The Board of Directors approved amendments to WorkSafeBC's policy on workers that have equipment and operating expenses, as provided in policies #68.61, #68.62, and #68.63 of the Rehabilitation Services & Claims Manual, Volume II.

The three policies on the average earnings of workers who have equipment and operating expenses were reorganized into two policies, and changed in order to:

• Add a category of equipment deduction for "light" equipment in short-term average earnings calculations;
• Set out that in long-term average earnings calculations, the capital cost allowance or depreciation amount for equipment that is a required component of the contract of service will be deducted from gross earnings where it does not exceed 15 percent of the purchase price of the equipment; and,
• Clarify the application of the policies to workers who must pay for any operating costs and/or equipment that is a required component of the contract of service.

The amendments came into effect on October 1, 2005, and apply to all injuries that occur on or after that date.