Hazardous Products Act

The federal Hazardous Products Act and the pursuant Hazardous Products Regulations, which apply to suppliers, define which materials (that is, hazardous products) are included in the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) and what information suppliers must provide to employers for controlled products used in the workplace.

The Workers' Compensation Board administers the requirements of the Hazardous Products Act in British Columbia under section 18 of the Workers Compensation Act, and WorkSafeBC officers enforce federal requirements on suppliers under the Hazardous Products Act.

OHS Citations Regulation

The OHS Citations Regulation (formerly known as the Lower Maximum Administrative Penalties Regulation) was brought into force on February 1, 2016. It was revised effective April 6, 2020 consequential to changes to the Workers Compensation Act.

More information about this regulation and the accompanying OHS Citations policy (item P2-94-1) is available online.

Time Period for Review Regulation

The Time Period for Review Regulation was brought into force on September 15, 2015. It was revised effective April 6, 2020 consequential to changes to the Workers Compensation Act.

Under this regulation, employers have 45 days — rather than the previous 90 days — to request a review of decisions related to prevention orders and penalties, and claim cost levies imposed under section 251(1) of the Act. This is intended to shorten the timeframe on reviews to enhance timeliness and effectiveness of prevention penalties and orders. Note: The period to request reviews of decisions related to claims and assessment matters unrelated to claim cost levies under section 251(1) of the Act remains at 90 days.