Guidelines — Occupational Health and Safety Regulation

• G4.9 Inspection and maintenance record (editorial revision)
• G4.13(3)(a) Industrial high angle rope rescue program (revised)

• G12.74-2 Automotive lifts and other vehicle support standards – Applicable standards (editorial revision)
• G12.76 Operation (editorial revision)
• G12.78 Inspection and testing (revised)

Workers Compensation Act

In accordance with section 25.2(1) of the Act, dollar amounts referred to in the following sections are adjusted. [B.C. Reg. 247/2018, effective January 1, 2019]

• Part 1 Division 1 - Scope of this Part
  • Section 3
• Part 1 Division 3 - Scale of Compensation
  • Sections 17, 18, 22, 29, 33, 35
• Part 1 Division 5 - Procedure and Miscellaneous
  • Sections 73, 75, 77
• Part 3 Division 12 - Enforcement
  • Sections 196, 196.1
• Part 3 Division 15 - Offences
  • Section 217
• Part 3 Division 17 - Regulations
  • Section 225

Policies — Workers Compensation Act

On November 22, 2018, the Board of Directors approved amendments to policy item D2-111-4 of the Prevention Manual. The amended policy applies to all decisions made on or after January 1, 2019, except for financial incentive decisions relating to a violation of the Workers Compensation Act or the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation that occurred before January 1, 2019. The interim policy continues to apply to all decisions made before January 1, 2019.

• D2-111-4 - Certificate of Recognition Program [formerly, Partners in Injury and Disability Prevention Program ("Partners Program")]

CPI adjustments effective January 1, 2019:

• D12-196-4 - Non-Exclusive Ways to Impose Financial Penalties
• D12-196-6 - OHS Penalty Amounts
• D12-196-6.1-1 - OHS Citations
• D24-73-1 - Claims Costs Levies

Policies — Occupational Health and Safety Regulation

Changes were made to clarify the following policy, effective January 1, 2019:

• R24.87-1 - Fishing Operations - Equipment Control Devices

Guidelines — Occupational Health and Safety Regulation

• G3.16 First aid assessment (editorial revision)

• G4.81/4.82 Controlling exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and e-cigarette vapour (revised)
• G4.81(b) Safe outdoor location (revised)
• G4.82(1) Entry into indoor areas where smoking and e-cigarette use is permitted (revised)

• G7.11-1 Exposure limits - hand arm vibration (revised)
• G7.12 Evaluation (revised)

• G9.22 Alternative measures of control or isolation of adjacent piping – Making submissions 
  This new guideline combines retired G9.22-1 and G9.22-2 to provide further clarity and direction for making submissions for alternative measures.
• G9.22-1 Alternate measures – Making submissions (retired)
• G9.22-2 Alternate measures for confined spaces – Municipal sewage systems (retired)

• G19.8(1) Testing equipment - Standards acceptable to WorkSafeBC (revised)

New guidelines are posted for a 60-day preliminary period, during which time the stakeholder community may comment and request revisions.

Guidelines — Occupational Health and Safety Regulation

• The following new guidelines are being issued to replace the retired WBC Standard OFA1:
  • G3.15(b)-1 Health care facilities 
  • G3.15(b)-2 Municipal fire departments 
  • G3.15(b)-3 EMA license holders 
  • G3.15(c) Proof of certification 
  • G3.17.1 Air transportation 
  • G3.21(2) Medical prerequisites 

• The following guideline is to outline the recommended type and quantity of equipment, supplies and facilities as required by Schedule 3-A, this will take into account recent protocol and training changes for first aid attendants:
  G3.16(1.1) Basic requirements to meet schedule 3-A 
• G3.14 to 3.21 First aid guidelines for employers (retired)
• G3.14 First aid attendant certification, qualifications, and general responsibilities (retired)
• G3.16 First aid assessment (editorial revision)
• G3.16(2)-2 Automated External Defibrillator (AED) 
• G3.17 Developing and implementing first aid procedures (editorial revision)
• G3.18(1) Communications (editorial revision)
• G3.18(2) Availability of first aid attendant (editorial revision)
• G3.19 First aid records (editorial revision)
• G3.21 Suspension and cancellation of first aid certificates (editorial revision)

• G12.11 Operating controls (portable powered tools, mobile equipment) (editorial revision)

• G17.10 Vehicle design (editorial revision)

• G23.5 Safe work procedures (editorial revision)

New guidelines are posted for a 60-day preliminary period, during which time the stakeholder community may comment and request revisions.