WorkSafeBC will be holding a public hearing for proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will be holding the public hearing virtually.

The virtual public hearing will be streamed live on March 3, 2021, in two sessions. The first will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the second from 3 to 5 p.m.

Feedback for Public Hearing closed on March 12, 2021.

The virtual hearing will cover proposed changes to the following parts of the OHS Regulation:

• Parts 1, 5, 22, and 23 — Flammable and combustible liquids
• Part 6 — Hazardous drugs
• Part 7 — Ionizing radiation — Dose limits for lens of the eye
• Part 20 — Concrete pump operators
• Part 26 — Arborists
• Part 26 — Forestry operations and similar activities (Logging truck load securement)
• Housekeeping amendments to parts 14, 24, 25, and 31 of the OHS Regulation

Providing feedback

The proposed regulatory amendments are now posted along with explanatory notes. Proposed deletions of policy wording are identified with a strikethrough and additions are highlighted in bold.

We welcome your feedback on the proposals either through written submissions or participation at the virtual public hearing. All feedback received will be presented to WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors for their consideration.

The public consultation phase is separate from the public hearing process. If you provided comments during consultation, please make another submission on the proposed changes.

Feedback on the proposed amendments can be made in the following ways:

1. Online feedback

To provide online feedback please click on the hyperlink for the regulatory amendment package you are interested in, and open the proposed amendments. Once opened, please click on the yellow "Online Feedback" button to provide your feedback.

Written submissions will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 12, 2021.

2. Register to speak at the hearing via telephone

To register, please call 604.232.7744 or toll free in B.C. at 1.866.614.7744. One presentation from an organization or individual will be permitted.

A maximum of 10 minutes will be allotted to each person or organization per regulatory amendment package, and a maximum of 20 minutes for comments on multiple amendment packages.

When registering, please have the following information available:

• Name of presenter
• Whether you represent a worker, or an employer, or other (not representing either workers or employers, such as a licensing or regulatory body, or a professional or industry association)
• Whether you are presenting on your own behalf or on behalf of an organization (if on behalf of an organization, please specify the name of the organization)
• Preferred session time (morning or afternoon)
• Email address
• Contact telephone number

An email will be sent to you confirming your registration.

If you aren’t able to register, please dial 1.855.353.9183 and use access code number: 24310# in order to speak at the hearing after the list of pre-registered speakers.

3. Submit a pre-recorded video

Pre-recorded video submissions up to five minutes in length can be submitted and will be played at the public hearing. In the video, please include:

• Name of presenter
• Proposed amendment(s) you are commenting on
• Whether you represent a worker, or an employer, or other (not representing either workers or employers, such as a licensing or regulatory body, or a professional or industry association)
• Whether you are presenting on your own behalf or on behalf of an organization (if on behalf of an organization, please specify the name of the organization)

For further instructions, please call 604.232.7744 or toll free in B.C. at 1.866.614.7744. The deadline for pre-recorded video submissions is 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 17, 2021.