH TLVs) for the following selected chemical substances.

WorkSafeBC is holding a virtual public hearing on proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. The virtual public hearing will be streamed live on July 24, 2024.

WorkSafeBC is holding a virtual public hearing on proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. The virtual public hearing will be streamed live on May 14, 2024.

Prevention Policy Item R5.48-1 has been amended to maintain the current B.C. exposure limits for substances listed on the 2024 new or revised Threshold Limit Values from the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists.

On February 6, 2024, WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors approved changes to Item C3-22.40, Compensable Consequences — Certain Diseases and Conditions, in the Rehabilitation Services & Claims Manual, Volume II. Amendments were made to policy on cancer as a compensable consequence to reflect current medical and scientific literature.

On February 6, 2024, WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors approved policy amendments for the Assessment Manual to provide guidance on the evidentiary principles and the standard of proof applicable to assessment matters.

On February 6, 2024, WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors approved amendments to policy on time limits for filing a mental disorder claim.

Our Policy, Regulation and Research Department is releasing a discussion paper on the Permanent Disability Evaluation Schedule – Range of Motion Method and Disabilities of the Spine, to stakeholders for comment.

Our Policy, Regulation and Research Department is releasing a discussion paper with proposed amendments to policy on activity-related soft tissue disorders of the limbs to stakeholders for comment.

Our Policy, Regulation and Research Department is releasing a discussion paper with proposed amendments to policy on average earnings in Chapter 9 of the Rehabilitation Services & Claims Manual, Volume II (RS&CM), for public consultation.

On November 9, 2023, WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors approved amendments to policy on WorkSafeBC’s determination of whether a worker “would retire” after the retirement dates set out in the Workers Compensation Act (Act). The amendments include policy guidance on the meaning of “would retire” in the Act and on determinations for workers who are 63 and over at the time of injury.

On November 9, 2023, WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors (BOD) approved the repeal and replacement of all the policies in Chapter 5, Wage-Loss Benefits, in the RS&CM, to bring the chapter into the new policy format and and give it a new title: Wage-Loss Benefits and Return to Work Obligations.

Our Policy, Regulation and Research Department is requesting feedback on proposed amendments to Part 3 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, relating to general risk management.