At its July 2014 meeting, WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors approved three new Occupational Health and Safety policies: 

• D3-115-3, Employer Duties — Wood Dust Mitigation and Control
• D3-116-2, Worker Duties — Wood Dust Mitigation and Control
• D3-117-3, Supervisor Duties — Wood Dust Mitigation and Control

The new policies have been developed to identify what WorkSafeBC considers reasonable steps for employers, workers, and supervisors to take in relation to the hazards of combustible wood dust.

The employer policy applies to specific classification units for sawmills and wood products manufacturing listed in that policy.

WorkSafeBC consulted with employer and worker representatives in June and early July of 2014.

The policies were effective September 1, 2014. A resource tool box and draft OHS Guideline are available online.