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Part 1 – Scope of Act

Division 2 – Scope of OHS Provisions

P1-2-1 Application of the OHS Provisions of the Act – Where Jurisdictional Limits Exist

Part 2 – Occupational Health and Safety

Division 10 – Employer Accident Reporting, Investigation and Related Prohibitions

P2-68-1 Major Release of Hazardous Substance
P2-71-1 Preliminary Incident Investigation, Report and Follow-Up Action
P2-72-1 Full Incident Investigation, Report and Follow-Up Action

Division 12 – Enforcement

P2-83-1 OHS Compliance Agreements
P2-84-1 OHS Compliance Orders
P2-85-1 Orders – Other General Matters
P2-90/91/92-1 Stop Work Orders
P2-94-1 OHS Citations
P2-95-1 Criteria for Imposing OHS Penalties
P2-95-2 High Risk Violations
P2-95-3 Transfer of OHS History
P2-95-4 Non-Exclusive Ways to Impose Financial Penalties
P2-95-5 OHS Penalty Amounts
P2-95-6 OHS Penalties & Claims Cost Levies – Effect of Application for Stay at Review Division
P2-95-7 Administrative Penalties – Payment of Interest on Successful Appeal
P2-95-8 Administrative Penalties – Prosecution Following Penalty
P2-95-9 OHS Penalties – Due Diligence
P2-95-10 OHS Penalty Warning Letters
P2-96-1 Orders – Cancellation and Suspension of Certificates
P2-97-1 OHS Injunctions

Miscellaneous Provisions Relating to Other Parts of the Act

P1-4-1 Imposition of Levies – Independent Operators
P5-251-1 Claims Cost Levies

Policies Workers Compensation Act Part 1 Division 2 - Scope of OHS Provisions

Policy Item P1-2-1
Application of the OHS Provisions of the Act - Where Jurisdictional Limits Exist

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes
The Canadian Constitution, the Act and other federal and provincial legislation place certain limits on the Board's authority to take measures to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses.

In some cases, the Board may be totally excluded from inspecting certain types of operations. These include operations covered by Part II of the federal Canada Labour Code, mines covered by the provincial Mines Act, and railways covered by the provincial Railways Act.

In other cases, the Board may not be excluded from a particular type of operations, but certain equipment or activities may be covered by a statute or regulation administered by another agency.

These limits are largely matters of general law over which the Board has no control. They are also too complex to state in this Item.

The purpose of this Item is to provide general guidance on how Board officers will exercise their powers in situations where it has been established that there are jurisdictional limits on those powers.

2. The Act
Section 2:

Subject to section 3, the OHS provisions apply to

(a) every employer and worker whose occupational health and safety are ordinarily within the jurisdiction of the government of British Columbia,

(b) the government of British Columbia and every agency of that government, and

(c) the government of Canada, every agency of that government and every other person whose occupational health and safety are ordinarily within the jurisdiction of the Parliament of Canada, to the extent that the government of Canada submits to the application of the OHS provisions.

Section 3:

(1) The OHS provisions and the regulations under those provisions do not apply in respect of the following:

(a) mines to which the Mines Act applies;

(b) unless a regulation under subsection (2) applies, the operation of industrial camps to the extent their operation is subject to regulations under the Public Health Act.

(2) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may, by regulation, provide that all aspects of the OHS provisions and the regulations under those provisions apply to camps referred to in subsection (1)(b), in which case those provisions and regulations prevail over the regulations under the Public Health Act to the extent of any conflict.

[Note - As of the date of this policy, the federal government had not submitted to the application of the OHS provisions of the Act under section 2(c). Nor had the Lieutenant Governor in Council made regulations relating to camps under section 3(2).]

Section 18:

(1) Without limiting section 335 [interjurisdictional agreements and arrangements], the Board may enter into agreements or make arrangements respecting cooperation, coordination and assistance related to occupational health and safety and occupational environment matters with the following:

(a) the government of British Columbia, the government of Canada or the government of another province or territory;

(b) an agency of a government referred to in paragraph (a);

(c) another appropriate authority.

(2) In relation to an agreement or arrangement under subsection (1), the Board may

(a) authorize Board officers to act on behalf of the other party to the agreement or arrangement, and

(b) authorize persons appointed by the other party to the agreement or arrangement to act as an officer under this Act, subject to any conditions or restrictions established by the Board.

POLICY
(a) Where, for jurisdictional reasons, the Board is totally excluded from inspecting an operation

Board officers will not knowingly issue an order or exercise another Board power under the OHS provisions of the Act with respect to an operation in this situation.

If Board officers observe what they believe to be a violation of a statute or a regulation administered by another agency, they will:

notify the other agency of the observation; and
cooperate with that agency in dealing with the situation to the extent this is consistent with the Board's mandate and the officers' duties under the Act.

(b) Where the Board is not totally excluded from inspecting an operation, but certain equipment or activities included in the operation are covered by a statute or regulation administered by another agency

Board officers will not issue an order or exercise another power to directly enforce a statute or regulation of another agency in this situation.

Board officers may issue an order or exercise another power under the Act where:

the situation violates the Act or a regulation under that Act; and
the order or exercise of another power is not in conflict with an applicable statute or regulation administered by the other agency.

If the order or exercise of another power appears to be in conflict with an applicable statute or regulation administered by the other agency, Board officers will seek direction from their managers before proceeding.

If Board officers observe what they believe to be a violation of a statute or a regulation administered by another agency, they will:

notify the other agency of the observation; and
cooperate with that agency in dealing with the situation to the extent this is consistent with the Board's mandate and the officers' duties under the Act.

(c) Authority under another statute or regulation or an agreement under Section 18

In some situations, the specific terms of another statute or regulation or an agreement with another agency under section 18 of the Act may authorize Board officers to exercise authority under other statutes or regulations that would not generally be permitted.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	October 1, 2001
AUTHORITY:	Sections 2 and 3 of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:	Section 18 of the Act
HISTORY:	April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. April 15, 2016 - Housekeeping changes to update Act reference in background information. September 15, 2010 - Housekeeping changes to remove outdated background information, delete practice reference and make formatting changes. December 14, 2001 - A housekeeping change.
APPLICATION:	This Item applies to situations arising on and after October 1, 2001.

Policies Workers Compensation Act Part 2 Division 1 - Interpretation and Purposes

Policy Item P2-14-1
Application of the Act and Policies

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes
Decision-making at the Workers' Compensation Board is governed by the Act.

Section 319 of the Act authorizes the Board of Directors to set and revise the Board's policies. These policies are of broad general application and provide further direction to the Board in dealing with individual matters.

Section 339 of the Act requires the Board to make decisions based on the merits and justice of the case, but in doing this the Board must apply the policies of the Board of Directors that are applicable in that case.

The purpose of the POLICY in this Item is to provide direction regarding the interaction between the application of the Act and the policies made under the Act and the consideration of the individual circumstances of the case.

The POLICY does not comment on documents issued under the authority of the President/Chief Executive Officer of the Board. That is a matter for the President/Chief Executive Officer to address.

2. The Act
Section 319:

The board of directors must set and revise as necessary the policies of the board of directors, including policies respecting occupational health and safety, compensation, rehabilitation and assessment.

Section 339(2):

The Board must make its decision based on the merits and justice of the case, but in doing this the Board must apply the policies of the board of directors that are applicable in that case.

POLICY
In making decisions, the Board must take into consideration:

the relevant provision or provisions of the Act;
the relevant policy or policies in this Prevention Manual; and
all facts and circumstances relevant to the case.

By considering the relevant provisions of the Act, the relevant policies, and the relevant facts and circumstances, the Board ensures that:

similar cases are adjudicated in a similar manner;
each participant in the system is treated fairly; and
the decision-making process is consistent and reliable.

Section 339(2) of the Act provides that:

The Board must make its decision based on the merits and justice of the case, but in doing this the Board must apply the policies of the board of directors that are applicable in that case.

Section 339(2) requires the Board to make all its decisions based on the merits and justice of the case. In making decisions, the Board must take into account all relevant facts and circumstances relating to the case before it, including the worker's individual circumstances. This is required, among other reasons, in order to comply with section 339(2) of the Act. In doing this, the Board must consider the relevant provisions of the Act. If there are specific directions in the Act that are relevant to those facts and circumstances, the Board is legally bound to follow them.

Section 339(2) also requires the Board to apply the policies of the Board of Directors that are applicable to the case before it. The policies reflect the obligations and discretion delegated to the Board under the Act. Each policy creates a framework that assists and directs the Board in its decision-making role when certain facts and circumstances come before it. If such facts and circumstances arise and there is an applicable policy, the policy must be applied. Where the Act and policy provide for Board discretion, the Board is also required to exercise the discretion based upon the merits and justice of the case, in accordance with the Act and applicable policies.

All substantive and associated practice components in the policies in this Prevention Manual are applicable under section 339(2) of the Act and must be applied in decision-making. The term "associated practice components" for this purpose refers to the steps outlined in the policies that must be taken to determine the substance of decisions. Without these steps being taken, the substantive decision required by the Act and policies could not be made.

References to business processes that appear in policies are only applicable under section 339(2) of the Act in decision-making to the extent that they are necessary to comply with the rules of natural justice and procedural fairness. The term "business processes" for this purpose refers to the manner in which the Board conducts its operations. These business processes are not intrinsic to the substantive decisions required by the Act and the policies.

If a policy requires the Board to notify an employer, worker, or other workplace party before making a decision or taking an action, the Board is required to notify the party if practicable. "If practicable" for this purpose means that the Board will take all reasonable steps to notify, or communicate with, the party.

This policy is not intended to comment on the application of practice directives, guidelines and other documents issued under the authority of the President/Chief Executive Officer of the Board. The application of those documents is a matter for the President/Chief Executive Officer to address.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	July 1, 2019
AUTHORITY:	Sections 319 and 339(2) of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:
HISTORY:	April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. July 1, 2019 - Amendments to emphasize the obligation of the Board to base its decisions upon the merits and justice of the case and delete references to Board officers. September 15, 2010 - Housekeeping changes to delete practice reference and make formatting changes.
APPLICATION:	This policy applies to decisions on or after July 1, 2019.

Policies Workers Compensation Act Part 2 Division 2 - Board Mandate

Policy Item P2-17-1
Assignment of Board Authority

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes
Section 17 sets out the Board's duties, functions and powers in matters relating to occupational health and safety. The "Board" for this purpose is the corporation known as the Workers' Compensation Board.

The Board of Directors determines what persons should exercise the Board's authority in various areas or the mechanism for making that determination through policy under sections 319 and 320 of the Act.

2. The Act

Section 17:

(1) In accordance with the purposes of the OHS provisions, the Board has the mandate to be concerned with occupational health and safety generally, and with the maintenance of reasonable standards for the protection of the health and safety of workers in British Columbia and the occupational environment in which they work.

(2) In carrying out its mandate, the Board has the following duties, functions and powers:

(a) to exercise the Board's authority to make regulations to establish standards and requirements for the protection of the health and safety of workers and the occupational environment in which they work;

(b) to undertake inspections, investigations and inquiries on matters of occupational health and safety and occupational environment;

(c) to provide services to assist joint committees, worker health and safety representatives, employers and workers in maintaining reasonable standards for occupational health and safety and occupational environment;

(d) to ensure that persons concerned with the purposes of the OHS provisions are provided with information and advice relating to the Board's administration and to occupational health and safety and occupational environment generally;

(e) to encourage, develop and conduct or participate in conducting programs for promoting occupational health and safety and for improving the qualifications of persons concerned with occupational health and safety and occupational environment;

(f) to promote public awareness of matters related to occupational health and safety and occupational environment;

(g) to prepare and maintain statistics relating to occupational health and safety and occupational environment, either by the Board acting alone or acting in conjunction with any other agency;

(h) to undertake or support research and the publication of research on matters relating to the Board's responsibilities under this Act;

(i) to establish programs of grants and awards in relation to the Board's responsibilities under this Act;

(j) to provide assistance to persons concerned with occupational health and safety and occupational environment;

(k) to cooperate and enter into arrangements and agreements with governments and other agencies and persons on matters relating to the Board's responsibilities under the OHS provisions;

(l) to make recommendations to the minister respecting amendments to this Act, the regulations under the OHS provisions or the compensation provisions, or to other legislation that affects occupational health and safety or occupational environment;

(m) to inquire into and report to the minister on any matter referred to it by the minister, within the time specified by the minister;

(n) to fulfill the Board's mandate under the OHS provisions in a financially responsible manner;

(o) to do other things in relation to occupational health and safety or occupational environment that the minister or Lieutenant Governor in Council may direct.

Section 19(1):

Subject to sections 288 and 289 [matters that may be appealed to the appeal tribunal], the Board has exclusive jurisdiction to inquire into, hear and determine all matters and questions of fact and law arising or required to be determined under the OHS provisions, and the action or decision of the Board on those matters and questions is final and conclusive and is not open to question or review in any court.

Section 319:

The board of directors must set and revise as necessary the policies of the board of directors, including policies respecting occupational health and safety, compensation, rehabilitation and assessment.

Section 320(1):

(1) The board of directors must set and supervise the direction of the Board.

POLICY
The Board of Directors will exercise the following powers and responsibilities as set out in the OHS provisions of the Act:

make recommendations to the minister under section 17(2)(l);
make inquiries into matters referred by the minister under section 17(2)(m);
comply with directions of the Lieutenant Governor in Council under section 17(2)(o);
enter into formal agreements and arrangements with other agencies and governments covered by section 18(2);
make and amend Board regulations;
grant exemptions from the application of the OHS provisions of the Act under section 13; and
approve policies under the OHS provisions of the Act (section 319).

The President/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has the authority to exercise the remaining powers and responsibilities described in the OHS provisions of the Act and authority over claims cost levies (section 251). The President/CEO also has the authority to assign these powers and responsibilities to divisions, departments, categories of officers or individual officers of the Workers' Compensation Board.

President/CEO assignments will state whether the assignee has the authority to further assign the power or responsibility or whether it must be exercised personally.

The powers and responsibilities described in the OHS provisions of the Act and section 251 must be exercised in accordance with the policies of the Board of Directors.

PRACTICE
The assignments of the President/CEO will be in writing and publicly available.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	October 21, 2020
AUTHORITY:	Sections 17, 19, 319, 320 of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:
HISTORY:	October 21, 2020 – Amended to remove assignment of authority to approve prosecutions to the President/CEO, because of repeal of obligation in the Act by the Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 2020 (Bill 23 of 2020), in effect August 14, 2020. April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. March 24, 2010 - Amended to address authority over claims cost levies and make other minor wording changes. March 3, 2003 - Consequential changes subsequently made to restatement of then section 113(1) to implement the Workers Compensation Amendment Act (No. 2), 2002. February 11, 2003 - References to Panel of Administrators replaced by references to Board of Directors, to reflect the Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 2002. October 1, 1999 - Item developed to implement the Workers Compensation (Occupational Health and Safety) Amendment Act, 1998
APPLICATION:	Applies on or after October 21, 2020.

Policy Item P2-17-2
Board Approval

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes
Section 17 sets out the Board's mandate in accordance with the purposes of the OHS provisions of the Act.

2. The Act
Section 17(1):

In accordance with the purposes of the OHS provisions, the Board has the mandate to be concerned with occupational health and safety generally, and with the maintenance of reasonable standards for the protection of the health and safety of workers in British Columbia and the occupational environment in which they work.

Section 17(2), in part:

In carrying out its mandate, the Board has the following duties, functions and powers:

…

(c) to provide services to assist … employers and workers in maintaining reasonable standards for occupational health and safety and occupational environment;

(d) to ensure that persons concerned with the purposes of the OHS provisions are provided with information and advice relating to the Board's administration and to occupational health and safety and occupational environment generally;

POLICY
A submission may be made to have a program, product, machine, equipment or work process evaluated by the Board to determine if it is in compliance with current provisions of the OHS provisions of the Act and the OHS regulations.

The Board will review submissions from an employer, worker, union, or from industry in general and will indicate acceptability or unacceptability under the current OHS provisions of the Act and the current provisions of the OHS regulations. The review of submissions to the Board will be limited to an assessment of those factors covered by the OHS provisions of the Act and the provisions of the OHS regulations that affect the health and safety of workers.

An acceptance will be conditional upon the use of the product, machinery or equipment for its designed purpose, subject to such conditions as may be specified by the Board. Any indication of compliance with the current OHS provisions of the Act and the current provisions of the OHS regulations will not be an assurance of continued acceptability.

An acceptance, as described above, is not a general endorsement or certification by the Board of that program, product, machinery, equipment, or work process.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	December 15, 2011
AUTHORITY:	Section 17(1), and (2)(c) and (d) of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:
HISTORY:	April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. December 15, 2011 - Policy amended to remove the introductory sentence and amend the concluding paragraph. September 15, 2010 - Housekeeping changes to remove reference to the Prevention Division, delete practice reference and make formatting changes. Replaces Policy No. 1.2.1 of the Prevention Division Policy and Procedure Manual.
APPLICATION:	This Item results from the 2000/2001/2002 "editorial" consolidation of all Prevention policies into the Prevention Manual. The POLICY in this Item continues the substantive requirements of Policy No. 1.2.1, as they existed prior to the Effective Date, with any wording changes necessary to reflect legislative and regulatory changes since Policy No. 1.2.1 was issued.

Policy Item P2-17-3
Certificate of Recognition Program

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes
The Certificate of Recognition Program is a voluntary employer certification program intended to motivate employers to take a proactive role in occupational health and safety.

2. The Act
Section 14, in part:

(1) The purpose of the OHS provisions is to benefit all citizens of British Columbia by promoting occupational health and safety and protecting workers and other persons present at workplaces from work-related risks to their health and safety.

(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the following are the specific purposes of the OHS provisions:

…

(f) to foster cooperative and consultative relationships between employers, workers and others regarding occupational health and safety, and to promote worker participation in occupational health and safety programs and occupational health and safety processes;

…

Section 17, in part:

(1) In accordance with the purposes of the OHS provisions, the Board has the mandate to be concerned with occupational health and safety generally, and with the maintenance of reasonable standards for the protection of the health and safety of workers in British Columbia and the occupational environment in which they work.

(2) In carrying out its mandate, the Board has the following duties, functions and powers:

…

(c) to provide services to assist joint committees, worker health and safety representatives, employers and workers in maintaining reasonable standards for occupational health and safety and occupational environment;

…

(e) to encourage, develop and conduct or participate in conducting programs for promoting occupational health and safety and for improving the qualifications of persons concerned with occupational health and safety and occupational environment;

…

(k) to cooperate and enter into arrangements and agreements with governments and other agencies and persons on matters relating to the Board's responsibilities under the OHS provisions;

Section 107:

(1) The Board may charge a class or subclass with the cost of investigations, inspections and other services provided to the class or subclass for the prevention of injuries and illnesses.

(2) A charge under subsection (1) may be levied on the class or subclass by way of an assessment.

Section 239, in part:

(1) The Board must continue and maintain the accident fund

(a) for payment of the compensation, outlays and expenses under the compensation provisions,

(b) for payment of expenses incurred in the Board's administration of this Act.

…

Section 247, in part:

(1)The Board must establish subclassifications, differentials and proportions in the rates as between the different kinds of employment in the same class, as the Board considers just.

(2) If the Board considers that a particular industry or plant is circumstanced or conducted such that the hazard or cost of compensation differs from the average of the class or subclass to which the industry or plant is assigned, the Board

(a) must establish a special rate, differential or assessment for that industry or plant to correspond with the relative hazard or cost of compensation of the industry or plant, and

(b)for the purpose referred to in paragraph (a), may also adopt a system of experience rating.

…

POLICY
See Item AP5-247-4 of the Assessment Manual for the policy.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	January 1, 2019
AUTHORITY:	Sections 14, 17, 107, 239, and 247 of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:	Item P2-95-1, Criteria for Imposing OHS Penalties, of the Prevention Manual; Item AP5-247-4, Certificate of Recognition Program, of the Assessment Manual.
HISTORY:	October 21, 2020 – Housekeeping amendments to the Act portion of the Background section to reflect amendments to the Act by the Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 2020 (Bill 23 of 2020), in effect August 14, 2020. April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. January 1, 2019 - The revisions to the COR policy approved by Board Resolution No. 2018/11/22-01 on November 22, 2018 apply to all decisions made on or after January 1, 2019, except for financial incentive decisions relating to a violation of the Act or OHSR that occurred before January 1, 2019. The interim policies continue to apply to those financial incentive decisions relating to violations of the Act or OHSR occurring before January 1, 2019. November 22, 2017 - Interim policy extended to December 31, 2018. October 31, 2016 - Interim policy extended to December 31, 2017. February 15, 2016 - Interim policy in effect until October 31, 2016.
APPLICATION:	This policy applies to all decisions made on or after January 1, 2019, except for financial incentive decisions relating to a violation of the Act or OHSR that occurred before January 1, 2019. The interim policies continue to apply as if unexpired in respect of a financial incentive decision relating to a violation of the Act or OHSR that occurred before January 1, 2019.

Policies Workers Compensation Act Part 2 Division 3 - Board Jurisdiction

Policy Item P2-20-1
Varying or Cancelling Previous Decisions or Orders

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes
Section 20(1) sets out the Board's authority to make a new decision or order to vary or cancel a previous decision or order made under the OHS provisions of the Act. It is necessary to set out the grounds on which the Board will exercise that authority.

A subsidiary issue relates to the requirements for providing notice and posting that must be observed when the Board makes a new decision or order under section 20(1) to vary or cancel an order. In these cases, it must give notice to the employer or other person in relation to whom the order was made. If the person given notice was required by or under the OHS provisions of the Act to post a copy of the original order or to provide copies of it to a joint committee, worker representative or union, the person must post and provide copies of the notice in accordance with the same requirements under section 87. The general posting requirements in section 51 will apply where posting of the varying or cancelling of an order is required.

2. The Act

Section 20:

(1) Subject to subsection (2) of this section and sections 87(1) [notice required if Board order varied or cancelled] and 89(4) [restriction on cancellation of order to stop use or supply of unsafe equipment], the Board may at any time, on its own initiative, make a new decision or order varying or cancelling a previous decision or order of the Board or of an officer or employee of the Board respecting any matter that is within the jurisdiction of the Board under the OHS provisions.

(2) The Board may not make a decision or an order under subsection (1) if

(a) a review has been requested under section 270 [request for review of Board decision] in respect of the previous decision or order, or

(b) an appeal has been filed under section 289 [other Board decisions that may be appealed] in respect of the previous decision or order.

(3) The Board may review a decision or order made under the OHS provisions by the Board or an officer or employee of the Board, but only as specifically provided in Part 6 [Review of Board Decisions].

(4) The Board may at any time set aside a decision or order made under the OHS provisions by the Board or an officer or employee of the Board if that decision or order resulted from fraud or misrepresentation of the facts or circumstances on which the decision or order was based.

Section 87:

(1) If the Board varies or cancels an order, it must give notice to the employer or other person in relation to whom the order was made.

(2) If the person given notice under subsection (1) was required under the OHS provisions to post a copy of the original order or to provide copies of it to a joint committee, worker representative or union, that person must post and provide copies of the notice in accordance with the same requirements.

Section 268, in part:

(1) Subject to subsection (2), a person referred to in the applicable provision of section 269 may request a review officer to review the following in a specific case:

(a) a Board order respecting an occupational health or safety matter under the OHS provisions, a refusal to make such an order or a variation or cancellation of such an order;

…

(2) A review may not be requested under subsection (1) respecting the following:

(a) in relation to section 50 [response to complaint respecting prohibited actions against a worker], a determination, an order, a refusal to make an order or a cancellation of an order under that section;

(b) an assessment under section 108(1)(a) [levy of amount owed by employer under the OHS provisions];

…

POLICY
This policy addresses the Board's authority, on its own initiative, to make new decisions or orders varying or cancelling previous decisions or orders under section 20(1) of the Act.

(a) "On Its Own Initiative"
It is significant that section 20(1) only authorizes the Board to make a new decision or order varying or cancelling a previous decision or order under the OHS provisions of the Act "on its own initiative". This is to be contrasted with the Board's authority to reopen a matter under the compensation provisions of the Act "on its own initiative or on application" under section 125(1) of the Act. It is also to be contrasted with section 273 and section 310, which authorize a review officer and the Appeal Tribunal, respectively, to reconsider decisions on application in certain circumstances.

The use of the words "on its own initiative" in section 20(1), with no mention of "on application", and the availability of a review mechanism under Part 6, indicate that the Board is not intended to set up a formal application process under section 20(1) to resolve disputes that parties may have with decisions or orders.

Rather, the Board's authority to vary or cancel is intended to provide a quality assurance mechanism for the Board. The Board is given an opportunity to correct, on its own initiative, any errors it may have made.

This does not, of course, preclude the Board from making a new decision or order varying or cancelling a previous decision or order on the basis of information that may be brought forward by an employer or other party to a decision or order.

(b) Grounds
The Board may make a new decision or order varying or cancelling a previous decision or order if there are grounds showing either an error of law or policy, or significant new evidence, and the Board determines that either of these grounds require that the previous decision or order be varied or cancelled.

(c) General Exercise of Authority
In considering whether to make a new decision that varies or cancels a previous decision or order, the Board will take into account the length of time that has elapsed since the decision or order was made. A delay since the previous decision or order was made, in the absence of a reasonable explanation for the delay, is a ground for the Board not to exercise its power to vary or cancel the previous decision or order without considering the merits of the previous decision or order.

Before varying or cancelling a decision or order, the Board will advise any person that may be affected by a new decision and provide an opportunity for these individuals to make comments.

(d) Authority to Vary or Cancel Reviews and Appeals
The Act gives the Board the authority to make final decisions on the matter before it. It also provides rights of review and appeal, but these are subject to time limits. The Act shows a general intention as to how disputes concerning decisions or orders should be resolved, and that there be finality in decision-making. This intention must be considered when deciding whether to exercise the discretion provided by section 20(1) to make a new decision varying or cancelling previous decisions or orders.

Subject to grounds being established as set out in (b) above, the Board may make a new decision varying or cancelling a decision or order under section 20(1) on which an available review or appeal was not commenced within the time allowed.

The Board will not, however, make a new decision or order under section 20(1) where the merits of the previous decision have been the subject of a decision on a review by the Review Division or an appeal by the Appeal Tribunal except in accordance with the decision by the Review Division or Appeal Tribunal.

Nor will the Board normally make a new decision or order under section 20(1) where:

there is a right to a review of the previous decision or order or a right of appeal to the Appeal Tribunal; or
the previous decision or order is being considered, or will be considered, for the purpose of considering an administrative penalty or similar levy.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	March 3, 2003
AUTHORITY:	Sections 20 and 268 of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:
HISTORY:	April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. September 15, 2010 - Housekeeping changes to delete practice reference and make formatting changes. March 3, 2003 - Item developed to implement the Workers Compensation Amendment Act (No. 2), 2002.
APPLICATION:

Policies Workers Compensation Act Part 2 Division 4 - General Duties of Employers, Workers and Others

Policy Item P2-21-1
Employer Duty Towards Other Workers

BACKGROUND
1. Preamble

A purpose of the OHS provisions of the Act is "to ensure that employers, workers and others who are in a position to affect the occupational health and safety of workers share that responsibility to the extent of each party's authority and ability to do so."¹ [ Footnote¹ Section 14(2)(e) of the Act]

Section 21(1)(a)(ii) reflects that purpose and ultimately requires an employer to ask "Have I done all that I can reasonably do to ensure the health and safety of those other workers?"

This policy is to assist decision makers by providing a consistent approach to interpretation. The policy provides principles to guide decision makers since it is not possible to address every potential workplace arrangement.

Historically, interpretation of section 21(1)(a)(ii) has focused primarily on whether or not the duty applies in a particular situation. This policy simplifies that determination by adopting a broad interpretation as to when the duty applies. This policy then provides practical criteria to determine what the duty means in practice (the scope of the duty).

2. Explanatory Notes

This policy addresses an employer's duty towards other workers as set out in section 21(1)(a)(ii) of the Act. This states that an employer must ensure the health and safety of other workers present at a workplace at which that employer's work is being carried out.

That duty co-exists with the duty that the direct employer and other employers may have towards those workers. In addition, employers may also have distinct duties towards other workers as set out in sections 24, 25 and 26 of the Act and various sections of the OHSR.

3. The Act

Section 21(1), in part:

(1) Every employer must

(a) ensure the health and safety of

(i) all workers working for that employer, and

(ii) any other workers present at a workplace at which that employer's work is being carried out,…

The Appendix to this policy contains other related sections of the Act and OHSR.

POLICY

Section 21(1)(a)(ii) gives every employer the duty to ensure the health and safety of any other workers present at a workplace at which that employer's work is being carried out.

Definition

"other workers" refers to workers other than those of the employer. This includes workers of other employers as well as persons deemed to be workers through signing up for Personal Optional Protection (POP).

When Does The Duty Apply?

The duty applies whenever other workers are present at a workplace at which that employer's work is being carried out.

The employer's work can be carried out in one of two ways:

(a) other workers are present at a workplace where the employer's workers are working, or

(b) other workers are doing work for the employer's benefit.

What Does the Duty Require? (Scope of the Duty)

Once the duty applies, section 21(1)(a)(ii) requires an employer to take all reasonable steps in the circumstances to ensure the health and safety of the other workers. Some of those reasonable steps are set out below in items 1 to 3. In each case, the following three factors below (A to C) will affect what must be done:

A. the employer's degree of control,

B. the employer's level of expertise in the work being performed, and

C. the extent to which the employer is aware or ought to be aware of what is occurring in the workplace.

These reasonable steps for the employer include the following:

Making reasonable inquiries prior to a firm doing work on the employer's behalf;
(a) The employer's expertise in the area may affect the extent of inquiries:

(i) to determine whether the firm is capable of safely doing the work; and

(ii) about the firm's plans to safely conduct the work.
Preventing unsafe conditions or work that may affect the other workers and addressing those that arise; and
(a) The extent to which the employer is aware or ought to be aware of the unsafe conditions or work may affect what must be done.

The employer's familiarity with the worksite may affect the ability to identify unsafe conditions or work.

(b) The employer's level of expertise may affect the ability to identify the unsafe conditions or work.

For example, a roofing firm subcontracting to another, will have a good understanding of when fall protection is required. A manufacturing employer that engages a roofing contractor to service its plant may not.

(c) The employer's degree of control over the other workers or the site, may affect:

(i) the processes implemented to address safety compliance; and

Where the employer exercises a high degree of control relating to a particular function or activity, the employer will have a higher level of responsibility relating to that activity. This could include stopping the work, if necessary.

(ii) the employer's response to unsafe conditions or work.

Where there is no control, the duty may be satisfied by reporting the situation to a supervisor of the other workers.

As with item (i) above, where the employer exercises a high degree of control relating to a particular function or activity, the employer will have a higher level of responsibility relating to that activity. This could include stopping the work, if necessary.
Ensuring that the employer's workers do not put the other workers at risk.
The employer must address any aspects of the employer's work that could create a hazard for other workers. This would include workers coming on to the site after the work day. For example, security guards patrolling in the evening risk injury if hazards are left at the end of the work day.

PRACTICE

The following scenarios provide basic examples of the application of the policy for illustration purposes. More than one scenario may apply to some cases.

The scenarios are not policy. Where they conflict with the policy or are less comprehensive than the policy, the policy should be relied upon.

Scenarios

(1) An employer brings in a sub-contractor to the employer's fixed workplace.

In this case, the employer will generally have greater awareness of the site hazards, physical control over the site and the ability to affect all employers in the workplace. The employer will have contractual control over the subcontractor as well as physical control over the worksite.

The employer must make reasonable inquiries to determine that the subcontractor is able to safely perform the work.
- This could involve questions for the subcontractor as well as checking references.
The employer must make reasonable inquiries about the subcontractor's plan to safely conduct the work.
- This would involve questions for the subcontractor, the extent of which would depend on the employer's level of expertise in the type of work performed by the subcontractor.
The employer must provide information about hazards and preserve and maintain the safety of the workplace (see also section 25 of the Act).
The employer must ensure that its activities do not endanger the other workers, including workers who may be involved in work after hours or following completion of the employer's work.
Where these are known to the employer, unsafe acts by other workers must be reported to their supervisor (see also OSHR 3.10).
The employer must exercise its authority to stop work by the other workers in the case of significant hazards or where reports of unsafe acts or conditions are not being acted upon.

(2) An employer hires a subcontractor to do work at a third party's workplace, where a third party maintains overall control of the workplace. The employer is not given any level of authority over the workplace.

In this case, the employer will have the same responsibilities over the subcontractor as in scenario (1) with the exception that the employer will not have control over physical aspects of the workplace.

(3) An employer has control over the subcontractor and the workplace but is not on site or only briefly attending the workplace.

In this case, the employer will have the same responsibilities over the subcontractor as in scenario (1), however, the employer will have less awareness of what is occurring at the workplace.

(4) An employer is a franchisor.

The employer's responsibility will depend on the degree of control it exercises over the franchisee's operation and facilities, the extent of awareness and degree of expertise it has about the operations.
When the employer exercises significant control over the franchisee's facility in a manner that affects health and safety, the employer will have a greater obligation to take steps to protect the other workers.

(5) An employer is present at a workplace but does not have control over other employers or over the workplace. (For example, the employer's workers work along with other workers at a shared site owned and controlled by a third party.)

The employer's activities must not endanger other workers.
Where these are known to the employer, unsafe acts by other workers must be reported to their supervisor (see also OSHR 3.10).
Unsafe acts or conditions which are not remedied after an initial report must be pursued through the workplace hierarchy or reported to WorkSafeBC.

APPENDIX

1. Additional Act Provisions

Section 14:

(1) The purpose of the OHS provisions is to benefit all citizens of British Columbia by promoting occupational health and safety and protecting workers and other persons present at workplaces from work-related risks to their health and safety.

(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the following are specific purposes of the OHS provisions:

(a) to promote a culture of commitment on the part of employers and workers to a high standard of occupational health and safety;

(b) to prevent work-related accidents, injuries and illnesses;

(d) to ensure an occupational environment that provides for the health and safety of workers and others;

(e) to ensure that employers, workers and others who are in a position to affect the occupational health and safety of workers share that responsibility to the extent of each party's authority and ability to do so;

(f) to foster cooperative and consultative relationships between employers, workers and others regarding occupational health and safety, and to promote worker participation in occupational health and safety programs and occupational health and safety processes;

(g) to minimize the social and economic costs of work related accidents, injuries and illnesses, in order to enhance the quality of life for British Columbians and the competitiveness of British Columbia in the Canadian and world economies.

Section 21:

(1) Every employer must

(a) ensure the health and safety of

(i) all workers working for that employer, and

(ii) any other workers present at a workplace at which that employer's work is being carried out, and

(b) comply with the OHS provisions, the regulations and any applicable orders.

(2) Without limiting subsection (1), an employer must

(a) remedy any workplace conditions that are hazardous to the health or safety of the employer's workers,

(b) ensure that the employer's workers

(i) are made aware of all known or reasonably foreseeable health or safety hazards to which they are likely to be exposed by their work,

(ii) comply with the OHS provisions, the regulations and any applicable orders, and

(iii) are made aware of their rights and duties under the OHS provisions and the regulations,

(d) provide and maintain in good condition protective equipment, devices and clothing as required by regulation and ensure that these are used by the employer's workers,

(e) provide to the employer's workers the information, instruction, training and supervision necessary to ensure the health and safety of those workers in carrying out their work and to ensure the health and safety of other workers at the workplace,

(f) make a copy of this Act and the regulations readily available for review by the employer's workers and, at each workplace where workers of the employer are regularly employed, post and keep posted a notice advising where the copy is available for review,

(g) consult and cooperate with the joint committees and worker health and safety representatives for workplaces of the employer, and

(h) cooperate with the Board, officers of the Board and any other person carrying out a duty under the OHS provisions or the regulations.

Section 30:

(1) This section applies if one or more OHS provisions or provisions of the regulations impose the same obligation on more than one person.

(2) If one of the persons subject to the obligation complies with the applicable provision, the other persons subject to the obligation are relieved of that obligation only during the time when

(a) simultaneous compliance by more than one person would result in unnecessary duplication of effort and expense, and

(b) the health and safety of persons at the workplace is not put at risk by compliance by only one person.

2. Additional OHSR Provisions

Section 3.10:

Whenever a person observes what appears to be an unsafe or harmful condition or act the person must report it as soon as possible to a supervisor or to the employer, and the person receiving the report must investigate the reported unsafe condition or act and must ensure that any necessary corrective action is taken without delay.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	May 1, 2013
AUTHORITY:	Section 21 of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:	Sections 14 and 30 of the Act; Section 3.10 of the OHSR.
HISTORY:	April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1.
APPLICATION:

Policy Item P2-21-2
Employer Duties - Workplace Bullying and Harassment

BACKGROUND
1. Preamble

An employer has a duty to ensure the health and safety of its workers, and as a result, employers must take all reasonable steps to prevent where possible, or otherwise minimize, workplace bullying and harassment. Workplace bullying and harassment can lead to injury, illness or death.

This Policy provides a consistent legal framework for stakeholders, WorkSafeBC Officers and decision-makers identifying what WorkSafeBC considers to be reasonable steps for an employer to prevent where possible, or otherwise minimize, workplace bullying and harassment.

WorkSafeBC Officers will review whether the elements in this Policy have been developed, implemented and periodically reviewed.

2. Explanatory Notes

Section 21(1)(a) of the Act ("Act") requires an employer to take all reasonable steps in the circumstances to ensure the health and safety of its workers.

Section 21(2)(e) of the Act requires an employer to inform, instruct, train and supervise workers to ensure their safety and that of other workers.

This policy (P2-21-2), which flows from the above sections in the Act, discusses employer duties regarding bullying and harassment. It identifies what WorkSafeBC considers to be reasonable steps for an employer to take to address the hazards of workplace bullying and harassment.

There are two other related policies that address workplace bullying and harassment: Items P2-22-1 and Policy P2-23-2.

3. The Act

Section 21, in part:

(1) Every employer must

(a) ensure the health and safety of

(i) all workers working for that employer, and

(ii) any other workers present at a workplace at which that employer's work is being carried out,…

…

(2) Without limiting subsection (1), an employer must

…

(e) provide to the employer's workers the information, instruction, training and supervision necessary to ensure the health and safety of those workers in carrying out their work…

…

POLICY

Definition

"bullying and harassment"

(a) includes any inappropriate conduct or comment by a person towards a worker that the person knew or reasonably ought to have known would cause that worker to be humiliated or intimidated, but

(b) excludes any reasonable action taken by an employer or supervisor relating to the management and direction of workers or the place of employment.

Reasonable Steps to Address the Hazard

WorkSafeBC considers that reasonable steps by an employer to prevent where possible, or otherwise minimize, workplace bullying and harassment include the following:

(a) developing a policy statement with respect to workplace bullying and harassment not being acceptable or tolerated;

(b) taking steps to prevent where possible, or otherwise minimize, workplace bullying and harassment;

(c) developing and implementing procedures for workers to report incidents or complaints of workplace bullying and harassment including how, when and to whom a worker should report incidents or complaints. Included must be procedures for a worker to report if the employer, supervisor or person acting on behalf of the employer, is the alleged bully and harasser;

(d) developing and implementing procedures for how the employer will deal with incidents or complaints of workplace bullying and harassment including:

i. how and when investigations will be conducted;

ii. what will be included in the investigation;

iii. roles and responsibilities of employers, supervisors, workers and others;

iv. follow-up to the investigation (description of corrective actions, timeframe, dealing with adverse symptoms, etc.); and

v. record keeping requirements;

(e) informing workers of the policy statement in (a) and the steps taken in (b);

(f) training supervisors and workers on:

i. recognizing the potential for bullying and harassment;

ii. responding to bullying and harassment; and

iii. procedures for reporting, and how the employer will deal with incidents or complaints of bullying and harassment in (c) and (d) respectively;

(g) annually reviewing (a), (b), (c), and (d);

(h) not engaging in bullying and harassment of workers and supervisors; and

(i) applying and complying with the employer's policies and procedures on bullying and harassment.

PRACTICE

The definition of bullying and harassment includes any inappropriate conduct or comment by a 'person' towards a worker that the 'person' knew or reasonably ought to have known would cause that worker to be humiliated or intimidated.

A 'person' includes any individual, whether or not they are a workplace party. This means that a 'person' could be a workplace party such as an employer, supervisor, or co-worker, or a non workplace party such as a member of the public, a client, or anyone a worker comes into contact with at the workplace.

In order to determine what is reasonable in the policy, a definition below is included for a 'reasonable person'.

Black's Law Dictionary, Ninth Edition, defines a reasonable person as follows:

"…a person who exercises the degree of attention, knowledge, intelligence, and judgment that society requires of its members for the protection of their own and of others' interests. The reasonable person acts sensibly, does things without serious delay, and takes proper but not excessive precautions…"

EFFECTIVE DATE:	November 1, 2013
AUTHORITY:	Section 21(1)(a) and 21(2)(e) of the Act.
CROSS-REFERENCES:	Item P2-22-1, Worker Duties - Workplace Bullying and Harassment; Item P2-23-2, Supervisor Duties - Workplace Bullying and Harassment, of the Prevention Manual.
HISTORY:	April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1.
APPLICATION:

Policy Item P2-21-3
Employer Duties - Wood Dust Mitigation and Control

BACKGROUND
1. Preamble

An employer has a duty to ensure the health and safety of its workers, and therefore must take all reasonable steps to address the hazards of combustible wood dust.

Combustible dusts are fine particles that present explosion hazards when suspended in air under certain conditions. Combustible wood dust has resulted in catastrophic explosions with loss of life and serious injuries.

This policy provides a consistent legal framework for stakeholders, WorkSafeBC officers, and decision-makers identifying what WorkSafeBC considers reasonable steps for an employer to take to address these hazards.

Controlling combustible wood dust hazards requires a systematic long term approach contained in a program, including audits that can provide an objective and comprehensive evaluation of a facility’s wood dust management practices and their effectiveness.

2. Explanatory Notes

Section 21(1)(a) of the Act requires an employer to take all reasonable steps in the circumstances to ensure the health and safety of workers. In addition, the Act and OHSR also require an employer to:

remedy any workplace conditions that are hazardous to the health or safety of workers (section 21(2)(a) of the Act).
inform, instruct, train and supervise workers to ensure their safety and that of other workers (section 21(2)(e) of the Act).
safely remove combustible dust before accumulation of the dust could cause a fire or explosion (section 5.81 of the OHSR).
regularly inspect the workplace at intervals that will prevent the development of unsafe working conditions, and following an accident or equipment malfunction (sections 3.5 and 3.7 of the OHSR).
investigate all reports of unsafe conditions or acts and ensure that necessary corrective action is taken immediately (section 3.10 of the OHSR).

This policy (P2-21-3) flows from the above sections of the Act and OHSR and addresses employer duties regarding wood dust mitigation and control. To be duly diligent with respect to combustible dust obligations, an employer must take all reasonable steps to comply with the Act and OHSR. This policy identifies what WorkSafeBC considers these reasonable steps to be.

This policy will initially apply to wood product manufacturers in eight specified classification units. WorkSafeBC assigns employers to classification units based on an employer's primary business activity.

Two other related policies address wood dust mitigation and control: Items P2-22-2 and P2-23-3.

3. The Act

Section 21, in part:

(1) Every employer must

(a) ensure the health and safety of

(i) all workers working for that employer, and

(ii) any other workers present at a workplace at which that employer's work is being carried out, …

…

(2) Without limiting subsection (1), an employer must

(a) remedy any workplace conditions that are hazardous to the health or safety of the employer’s workers,

…

(e) provide to the employer's workers the information, instruction, training and supervision necessary to ensure the health and safety of those workers in carrying out their work…

…

4. The OHSR

Section 3.5:

Every employer must ensure that regular inspections are made of all workplaces, including buildings, structures, grounds, excavations, tools, equipment, machinery and work methods and practices, at intervals that will prevent the development of unsafe working conditions.

Section 3.7:

A special inspection must be made when required by malfunction or accident.

Section 3.10:

Section 5.81:

If combustible dust collects in a building or structure or on machinery or equipment, it must be safely removed before accumulation of the dust could cause a fire or explosion.

POLICY

Application

This policy applies to employers within the following classification units:

Classification Unit Name	Classification Unit #
Sawmill	714022
Oriented Strand Board Manufacture	714012
Planing Mill	714015
Pressed Board Manufacture (not elsewhere specified) [includes pellet plants]	714019
Pulp and Paper Mill	714044
Shake and Shingle Mill	714023
Veneer or Plywood Manufacture	714027
Wooden Component Manufacture (not elsewhere specified)	714032

Reasonable Steps to Address the Hazard

WorkSafeBC considers that reasonable steps by an employer to address the hazards of combustible wood dust include the following:

(a) conducting a risk assessment to identify combustible wood dust hazards at the workplace;

(b) developing and implementing a combustible wood dust management program to effectively address combustible wood dust hazards;

(c) educating and training workers and supervisors about the hazards and measures in the combustible wood dust management program to control the hazards;

(d) ensuring that the combustible wood dust management program is fully implemented;

(e) undergoing a wood dust mitigation and control audit as soon as reasonably possible after implementing the program, then

(i) promptly implementing recommendations from the audit, and

(ii) conducting a new audit if there is any material change to work processes or equipment;

(f) reviewing the combustible wood dust management program

(i) annually, and

(ii) simultaneously with any material changes to work processes or equipment to ensure that these changes are addressed; and

(g) complying with the employer's combustible wood dust management program.

PRACTICE

OHS Guideline G5.81 and the Mitigation and Control of Combustible Wood Dust Resource Tool Box provide more detailed information and guidance regarding implementation of a wood dust mitigation and control program. The toolbox contains a comprehensive audit tool which can be used for a program audit and can also provide guidance to an employer developing a program.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	September 1, 2014
AUTHORITY:	Sections 21(1)(a), 21(2)(a), and 21(2)(e) of the Act; Sections 3.5, 3.7, 3.10, and 5.81 of the OHSR.
CROSS REFERENCES:	Item P2-22-2, Worker Duties - Wood Dust Mitigation and Control; Item P2-23-3, Supervisor Duties - Wood Dust Mitigation and Control, of the Prevention Manual.
HISTORY:	April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1.
APPLICATION:

Policy Item P2-22-1
Worker Duties - Workplace Bullying and Harassment

BACKGROUND
1. Preamble

A worker has a duty to take reasonable care to protect the health and safety of themselves and other persons, and as a result, a worker must take all reasonable steps to prevent where possible, or otherwise minimize, workplace bullying and harassment. Workplace bullying and harassment can lead to injury, illness or death.

This policy provides a consistent legal framework for stakeholders, WorkSafeBC Officers and decision-makers identifying what WorkSafeBC considers to be reasonable steps for a worker to prevent where possible, or otherwise minimize, workplace bullying and harassment.

2. Explanatory Notes

Section 22(1)(a) of the Workers Compensation Act ("Act") requires workers to take reasonable care to protect the health and safety of other persons who may be affected by the worker's acts or omissions at work.

This policy (P2-22-1), which flows from the above section in the Act, discusses worker duties regarding bullying and harassment.

There are two other related policies that address workplace bullying and harassment: Items P2-21-2 and P2-23-2.

3. The Act

Section 22(1), in part:

Every worker must

(a) take reasonable care to protect the worker's health and safety and the health and safety of other persons who may be affected by the worker's acts or omissions at work, …

…

POLICY
Definition

"bullying and harassment"

A worker's obligation to take reasonable care to protect the health and safety of themselves or others includes:

(a) not engaging in bullying and harassment of other workers, supervisors, the employer or persons acting on behalf of the employer;

(b) reporting if bullying and harassment is observed or experienced in the workplace; and

PRACTICE

Black's Law Dictionary, Ninth Edition, defines a reasonable person as follows:

EFFECTIVE DATE:	November 1, 2013
AUTHORITY:	Section 22(1)(a) of the Act.
CROSS-REFERENCES:	Item P2-21-2, Employer Duties - Workplace Bullying and Harassment; Item P2-23-2, Supervisor Duties - Workplace Bullying and Harassment, of the Prevention Manual.
HISTORY:	April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1.
APPLICATION:

Policy Item P2-22-2
Worker Duties - Wood Dust Mitigation and Control

BACKGROUND

1. Preamble

A worker has a duty to take reasonable care to protect the health and safety of themselves and other persons, and as a result, a worker has duties with regard to the hazards of combustible wood dus

Combustible dusts are fine particles that present an explosion hazard when suspended in air under certain conditions. Combustible wood dust has resulted in catastrophic explosions with loss of life and serious injuries.

This policy provides a consistent legal framework for stakeholders, WorkSafeBC officers, and decision-makers identifying what WorkSafeBC considers reasonable steps for a worker to meet their duties with respect to these hazards.

2. Explanatory Notes

Section 22(1)(a) of the Act requires workers to take reasonable care to protect the health and safety of other persons who may be affected by the worker's acts or omissions at work.

Section 3.10 of the OHSR requires a person who sees an unsafe condition or act to report it as soon as possible to a supervisor or to the employer.

This policy (P2-22-2) flows from the above sections of the Act and OHSR and addresses worker duties regarding combustible wood dust.

Two other related policies address combustible wood dust: Items P2-21-3 and P2-23-3.

3. The Act

Section 22(1), in part:

(1) Every worker must

(a) take reasonable care to protect the worker's health and safety and the health and safety of other persons who may be affected by the worker's acts or omissions at work, …

…

4. The OHSR:

Section 3.10:

Whenever a person observes what appears to be an unsafe or harmful condition or act the person must report it as soon as possible to a supervisor or to the employer, and the person receiving the report must investigate the reported unsafe condition or act and must ensure that any necessary corrective action is taken without delay.

POLICY
A worker's obligation to take reasonable care to protect the health and safety of themselves or others includes:

(a) reporting unsafe conditions or actions relating to combustible wood dust in the workplace to a supervisor, or to the employer, as soon as possible; and

(b) complying with the employer's combustible wood dust management program.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	September 1, 2014
AUTHORITY:	Section 22(1)(a) of the Act Section 3.10 of the OHSR.
CROSS REFERENCES:	Item P2-21-3, Employer Duties - Wood Dust Mitigation and Control; Item P2-23-3, Supervisor Duties - Wood Dust Mitigation and Control, of the Prevention Manual.
HISTORY:	March 1, 2023 - Changes made to modernize terminology by removing gendered language. April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1.
APPLICATION:

Policy Item P2-23-1
General Duties - Supervisors

BACKGROUND

1. Explanatory Notes
Section 23 sets out the general duties of supervisors under the OHS provisions of the Act.

2. The Act
Section 23:

(1) Every supervisor must

(a) ensure the health and safety of all workers under the direct supervision of the supervisor,

(b) be knowledgeable about the OHS provisions and those regulations applicable to the work being supervised, and

(c) comply with the OHS provisions, the regulations and any applicable orders.

(2) Without limiting subsection (1), a supervisor must

(a) ensure that the workers under the supervisor's direct supervision

(i) are made aware of all known or reasonably foreseeable health or safety hazards in the area where they work, and

(ii) comply with the OHS provisions, the regulations and any applicable orders,

(b) consult and cooperate with the joint committee or worker health and safety representative for the workplace, and

(c) cooperate with the Board, officers of the Board and any other person carrying out a duty under the OHS provisions or the regulations.

POLICY

In determining whether Section 23 applies, the following guidelines will be considered:

A supervisor is a person who instructs, directs and controls workers in the performance of their duties.
A supervisor need not have the title "supervisor". They may have some other title or have no title at all.
The supervisor will normally be appointed by an employer as such, but a person may be a supervisor without being specifically appointed by an employer if, as a matter of fact, they instruct, direct and control workers in the performance of their duties. The employer themselves may be a supervisor.
"Direct supervision" may take place even though a worker may be located in a different place than the supervisor or may travel to different places as part of their work. Directions may be given by any communications medium.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	October 1, 1999
AUTHORITY:	Section 23 of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:	Item P2-24-1, Multiple Employer Workplaces; Item P2-25-1, Owners; Item P2-27-1, Directors and Officers of a Corporation; P2-29/30-1, Overlapping Obligations, of the Prevention Manual.
HISTORY:	March 1, 2023 - Changes made to modernize terminology by removing gendered language. April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. September 15, 2010 - Housekeeping changes to delete practice reference and make formatting changes.
APPLICATION:

Policy Item P2-23-2
Supervisor Duties - Workplace Bullying and Harassment

BACKGROUND
1. Preamble

A supervisor has a duty to take all reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of workers under their supervision, and as a result, a supervisor must take all reasonable steps to prevent where possible, or otherwise minimize, workplace bullying and harassment. Workplace bullying and harassment can lead to injury, illness or death.

This Policy provides a consistent legal framework for stakeholders, WorkSafeBC Officers and decision-makers identifying what WorkSafeBC considers to be reasonable steps for a supervisor to prevent where possible, or otherwise minimize, workplace bullying and harassment.

2. Explanatory Notes

Section 23(1)(a) of the Act requires supervisors to take all reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of workers under their supervision.

This policy (P2-23-2), which flows from the above section in the Act, discusses supervisor duties regarding bullying and harassment.

There are two other related policies that address workplace bullying and harassment: Items P2-21-2 and P2-22-1.

3. The Act

Section 23(1), in part:

(1) Every supervisor must

(a) ensure the health and safety of all workers under the direct supervision of the supervisor, …

…

POLICY

Definition

"bullying and harassment"

A supervisor's obligation to ensure health and safety of workers includes:

(a) not engaging in bullying and harassment of workers, other supervisors, the employer or persons acting on behalf of the employer; and

(b) applying and complying with the employer's policies and procedures on bullying and harassment.

PRACTICE

Black's Law Dictionary, Ninth Edition, defines a reasonable person as follows:

EFFECTIVE DATE:	November 1, 2013
AUTHORITY:	Section 23(1)(a) of the Act.
CROSS-REFERENCES:	Item P2-21-2, Employer Duties - Workplace Bullying and Harassment; Item P2-22-1, Worker Duties - Workplace Bulling and Harassment, of the Prevention Manual.
HISTORY:	April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1.
APPLICATION:

Policy Item P2-23-3
Supervisor Duties - Wood Dust Mitigation and Control

BACKGROUND
1. Preamble

A supervisor has a duty to take all reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of workers under their supervision, and as a result, a supervisor has duties with regard to the hazards of combustible wood dust.

This policy provides a consistent legal framework for stakeholders, WorkSafeBC officers, and decision-makers identifying what WorkSafeBC considers reasonable steps for a supervisor to meet their duties with respect to these hazards.

2. Explanatory Notes

Section 23(1)(a) of the Workers Compensation Act ("Act") requires supervisors to take all reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of workers under their supervision.

Section 3.10 of the OHSR requires a supervisor who receives a report of an unsafe condition or act to investigate and ensure that necessary corrective action is taken immediately.

This policy (P2-23-3), flows from the above sections of the Act and OHSR and addresses supervisor duties regarding combustible wood dust.

Two other related policies address combustible wood dust: Items P2-21-3 and P2-22-2.

3. The Act

Section 23(2), in part

(1) Every supervisor must

(a) ensure the health and safety of all workers under the direct supervision of the supervisor, …

…

4. The OHSR

Section 3.9:

Unsafe or harmful conditions found in the course of an inspection must be remedied without delay.

Section 3.10:

Whenever a person observes what appears to be an unsafe or harmful condition or act the person must report it as soon as possible to a supervisor or to the employer, and the person receiving the report must investigate the reported unsafe condition or act and must ensure that any necessary corrective action is taken without delay.

POLICY

In addition to a supervisor's duties as a worker or employer, a supervisor's obligation to ensure the health and safety of workers includes:

(a) investigating any reports received by the supervisor or inspection results identifying an unsafe condition or act relating to combustible wood dust and ensuring that necessary corrective action is taken immediately; and

(b) complying with the employer's combustible wood dust management program.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	September 1, 2014
AUTHORITY:	Section 23(1)(a) of the Act Sections 3.9 and 3.10 of the OHSR.
CROSS REFERENCES:	Item P2-21-3, Employer Duties - Wood Dust Mitigation and Control; Item P2-22-2, Worker Duties - Wood Dust Mitigation and Control, of the Prevention Manual.
HISTORY:	March 1, 2023 - Changes made to modernize terminology by removing gendered language. April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1.
APPLICATION:

Policy Item P2-24-1
General Duties - Multiple-Employer Workplaces

BACKGROUND

1. Explanatory Notes
Section 24 sets out responsibilities at a "multiple employer workplace". It provides that the "prime contractor" is responsible for the coordination of activities at these workplaces.

2. The Act

Section 13, in part:

In the OHS provisions and the regulations under those provisions:

…

"multiple-employer workplace" means a workplace where workers of 2 or more employers are working at the same time;

…

"prime contractor", in relation to a multiple-employer workplace, means

(a) the directing contractor, employer or other person who enters into a written agreement with the owner of the workplace to be the prime contractor for the purposes of the OHS provisions, or

(b) if there is no written agreement referred to in paragraph (a), the owner of the workplace;

…

Section 24:

(1) The prime contractor of a multiple-employer workplace must

(a) ensure that the activities of employers, workers and other persons at the workplace relating to occupational health and safety are coordinated, and

(b) do everything that is reasonably practicable to establish and maintain a system or process that will ensure compliance with the OHS provisions and the regulations in respect of the workplace.

(2) Each employer of workers at a multiple-employer workplace must give to the prime contractor the name of the person the employer has designated to supervise the employer's workers at that workplace.

POLICY

For sake of clarity, the following apply in determining whether there is a "multiple-employer workplace" under section 24:

Two or more adjacent workplaces do not constitute a "multiple-employer workplace", even though the activities at one workplace might affect the health and safety of workers at an adjacent workplace.
It does not matter whether:
- workers of different employers are present at the same time working on different projects; or
- workers of different employers are present at the same time working on the same project.
In both cases, the workplace will generally be a "multiple-employer workplace"

In determining whether "workers of 2 or more employers are working at the same time", the phrase "at the same time" will be given such fair, large and liberal construction as may best attain the objectives of section 24. "At the same time" does not mean that, at any precise point in time, there are workers of 2 or more employers present in the workplace. Rather, it means that, over an appropriate interval, there are workers of 2 or more employers present in the workplace, whether or not the 2 or more groups of workers are actually present together in the workplace at any precise point in time at all. The duration of the interval of time to be considered will depend upon the circumstances of the individual workplace.
Whether the workers of the one employer come into actual contact with the workers of the other employer does not generally affect the determination of whether the workplace is a "multiple-employer workplace". An employer, the employer's workers and their activities could well affect the health and safety of another employer's workers who come into the workplace later in the day or on another day, even though there may be no actual contact between the two groups of workers.

However, the degree to which the activities of the first employer and its workers affect the health and safety of the second employer's workers will generally affect the determination of the responsibilities of the prime contractor and of the two employers under the OHS provisions of the Act and the OHS regulations.

Virtually all workplaces will be visited by workers of other employers. For example, workers may deliver or pick up mail, goods or materials or enter to inspect the premises. Short term visits of this type, even if regular, do not make the workplace a "multiple-employer workplace" as defined in section 13.

The written agreement referred to in the definition of "prime contractor" must be made available within a reasonable time if requested by a Board officer.

There can be only one "prime contractor" at a workplace at any point in time. If an owner enters into more than one agreement purporting to create a "prime contractor" for the same period of time, the owner is considered to be the prime contractor.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	October 1, 1999
AUTHORITY:	Sections 13 and 24 of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:	Item P2-23-1, General Duties - Supervisors; Item P2-25-1, General Duties - Owners; Item P2-27-1, General Duties - Directors and Officers of a Corporation; Item P2-29/30-1, General Duties - Overlapping Obligations, of the Prevention Manual.
HISTORY:	April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. September 15, 2010 - Housekeeping changes to delete practice reference and make formatting changes.
APPLICATION:

Policy Item P2-25-1
General Duties - Owners

BACKGROUND

1. Explanatory Notes
Section 25 of the Act sets out the general duties of owners under the OHS provisions of the Act. This policy clarifies when these duties apply, and which owner(s) will be responsible for compliance, in multiple owner situations.

2. The Act
Section 13, in part:

In the OHS provisions and the regulations under those provisions:

…

"owner" includes

(a) a trustee, receiver, mortgagee in possession, tenant, lessee, licensee or occupier of any lands or premises used or to be used as a workplace, and

(b) a person who acts for or on behalf of an owner as an agent or delegate;

…

Section 25:

Every owner of a workplace must

(a) provide and maintain the owner's land and premises that are being used as a workplace in a manner that ensures the health and safety of persons at or near the workplace,

(b) give to the employer or prime contractor at the workplace the information known to the owner that is necessary to identify and eliminate or control hazards to the health or safety of persons at the workplace, and

(c) comply with the OHS provisions, the regulations and any applicable orders.

POLICY

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that owners understand and fulfill their responsibilities under section 25 of the Act, especially in multiple owner situations.

The term "owner" is defined broadly under the Act to include several parties such as the person who holds the legal title to land or premises, a mortgagee in possession, a tenant, a lessee, a licensee, a trustee, and any other occupier of lands or premises used or to be used as a workplace.

Accordingly, more than one person may simultaneously meet the definition of the term "owner" in respect of a particular workplace. For example, both the entity that holds legal title to land and the entity that leases it for business purposes would qualify as owners under the Act. In such circumstances, referred to as multiple owner situations, all the owners of a particular workplace are responsible for fulfilling the duties set out in section 25 of the Act, the regulations, and any applicable orders, subject to the Limited Exemption under section 30 of the Act.

When the duties set out in section 25 of the Act have not been met by a party or parties, and the Limited Exemption does not apply, Board officers will determine which owner(s) should be held responsible for the violation. In making this determination, Board officers will consider who had or should have had knowledge of, and control over, the particular workplace. To assist in this consideration, a non-exhaustive list of factors is set out below. When these factors are present, an owner will likely be held responsible for or have to address an issue.

Category 1: Knowledge

1. The owner knew or should have known that:

(a) persons would be at or near the land and premises that were being used as a workplace, and

(b) the health and safety of such persons might be harmed by the condition or use of the workplace, and

Category 2: Control

2. The owner had some control or influence over the safety of the workplace in that the owner:

(a) could practicably have taken measures necessary to eliminate or reduce either:

(i) the risk of the potential harm, or

(ii) the extent of the potential harm,

to persons at or near the workplace; or

(b) possessed material information and either:

(i) failed to communicate all this information to the persons at or near the workplace and thus, prevented them from taking measures to protect themselves, or

(ii) communicated all this information to the persons at or near the workplace, but then unreasonably expected those persons to take the required precautions against a particular hazard.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	December 1, 2004
AUTHORITY:	Section 25 of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:	Sections 17 and 251 of the Act; Part 2, Divisions 4, 12, and 13 of the Act; Part 2, Divisions 4 and 12 of the Prevention Manual.
HISTORY:	April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. September 15, 2010 - Housekeeping changes to delete practice reference and make formatting changes. December 1, 2004 - Provisions of the Act with respect to multiple owner situations were clarified, and the list of factors which Board officers consider before holding an owner responsible for a compliance issue were rewritten in a more directive manner.
APPLICATION:	To all situations in which an owner has responsibilities under section 25 of the Act on or after December 1, 2004.

Policy Item P2-27-1
General Duties - Directors and Officers of a Corporation

BACKGROUND

1. Explanatory Notes

Section 27 sets out the duties of directors and officers of a corporation. The provision should be read in conjunction with Section 98(2).

2. The Act
Section 27:

Every director and every officer of a corporation must ensure that the corporation complies with the OHS provisions, the regulations and any applicable orders.

Section 98

(1) A person who contravenes an OHS provision, a provision of the regulations or an order commits an offence.

(2) If a corporation commits an offence referred to in subsection (1), an officer, director or agent of the corporation who authorizes, permits or acquiesces in the commission of the offence also commits an offence.

(3) Subsection (2) applies whether or not the corporation is prosecuted for the offence.

POLICY

The Board will not automatically issue an order to officers, directors or agents of a corporation each time an order is written to the corporation.

The Board will, however, issue orders to officers, directors or agents where there is evidence that they were responsible for the failure by the corporation. Being "responsible" includes authorizing, permitting or acquiescing in the failure.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	October 1, 1999
AUTHORITY:	Sections 27 and 98 of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:	Item P2-23-1, General Duties - Supervisors; Item P2-24-1, General Duties - Multiple-Employer Workplaces; Item P2-25-1, General Duties - Owners; P2-29/30-1, General Duties - Overlapping Obligations, of the Prevention Manual.
HISTORY:	April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. September 15, 2010 - Housekeeping changes to delete practice reference and make formatting changes.
APPLICATION:

Policy Item P2-29/30-1
General Duties - Overlapping Obligations

BACKGROUND

1. Explanatory Notes
Section 29 of the Act describes how persons may be subject to obligations in relation to more than one role. Section 30 of the Act explains what can happen when more than one person is responsible for fulfilling the same obligations. This policy provides guidance on when a party with obligations under the Act will be held responsible for a violation of these responsibilities despite the fact that one or more other parties share the same obligations.

2. The Act
Section 29:

(1) In this section, "function" means the function of employer, supplier, supervisor, owner, prime contractor or worker.

(2) If a person has 2 or more functions under the OHS provisions in respect of one workplace, the person must meet the obligations of each function.

Section 30:

(1) This section applies if one or more OHS provisions or provisions of the regulations impose the same obligation on more than one person.

(2) one of the persons subject to the obligation complies with the applicable provision, the other persons subject to the obligation are relieved of that obligation only during the time when

(a) simultaneous compliance by more than one person would result in unnecessary duplication of effort and expense, and

(b) the health and safety of persons at the workplace is not put at risk by compliance by only one person.

POLICY

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all of the duties under the Act are effectively fulfilled despite the fact that multiple parties may share the same responsibilities.

All parties with duties under the Act may be able to affect the health and safety of persons at or near a workplace. Any and all of these parties may be cited for violations of their statutory duties regardless of whether or not another person has fulfilled their statutory responsibilities.

Under section 30 of the Act, one person may be relieved of their obligations under the OHS provisions of the Act or the OHS regulations if:

another person who is subject to the same obligations complies with those obligations, and
simultaneous compliance by more than one person would result in unnecessary duplication of effort and expense, and
the health and safety of persons at the workplace would not be put at risk by the compliance of only one person.

The first requirement of this Limited Exemption means that persons who have the same duty under the Act or OHS regulations may agree amongst themselves as to who should perform it. The Board is neither bound by any agreements of this nature, nor by whether the terms of the agreement are complied with. The Board's primary concern is that the duty in question is fulfilled.

Further, even if the first requirement is satisfied, the Limited Exemption will only apply if the Board determines that the second and third requirements set out in section 30 are also satisfied. The third requirement of the Limited Exemption will not be met if performance of the occupational health and safety duty by one person leaves health and safety risks that would be eliminated by others performing their duty.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	December 1, 2004
AUTHORITY:	Sections 29 and 30 of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:	Sections 17 and 251 of the Act; Part 2, Divisions 4, 12, and 13 of the Act; Part 2, Divisions 4 and 12 of the Prevention Manual.
HISTORY:	March 1, 2023 - Changes made to modernize terminology by removing gendered language. April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. September 15, 2010 - Housekeeping changes to delete practice reference and make formatting changes. December 1, 2004 - Provisions of the Act with respect to overlapping obligations were clarified.
APPLICATION:	To all situations in which more than one party shares the same obligations under Part 3 of the Act or the regulations on or after December 1, 2004.

Policies Workers Compensation Act Part 2 Division 5 - Joint Committees and Worker Representatives

Policy Item P2-31-1
Joint Committees - When a Committee is Required

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes
Section 31 sets out the requirement for a joint committee in certain circumstances. Section 33 sets out membership requirements.

2. The Act
Section 31:

An employer must establish and maintain a joint health and safety committee

(a) in each workplace where 20 or more workers of the employer are regularly employed, and

(b) in any other workplace for which a joint committee is required by order.

Section 33:

A joint committee for a workplace must be established in accordance with the following:

(a) it must have at least 4 members or, if a greater number of members is required by regulation, that greater number;

(b) it must consist of worker representatives and employer representatives;

(c) at least half the members must be worker representatives;

(d) it must have 2 co-chairs, one selected by the worker representatives and the other selected by the employer representatives.

POLICY
A joint health and safety committee is an important prevention tool. People who work at a particular workplace and who are knowledgeable or trained in the operations of that workplace can make a positive contribution to preventing workplace injuries and illnesses.

Section 31 expands the requirement for joint committees significantly beyond what was required prior to the implementation of the Workers Compensation (Occupational Health and Safety) Amendment Act, 1998. In administering section 31, the Board will be mindful of the intent evidenced by this expansion.

(a) Section 31(a)
Section 31(a) requires a joint health and safety committee "in each workplace where 20 or more workers of the employer are regularly employed". A workplace will fall within the terms of this provision if the employer has 20 or more workers who have been employed at the workplace for a period of not less than one month.

All workers are considered for this purpose regardless of how the employer or workers may define their status.

The 20 or more workers must be at one workplace before a committee is required under section 31(a). The fact that the employer may have 20 or more workers spread over several workplaces is not sufficient. However, the Board may order that a committee be established in such a case if warranted under the criteria set out below.

(b) Section 31(b)
Before an officer may order the establishment of a committee under section 31(b), the officer must be satisfied that a committee is required to deal with common health and safety issues arising at the workplace. The officer must consider:

the nature of the hazards at the workplace;
the extent and effectiveness of the employer's occupational health and safety program;
the availability of alternative ways of dealing with the health and safety issues arising at the workplace;
whether a worker health and safety representative has been appointed;
the number of workers at the workplace; and
any other relevant circumstances.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	October 1, 1999
AUTHORITY:	Section 31 of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:	Item P2-45-1, Joint Committees - Worker Health and Safety Representative, of the Prevention Manual.
HISTORY:	April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. September 15, 2010 - Housekeeping changes to delete practice reference and make formatting changes.
APPLICATION:

Policy Item P2-38/39-1
Joint Committees - Procedures and Resolving Disagreements

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes
A number of provisions in Division 5 provide the Board with discretion to resolve various disagreements. These provisions include:

a dispute over the process for selecting worker representatives for the committee (s. 34);
a dispute over joint committee rules of procedure, including rules respecting how it is to perform its duties and functions (ss.38 and 39);
if a joint committee is unable to reach agreement on a matter relating to the health or safety of workers at the workplace (s.38);
if the employer does not accept the joint committee's recommendations with respect to a particular matter (s.39(3)); and
if the joint committee is not satisfied that the employer's explanation for a delay in responding to the committee's recommendations is reasonable in the circumstances (s.39(5) and (6)).

Policy is required as to when the Board will investigate a matter under these provisions.

2. The Act
Section 34:

(1) The worker representatives on a joint committee must be selected from workers at the workplace who do not exercise managerial functions at that workplace, as follows:

(a) if the workers are represented by one or more unions, the worker representatives are to be selected according to the procedures established or agreed on by the union or unions;

(b) if none of the workers are represented by a union, the worker representatives are to be elected by secret ballot;

(c) if some of the workers are represented by one or more unions and some are not represented by a union, the worker representatives are to be selected in accordance with paragraphs (a) and (b) in equitable proportion to their relative numbers and relative risks to health and safety;

(d) if the workers do not make their own selection after being given the opportunity under paragraphs (a) to (c), the employer must seek out and assign persons to act as worker representatives.

(2) The employer or a worker may request the Board to provide direction as to how an election under subsection (1)(b) is to be conducted.

(3) The employer, or a union or a worker at a workplace referred to in subsection (1) (c), may request the Board to provide direction as to how the requirements of that provision are to be applied in the workplace.

Section 37:

(1) Subject to the OHS provisions and the regulations, a joint committee must establish its own rules of procedure, including rules respecting how it is to perform its duties and functions.

(2) A joint committee must meet regularly at least once each month, unless another schedule is permitted or required by regulation or order.

Section 38:

(1) If a joint committee is unable to reach agreement on a matter relating to the health or safety of workers at the workplace, a co-chair of the committee may report this to the Board, which may investigate the matter and attempt to resolve the matter.

(2) If the Board considers that a joint committee is unable to reach agreement on a matter relating to the health or safety of workers at the workplace, the Board, on its own initiative, may investigate the matter and attempt to resolve the matter.

Section 39:

(1) This section applies if a joint committee sends a written recommendation to an employer with a written request for a response from the employer.

(2) Subject to subsections (4) and (5), the employer must respond in writing to the committee within 21 days of receiving the request, either

(a) indicating acceptance of the recommendation, or

(b) giving the employer's reasons for not accepting the recommendation.

(3) If the employer does not accept the committee's recommendations, a co-chair of the committee may report the matter to the Board, which may investigate and attempt to resolve the matter.

(4) If it is not reasonably possible to provide a response before the end of the 21-day period, the employer must provide within that time a written explanation for the delay, together with an indication of when the response will be provided.

(5) If the joint committee is not satisfied that the explanation provided under subsection (4) is reasonable in the circumstances, a co-chair of the committee may report this to the Board.

(6) On receiving a report under subsection (5), the Board may investigate the matter and may, by order, establish a deadline by which the employer must respond.

(7) Nothing in this section relieves an employer of the obligation to comply with the OHS provisions and the regulations.

POLICY
In determining whether to investigate matters in order to resolve disagreements under Division 5, the Board will consider:

the Board's statutory authority to investigate in the particular situation;
whether there is an immediate hazard that needs to be resolved;
whether the issue is significant in terms of preventing injuries and illnesses;
whether there is an alternative method for resolving the issue; and
whether the Board is likely to be able to resolve the issue.

Where the Board does investigate, the extent and nature of investigations will depend on the circumstances. Not all investigations will involve a visit to the workplace.

With regard to sections 38 and 39(3), the investigating officer will, where applicable, make relevant determinations as to whether the Act and regulations are being complied with or whether an unsafe situation exists. If the disagreement involves matters going beyond what is specifically required to comply with the regulations, the officer may discuss the issue with the parties and suggest options but will not decide the disagreement.

If the employer fails to make any response at all, or to meet a deadline set by the Board under section 39(6), the Board may order that a response be made under section 84 and/or take whatever other enforcement action may be appropriate.

Joint committees themselves have the authority to determine the constitution of the committee, to the extent that this is not covered by the Act or the regulations.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	October 1, 1999
AUTHORITY:	Sections 34, 37, 38, and 39 of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:	Item P2-40-1, Joint Committees - Time off Work; Item P2-41-1, Joint Committees - Educational Leave; Item P2-45-1, Joint Committees - Worker Health and Safety Representative, of the Prevention Manual.
HISTORY:	April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. January 1, 2016 - Housekeeping changes to Background Section to reflect amendments to the Act. September 15, 2010 - Housekeeping changes to delete practice reference and make formatting changes.
APPLICATION:

Policy Item P2-40-1
Joint Committees - Time Off Work

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes
Section 40 sets out the right of joint committee members to take time off from work for certain purposes and to be paid for that time.

2. The Act
Section 40:

(1) A member of a joint committee is entitled to time off from work for

(a) the time required to attend meetings of the committee, and

(b) other time that is reasonably necessary to prepare for meetings of the committee and to fulfill the other functions and duties of the committee.

(2) Time off under subsection (1) is deemed to be time worked for the employer, and the employer must pay the member for that time.

POLICY
Members of joint health and safety committees are entitled to take time off from work for the purposes set out in section 40. What constitutes "reasonably necessary" time in section 40(1)(b) will depend on the circumstances including:

the role of the member on the committee; and
the health and safety conditions at the workplace.

If the employer is concerned about the amount of time spent on committee activities, the employer should raise this issue with the committee through its representatives.

If a member of the committee considers that the employer is not allowing the member the time to which they are entitled under section 40, the member may, after raising the matter with the committee and the employer, complain to the Board. The Board will investigate the matter. Depending upon its findings, the Board may:

decide that no further action is appropriate;
attempt to resolve the dispute; or
make an order under section 84 requiring the employer to comply with section 40.

If the employer does not pay the worker's wages for time properly taken under section 40, a complaint can be made to the Board under section 49.

The employer has the right to manage the workplace and determine how much time workers spend on different activities. However, the employer's right is subject to the Act and the regulations. In dealing with matters covered by section 40, the employer must exercise the right in a manner consistent with the purpose and intent of section 40.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	October 1, 1999
AUTHORITY:	Section 40 of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:	Section 152 of the Act. Item P2-38/39-1, Joint Committees - Procedures and Resolving Disagreements; Item P2-47/48/49-1, Prohibited Actions/Failure to Pay Wages - Scope of the Prevention Manual.
HISTORY:	March 1, 2023 - Changes made to modernize terminology by removing gendered language. April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. September 15, 2010 - Housekeeping changes to delete practice reference and make formatting changes.
APPLICATION:

Policy Item P2-41-1
Joint Committees - Educational Leave

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes
Section 41 provides for educational leave for members of joint committees. Section 41(3) requires the employer to provide the leave without loss of pay or other benefits.

2. The Act
Section 41:

(1) Each member of a joint committee is entitled to an annual educational leave totalling 8 hours, or a longer period if prescribed by regulation, for the purposes of attending occupational health and safety training courses conducted by or with the approval of the Board.

(2) A member of the joint committee may designate another member as being entitled to take all or part of the member's educational leave.

(3) The employer must provide the educational leave under this section without loss of pay or other benefits and must pay for, or reimburse the worker for, the costs of the training course and the reasonable costs of attending the course.

POLICY
Members of joint health and safety committees are entitled to take time off from work to attend occupational health and safety training courses conducted by or with the approval of the Board.

Decisions as to when members will attend courses, what courses they will attend and at what time and place will normally be made as follows:

An individual member will bring their request to the committee.
If the committee agrees, the committee will forward the request to the employer.
If the committee does not agree, or is unable to come to a decision within a reasonable time, the individual member may forward the request to the employer.
Upon receiving a request from either the committee or the individual member, the employer will make its decision within a reasonable time. The employer will give reasons in writing where required by section 39. In making its decision, the employer must act in a manner consistent with the purpose and intent of section 41. Permission must not be unreasonably denied.

If a member of the committee considers that the employer is not allowing the member the leave to which they are entitled under section 41, the member may, after following the above process, complain to the Board. The Board will investigate the matter. Depending upon its findings, the Board may:

decide that no further action is appropriate;
attempt to resolve the dispute; or
make an order under section 84 requiring the employer to comply with section 41.

If the employer does not pay a worker's wages for leave taken under section 41, a complaint can be made to the Board under section 49.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	July 1, 2003
AUTHORITY:	Section 41 of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:	Section 49 of the Act; Item P2-38/39-1, Joint Committees - Procedures and Resolving Disagreements; Item P2-50-1, Prohibited Actions/Failure to Pay Wages; Item P2-84-1, OHS Compliance Orders, of the Prevention Manual.
HISTORY:	March 1, 2023 - Changes made to modernize terminology by removing gendered language. April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. September 15, 2010 - Housekeeping changes to delete practice reference and make formatting changes. July 1, 2003 - Subsequent minor change made to correct an error in statutory citation; then section 133(3) was removed and replaced with section 133. October 1, 1999 - Item developed to implement the Workers Compensation (Occupational Health and Safety) Act, 1998.
APPLICATION:

Policy Item P2-45-1
Joint Committees - Worker Health and Safety Representative

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes
Section 45 sets out the requirement for a worker health and safety representative in certain workplaces. With respect to section 45(4), the matters covered by sections 39 to 42 include:

time off work under section 40 that is "reasonably necessary" to fulfill the representative's duties and functions;
eight hours annual educational leave under section 41;
the obligation of the employer to respond to recommendations under section 39, and for the representative to apply to the Board if the employer delays the response or rejects the recommendation; and
the obligation of the employer to provide other administrative support, and information, under section 42.

2. The Act
Section 45:

(1) A worker health and safety representative is required

(a) in each workplace where there are more than 9 but fewer than 20 workers of the employer regularly employed, and

(b) in any other workplace for which a worker health and safety representative is required by order of the Board.

(2) The worker health and safety representative must be selected in accordance with section 34 [selection of worker representatives on joint committee] from among the workers at the workplace who do not exercise managerial functions at that workplace.

(3) To the extent practicable, a worker health and safety representative has the same duties and functions as a joint committee.

(4) Sections 39 to 42 [rules respecting joint committees] apply in relation to a worker health and safety representative as if the representative were a joint committee or member of a joint committee.

POLICY
A worker health and safety representative is required in each workplace where "there are more than 9 but fewer than 20 workers of the employer regularly employed". A workplace will fall within the terms of this provision if it normally has more than 9 but fewer than 20 workers who have been employed at the workplace for a period of not less than one month.

In deciding whether to order a worker health and safety representative under section 45(1)(b), the Board will follow the same criteria as when deciding whether to order a joint committee under section 31(b). Where the Board orders a joint committee under section 31(b), a worker health and safety representative under section 45(1)(a) is not required.

In interpreting section 45(4), the right to take time off work to attend and prepare for joint committee meetings under section 40 does not apply to a sole worker health and safety representative.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	October 1, 1999
AUTHORITY:	Section 45 of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:	Section 31(b) of the Act; Item P2-31-1, Joint Committees - When a Committee is Required, of the Prevention Manual.
HISTORY:	April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. September 15, 2010 - Housekeeping changes to delete practice reference and make formatting changes.
APPLICATION:

Policy Item P2-46-1
Joint Committees - Participation of Worker Representative in Inspections

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes
These sections provide for the participation of a worker member from the joint committee, the worker health and safety representative or another worker representative on inspections.

2. The Act

Section 13, in part:

In the OHS provisions and the regulations under those provisions:

…

"worker representative" means

(a) in relation to a workplace for which there is a joint committee, a worker representative on the committee, and

(b) in relation to a workplace for which there is a worker health and safety representative, that representative;

…

Section 46:

(1) This section applies if

(a) the OHS provisions or the regulations give a worker representative the right to be present for an inspection, investigation or inquiry at a workplace, and

(b) no worker representative is reasonably available.

(2) The right to be present may be exercised by another worker who has previously been designated as an alternate by the worker representative.

Section 78(1):

(1) Subject to this section, if an officer makes a physical inspection of a workplace under section 75, the following are entitled to accompany the officer on the inspection:

(a) the employer or a representative of the employer;

(b) a worker representative or, if there is no worker representative or the worker representative is not reasonably available, a reasonably available worker selected by the officer as a representative.

POLICY
There is no POLICY for this Item.

PRACTICE
The Board will only exercise the authority under section 78 to select a worker representative if the actual worker representative fails to designate an alternate under section 46 or if the designated alternative is not available.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	October 1, 1999
AUTHORITY:	Sections 46 and 78 of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:
HISTORY:	April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. September 15, 2010 - Housekeeping changes to delete practice reference and make formatting changes.
APPLICATION:

Policies Workers Compensation Act Part 2 Division 6 - Worker Protection in Relation to Prohibited Actions

Policy Item P2-47/48/49-1
Prohibited Actions/Failure to Pay Wages - Scope

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes
Workers have a right to complain to the Board regarding:

"prohibited action" by their employer or union; or
the failure by their employer to pay wages required by the OHS provisions of the Act or the regulations made under the OHS provisions of the Act.

"Prohibited action" includes any act or omission by an employer or union, or a person acting on behalf of an employer or union, that adversely affects a worker with respect to any term or condition of employment, or of membership in a union.

The Act defines "prohibited action" by including within it certain matters. The phrase could also include other matters a worker might consider "prohibited". However, the Act only provides rights for a worker when the "prohibited action" relates to the matters outlined in section 48.

Section 49 describes how a worker, who considers that the worker's employer or union has taken, or threatened to take, prohibited action against the worker or has failed to pay the wages required by the OHS provisions of the Act or the OHS regulations, may make a complaint to the Board. It includes the time limits within which the complaint must be made.

2. The Act
Section 47:

(1) For the purposes of this Division, "prohibited action" includes any act or omission by an employer or union, or by a person acting on behalf of an employer or union, that adversely affects a worker with respect to

(a) any term or condition of employment, or

(b) any term or condition of membership in a union.

(2) Without restricting subsection (1), prohibited action includes any of the following:

(a) suspension, lay-off or dismissal;

(b) demotion or loss of opportunity for promotion;

(c) transfer of duties, change of location of workplace, reduction in wages or change in working hours;

(d) coercion or intimidation;

(e) imposition of any discipline, reprimand or other penalty;

(f) the discontinuation or elimination of the job of the worker.

Section 48:

An employer or union, or a person acting on behalf of an employer or union, must not take or threaten a prohibited action against a worker

(a) for exercising any right or carrying out any duty in accordance with the OHS provisions, the regulations or an applicable order,

(b) for the reason that the worker has testified or is about to testify in any matter, inquiry or proceeding under this Act or the Coroners Act on an issue related to occupational health and safety or occupational environment, or

(c) for the reason that the worker has given any information regarding conditions affecting the occupational health or safety or occupational environment of that worker or any other worker to

(i) an employer or person acting on behalf of an employer,

(ii) another worker or a union representing a worker, or

(iii) an officer or any other person concerned with the administration of the OHS provisions.

Section 49:

(1) This section applies to a worker who considers that

(a) an employer or union, or a person acting on behalf of an employer or union, has taken or threatened to take prohibited action against the worker contrary to section 48, or

(b) an employer has failed to pay wages to the worker as required by the OHS provisions or the regulations.

(2) The worker may have a matter referred to in subsection (1) dealt with through the grievance procedure under a collective agreement, if any, or by complaint in accordance with this Division.

(3) A complaint under subsection (2) must be made in writing to the Board,

(a) in the case of a complaint referred to in subsection (1)(a), within one year of the action considered to be prohibited, and

(b) in the case of a complaint referred to in subsection (1) (b), within 60 days after the wages became payable.

(4) In relation to a matter referred to in subsection (1), whether dealt with under a collective agreement or by complaint to the Board, the burden of proving that there has been no such contravention is on the employer or the union, as applicable.

POLICY
Section 49 applies to a failure of the employer to pay wages to the worker as required by the OHS provisions of the Act.

Some sections do not use the term "wages", but require the worker to be paid for lost time, notably:

40(2) (time off work by members of joint committees);
41(3) (educational leave for committee members - section 49 only applies to the payment of wages, not other costs such as travel expenses);
78(4) (worker accompanying inspection); and
93(1) (lay off resulting from stop work order).

As the payments under these sections are in substances "wages", a failure to pay them may be remedied by a complaint under section 49.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	July 1, 2003
AUTHORITY:	Sections 47, 48, and 49 of the Act
CROSS REFERENCES:
HISTORY:	April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. September 15, 2010 - Housekeeping changes to delete practice reference and make formatting changes. July 1, 2003 - Minor changes made to strike out references to then sections 147 and 148, as these sections were never proclaimed into effect. October 1, 1999 - Item developed to implement the Workers Compensation (Occupational Health and Safety) Act, 1998.
APPLICATION:

Policy Item P2-50-1
Prohibited Actions/Failure to Pay Wages - Investigation of Complaint

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes
Upon receipt of a complaint, the Board must immediately inquire into the matter.

In dealing with a matter regarding prohibited action, the burden of proving there has been no such contravention is on the employer or the union, as applicable.

2. The Act
Section 50(1):

If the Board receives a complaint under section 49(3), it must immediately inquire into the matter and, if the complaint is not settled or withdrawn, must

(a) determine whether the alleged contravention occurred, and

(b) deliver a written statement of the Board's determination to the worker and to the employer or union, as applicable.

POLICY
When the Board receives a complaint from a worker within the time frame allowed by section 49(3), the Board will, where further information is needed, carry out an initial inquiry to establish the basic facts alleged by the worker and to determine whether, if accurate, they fall within the terms of section 49. Inquiry will also be made as to what remedy the worker is seeking.

Copies of documents supplied by the worker, as well as the results of any Board inquiry, will be provided to the employer or union against whom the complaint is made. The employer or union will then be given time to meet its onus under section 49(4) of proving that no contravention of the Act or regulations took place and to comment on the remedy proposed by the worker. The worker will be provided with a copy of the Board's investigation as well as any response to the complaint by the employer or union, and given an opportunity to respond.

Further inquiries by the Board may then be made, as well as exchanges of submissions and information that may be required by the rules of natural justice. An oral hearing is not required, but may be held if the Board considers it necessary to properly decide a complaint.

The worker may withdraw a complaint at any time, settle the dispute privately with the employer or union, or pursue alternative remedies under a collective agreement.

The worker cannot pursue both a grievance under a collective agreement and a complaint to the Board regarding the same alleged prohibited action or failure to pay wages. The worker is required to elect between the two processes.

If the worker elects to pursue a grievance under a collective agreement, but the union decides not to pursue the grievance, the worker may revoke their election within 30 days of the union's decision and pursue a complaint to the Board. The complaint must, however, still be made within one year of the action considered to be prohibited or within 60 days after the wages became payable.

PRACTICE
The Board will consider granting an oral hearing when:

there is a significant issue of credibility;
there is evidence that must be presented orally;
the decision to be reviewed raises an issue of general significance; or
there are other grounds for having an oral hearing.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	October 1, 1999
AUTHORITY:	Section 50(1) of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:
HISTORY:	March 1, 2023 - Changes made to modernize terminology by removing gendered language. April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. September 15, 2010 - Housekeeping changes to replace a reference to reviewing officer with the Board and make formatting changes.
APPLICATION:

Policy Item P2-50-2
Prohibited Actions/Failure to Pay Wages - Remedies

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes
Section 50(2) sets out the remedies that the Board may order if the Board, after investigation, determines that there has been prohibited action or a failure to pay wages.

2. The Act
Section 50(2):

If the Board determines that the contravention occurred, the Board may make an order requiring one or more of the following:

(a) that the employer or union cease the prohibited action;

(b) that the employer reinstate the worker to that worker's former employment under the same terms and conditions under which that worker was formerly employed;

(c) that the employer pay, by a specified date, the wages required to be paid by the OHS provisions or the regulations;

(d) that the union reinstate the membership of the worker in the union;

(e) that any reprimand or other references to the matter in the employer's or union's records on the worker be removed;

(f) that the employer or the union pay the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the worker by reason of the prohibited action;

(g) that the employer or the union do any other thing that the Board considers necessary to secure compliance with the OHS provisions and the regulations.

POLICY
(a) Object of awarding remedies
The Board's object in exercising these powers is, as far as is practicable, to put the worker in the same position as the worker would have been if the prohibited action or the failure to pay wages had not occurred. This may involve measuring not only the worker's actual loss, but determining whether there were any measures the worker could have reasonably taken to reduce or eliminate that loss.

(b) Factors considered in awarding remedies
The factors considered in determining the worker's loss include:

whether the worker has tried to eliminate or reduce the loss and, if the worker has not done so, whether it would have been reasonable for the worker to have tried;
any collateral benefits the worker has received from the employer (collateral benefits from a source other than the employer, such as employment insurance and private insurance benefits, are not to be considered); and
other circumstances affecting the worker's loss that arise independently of the worker's conduct after the prohibited action or failure to pay wages has occurred, for example, the closure of the place of employment.

(c) Explanation of Specific Remedies
Reinstatement to employment
The Board may order reinstatement to employment retroactive to when the prohibited action occurred.

Payment of wages
The Board may make orders with respect to payment of wages in a variety of circumstances. These include:

an order for reinstatement that requires the employer to pay back wages, reinstate benefits retroactively and perform other incidental acts. The authority to do this is found in section 50(2)(b);
an order that requires the employer to pay, by a specified date, the wages required to be paid under the OHS provisions of the Act or the OHS regulations. The authority to do this is found in section 50(2)(c); and
an order that requires an employer to reimburse the loss of pay where the prohibited action involved the employer reducing the worker's pay. The authority to do this is found in section 50(2)(g).

The wages, salaries and other employment benefits covered by these provisions are those falling within the definition of "wages" in the Employment Standards Act. This definition does not include every payment or benefit that workers receive as a result of their employment.

Expenses
The Board has discretion to order the employer or union to pay reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the worker by reason of the prohibited action.

Since the Board carries out the initial inquiry that is necessary to establish the basic facts of the worker's complaint, the worker does not need to incur costs in making a complaint. If the worker feels that a particular inquiry is needed, they can request the Board to do this.

The employer or union will meet their own costs of proving that no contravention of the Act took place and responding to any material supplied by the Board or arising out of the Board's inquiry.

Where a complaint is upheld, the Board will not normally make orders that the employer or union pay legal or other costs incurred by the worker in order to pursue the complaint. Similarly, where the complaint is not upheld, the Board will not normally order the worker to pay the legal and other costs of the employer or union. Such orders may be made under section 343 of the Act in exceptional situations. These include where there has been flagrant abuse by the employer, worker or union of their rights and responsibilities under the Act and regulations.

(d) Other action by the employer or union
The Board's authority to award remedies under section 50(2) extends only to prohibited action or failure to pay wages as defined by Division 6. It does not apply to other actions that may be taken by an employer or union.

(e) Other action by the Board
These remedies only apply when there has been a formal written complaint by the worker.

However, the Board may use its other enforcement powers, including an administrative penalty under section 95, to address prohibited actions or failures to pay wages, whether there has been a formal written complaint or not.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	October 1, 1999
AUTHORITY:	Section 50(2) of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:	Sections 13 [definition of "wages"] and 343 of the Act.
HISTORY:	March 1, 2023 - Changes made to modernize terminology by removing gendered language. April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. September 15, 2010 - Housekeeping changes to delete practice reference and make formatting changes.
APPLICATION:

Policies Workers Compensation Act Part 2 Division 8.1 - Licensing in Relation to Asbestos Abatement

Policy Item P2-59.03-1
Asbestos Abatement Licensing

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes
This policy supports the framework for asbestos abatement licensing.

2. The Act

Section 1, in part:

"asbestos abatement contractor" means an employer

(a) who carries on the business of asbestos abatement work, or

(b) who, on behalf of another person, carries out asbestos abatement work in the course of carrying on another industry of the employer

…

"asbestos abatement work" means any of the following activities carried out for the purpose of the abatement of asbestos in relation to a building or in relation to any other thing or place prescribed by regulation of the Lieutenant Governor in Council:

(a) identifying material that is or may be asbestos-containing material;

(b) collecting samples of material that is or may be asbestos-containing material;

(c) assessing the risk posed by material that is or may be asbestos-containing material;

(d) assessing the risk posed by working with or near material that is or may be asbestos-containing material;

(e) removing, repairing or transporting, or disposing of, material that is or may be asbestos-containing material;

(f) any activity prescribed by regulation of the Lieutenant Governor in Council;

(g) planning how an activity referred to in any of paragraphs (a) to (f) is to be carried out;

(h) supervising an activity referred to in any of paragraphs (a) to (f);

…

"asbestos-containing material" means asbestos-containing material as defined by regulation of the Board [section 6.1 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (OHSR)].

…

Section 59.02:

(1) In this Division, "independent asbestos abatement operator" means an independent operator

(a) who is neither an employer nor a worker, and

(b) who

(i) carries on the business of asbestos abatement work, or

(ii) carries out asbestos abatement work, on behalf of another person, in the course of carrying on another industry of the independent operator.

(2) For certainty, the definition of "independent asbestos abatement operator" in subsection (1) includes an independent operator to whom the compensation provisions are made, under section 4(2)(a) [general application of compensation provisions], to apply.

…

Section 59.03, in part:

An asbestos abatement contractor must not carry out or offer to carry out asbestos abatement work unless the asbestos abatement contractor

(a) holds a valid licence

…

Section 59.05, in part:

(1) On application in accordance with section 59.04, the Board may issue a licence authorizing a person to offer to carry out, and carry out, asbestos abatement work.

(2) It is a condition of a licence issued under subsection (1) that the licensee may not employ a worker, other than a worker who is certified under section 59.01 [certification and training related to asbestos abatement], for the purposes of carrying out asbestos abatement work.

(3) A licence issued under subsection (1)

(a) may have a term of up to 3 years,

…

(c) is not transferable.

(4) The Board may impose on a specific licence issued under subsection (1) any terms or conditions the Board considers appropriate in the circumstances.

(5) The Board may vary or rescind a term or condition imposed under subsection (4).

…

The remaining provisions of the Act are too extensive to quote in this Item. Readers are referred to Division 8.1 [Licensing in Relation to Asbestos Abatement] of Part 2, and sections 1, 75, 78, 109, 268, 269, and 288 of the Workers Compensation Act.

POLICY

1. GENERAL

The Act establishes the asbestos abatement licensing framework. The Board has responsibility for implementing and overseeing asbestos abatement licensing, and has the authority to ensure compliance with licensing requirements. The Board also has responsibility for establishing and maintaining a public registry of licensees.

A licence is subject to terms and conditions. The Board has the authority to impose additional terms or conditions to a specific licence and vary or rescind those terms or conditions.

2. LICENSING

(a) Scope of Licensing

What is asbestos abatement work?

Asbestos abatement work is defined in the Act and includes a list of activities, which if carried out for the purpose of abating asbestos in relation to a building, would constitute asbestos abatement work. The list includes activities such as:

identifying, collecting samples of, or assessing the risk posed by material that is or may be asbestos-containing material;
assessing the risk posed by working with or near material that is or may be asbestos-containing material;
removing, repairing, transporting, or disposing of material that is or may be asbestos-containing material; or
planning or supervising any of the above activities.

Who requires a licence?

Effective January 1, 2024, as set out in section 59.03 of the Act, an asbestos abatement contractor must have a licence to perform asbestos abatement work in British Columbia. An asbestos abatement contractor is an employer who performs asbestos abatement work as a service for another person, whether as their core business operations or in addition to their core business operations.

These employers are required to ensure all persons performing asbestos abatement work at their workplace hold a valid asbestos certificate.

Who is not required to have a licence?

An employer who may come into contact with asbestos-containing material during the course of their work, but is not performing work for the purpose of abating asbestos, does not require a licence.

An employer who conducts work involving asbestos-containing material not in relation to a building does not require a licence.

An employer who performs asbestos abatement work exclusively for themselves, and does not provide that service to another person, does not fall under the definition of asbestos abatement contractor, and is not required to obtain a licence. However, in this circumstance, all persons conducting asbestos abatement work for that employer are still required to hold a valid asbestos certificate.

Employers will continue to be responsible for the health and safety of their workers through the applicable provisions of the Act and OHSR.

Independent operators

Obtaining a licence is optional for an independent asbestos abatement operator. An independent operator who hires a worker to perform asbestos abatement work becomes an employer and would require a licence.

(b) Application

An applicant must complete and submit an application for a licence on the form provided by the Board. An incomplete or illegible application will not be accepted.

Whether initially or upon renewal, an applicant is required to:

meet the statutory definition of asbestos abatement contractor or independent asbestos abatement operator;
be at least 18 years of age [s. 45.26(b) of the Employment Standards Regulation];
provide full and accurate information to the Board; and
agree to the terms and conditions of a licence.

The Board may establish a minimum fee for an initial or subsequent licence application.

(c) Issuing or Refusing to Issue a Licence

The Board has the authority to issue or refuse to issue a licence.

As set out in section 59.06 of the Act, the Board may refuse to issue a licence if it is satisfied that:

the applicant has provided false or misleading information on the application for the licence; or
the applicant or a person who is associated with the applicant has:
- failed to meet or comply with a requirement under the Act or OHSR (as outlined in Section (f) below), or with a term or condition of another licence issued;
- been refused a licence or similar authorization in relation to asbestos abatement in BC or another jurisdiction;
- held a licence or similar authorization in relation to asbestos abatement in BC or another jurisdiction that has been suspended or cancelled; or
- been subject, in BC or another jurisdiction, to a penalty for contravening the law, which calls into question the applicant or person's honesty or integrity.

Generally, once issued, a licence is valid for one year or a period of time determined by the Board.

A licensee must not transfer a licence.

(d) Renewing a Licence

A licensee is required to renew their licence prior to the date of expiry. The renewal process is determined by the Board.

An application to renew a licence will be subject to Sections (b) and (c) above. The Board will also consider whether the applicant has complied with any terms or conditions imposed at the time the licence was issued or subsequently.

(e) Suspending or Canceling a Licence

The Board has the authority to suspend or cancel a licence.

The Board may suspend or cancel a licence in circumstances set out in section 59.07 of the Act including:

failure to meet or comply with a requirement under the Act or OHSR (as outlined in Section (f) below);
failure to meet or comply with a term or condition of the licence; or
failure to meet or comply with a term or condition of another licence or having held another licence that has been suspended or cancelled, whether in BC or another jurisdiction.

The Board may also suspend or cancel a licence on the request of the licensee.

If the Board suspends a licence, the rights and privileges conferred by the licence are suspended for a period of time as determined by the Board. If the Board cancels a licence, those rights and privileges are terminated.

Cancellation of a licence does not need to be preceded by a suspension.

(f) Making a Licensing Decision

For the purposes of determining whether to issue, renew, suspend, or cancel a licence, the Board will consider whether there has been a contravention which places workers and others at potential or actual risk of serious injury, illness, or death. This may include whether the violation is high risk and the magnitude of that risk.

The Board may also consider whether there has been a pattern or history of contraventions demonstrating a serious disregard for compliance with the Act or OHSR.

Contraventions the Board will consider include, but are not limited to:

conducting asbestos abatement work with workers who do not hold a valid asbestos abatement certificate;
conducting asbestos abatement work without a valid licence;
violation of section 73 of the Act (claim suppression);
violation of section 79 of the Act (obstruction);
violation of a stop work, stop use, or stop operations order or injunction;
conviction by a court of a violation of the Act or OHSR; or
having amounts owing to the Board.

This section may also apply when the Board determines whether to impose, vary, or rescind a term or condition on a specific licence.

(g) Changing a Licensing Decision

The Board will, as soon as practicable, provide a written decision to an applicant or licensee relating to the terms and conditions of licensing, refusal, cancellation, or suspension of a licence. Reasons for the decision will be provided.

Section 20 of the Act sets out the Board's authority to change a previous decision made under the OHS provisions of the Act. Under the conditions outlined in that section, the Board may at any time, on its own initiative, make a new licensing decision, or vary or cancel a previous licensing decision.

An asbestos abatement contractor or independent asbestos abatement operator may request a review of a decision relating to the imposition or variation of a term or condition of a licence, a refusal to issue a licence, or a suspension or cancellation of a licence.

A decision respecting a licence made by a review officer may not be appealed to the Workers' Compensation Appeal Tribunal.

3. REGISTRY

Effective January 1, 2024, as set out in section 59.09 of the Act, the Board has an obligation to maintain a public registry about each person who is or was a licensee. The purpose of the registry is to ensure owners, prime contractors, workers, and the general public are aware of who is licensed and authorized to perform asbestos abatement work.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	September 1, 2023
AUTHORITY:	Sections 1, 20, 73, 75, 78, 79, 109, 268, 269, 288, and Division 8.1 of Part 2 of the Act
CROSS REFERENCES:	Parts 5, 6, and 20 of the OHSR.
HISTORY:	September 1, 2023 - This Item was developed to implement Bill 5 – 2022: Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 2022 (Bill 5). The Bill 5 provisions establishing the licensing framework, related to WorkSafeBC's authority to accept licence applications and make licensing decisions, are effective September 1, 2023. The Bill 5 provisions regarding the requirement for an asbestos abatement contractor to hold a valid licence in order to conduct asbestos abatement work (section 59.03) and WorkSafeBC's obligation to establish and maintain a public registry of licensees (section 59.09) are effective January 1, 2024. The requirements in Part 6 of the OHSR regarding asbestos certification and licensing are also effective January 1, 2024.
APPLICATION:	This policy applies to all decisions made on or after September 1, 2023.

Policies Workers Compensation Act Part 2 Division 9 - Variance Orders

Policy Item P2-62-1
Variance Orders - Information Required

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes
Section 62 sets out the information to be provided by an applicant for a variance. Section 62(3) requires the applicant to provide the technical and other information required by the Board.

2. The Act
Section 62:

(1) Subject to the regulations and subsection (2), an application for a variance must be made in writing to the Board and must include

(a) a description of the requested variance,

(b) a statement of why the variance is requested, and

(c) information with respect to the benefits and drawbacks in relation to the matters addressed by the regulation that might reasonably be anticipated if the variance is allowed.

(2) In the case of an application by a single worker for a variance order that would apply only to that worker, an application may be made as permitted by the Board.

(3) The applicant must also provide the Board with the technical and any other information required by the Board to deal with the application.

POLICY
In the case of an application under section 62(1), the "other information" required by the Board from an employer under section 62(3) will generally include:

the location of the workplace;
the type and nature of the work process;
the regulation(s) proposed for modification;
a description of the proposed procedure or practice that would provide an equivalent level of health and safety to that provided for by the regulation(s);
how workers will be trained and supervised; and
confirmation that:
- the variance application has been posted at the workplace, and a copy has been provided to the joint health and safety committee or the worker health and safety representative and to the union, if the workers at the workplace are represented by the union, or
- if the workplace is not yet in existence, notice has been published where it would reasonably be expected to come to the attention of persons who may be affected.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	April 1, 2002
AUTHORITY:	Section 62 of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:
HISTORY:	April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. September 15, 2010 - Housekeeping changes to delete practice reference and make formatting changes. Replaces part of Policy No. 1.2.5 of the Prevention Division Policy and Procedure Manual.
APPLICATION:	This Item results from the 2000/2001/2002 "editorial" consolidation of all Prevention policies into the Prevention Manual. The POLICY in this Item merely continues the substantive requirements of Policy No. 1.2.5, as they existed prior to the Effective Date, with any wording changes necessary to reflect legislative and regulatory changes since Policy No. 1.2.5 was issued.

Policy Item P2-64-1
Variance Orders - Consultation on Application

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes
Section 64 requires the Board to give notice of an application for a variance and conduct the consultations on the application that the Board considers advisable.

2. The Act
Section 64:

(1) After receiving an application for variance, the Board may give notice of the application and conduct consultations respecting that application as the Board considers advisable.

(2) Before making a decision on an application, the Board must provide an opportunity for persons who may be affected by the requested variance to submit to the Board information respecting their position on the requested variance.

(3) A union representing workers who may be affected by the requested variance is considered a person who may be affected for the purposes of subsection (2).

POLICY
The persons whom the Board will notify and consult respecting the application for a variance include:

the chairs of the joint health and safety committee or worker health and safety representative;
the union, if workers in the workplace are represented by the union; and
if there is no committee, worker health and safety representative or union at the workplace, a worker representative, if practicable.

The persons notified will be asked for comments, invited to participate in any hearing or other proceedings that may be held on the application, and advised of the decision.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	April 1, 2002
AUTHORITY:	Section 64 of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:
HISTORY:	April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. September 15, 2010 - Housekeeping changes to delete practice reference and make formatting changes. Replaces part of Policy No. 1.2.5 of the Prevention Division Policy and Procedure Manual.
APPLICATION:	This Item results from the 2000/2001/2002 "editorial" consolidation of all Prevention policies into the Prevention Manual. The POLICY in this Item merely continues the substantive requirements of Policy No. 1.2.5, as they existed prior to the Effective Date, with any wording changes necessary to reflect legislative and regulatory changes since Policy No. 1.2.5 was issued.

Policies Workers Compensation Act Part 2 Division 10 - Employer Accident Reporting and Investigation

Policy Item P2-68-1
Major Release of Hazardous Substance

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes

Section 68(1) sets out the situations where the employer must immediately notify the Board of the occurrence of any accident.

2. The Act

Section 68(1):

An employer must immediately notify the Board of the occurrence of any accident that

(a) resulted in serious injury to or the death of a worker,

(b) involved a major structural failure or collapse of a building, bridge, tower, crane, hoist, temporary construction support system or excavation,

(c) involved the major release of a hazardous substance,

(d) involved a fire or explosion that had a potential for causing serious injury to a worker, or

(e) was an incident required by regulation to be reported.

POLICY
Section 68(1)(c) requires the employer to notify the Board of any accident that involved the major release of a hazardous substance.

A major release does not only mean a considerable quantity, or the peculiar nature of the release, such as a gas or volatile liquid, but, more importantly, the seriousness of the risk to the health of workers. Factors that determine the seriousness of the risk include the degree of preparedness of the employer to respond to the release, the necessity of working in close proximity to the release, the atmospheric conditions at the time of the release and the nature of the substance.

As a general guideline, a report would be expected when:

The incident resulted in an injury that required immediate medical attention beyond the level of service provided by a first aid attendant, or injuries to several workers that require first aid.
The incident resulted in a situation of continuing danger to workers, such as when the release of a chemical cannot be readily or quickly cleaned up.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	April 1, 2001
AUTHORITY:	Section 68(1) of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:
HISTORY:	April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. January 1, 2016 - Housekeeping change to Background section to reflect amendments to the Act. September 15, 2010 - Housekeeping changes to delete practice reference and make formatting changes. Replaces Policy No. 6.02(c) of the Prevention Division Policy and Procedure Manual.
APPLICATION:	This Item results from the 2000/2001 "editorial" consolidation of all prevention policies into the Prevention Manual. The POLICY in this Item merely continues the substantive requirements of Policy No. 6.02(c), as they existed prior to the Effective Date, with any wording changes necessary to reflect legislative and regulatory changes since Policy No. 6.02(c) was issued.

Policy Item: P2-71-1
Preliminary Incident Investigation, Report and Follow-Up Action

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes

Section 71 of the Act sets out the requirements for an employer to conduct a preliminary investigation of a section 69 incident within 48 hours of the incident. Depending on the complexity of the investigation, it may be possible for an employer to complete its section 72 full investigation obligations within 48 hours of the incident. Direction on these situations is set out in Item P2-72-1.

Section 70 of the Act sets out how worker and employer representatives may participate in investigations.

Note: In some cases, the OHSR provides specific and exclusive direction to investigate and report accidents or incidents in accordance with Part 3 of the OHSR.

2. The Act

Section 33, in part:

A joint committee for a workplace must be established in accordance with the following:

…

(b) it must consist of worker representatives and employer representatives;

…

Section 36, in part:

A joint committee has the following duties and functions in relation to its workplace:

…

(h) to ensure that accident investigations and regular inspections are carried out as required by the OHS provisions and the regulations;

(i) to participate in inspections, investigations and inquiries as provided in the OHS provisions and the regulations;

…

Section 68:

(1) An employer must immediately notify the Board of the occurrence of any accident that

(a) resulted in serious injury to or the death of a worker,

(b) involved a major structural failure or collapse of a building, bridge, tower, crane, hoist, temporary construction support system or excavation,

(c) involved the major release of a hazardous substance, or

(d) involved a fire or explosion that had a potential for causing serious injury to a worker, or

(e) was an incident required by regulation to be reported.

(2) Except as otherwise directed by an officer of the Board or a peace officer, a person must not disturb the scene of an accident that is reportable under subsection (1) except so far as is necessary to

(a) attend to persons injured or killed,

(b) prevent further injuries or death, or

(c) protect property that is endangered as a result of the accident.

Section 69, Act:

(1) An employer must conduct a preliminary investigation under section 71 and a full investigation under section 72 respecting any accident or other incident that

(a) is required to be reported under section 68,

(b) resulted in injury to a worker requiring medical treatment,

(c) did not involve injury to a worker, or involved only minor injury not requiring medical treatment, but had a potential for causing serious injury to a worker, or

(d) was an incident required by regulation to be investigated.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in the case of a vehicle accident occurring on a public street or highway.

Section 70:

(1) An investigation required under this Division must be carried out by persons knowledgeable about the type of work involved and, if they are reasonably available, with the participation of the employer or a representative of the employer and a worker representative.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the participation of the employer or a representative of the employer and a worker representative includes, but is not limited to, the following activities:

(a) viewing the scene of the incident with the persons carrying out the investigation;

(b) providing advice to the persons carrying out the investigation respecting the methods used to carry out the investigation, the scope of the investigation, or any other aspect of the investigation;

(c) other activities, as prescribed by the Board.

…

(3) The employer must make every reasonable effort to have available for interview by a person conducting the investigation, or by an officer, all witnesses to the incident and any other persons whose presence might be necessary for a proper investigation of the incident.

(4) The employer must record the names, addresses and telephone numbers of persons referred to in subsection (3).

Section 71:

(1) An employer must, immediately after the occurrence of an incident described in section 69, undertake a preliminary investigation to, as far as possible,

(a) identify any unsafe conditions, acts or procedures that significantly contributed to the incident, and

(b) if unsafe conditions, acts or procedures are identified under paragraph (a) of this subsection, determine the corrective action necessary to prevent, during a full investigation under section 72, the recurrence of similar incidents.

(2) The employer must ensure that a report of the preliminary investigation is

(a) prepared in accordance with the policies of the board of directors,

(b) completed within 48 hours of the occurrence of the incident,

(c) provided to the Board on request of the Board, and

(d) as soon as practicable after the report is completed, either

(i) provided to the joint committee or worker health and safety representative, as applicable, or

(ii) if there is no joint committee or worker health and safety representative, posted at the workplace.

(3) Following the preliminary investigation, the employer must, without undue delay, undertake any corrective action determined to be necessary under subsection (1)(b).

(4) If the employer takes corrective action under subsection (3), the employer, as soon as practicable, must

(a) prepare a report of the action taken, and

(b) either

(i) provide the report to the joint committee or worker health and safety representative, as applicable, or

(ii) if there is no joint committee or worker health and safety representative, post the report at the workplace.

3. Interpretation Act

Section 25.5:

…

(1) If a day that is specified for doing an act falls on a holiday, the day falls on the next day that is not a holiday.

(2) If a day that is specified for doing an act in a business office falls on a day on which the office is not open during regular business hours, the day falls on the next day the office is open during its regular business hours.

Section 29, in part:

In an enactment:

…

"holiday" includes

(a) Sunday, Christmas Day, Good Friday and Easter Monday,

(b) Canada Day, Victoria Day, British Columbia Day, Labour Day, Remembrance Day, Family Day and New Year's Day,

(c) December 26, and

(d) a day set by the Parliament of Canada or by the Legislature, or appointed by proclamation of the Governor General or the Lieutenant Governor, to be observed as a day of general prayer or mourning, a day of public rejoicing or thanksgiving, a day for celebrating the birthday of the reigning Sovereign, or as a public holiday;

…

POLICY
1. Investigation Participants

Section 70 requires a preliminary investigation to be carried out by persons knowledgeable about the type of work involved. It also requires the participation of the employer or employer representative, and a worker representative, if they are reasonably available.

2. Incidents Requiring a Preliminary Investigation

Unless the accident or incident is a vehicle accident occurring on a public street or highway, section 71(1) requires an employer to undertake a preliminary investigation immediately after the occurrence of any of the following:

an accident that resulted in serious injury to or the death of a worker;
an accident that involved a major structural failure or collapse of a building, bridge, tower, crane, hoist, temporary construction support system or excavation;
an accident that involved the major release of a hazardous substance;
an accident that involved a fire or explosion that had a potential for causing serious injury to a worker;
a blasting accident that causes personal injury;
a dangerous incident involving explosives other than a blasting accident, regardless of whether it caused personal injury;
a diving incident, as defined in the Regulation;
any accident or other incident that resulted in injury to a worker requiring medical treatment; and
any accident or other incident that did not involve injury to a worker, or involved only minor injury not requiring medical treatment, but had a potential for causing serious injury to a worker.

3. Identifying Unsafe Conditions, Acts or Procedures

The Act requires employers to immediately undertake a preliminary investigation to identify any unsafe conditions, acts or procedures as far as possible, in order to ensure that work can be continued or resumed safely during the interim period between the incident and the conclusion of the full investigation.

What constitutes "as far as possible" during the preliminary investigation may be limited due to circumstances of the accident or incident that are outside of the employer's control.

It is not possible to list all the limitations on what may inhibit an employer's ability to identify unsafe conditions, acts or procedures. However, if an employer is

only able to identify some, or
only able to identify in broader or more general terms,

the unsafe conditions, acts or procedures that significantly contributed to the section 69 incident, the employer should include these limitations in its preliminary investigation report.

The following are some of the circumstances in which WorkSafeBC may consider that it is not possible for an employer to identify all the unsafe conditions, acts or procedures that significantly contributed to the section 69 incident. This is not an exhaustive list:

the persons injured in the incident are not available (e.g. unconscious in hospital);
there were no witnesses to the incident;
the employer is prohibited from entering the workplace or part of the workplace, because WorkSafeBC, the police, or other agencies are attending at the scene of the incident and conducting their own investigations;
WorkSafeBC has issued an order to stop use under section 89 or stop work under sections 90 or 91, and the exceptions for permitting a worker to enter the workplace or part of the workplace that is the subject of the order cannot be met; or
WorkSafeBC has taken documents, equipment, or other items, which the employer also needs to investigate.

4. Determining Interim Corrective Action

As part of the preliminary investigation, the Act requires the employer to determine the corrective action necessary to prevent a recurrence of the section 69 incident during the period of the full investigation. This means the employer must identify interim corrective actions that can be undertaken between the time of the section 69 incident, and the deadline plus any extensions, for submitting the full investigation report under section 72 (see Policy P2-72-1).

Employers must take all actions reasonably necessary to prevent a recurrence during the interim period. If an employer is only able to identify some, or only able to identify in broader or more general terms, the unsafe conditions, acts or procedures that significantly contributed to the section 69 incident, the interim corrective action may include a full or partial shutdown of a worksite, removing equipment, or reassigning workers.

5. Elements of Preliminary Investigation Reports

An employer's preliminary investigation report of the section 69 incident must contain the following elements, as far as possible:

(a) the place, date and time of the incident;

(b) the names and job titles of persons injured or killed in the incident;

(d) the names and job titles of any other persons whose presence might be necessary for a proper investigation of the incident;

(e) a statement of the sequence of events that preceded the incident;

(f) identification of any unsafe conditions, acts or procedures that significantly contributed to the incident;

(g) employer identification and contact information;

(h) a brief description of the incident;

(i) the names and job titles of all persons set out in section 70(1) of the Act, who carried out or participated in the preliminary investigation of the incident;

(j) interim corrective actions the employer has determined to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents, for the interim period between the occurrence of the incident and the submission of the full investigation report;

(k) information about what interim corrective action has been taken and when any corrective actions not yet implemented will be taken; and

(l) the circumstances of the accident or incident that preclude the employer from addressing a particular element of the above-listed elements during the preliminary investigation period.

Blasting and diving have industry-specific reporting requirements under the Regulation, in addition to those under sections 71 and 72 of the Act. An employer may combine one or more reports as long as all the applicable requirements, including those regarding timing, are met.

Section 70(4) of the Act requires the employer to record the addresses and telephone numbers of witnesses and any other persons whose presence might be necessary for a proper investigation of the incident. This does not form part of the preliminary investigation report.

6. Producing the Preliminary Investigation Report

The Act requires an employer to provide its preliminary investigation report to WorkSafeBC upon request.

The Act also requires an employer to provide a copy of the incident investigation report to the joint committee or worker health and safety representative, as applicable, and if there is no joint committee or worker health and safety representative, to post the report at the workplace. The Act requires this be done as soon as practicable after the report is completed.

7. Implementing Corrective Action

While an employer is undertaking the full investigation report due under section 72 (see Item P2-72-1), the employer must also, without undue delay, take the corrective action it had determined was necessary to prevent a recurrence of similar section 69 incidents during the full investigation period. This interim corrective action must remain in place until the employer has:

(a) undertaken any further corrective action identified in the full investigation as necessary to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents following the full investigation; or

(b) determined that the interim corrective action is sufficient to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents following the full investigation.

The employer may modify the interim corrective action during the full investigation period, if it determines that the modified interim corrective action is more effective or as effective as the interim corrective action originally undertaken.

8. Interim Corrective Action Reporting

WorkSafeBC may request a copy of the interim corrective action report that the employer prepares following the preliminary investigation.

In the interim corrective action report, the employer must include:

(a) the unsafe conditions, acts or procedures that made the interim corrective action necessary;

(b) the interim corrective action taken to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents during the full investigation period;

(d) the names and job titles of the persons responsible for implementing the interim corrective action; and

(e) the date the interim corrective action was taken.

Where the employer completes the full investigation within 48 hours of the section 69 incident and determines the corrective action necessary to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents, the employer may prepare a single corrective action report to provide to the joint committee or worker health and safety representative, as applicable, or if there is no joint committee or worker health and safety representative, to post at the workplace. This would meet its corrective action reporting requirements for both sections 71 and 72 of the Act.

PRACTICE
See:

OHS Guideline G-P2-68-1.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	January 1, 2016
AUTHORITY:	Section 71 of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:	Sections 74, 75(3)(f) and (g), and 84 of the Act; Item P2-68-1 - Major Release of Hazardous Substance; Item P2-72-1 - Full Incident Investigation, Report and Follow-Up Action of the Prevention Manual.
HISTORY:	April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. May 1, 2017 - Housekeeping change to delete a reference to then section 173(3) under "Elements of Preliminary Investigation Reports" and replace it with a reference to then section 174(4). January 1, 2016 - Amended to reflect stakeholder consultation on interim polices and to implement changes resulting from the Workers Compensation Amendment Act (No. 2), 2015, which received Royal Assent on November 17, 2015. This Item was originally developed to implement the Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 2015, which received Royal Assent on May 14, 2015.
APPLICATION:	This policy applies to all accidents and incidents that occur on and after January 1, 2016.

Policy Item P2-72-1
Full Incident Investigation, Report and Follow-Up Action

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes

Section 72 of the Act sets out the requirements for an employer to conduct a full investigation immediately after completing a section 71 preliminary investigation of a section 69 incident. Depending on the complexity of the investigation, it may be possible for an employer to complete its section 72 full investigation obligations within 48 hours of the incident.

Section 70 of the Act sets out how worker and employer representatives may participate in investigations.

Note: In some cases, the OHSR provides specific and exclusive direction to investigate and report accidents or incidents in accordance with Part 3 of the OHSR.

2. The Act

Section 33, in part:

A joint committee for a workplace must be established in accordance with the following:

…

(b) it must consist of worker representatives and employer representatives;

Section 36, in part:

A joint committee has the following duties and functions in relation to its workplace:

…

(h) to ensure that accident investigations and regular inspections are carried out as required by the OHS provisions and the regulations;

(i) to participate in inspections, investigations and inquiries as provided in the OHS provisions and the regulations;

…

Section 68:

(1) An employer must immediately notify the Board of the occurrence of any accident that

(a) resulted in serious injury to or the death of a worker,

(b) involved a major structural failure or collapse of a building, bridge, tower, crane, hoist, temporary construction support system or excavation,

(c) involved the major release of a hazardous substance, or

(d) involved a fire or explosion that had a potential for causing serious injury to a worker, or

(e) was an incident required by regulation to be reported.

(2) Except as otherwise directed by an officer of the Board or a peace officer, a person must not disturb the scene of an accident that is reportable under subsection (1) except so far as is necessary to

(a) attend to persons injured or killed,

(b) prevent further injuries or death, or

(c) protect property that is endangered as a result of the accident.

Section 69:

(1) An employer must conduct a preliminary investigation under section 71 and a full investigation under section 72 respecting any accident or other incident that

(a) is required to be reported under section 68,

(b) resulted in injury to a worker requiring medical treatment,

(c) did not involve injury to a worker, or involved only minor injury not requiring medical treatment, but had a potential for causing serious injury to a worker, or

(d) was an incident required by regulation to be investigated.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in the case of a vehicle accident occurring on a public street or highway.

Section 70:

(1) An investigation required under this Division must be carried out by persons knowledgeable about the type of work involved and, if they are reasonably available, with the participation of the employer or a representative of the employer and a worker representative.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the participation of the employer or a representative of the employer and a worker representative includes, but is not limited to, the following activities:

(a) viewing the scene of the incident with the persons carrying out the investigation;

(b) providing advice to the persons carrying out the investigation respecting the methods used to carry out the investigation, the scope of the investigation, or any other aspect of the investigation;

(c) other activities, as prescribed by the Board.

(3) The employer must make every reasonable effort to have available for interview by a person conducting the investigation, or by an officer, all witnesses to the incident and any other persons whose presence might be necessary for a proper investigation of the incident.

(4) The employer must record the names, addresses and telephone numbers of persons referred to in subsection (3).

Section 72:

(1) An employer must, immediately after completing a preliminary investigation under section 71, undertake a full investigation to, as far as possible,

(a) determine the cause or causes of the incident investigated under section 71,

(b) identify any unsafe conditions, acts or procedures that significantly contributed to the incident, and

(c) if unsafe conditions, acts or procedures are identified under paragraph (b) of this subsection, determine the corrective action necessary to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents.

(2) The employer must ensure that a report of the full investigation is

(a) prepared in accordance with the policies of the board of directors,

(b) submitted to the Board within 30 days of the occurrence of the incident, and

(c) within 30 days of the occurrence of the incident, either

(i) provided to the joint committee or worker health and safety representative, as applicable, or

(ii) if there is no joint committee or worker health and safety representative, posted at the workplace.

(3) The Board may extend the time period, as the Board considers appropriate, for submitting a report under subsection (2)(b) or (c).

(4) Following the full investigation, the employer must, without undue delay, undertake any corrective action determined to be necessary under subsection (1)(c).

(5) If the employer takes corrective action under subsection (4), the employer, as soon as practicable, must

(a) prepare a report of the action taken, and

(b) either

(i) provide the report to the joint committee or worker health and safety representative, as applicable, or

(ii) if there is no joint committee or worker health and safety representative, post the report at the workplace.

POLICY
1. Determining the Cause or Causes of the Incident

Employers must determine the cause or causes of the section 69 incident. "Determining the cause or causes" means analyzing the facts and circumstances of the incident to identify the underlying factors that led to the incident. This includes identifying the underlying factors that made the unsafe conditions, acts or procedures possible, and identifying health and safety deficiencies.

2. Elements of Full Investigation Reports

An employer's full investigation report of the section 69 incident must contain the following elements, as far as possible:

(a) Elements (a) through (f) of Item P2-71-1, including any updates available following the preliminary investigation period;

(b) the employer's legal name, name it is doing business under, address, contact number, email address, and WorkSafeBC account number;

(c) the identification and contact information of other relevant workplace parties such as an owner, prime contractor, other persons actively involved in the accident or incident, or persons implementing the corrective action following the full investigation;

(d) determination of the cause or causes of the incident;

(e) a full description of the incident;

(f) the names and job titles of all persons set out in section 70(1) of the Act, who carried out or participated in the preliminary and full investigation of the incident;

(g) all corrective actions the employer has determined are necessary to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents; and

(h) information about what corrective action has been taken and when any corrective actions not yet implemented will be taken.

Depending on the complexity of the accident or incident investigation, an employer may complete its full investigation report within 48 hours. This would meet its requirements for section 72(1) of the Act. The full investigation report must then be submitted to the joint committee or worker health and safety representative, or if there is no joint committee or worker health and safety representative, posted at the workplace, as soon as practicable, to meet its requirements for section 71(2); and to WorkSafeBC within 30 days of the incident, to meet the full investigation reporting requirements of section 72. The corrective action reporting requirements are addressed in section 5 of this policy.

3. Producing the Full Investigation Report

The Act requires an employer to submit its full investigation report to WorkSafeBC and to the joint committee or worker health and safety representative, as applicable or if there is no joint committee or worker health and safety representative, to post the report at the workplace.

4. Extensions for Submitting the Full Investigation Report

The Act requires employers to submit their full investigation reports within 30 days of the incident. Where an employer makes a request, WorkSafeBC may grant one or more extensions for submitting the full investigation report, if the employer identifies delays in its ability to complete its full investigation due to factors outside its control. Where WorkSafeBC grants an extension, employers should notify their joint committee or worker representative of the details of the extension.

It is not possible to list all of the situations where WorkSafeBC may consider it appropriate to grant extensions, but the following are some examples:

where the remoteness of the location of the accident or incident requiring investigation creates delays in an employer's investigation;
where the technical aspects of the investigation cannot be evaluated within 30 days of the accident or incident;
where third party reports related to the full investigation are pending;
if an investigation by WorkSafeBC, the police, or another agency restricts the employer's ability to investigate the cause or causes of the accident or incident;
where an employer does not know about an accident or incident that resulted in injury to a worker, because there is a delay in the worker seeking the related medical treatment; and
any other circumstances where WorkSafeBC considers it reasonable.

5. Corrective Action Reporting Following the Full Investigation

WorkSafeBC may request a copy of the corrective action report that the employer prepares following the full investigation.

In the corrective action report prepared following the full investigation, the employer must include:

(a) the unsafe conditions, acts or procedures that made the corrective action necessary;

(b) the corrective action taken to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents following the full investigation;

(d) the names and job titles of the persons responsible for implementing the corrective action following the full investigation; and

(e) the date the corrective action was taken.

PRACTICE
See:

OHS Guideline G-P2-68-1.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	January 1, 2016
AUTHORITY:	Section 72 of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:	Section 84 of the Act; Item P2-68-1, Major Release of Hazardous Substance; Item P2-71-1, Preliminary Incident Investigation, Report and Follow-Up Action.
HISTORY:	April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. May 1, 2017 - Housekeeping change to delete a reference to then section 173(3) under "Elements of Preliminary Investigation Reports" and replace it with a reference to then section 174(4). January 1, 2016 - Amended to reflect stakeholder consultation on interim polices and to implement changes resulting from the Workers Compensation Amendment Act (No. 2), 2015, which received Royal Assent on November 17, 2015. This Item was originally developed to implement the Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 2015, which received Royal Assent on May 14, 2015.
APPLICATION:	This policy applies to all accidents and incidents that occur on and after January 1, 2016.

Policies Workers Compensation Act Part 2 Division 12 - Enforcement

Policy Item P2-83-1
OHS Compliance Agreements

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes

Instead of issuing an order, WorkSafeBC may, in certain circumstances, enter into a compliance agreement in which an employer voluntarily agrees to correct OHS violations and report back to WorkSafeBC by a specific date. This policy outlines when WorkSafeBC can enter into or cancel a compliance agreement.

Compliance agreements are offered at WorkSafeBC's discretion, within the limits of the Act and this policy. WorkSafeBC will only enter into a compliance agreement if WorkSafeBC believes that the employer will likely fulfill its obligations under the agreement.

Compliance agreements allow WorkSafeBC to engage with a responsive employer to correct non-high risk violations and improve workplace safety. While the compliance agreement is in effect, WorkSafeBC will not issue an order for any violations specifically described in the compliance agreement.

If a compliance agreement is rescinded (in other words, cancelled), WorkSafeBC will, except in exceptional circumstances, write orders for any outstanding OHS violations specifically described in the agreement.

For ease of reference, this policy incorporates the requirements of the Act along with the policy. All section references in this policy refer to the Act.

2. The Act

Section 83

(1) The Board may enter into an agreement with an employer if the Board considers that

(a) the employer has contravened, or failed to comply with, a an OHS provision or a provision of the regulations,

(b) the employer has not contravened, or not failed to comply with, the same provision described in paragraph (a) within the 12-month period immediately preceding the contravention or failure referred to in that paragraph,

(c) the health or safety of workers, for which the employer has responsibilities under this Act, is not at immediate risk, and

(d) entering into the agreement is appropriate in the circumstances.

(2) An agreement under subsection (1) must be in writing and must do the following:

(a) describe one or more actions the employer agrees to take, which may include one or more expenditures the employer agrees to make, to remedy the employer's contravention or failure referred to in subsection (1)(a) or the adverse effects that resulted from that contravention or failure;

(b) must set out the time frame within which the employer, with respect to each action described under paragraph (a) of this subsection, agrees to

(i) take the action, and

(ii) report to the Board on the action taken;

(c) must specify the date the agreement ends;

(d) must set out the required manner, form and content of the report referred to in paragraph (b)(ii) of this subsection.

(3) As soon as practicable after entering into an agreement under subsection (1), the employer must

(a) provide a copy of the agreement to the joint committee or worker health and safety representative, as applicable, or

(b) if there is no joint committee or worker health and safety representative, post a copy of the agreement at the workplace.

(4) As soon as practicable after reporting to the Board under subsection (2)(b)(ii), the employer must

(a) provide a copy of the report to the joint committee or worker health and safety representative, as applicable, or

(b) if there is no joint committee or worker health and safety representative, post a copy of the report at the workplace.

(5) Subject to subsection (6), an agreement under subsection (1) may be amended if agreed to by the Board and the employer.

(6) The Board must rescind an agreement under subsection (1) if the Board considers that any of the following apply:

(a) the employer has failed to

(i) take any of the actions described under subsection (2)(a) within the time frame set out for the action in subsection (2)(b)(i), or

(ii) report to the Board within the time frame set out under subsection (2)(b)(ii);

(b) the employer intentionally provided false or misleading information in relation to the agreement;

(c) the health or safety of workers is at immediate risk, based on information received by the Board after the agreement was entered into.

(7) The Board may rescind an agreement under subsection (1) if the Board considers that the agreement no longer adequately protects the health or safety of workers.

(8) A rescission under subsection (6) or (7) takes effect immediately despite the employer not having received notice.

(9) As soon as practicable after rescinding an agreement under subsection (6) or (7), the Board must

(a) make reasonable efforts to provide verbal notice of the rescission to the employer, and

(b) send written notice of the rescission to the employer.

(10) Section 344 (4) to (6) [issues related to sending or receipt of orders and other documents] does not apply to the sending of written notice under subsection (9)(b) of this section.

(11) The employer must, as soon as practicable after receiving written notice under subsection (9),

(a) provide a copy of the written notice to the joint committee or worker health and safety representative, as applicable, or

(b) if there is no joint committee or worker health and safety representative, post a copy of the written notice at the workplace.

POLICY
1. Entering into a compliance agreement

WorkSafeBC enters into compliance agreements at its own discretion, after considering the likelihood of an incident or exposure occurring because of the violation and the likely seriousness of any injury or illness that could result.

WorkSafeBC will not enter into a compliance agreement regarding a violation if:

(a) the violation puts worker health or safety at immediate risk (in other words, creates a likelihood of injury, illness or death if not immediately remedied) [section 83(1)(c)];

(b) the violation is high risk as defined in Item P2-95-2;

(c) the employer has contravened, within the last 12 months, the same provision of the Act or regulations [section 83(1)(b)]; or

(d) a previous compliance agreement with the employer was cancelled in the last 3 years due to the fault of the employer.

WorkSafeBC will only enter into a compliance agreement if WorkSafeBC believes that the employer will likely fulfill its obligations under the agreement. WorkSafeBC will consider various factors to determine this, which will include:

(e) the compliance history of the employer;

(f) the effectiveness of the employer's overall approach to managing health and safety;

(g) the employer's willingness to enter into the agreement; and

(h) information provided by workers and union representatives.

While the compliance agreement is in effect, WorkSafeBC will not issue an order for any violation specifically described in the agreement. If a compliance agreement is satisfactorily completed by an employer, WorkSafeBC will not retroactively issue an order for any violation specifically described in the agreement.

2. Requirements of a compliance agreement

Employers enter into compliance agreements voluntarily. Compliance agreements require the signature of an appropriate employer representative who is authorized to enter into agreements on behalf of the employer.

Section 83(2) requires that a compliance agreement must:

(a) be in writing;

(b) describe the corrective actions the employer agrees to take; and

(i) when the employer must complete its corrective action ("action deadline");

(ii) when the employer must report back to WorkSafeBC ("report deadline"); and

(iii) when the agreement ends.

One compliance agreement may address multiple workplaces of an employer.

3. Amending an existing compliance agreement

A compliance agreement can be amended if WorkSafeBC and the employer agree to the amendments in writing. A compliance agreement cannot be amended after it has ended or been cancelled.

When considering whether to agree to amend an agreement, WorkSafeBC will consider the employer's progress towards correcting the violations set out in the compliance agreement, as well as the factors set out under 1(e) to (h) above.

4. Cancelling a compliance agreement

WorkSafeBC will cancel a compliance agreement if the agreement no longer adequately protects the health or safety of the workers.

Section 83(6) requires that a compliance agreement be cancelled if:

(a) the employer fails to complete its required actions by the action deadline;

(b) the employer fails to meet its reporting obligations by the report deadline;

(d) the health or safety of workers is at immediate risk based on information received by WorkSafeBC after the agreement was entered into (in other words, there is a likelihood of injury, illness or death if the situation is not immediately remedied).

Section 83(9) requires WorkSafeBC to send written notice to the employer of a cancellation and make reasonable efforts to provide verbal notice. However, section 83(8) states that the cancellation of a compliance agreement takes effect immediately, whether or not the employer receives written or verbal notice.

If a compliance agreement is cancelled, WorkSafeBC will, except in exceptional circumstances, write orders for any outstanding OHS violations specifically described in the agreement.

5. Posting requirements

All compliance agreements will include a term that requires employers to post in the workplace copies of:

(a) compliance agreements;

(b) amended compliance agreements;

(d) notices of cancellation of compliance agreements.

Compliance agreements will also include a term that requires the above documents to be provided to the joint committee or worker health and safety representative, if applicable, and to the union if the compliance agreement relates to a workplace where workers of the employer are represented by a union.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	January 1, 2016
AUTHORITY:	Section 83 of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:	Item P2-84-1, OHS Compliance Orders, of the Prevention Manual.
HISTORY:	April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. January 1, 2016 - Amended to change posting requirements and remove factor (i) in section 1 and insert it at the beginning of the section instead. The paragraph order in the Explanatory Notes section was also changed.
APPLICATION:	This policy is effective January 1, 2016 and applies to all inspections occurring on and after January 1, 2016.

Policy Item P2-84-1
OHS Compliance Orders

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes

Section 84(1) provides a broad general authority for the Board to make orders for carrying out matters and things regulated, controlled or required by the OHS provisions of the Act or the OHS regulations. This includes authority to make orders in a variety of specific situations set out in section 84(2).

This policy addresses orders directed towards remedying an OHS violation. An OHS compliance order is WorkSafeBC's primary tool to remedy non-compliance with health and safety requirements in the Act and Regulation.

Powers to make orders are also found in other sections of the Act. For example, section 95 provides that administrative penalties may be imposed by order. This policy does not address those types of orders.

Failure to comply with an order may be addressed by administrative penalties, injunctions, or prosecution.

2. The Act

Section 84:

(1) The Board may make orders for the carrying out of any matter or thing regulated, controlled or required by the OHS provisions or the regulations, and may require that the order be carried out immediately or within the time specified in the order.

(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the authority under that subsection includes authority to make orders as follows:

(a) establishing standards that must be met and means and requirements that must be adopted in any work or workplace for the prevention of work-related accidents, injuries and illnesses;

(b) requiring a person to take measures to ensure compliance with this Act and the regulations or specifying measures that a person must take in order to ensure compliance with this Act and the regulations;

(c) requiring an employer to provide in accordance with the order a medical monitoring program as referred to in section 57;

(d) requiring an employer, at the employer's expense, to obtain test or evaluation results respecting any thing or procedure in or about a workplace, in accordance with any requirements specified by the Board, and to provide that information to the Board;

(e) requiring an employer to install and maintain first aid equipment and service in accordance with the order;

(f) requiring a person to post or attach a copy of the order, or other information, as directed by the order or by an officer;

(g) establishing requirements respecting the form and use of reports, certificates, declarations and other records that may be authorized or required under the OHS provisions;

(h) doing anything that is contemplated by the OHS provisions to be done by order;

(i) doing any other thing that the Board considers necessary for the prevention of work-related accidents, injuries and illnesses.

(3) An order may be made applicable to any person or category of persons and may include terms and conditions the Board considers appropriate.

(4) The authority to make orders under this section does not limit and is not limited by the authority to make orders under another OHS provision.

Section 85:

(1) An officer of the Board may exercise the authority of the Board to make orders under the OHS provisions, subject to any restrictions or conditions established by the Board.

(2) An order may be made orally or in writing but, if made orally, it must be confirmed in writing as soon as is reasonably practicable.

(3) If an order relates to a complaint made by a person to the Board or an officer, a copy of the order must be given to that person.

3. The OHSR
Section 2.4:

Every person to whom an order or directive is issued by the Board must comply promptly or by the time set out in the order or directive.

POLICY
Workplace parties must comply with the Act and OHSR. An OHS Compliance order does not initiate the obligation to comply with the Act and OHS regulations. It is not sufficient simply to obey a WorkSafeBC order after a violation, injury or disease has occurred.

When identifying violations at a workplace, WorkSafeBC will ordinarily write orders.

When a particular safety issue involves more than one employer or worker, WorkSafeBC will determine which workplace parties should be the recipients of orders.

In some cases, where there are a number of violations, WorkSafeBC may write orders to address the underlying health and safety issues without writing an order relating to each violation.

PRACTICE
When WorkSafeBC identifies a violation but does not write an order, the circumstances should be documented in the inspection notes of the inspection report and the relevant regulations referenced for future tracking.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	March 1, 2013
AUTHORITY:	Section 84 of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:	Section 85 of the Act; Section 2.4 of the OHSR.
HISTORY:	April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. March 1, 2013 - Amended to confirm WorkSafeBC's discretion regarding writing orders and to align policy with the practice of WorkSafeBC. September 15, 2010 - Housekeeping changes to delete practice reference and make formatting changes. December 31, 2003 - This policy incorporates portions of Procedure No. 1.3.3-1 "Issuing Inspection Reports" of the former Prevention Division Policy and Procedure Manual. March 3, 2003 - Consequential changes subsequently made to the restatement of then section 187 to reflect the Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 2002 and to the Explanatory Notes and the cross-references to reflect the Workers Compensation Amendment Act (No. 2), 2002. October 1, 1999 - Item developed to implement the Workers Compensation (Occupational Health and Safety) Amendment Act, 1998.
APPLICATION:

Policy Item P2-85-1
Orders - Other General Matters

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes

Section 85 sets out other general matters related to orders. Subject to the terms of the relevant sections, these requirements apply to all the powers to issue orders under the OHS provisions of the Act.

2. The Act

Section 85:

(1) An officer of the Board may exercise the authority of the Board to make orders under the OHS provisions, subject to any restrictions or conditions established by the Board.

(2) An order may be made orally or in writing but, if made orally, it must be confirmed in writing as soon as is reasonably practicable.

(3) If an order relates to a complaint made by a person to the Board or an officer, a copy of the order must be given to that person.

POLICY
After an inspection, the Board officer must complete a report, but its completion may be deferred until any required investigation is completed. This report may contain one or more orders, or no orders, depending on whether violations of the regulations were observed and the number and type of any observed violations. If an officer has observed no violations, this will be stated in the report.

Where possible, the officer will hold a post-inspection conference with management having responsibility and authority to comply with the orders.

The worker representative who accompanied the inspection will be invited to the conference. If the worker representative normally designated for this purpose has been unable to attend the inspection, the designated worker representative will be invited as well, if now available. Other parties involved may also be invited at the discretion of the officer. The purpose of the conference is to ensure that the parties understand the orders.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	October 1, 1999
AUTHORITY:	Section 85 of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:	Section 84 of the Act.
HISTORY:	April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. September 15, 2010 - Housekeeping changes to delete practice reference and make formatting changes.
APPLICATION:

Policy Item P2-90/91/92-1
Stop Work Orders

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes

WorkSafeBC issues stop work orders to protect the health and safety of workers when they will be at risk until the employer complies with the Act and OHSR. Stop work orders are a compliance tool, similar to OHS Compliance Orders.

WorkSafeBC has a number of tools to address non-compliance with the OHSR and the OHS provisions of the Act. If these tools effectively protect workers in the circumstances, then a stop work order will not be necessary.

The Act provides that a stop work order may be issued when:

(a) there are reasonable grounds to believe that there is a high risk of serious injury, serious illness or death at a workplace, or

(b) an employer

(i) violates a section of the Act or Regulation;

(ii) within the last 12 months, had previously violated the same section and failed to comply with the resulting order; and

(iii) there are reasonable grounds to believe that there is a risk of serious injury, serious illness or death.

The Act also provides that, if a stop work order is issued, WorkSafeBC may also stop work at other or all workplaces of an employer (a "stop operations order") if WorkSafeBC has reasonable grounds to believe that:

(a) the same or similar unsafe working or workplace conditions exist, or

(b) would exist,

at the other workplaces.

This policy provides guidance regarding:

(a) when to consider a stop work order,

(b) when a stop work order is appropriate,

(d) the use of a stop operations order, and

(e) the duration of a stop work order.

2. The Act

Section 90:

(1) If subsection (2) or (3) applies, the Board may order that

(a) work at a workplace or any part of a workplace stop until the order to stop work is cancelled by the Board, and

(b) if the Board considers this is necessary, the workplace or any part of the workplace be cleared of persons and isolated by barricades, fencing or any other means suitable to prevent access to the area until the danger is removed.

(2) The Board may make an order under subsection (1) if the Board has reasonable grounds for believing there is a high risk of serious injury, serious illness or death to a worker at the workplace.

(3) The Board may make an order under subsection (1) if

(a) an employer

(i) has failed to comply with an OHS provision or a provision of the regulations, and

(ii) within the 12-month period immediately preceding the failure to comply as referred to in subparagraph (i),

(A) has failed to comply with the same provision, and

(B) has failed to comply with an order respecting the failure to comply with that provision, and

(b) the Board has reasonable grounds for believing there is a risk of serious injury, serious illness or death to a worker at the workplace.

(4) If an order is made under subsection (1)(b), an employer, supervisor or other person must not require or permit a worker to enter the workplace or part of the workplace that is the subject of the order, except for the purpose of doing work that is necessary or required to remove the danger or the hazard and only if the worker

(a) is protected from the danger or the hazard, or

(b) is qualified and properly instructed in how to remedy the unsafe condition with minimum risk to the worker's own health or safety.

Section 91, in part:

(1) If the Board makes an order under section 90, the Board may, in accordance with this section, make an order with respect to another workplace or any part of another workplace whose employer is the same as the employer at the workplace or any part of the workplace in respect of which the order under section 90 was made.

(2) If the Board has reasonable grounds for believing that, at the other workplace or any part of the other workplace, the same or similar unsafe working or workplace conditions exist as at the workplace or any part of the workplace in respect of which the order under section 90 was made, the Board may order that

(a) work at the other workplace or any part of the other workplace stop until the order to stop work is cancelled by the Board, and

(b) if the Board considers this is necessary, the other workplace or any part of the other workplace be cleared of persons and isolated by barricades, fencing or any other means suitable to prevent access to the area until the danger is removed.

(3) If the Board has reasonable grounds for believing that, at the other workplace or any part of the other workplace, the same or similar unsafe working or workplace conditions would exist as at the workplace or any part of the workplace in respect of which the order under section 90 was made, the Board may make an order prohibiting the employer from starting work at the other workplace or any part of the other workplace.

(4) In making an order under this section, the Board is not required to specify the address of the other workplace or any part of the other workplace in respect of which the order is made.

…

Section 92:

(1) Despite section 85(2) [orders may be made orally or in writing], an order under section 90 or 91

(a) may only be made in writing, and

(b) must be served on the employer, supervisor or other person having apparent supervision of the work or the workplace.

(2) An order referred to in subsection (1) expires 72 hours after it is made, unless the order has been confirmed in writing by the Board.

POLICY
A. When to Consider a Stop Work Order

The Act says that WorkSafeBC may consider a stop work order when:

(a) there are reasonable grounds to believe that there is a high risk of serious injury, serious illness or death at a workplace (high risk is defined in Item P2-95-2), or

(b) an employer

(i) violates a section of the Act or Regulation;

(ii) within the last 12 months, had previously violated the same section and failed to comply with the resulting order; and

(iii) there are reasonable grounds to believe that there is a risk of serious injury, serious illness or death.

An officer will determine whether there are reasonable grounds for a stop work order based on knowledge and experience along with any immediately available advice and assistance. An officer may make a decision on the spot to immediately protect workers and then make further inquiries afterwards.

When there are reasonable grounds for a stop work order, WorkSafeBC must then consider whether a stop work order is appropriate in the circumstances as set out in B below.

B. Appropriateness of a Stop Work Order

A stop work order is not necessary in every case where one is possible under the Act. WorkSafeBC will generally issue a stop work order when the safety concern cannot be quickly remedied and other measures are insufficient to protect the workers in that workplace. The following are some examples of the circumstances:

(a) The equipment needed to comply is not at the workplace.

Work cannot safely continue until the employer obtains the needed equipment.

(b) The employer has not trained the workers to perform the work safely.

Work cannot safely continue until the employer gives workers the necessary training.

Work cannot safely continue until the employer implements an effective system of supervision.

(d) The documentation necessary to determine whether the work is safe is unavailable.

This could include things such as a hazardous materials survey and confirmation in writing, instructions for an excavation, or confined space hazard assessment and entry procedures.

(e) The employer has a history of non-compliance with OHS Compliance Orders.

WorkSafeBC may not be able to rely on the employer to remedy the violation before resuming work and it may be necessary to stop work until the employer demonstrates that they have taken the required actions.

(f) The employer has expressed the intent not to comply with OHS Compliance Orders.

WorkSafeBC will be unable to rely on the employer to address the violation and work must be stopped until WorkSafeBC can verify that the employer has taken the required precautions.

(g) The employer cannot be reached or identified and work is pending that will pose a high risk to workers.

For example, a demolition site contaminated with asbestos would pose a high risk to untrained and unprotected workers. It may be necessary to issue a stop work order at the workplace until WorkSafeBC can verify that the employer has taken the required precautions.

If a stop work order is appropriate, WorkSafeBC must then consider:

(a) the scope of that stop work order as set out in C, and

(b) whether a multiple workplace stop work order is appropriate as set out in D.

C. Scope of a Stop Work Order (Area of Workplace Involved)

If WorkSafeBC decides to issue a stop work order, it must carefully consider the scope of the order.

The Act provides that a stop work order may apply to a workplace or any part of the workplace.

The scope of a stop work order must be sufficient to ensure that the work posing a risk to workers is halted. However, the stop work order should not impact work or those parts of the workplace where the risk underlying the stop work order is not evident and work is being done in a safe manner.

The following are two examples of situations where a limited scope order might be appropriate:

(1) A large construction site may have a variety of work practices occurring simultaneously, including earth moving work in one section of the site, and assembly of formwork in another section of the site. If WorkSafeBC observes a failure to wear fall protection while assembling formwork, the stop work order should be restricted to that part of the workplace where formwork assembly is occurring.

(2) A warehouse may have an area where unsafe stacking of items may pose a significant hazard to workers in one area of the warehouse but other parts of the warehouse would be unaffected. In that case, a stop work order would be restricted to the area where the hazard exists.

D. Stop Operations Order

The Act provides that WorkSafeBC may stop work or prohibit work from starting at other workplaces (or parts of those workplaces) of the same employer who was issued a stop work order. This is referred to in this policy as a stop operations order. The Act also provides that WorkSafeBC must have reasonable grounds for believing that the same or similar unsafe working or workplace conditions exist, or would exist, at the other workplaces.

WorkSafeBC will consider the following in relation to the Act requirements for a stop operations order:

(a) Same employer:

The employer must be the same employer at each workplace where the stop work order (or prohibition from starting work) will take effect. In multiple employer workplaces, WorkSafeBC must ensure that the stop work order applies only to the same employer or those parts of the workplace where the employer has (or would have) responsibility for unsafe working or workplace conditions.

(b) Same or similar unsafe working or workplace conditions

To determine whether there are reasonable grounds to believe that unsafe working or workplace conditions at other workplaces are, or would be, the same or similar in respect to the stop work order made on the employer, WorkSafeBC will consider the following factors:

Whether the employer performs, or would perform, substantially the same or similar work at other workplaces.
Whether the employer uses, or would use, the same or similar work practices or equipment at other workplaces.
Whether the same or similar working or workplace conditions exist, or would exist, at other workplaces.

E. Duration of a Stop Work Order

Once a stop work order is imposed, the duration of the stop work order will vary depending on the circumstances. WorkSafeBC may cancel a stop work order as soon as the employer has remedied the unsafe working or workplace conditions and a stop work order is no longer required to protect workers. In some circumstances, a stop work order could be cancelled within minutes.

For example, WorkSafeBC may issue a stop work order to prohibit work in a stairway under construction, due to the risk of collapse. WorkSafeBC could then cancel the order later that day after the employer obtained an engineering report and took the remedial action recommended in the report.

In order for WorkSafeBC to cancel a stop operations order, the employer must demonstrate that the employer has remedied the unsafe working or workplace conditions at all workplaces to which the stop work order applies.

In order for WorkSafeBC to cancel a stop operations order prohibiting work from starting at another workplace, the employer must demonstrate that it has taken the appropriate actions to ensure that the unsafe working or workplace conditions will not arise at that other workplace.

PRACTICE
The Act requires that a stop work order must be in writing. In most cases, WorkSafeBC will initially post a handwritten stop work order placard at the site before providing an inspection report containing the stop work order.

The Act provides that a stop work order expires after 72 hours unless the order has been confirmed in writing by the Board. OHS Guideline G-P2-85-2 states that each Director in Prevention Services has the authority to:
(a) confirm a stop work order beyond 72 hours, and
(b) approve a stop operations order.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	January 1, 2016
AUTHORITY:	Sections 90, 91, and 92 of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:
HISTORY:	September 15, 2023 – Housekeeping changes to update outdated terms. April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. January 1, 2016 - Amended to change the paragraph order in the Explanatory Notes and make wording changes to sections D (Stop Operations Orders), E (Duration of a Stop Work Order) and the Practice section. May 27, 2015 - Interim policy applies to all inspections occurring on and after May 27, 2015 until the end of December 31, 2015. May 27, 2015 - Amended following the amendments to then section 191 of the Act to address: (a) when to consider a stop work order, (b) when a stop work order is appropriate, (c) the scope of a stop work order, (d) the use of a stop operations order, and (e) the duration of a stop work order September 15, 2010 - Housekeeping changes to delete practice reference and make formatting changes.
APPLICATION:	This policy applies to all inspections that occur on and after January 1, 2016.

Policy Item P2-94-1
OHS Citations

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes

Employers are required to comply with the Act and OHSR at all times. WorkSafeBC conducts inspections and writes orders, known as OHS Compliance Orders, to address any violations. An order requires an employer to take action as soon as possible. Compliance with orders is essential to ensure that workplaces are safe.

When there is failure to comply with an order, or to prepare or send a compliance report, WorkSafeBC will expend unnecessary resources. High levels of compliance with orders allow WorkSafeBC officers to have a greater impact on health and safety.

An OHS Citation is a tool to address non-compliance with an order or failure to prepare or send a compliance report. It is an administrative penalty imposed on an employer by WorkSafeBC under section 94 of the Act and under the OHS Citations Regulation. OHS Citations are limited to circumstances that are not high risk (as defined by Item P2-95-2).

An OHS Citation is different from an administrative penalty imposed on an employer under section 95 of the Act (OHS Penalty). Item P2-95-1 sets out the criteria for an OHS Penalty.

Under the OHS Citations Regulation, an OHS Citation is $629.87 (half the maximum) for a first offence. For a subsequent violation within three years, the OHS Citation is $1,259.74 (the maximum). Both amounts are adjusted annually pursuant to the consumer price index.

Prior to issuing an OHS Citation, WorkSafeBC will first warn an employer that further failure to comply with the order may result in an OHS Citation or OHS Penalty. If the employer then fails to comply following the warning, WorkSafeBC may issue an OHS Citation or OHS Penalty.

2. The Act

Section 94:

(1) The Board may, by order, impose on an employer an administrative penalty prescribed under section 112 [Board regulations in relation to OHS citations] if the Board is satisfied on a balance of probabilities that the employer has failed to comply with an OHS provision or regulation provision prescribed under that section.

(2) An administrative penalty under this section must not be greater than $1 259.74.

(3) If an employer files a request under section 270 [request for review of Board decision] for review of a decision under this section, the employer must

(a) post a copy of the request for review at the workplace to which the administrative penalty relates,

(b) provide a copy of the request for review to the joint committee or worker health and safety representative, as applicable, and

(c) if the workers at the workplace to which the administrative penalty relates are represented by a union, provide a copy of the request for review to the union.

(4) An employer who has been ordered to pay an administrative penalty under this section must pay the amount of the penalty to the Board for deposit into the accident fund.

(5) If an administrative penalty under this section is reduced or cancelled by a Board decision or on a review under Part 6 [Review of Board Decisions], the Board must refund the required amount to the employer.

Section 21(1), in part:

Every employer must

…

(b) comply with …any applicable orders.

…

Section 88:

(1) An order may include a requirement for compliance reports in accordance with this section.

(2) The employer or other person directed by an order under subsection (1) must prepare a compliance report that specifies

(a) what has been done to comply with the order, and

(b) if compliance has not been achieved at the time of the report, a plan of what will be done to comply and when compliance will be achieved.

(3) If a compliance report includes a plan under subsection (2)(b), the employer or other person must also prepare a follow-up compliance report when compliance is achieved.

(4) In the case of compliance reports prepared by an employer, the employer must

(a) post a copy of the original report and any follow-up compliance reports at the workplace in the places where the order to which it relates are posted,

(b) provide a copy of the reports to the joint committee or worker health and safety representative, as applicable,

(c) if the reports relate to a workplace where workers of the employer are represented by a union, send a copy to the union, and

(d) if required by the Board, send a copy of the reports to the Board.

3. The OHSR

Section 2.4:

Every person to whom an order or directive is issued by the Board must comply promptly or by the time set out in the order or directive.

4. The OHS Citations Regulation

Section 1:

1 In this regulation, "Act" means the Workers Compensation Act.

Section 2:

2 (1) In this section:

"comply" means comply with an OHS provision of the Act, or the regulations, as specified in section 3 of this regulation;

"non-compliance date" means the date the Board, under section 94 of the Act, is satisfied an employer has failed to comply;

"penalty date" means the date of the order by which the Board imposes an administrative penalty under section 94 of the Act.

(2) The following administrative penalties are prescribed for the purposes of section 94 of the Act:

(a) a penalty that is half of the maximum amount allowable for an administrative penalty under section 94 of the Act, if, under that section, the Board is satisfied that an employer has failed to comply;

(b) a penalty that is the maximum amount allowable for an administrative penalty under section 94 of the Act, if, respecting an employer,

(i) the Board is satisfied the employer has failed to comply,

(ii) the non-compliance date of the failure to comply referred to in subparagraph (i) is within 3 years after the non-compliance date of a previous failure to comply by the employer, and

(iii) the penalty date of the previous failure to comply referred to in subparagraph (ii) is earlier than the penalty date of the failure to comply referred to in subparagraph (i).

Section 3:

3 The following provisions are specified for the purposes of section 94 of the Act:

(a) section 21(1)(b) of the Act, as it pertains to orders;

(b) section 88(2), (3) or (4) of the Act if,

(i) as set out in subsection (1) of that section, an order includes a requirement for compliance reports, and

(ii) in the case of subsection (4)(d) of that section, the Board requires the employer to send a copy of the compliance reports to the Board;

POLICY
1. When an OHS Citation May Be Imposed
The OHS Citations Regulation provides that OHS Citations may be imposed for the following violations:

failure to comply with an order as required by section 21(1)(b) of the Act;
failure to prepare or send a compliance report to WorkSafeBC as required by WorkSafeBC, or meet other requirements pursuant to section 88(2), 88(3) or 88(4) of the Act; or
failure to comply with section 2.4 of the OHSR.

(These are referred to in the policy as Non-Compliance Violations).

In this policy,

Inspection Cycle	means the time period that begins when WorkSafeBC first issues an order for a specific violation and ends with compliance with that order. Each order on an inspection report has its own inspection cycle
OHS Citation Warning	means a written warning that an OHS Citation may be issued for non-compliance with an order or failure to prepare or send a compliance report. This warning of an OHS Citation includes a warning that an OHS Penalty may be imposed but is not an OHS Penalty Warning Letter.

WorkSafeBC may impose an OHS Citation for a Non-Compliance Violation if all of the following requirements are met on a specific Inspection Cycle:

(a) the Non-Compliance Violation is not in circumstances that are high risk;
Item P2-95-2 sets out how to determine whether violations are high risk.

(b) the employer committed the Non-Compliance Violation after having received an OHS Citation Warning;

(c) an OHS Penalty or OHS Penalty Warning Letter has not already been imposed for the same Non-Compliance Violation or underlying violation; and
OHS Penalties are discussed in Item P2-95-1 (and related policies) and OHS Penalty Warning Letters are discussed in Item P2-95-10.

(d) an OHS Citation for the statutory maximum has not already been imposed.

2. Time Frame for Issuing an OHS Citation
When WorkSafeBC determines that an employer has failed to comply with a specific order and that an OHS Citation will be imposed, the OHS Citation will be imposed as soon as reasonably practicable, and ordinarily within 7 days.

3. Substitution
An OHS Citation and an OHS Penalty cannot be substituted for each other, on review or appeal.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	February 1, 2016
AUTHORITY:	Section 94 of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:	Item P2-95-1, Criteria for Imposing OHS Penalties; Item P2-95-3, Transfer of OHS History, of the Prevention Manual.
HISTORY:	April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. March 1, 2016 - Housekeeping amendments to correct typographical error regarding the amount of the statutory maximum.
APPLICATION:	This policy applies to all violations specified in section 3 of the OHS Citations Regulation, occurring on or after February 1, 2016.

Policy Item P2-95-1
Criteria for Imposing OHS Penalties

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes

The main purpose of an administrative penalty ("OHS Penalty") is to motivate the employer receiving the penalty and other employers to comply with the Act and OHSR.

Employers and other workplace parties are required to comply at all times with the Act and OHSR to ensure a safe workplace. WorkSafeBC inspects workplaces and investigates incidents to determine whether workplace parties are in compliance and issues orders to remedy non-compliance with the Act and OHSR. An order does not initiate the obligation to comply and it is not sufficient simply to comply with WorkSafeBC orders after a violation, injury or disease has occurred.

In order to comply with the Act, employers and other workplace parties must read the Act and OHSR and take all reasonable steps to ensure that they are aware of their responsibilities. Ignorance of the requirements of the Act and OHSR is not a defence to a penalty.

Section 95(1) contains the legal authority for imposing an OHS Penalty. An OHS Penalty is different from an OHS Citation imposed under section 94 of the Act. Item P2-94-1 addresses OHS Citations.

Section 95(3) states that an OHS Penalty must not be imposed if the employer establishes that it exercised "due diligence" to prevent the failure, non-compliance or conditions to which the penalty relates. Due diligence means taking all reasonable steps to comply. Item P2-95-9 contains more information about "due diligence".

This policy sets out the criteria that WorkSafeBC uses to determine whether to impose an OHS Penalty based on a violation. There are two parts to the policy:

A. Circumstances When WorkSafeBC Will Consider an OHS Penalty
The policy lists a set of circumstances in which WorkSafeBC must consider an OHS Penalty.

B. Considering the Appropriateness of an OHS Penalty
When the circumstances in A (above) have occurred, the policy sets out a number of factors to be considered to determine whether an OHS Penalty is appropriate in the circumstances. If an employer is duly diligent, WorkSafeBC cannot impose an OHS Penalty and these factors do not need to be considered.

2. The Act

Section 95(1):

The Board may, by order, impose on an employer an administrative penalty under this section if the Board is satisfied on a balance of probabilities that any of the following circumstances apply:

(a) the employer has failed to take sufficient precautions for the prevention of work-related injuries or illnesses;

(b) the employer has not complied with an OHS provision, the regulations or an applicable order;

(c) the employer's workplace or working conditions are unsafe.

Section 95(3):

An administrative penalty under this section must not be imposed on an employer if the employer establishes that the employer exercised due diligence to prevent the circumstances described in subsection (1).

POLICY
In this policy, the term violation refers to a violation of the OHSR or the OHS provision of the Act.

The main purpose of OHS Penalties is to motivate the employer receiving the penalty and other employers to comply with the Act and OHSR.

Employers and other workplace parties must comply with any orders issued. However, compliance with orders will not relieve an employer from the consequences of a violation, including OHS Penalties.

A. Circumstances When WorkSafeBC Will Consider an OHS Penalty
WorkSafeBC must consider an OHS Penalty if an employer has committed a violation for which at least one of the following applies:

The violation resulted in a high risk of serious injury, serious illness or death;

Item P2-95-2 sets out how to determine whether violations are high risk.

The employer previously violated the same, or substantially similar, sections of the Act or OHSR (repeat violations) or the violation involves failure to comply with a previous order within a reasonable time;

WorkSafeBC will generally consider violations at different fixed locations of a multi-site employer together to determine whether there have been repeat violations. However if a violation is a location violation, WorkSafeBC will only consider violations at that location to determine whether it qualifies as a repeat violation.

A location violation is a violation by an employer with multiple fixed locations who, at the time of the violation, was doing all of the following:

(a) effectively communicating with all locations regarding health and safety concerns;

(b) providing adequate training to managers and others who implement site health and safety programs;

(c) making local management accountable for health and safety; and

(d) providing local management with sufficient resources for health and safety.

Item P2-95-3 sets out how prior violations are treated following sale or re-organization of a firm.

The employer intentionally committed the violation;

The employer violated section 73 of the Act;

Section 73 provides:

(1) An employer or supervisor must not, by agreement, threat, promise, inducement, persuasion or any other means, seek to discourage, impede or dissuade a worker of the employer, or a dependant of the worker, from reporting any of the following to the Board:

(a) an injury or allegation of injury, whether or not the injury occurred or is compensable under the compensation provisions;

(b) an illness, whether or not the illness exists or is an occupational disease compensable under the compensation provisions;

(c) a death, whether or not the death is compensable under the compensation provisions;

(d) a hazardous condition or allegation of a hazardous condition in any work to which the OHS provisions apply.

(2) An employer or supervisor must not, by agreement, threat, promise, inducement, persuasion or any other means, seek to discourage, impede or dissuade a worker of the employer, or a dependant of the worker, from

(a) making or maintaining an application for compensation under the compensation provisions, or

(b) receiving compensation under the compensation provisions.
The employer violated section 79 of the Act;

Section 79 provides:

(1) A person must provide all reasonable means in that person's power to facilitate an inspection under the OHS provisions.

(2) A person must not do any of the following:

(a) hinder, obstruct, molest or interfere with, or attempt to hinder, obstruct, molest or interfere with, an officer in the exercise of a power or the performance of a duty or function under the OHS provisions or the regulations;

(b) knowingly provide an officer with false information, or neglect or refuse to provide information required by an officer in the exercise of the officer's powers or performance of the officer's duties or functions under the OHS provisions or the regulations;

(c) interfere with any monitoring equipment or device in a workplace placed or ordered to be placed there by the Board.
The employer violated a stop work order (section 90 or 91 of the Act) or stop use order (section 89 of the Act); or

Section 89 gives WorkSafeBC the authority to order equipment out of service. Section 90 gives WorkSafeBC the authority to order work to stop at all or part of a workplace. Section 91 gives WorkSafeBC the authority to order work to stop at multiple workplaces.

WorkSafeBC considers that the circumstances warrant a penalty.

B. Considering the Appropriateness of an OHS Penalty
When considering the appropriateness of an OHS Penalty, WorkSafeBC must consider the following factors:

The potential for serious injury, illness or death in the circumstances, based on the available information at the time of the violation;

The likelihood that the penalty will motivate the employer (specific deterrence) and other employers (general deterrence) to comply in the future, taking into account one or more of the following:

(a) the extent to which the employer was or should have been aware of the hazard,

(b) the extent to which the employer was or should have been aware that the Act or OHSR were being violated,

(c) the compliance history of the employer,

(d) the effectiveness of the employer's overall approach to managing health and safety, and

(e) whether other enforcement tools would be more appropriate;
Any other relevant circumstances.

Section 95(3) of the Act says that a penalty cannot be imposed if the employer establishes that the employer exercised due diligence.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	March 1, 2016
AUTHORITY:	Section 95(1) of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:	Sections 56 and 95(3) of the Act; Item P2-95-2 - High Risk Violations; Item P2-95-3 - Transfer of OHS History; Item P2-95-4 - Non-Exclusive Ways to Impose Financial Penalties; Item P2-95-9 - Due Diligence, of the Prevention Manual.
HISTORY:	November 24, 2022 – Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Amendment Act (No. 2), 2022 (Bill 41). April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. March 1, 2016 - Policy amended to revise the circumstances when WorkSafeBC will consider a penalty and the factors considered to determine whether a penalty is appropriate. May 27, 2015 - Housekeeping amendments to Background Section to reflect changes to the Act. September 15, 2010 - Housekeeping changes effective to delete practice reference and make formatting changes. October 29, 2003 - An example in the policy that referenced section 20.11 of the OHSR was deleted to reflect the repeal of that section. July 1, 2003 - A minor change was made to the second bullet of the policy, for congruency with then Items D12-196-3 and D12-196-6. March 3, 2003 - Consequential changes were subsequently made to the restatement of then section 196 to reflect the Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 2002 and to the Explanatory Notes, the restatement of then section 196 and the cross-references to reflect the Workers Compensation Amendment Act (No. 2), 2002. October 1, 1999 - This Item was originally developed to implement the Workers Compensation (Occupational Health and Safety) Amendment Act, 1998.
APPLICATION:	This policy applies to all violations occurring on and after March 1, 2016.

Policy Item P2-95-2
High Risk Violations

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes

Items P2-95-1, P2-95-5, and P2-95-10 require consideration of whether a violation involves high risk of serious injury, serious illness, or death ("high risk").

The Act states that OHS Penalties cannot be imposed if an employer establishes that it was duly diligent. Item P2-95-10 confirms that OHS Warning Letters cannot be issued if an employer was duly diligent. Policy P2-95-9 discusses due diligence.

This policy sets out how WorkSafeBC will categorize a violation as high risk. Violations may be classified as high risk in one of two ways:

A. Designated High Risk Violations

The first category are "designated high risk violations", ones that are automatically considered to be high risk because they regularly result in fatalities, serious injuries and serious illnesses. They generally give a worker little or no opportunity to avoid or minimize severe injury or death or occupational disease. The six items on the list are high risk violations.

B. High Risk Criteria

Many violations that are not on the list of designated high risk violations may also be high risk.

The policy sets out criteria to determine whether violations (other than designated high risk ones) are high risk.

POLICY

For ease of reference, in this policy "high risk" refers to high risk of serious injury, serious illness or death.

This policy sets out how high risk is determined for the policies regarding occupational health and safety related penalties and warning letters. Violations in the six circumstances on the list of Designated High Risk Violations (A) are high risk. Determining whether other violations are high risk will depend on the High Risk Criteria (B).

A. Designated High Risk Violations

Violations of the Act ("Act") or OHSR relating to the following circumstances are high risk:

Entry into an excavation over 1.2 m (4 feet) deep contrary to the requirements of the Regulation.
Work at over 3 m (10 feet) without an effective fall protection system.
Entry into a confined space without pre-entry testing and inspection to verify that the required precautions have been effective at controlling the identified hazards.
Causing work disturbing material containing asbestos, or potentially containing asbestos, to be performed without necessary precautions to protect workers.
Hand falling or bucking without necessary precautions to protect workers from the tree that is being felled or bucked, or other affected trees.
Explanatory note: OHS Guideline G-P2-95-2 includes examples of circumstances where this would apply.

Work in the vicinity of potentially combustible dust without the necessary precautions to protect workers.

B. High Risk Criteria

When violations have occurred in circumstances that are not listed in A above, WorkSafeBC will determine whether the circumstances are high risk in each case on the basis of the available evidence concerning:

the likelihood of an incident or exposure occurring; and
the likely seriousness of any injury or illness that could result if that incident or exposure occurs.
Explanatory note: OHS Guideline G-P2-95 provides a list of violations that are likely to be high risk when applying the high risk criteria. Even though a violation is on that list, it must still be analyzed using the High Risk Criteria (B) in this policy, since not every instance will be high risk.

PRACTICE
For practice information, please refer to OHS Guideline G-P2-95-2.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	December 1, 2014
AUTHORITY:	Section 95(1) of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:	P2-95-1 - Criteria for Imposing OHS Penalties; P2-95-5 - OHS Penalty Amounts; P2-95-10 - OHS Warning Letters, of the Prevention Manual.
HISTORY:	April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. May 27, 2015 - Housekeeping amendments to Background Section to reflect changes to the Workers Compensation Act. December 1, 2014 - Amended to create six designated high risk violations and revise the high risk criteria. September 15, 2010 - Housekeeping changes to delete practice reference and make formatting changes. July 1, 2003 - At number 7 of the policy, the term "snags" was removed, and replaced with "dangerous trees". October 1, 1999 - Item developed to implement the Workers Compensation (Occupational Health and Safety) Act.
APPLICATION:	Policy change effective December 1, 2014 applies to all violations occurring on or after December 1, 2014. Policy change effective July 1, 2003 applies to all orders, including orders imposing administrative penalties under then section 196, issued on or after July 1, 2003.

Policy Item P2-95-3
Transfer of OHS History

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes

This policy provides that when the experience rating of an employer is transferred to another firm, the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) history is also transferred.

POLICY
When a firm is sold or reorganized, WorkSafeBC may transfer that firm's experience rating to the successor firm (see AP5-247-3 of the Assessment Manual).

For OHS purposes, if WorkSafeBC transfers the experience rating to the successor firm, WorkSafeBC will treat the original firm's OHS history, including prior violations and penalties, as part of the successor firm's history.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	March 1, 2016
AUTHORITY:	Section 95(1) of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:	Item P2-95-1 - Criteria for Imposing OHS Penalties; Item P2-95-5 - OHS Penalty Amounts, of the Prevention Manual; Item AP5-247-3 - Transfer of Experience Rating Between Firms, of the Assessment Manual.
HISTORY:	April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. March 1, 2016 - Changes to update discussion of transferring OHS History and to remove references to location violations, now contained in Item P2-95-1. September 15, 2010 - Housekeeping changes to delete practice reference and make formatting changes. October 29, 2003 - An example referencing section 20.11 of the OHSR in the policy was deleted to reflect the repeal of that section. March 18, 2003 - References to policy items in the former Assessment Policy Manual were replaced with references to policy items in the Assessment Manual.
APPLICATION:	This policy applies to all violations occurring on and after March 1, 2016.

Policy Item P2-95-4
Non-Exclusive Ways to Impose Financial Penalties

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes

This policy sets out the non-exclusive ways in which the Board may impose financial penalties if an employer does not comply with the occupational health and safety requirements in the Act and regulations.

2. The Act

Section 251, in part:

(1) This section applies if

(a) an injury, death or disablement from occupational disease in respect of which compensation under Part 4 [Compensation to Injured Workers and Their Dependants] is payable occurs to a worker, and

(b) the Board considers that the injury, death or occupational disease was due substantially to

(i) the gross negligence of an employer,

(ii) the failure of an employer to adopt reasonable means for the prevention of injuries, deaths or occupational diseases, or

(iii) the failure of an employer to comply with the orders or directions of the Board, or with the regulations made under Part 2 [Occupational Health and Safety].

(2) The Board may levy on and collect from that employer as a contribution to the accident fund all or part of the amount of the compensation payable in respect of the injury, death or occupational disease, to a maximum of $68 562.89.

…

Section 56, in part:

If an employer fails, neglects or refuses to install or maintain first aid equipment or service required by regulation or order, the Board may do one or more of the following:

…

(b) impose a special rate of assessment under Part 5 [Accident Fund and Employer Assessment];

…

Section 95(1):

The Board may, by order, impose on an employer an administrative penalty under this section if the Board is satisfied on a balance of probabilities that any of the following circumstances apply:

(a) the employer has failed to take sufficient precautions for the prevention of work-related injuries or illnesses;

(b) the employer has not complied with an OHS provision, the regulations or an applicable order;

(c) the employer's workplace or working conditions are unsafe.

POLICY
The Board has authority under the Act to:

impose an administrative penalty under section 95(1),
levy and collect a contribution from an employer under section 251(2), and
impose a special rate of assessment under section 56(b).

EFFECTIVE DATE:	March 24, 2010
AUTHORITY:	Sections 56(b), 95(1), and 251(2) of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:	Item P2-17-1 - Assignment of Board Authority; Item P2-95-1 - Criteria for Imposing OHS Penalties; Item P2-251-1 - Claim Cost Levies.
HISTORY:	April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. May 27, 2015 - Housekeeping amendments to Background Section to reflect changes to the Act. This policy incorporates portions of, and replaces, Policy No. 1.4.2 "Penalty Assessments and Levies" of the former Prevention Division Policy and Procedure Manual. March 24, 2010 - Amended to delete the reference to the Vice-President, Prevention Division, make minor wording changes and add a cross-reference to Policy P2-17-1 which had been amended to address authority over claims cost levies.
APPLICATION:

Policy Item P2-95-5
OHS Penalty Amounts

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes

WorkSafeBC may impose an administrative penalty ("OHS Penalty") on an employer for failure to comply with the OHS provisions of the Act and the OHSR, and under certain other conditions. Policy P2-95-1 and related policies identify when WorkSafeBC will consider an OHS Penalty. Section 95(3) provides that WorkSafeBC must not impose an administrative penalty where the employer establishes that it exercised due diligence.

Section 95(2) sets out the maximum OHS Penalty, which is currently $783,068.26. This maximum is adjusted under section 333 of the Act on January 1 of each year.

The Act does not specify how to calculate the amount of an OHS Penalty. This policy sets out how to calculate these amounts.

2. The Act

Section 95(2):

An administrative penalty under this section must not be greater than $783,068.26.

POLICY
This policy determines the amounts of administrative penalties, referred to as OHS Penalties.

1. Payroll Used
For the purposes of this policy, the penalty payroll will ordinarily be determined as set out in (a) below. Item (b) below identifies circumstances in which WorkSafeBC will use less than the total payroll of the employer to determine the penalty payroll. The penalty payroll is used in Item 2(a) below as part of the calculation to determine the basic amount of the penalty.

(a) Penalty Payroll Calculation

(i) The penalty payroll is

(A) the assessable payroll for the full calendar year immediately preceding the year in which the incident giving rise to the penalty occurred; or

(B) WorkSafeBC's estimate of a value for the employer's assessable payroll for a full calendar year, based on the best information available at the time the penalty is imposed, if the preceding year's assessable payroll is:

(1) non-existent or unknown,

(2) not available due to the employer's use of a deposit account,

(3) based on less than a full calendar year, or

(4) a WorkSafeBC estimate of payroll.

The estimate must not be less than any estimate made previously by WorkSafeBC of the employer's assessable payroll for the calendar year. For certainty, any estimate cannot result in a penalty below the minimum amount.

(b) Multiple Fixed Locations and Divisional Registration

An employer may be divisionally registered (Item AP5-245-1), have one or more fixed locations or have one or more classification units (AP5-244-2). Divisions or classification units may themselves have multiple fixed locations.

Where a firm has more than one permanent location or is divisionally registered (AP5-245-1), WorkSafeBC will determine the penalty payroll based on the lowest applicable amount of the following where the violation occurred:

(i) fixed location,

(ii) division, or

(iii) classification unit,

if the employer promptly provides:

(i) the necessary payroll information for that location, classification or division to WorkSafeBC (signed by a professional accountant, the President or a senior manager of the employer) and cooperates in any audit that WorkSafeBC considers necessary; and

(ii) sufficient evidence to establish that, at the time of the violation, the employer was doing all of the following at the applicable location, classification or divisional level:

(A) effectively communicating with all locations regarding health and safety concerns,

(B) providing adequate training to managers and others who implement site health and safety programs,

(D) providing local management with sufficient resources for health and safety.

2. Calculating the basic amount of the penalty

The basic amount of an OHS penalty will be determined using the penalty payroll calculation in (a) and, as applicable, applying (b) multipliers or (c) variation factors or both.

(a) Calculation based on penalty payroll
WorkSafeBC will multiply the penalty payroll by 0.5%, with a minimum amount of $1,250 and a maximum of half of the statutory maximum.

(b) Multipliers

If any of the circumstances on which the penalty is based:

(i) are high risk (item 1 in P2-95-1, defined in P2-95-2)

(ii) are intentional (item 3 in P2-95-1)

(iii) involve section 79 obstruction (item 5 of P2-95-1)

(iv) involve section 73 (item 4 of P2-95-1)

(v) involve breaching a stop work or stop use order (item 6 of P2-95-1)

Multiply the amount from (a) by 2 for each one that applies and add the results together.

For example, if circumstances (i), (ii) and (v) all apply, WorkSafeBC will multiply the amount in (a) by 6.

(c) Variation factors
This policy is designed to ensure that employers of similar size generally receive similar penalty amounts in similar cases. In exceptional circumstances only, the resulting amount after having applied (a) and any applicable multiplier(s) in (b) may be reduced or increased by up to 30%. Circumstances that are adequately addressed by other parts of this policy are not exceptional circumstances.

3. Repeat penalties

(a) An OHS Penalty will be imposed as a "repeat penalty" where: there is a prior similar penalty.

(b) A prior similar penalty is any previous penalty which:

(i) is for a violation that is the same as, or substantially similar to, one or more of the violation(s) that has initiated the penalty for which the amount is being calculated;

(ii) the violations occurred within 3 years of one another; and

(iii) at least 14 days prior to the date of the violation giving rise to the penalty for which the amount is being calculated, WorkSafeBC

(A) had imposed a penalty for the same or substantially similar violation referenced in (i), or

(B) provided notice to the employer that a penalty was being considered for the same or substantially similar violation referenced in (i),

(d) WorkSafeBC may provide notice under paragraph (b)(iii)(B) verbally or in writing, in person, by telephone, by mail, fax, email or other method.

4. Calculating the amount of a repeat penalty

(a) Where there are one or more prior similar penalties, WorkSafeBC will calculate the amount of a "repeat penalty" as follows:

(i) Calculate the basic amount of the penalty using Item 2 of this Policy.

(ii) Multiply the basic amount by 2ⁿ, where n is the number of prior similar penalties. For example, an OHS Penalty with a basic amount of $1,250 with three prior similar penalties (2³) would be: $1,250 x (2x2x2) = $10,000.

The following table further illustrates the repeat penalty calculations:

Number of Prior Similar Penalties	*Multiply the basic amount* by:**
1	2
2	4
3	8
4	16
More than 4	Continue to use 2ⁿ

(iii) Where there are at least two prior similar penalties and the employer's response to previous violations causes WorkSafeBC to believe that a higher level of motivation is required, WorkSafeBC may multiply the result of (ii) by 2.

5. Recovery of potential or actual financial benefits obtained from non-compliance

WorkSafeBC may make a reasonable estimate of the amount of any potential or actual financial benefit, such as cost saving or profit, obtained by the employer from committing the violation and add that amount to the penalty amount determined above. That amount forms part of the administrative penalty.

Potential financial benefits include those that would have occurred if the violation had not been discovered.

WorkSafeBC may consider adding these amounts when the penalty amount is insufficient to motivate the employer in light of the potential or actual financial benefits of non-compliance.

These amounts form part of the penalty and the total remains subject to the statutory maximum.

6. Discretionary Penalties

In some cases, where the circumstances warrant, WorkSafeBC may impose a discretionary penalty, which is a larger penalty than one calculated based on payroll. Unlike payroll based penalties, discretionary penalty amounts focus on reflecting the gravity of the circumstances and the need to motivate the employer and other employers to comply.

WorkSafeBC may impose a discretionary penalty up to the statutory maximum where:

(i) the employer has committed a high risk violation (defined in P2-95-2);

(ii) the employer committed the violation intentionally or with reckless disregard;

(iii) a worker has died or suffered serious permanent impairment as a result of the violation; and

(iv) the President or delegate(s) have granted authorization to impose a discretionary penalty.

A document signed by the President or delegate will be sufficient evidence that authorization was granted.

A discretionary penalty that is less than the penalty based on payroll may not be imposed.

Review Division or WCAT may vary the amount of a discretionary penalty or substitute a payroll based penalty in the review or appeal process.

Review Division may impose a discretionary penalty on review if the above conditions are met, but the approval of the President or delegate under item (iv) is not required.

7. Statutory maximum

WorkSafeBC will not impose an individual OHS penalty greater than the statutory maximum in effect at the time of the violation giving rise to the penalty.

8. Multiple Penalties

Ordinarily WorkSafeBC will impose only one penalty for violations arising out of the same incident or inspection. However, WorkSafeBC may impose separate penalties for distinct violations arising in the same circumstances as other violations that will result in a penalty. The criteria in Item P2-95-1 would apply to each.

PRACTICE
1. Examples of Penalty Multipliers
The following are examples of the penalty payroll calculation from Item 2(a) and the application of multipliers from Item 2(b). This table is for reference only. All amounts will be calculated according to the Policy.

Penalty Payroll	Calculation from Item 2(a)	Number of applicable circumstances from Item 2(b)
Penalty Payroll	Calculation from Item 2(a)	One	Two	Three
Up to $250,000	$1,250	$2,500	$5,000	$7,500
$500,000	$2,500	$5,000	$10,000	$15,000
$1,000,000	$5,000	$10,000	$20,000	$30,000
$2,500,000	$12,500	$25,000	$50,000	$75,000
$5,000,000	$25,000	$50,000	$100,000	$150,000
$10,000,000	$50,000	$100,000	$200,000	$300,000
$20,000,000	$100,000	$200,000	$400,000	$600,000
$30,000,000	$150,000	$300,000	$600,000	Stat Max
$40,000,000	$200,000	$400,000	Stat Max
$50,000,000	$250,000	$500,000	Stat Max
$63,741,560 or more	$391,534.13 (half statutory max)	Stat Max ($783,068.26)

2. Examples of Application of the Repeat Penalty Provisions

Example 1: You are calculating the penalty to be imposed for a violation that occurred less than 14 days after another similar violation that also resulted in a penalty. The employer has no other prior penalties for the same violation.

Calculate the basic amount of the penalty in accordance with Item 2 of this policy. After applying Item 3 of this policy, you determine that the current penalty is not a "repeat penalty". The penalty will therefore be imposed based on the table amount with variation plus any amounts added under Item 5 of this policy.

Example 2: You are calculating the penalty to be imposed for a violation that occurred less than 14 days after another similar violation that also resulted in a penalty. The employer has one other prior penalty for the same violation for which more than 14 days' notice was given before the current violation.

Calculate the basic amount of the penalty in accordance with Item 2 of this policy. After applying Item 3 of this policy, you determine that the current penalty is a "repeat penalty". There are two prior similar penalties; however, only one meets the requirements to be considered as a "prior similar penalty". Using Item 4, you determine that one prior similar penalty will result in the amount that you calculated for the penalty being multiplied by two.

Example 3: You are calculating the penalty to be imposed for a violation. The employer has three other prior penalties for the same violation for which more than 14 days' notice was given before the current violation.

Calculate the basic amount of the penalty in accordance with Item 2 of this policy. After applying Item 3 of this policy, you determine that the current penalty is a "repeat penalty". The three prior penalties each meet the requirements to be considered as a "prior similar penalty". Using Item 4, the basic amount will be successively doubled (multiplied by two) for each of the three prior similar penalties, resulting in a penalty of eight times the basic amount. For example, if the basic amount were $2,500, the resulting penalty would be $20,000.

The following table provides examples of the repeat penalty calculations from item 4. The table is for reference only. All amounts will be calculated according to the Policy.

Penalty Payroll	Calculation from Item 2 with no multipliers and no variation	Number of prior similar penalties
Penalty Payroll		One (2x)	Two (4x)	Three (8x)
Up to $250,000	$1,250	$2,500	$5,000	$10,000
$500,000	$2,500	$5,000	$10,000	$20,000
$1,000,000	$5,000	$10,000	$20,000	$40,000
$2,500,000	$12,500	$25,000	$50,000	$100,000
$5,000,000	$25,000	$50,000	$100,000	$200,000
$10,000,000	$50,000	$100,000	$200,000	$400,000
$20,000,000	$100,000	$200,000	$400,000	Stat Max
$30,000,000	$150,000	$300,000	$600,000	Stat Max
$40,000,000	$200,000	$400,000	Stat Max
$50,000,000	$250,000	$500,000	Stat Max
$63,741,560 or more	$391,534.13 (half statutory max)	Stat Max ($783,068.26)

EFFECTIVE DATE:	July 4, 2017
AUTHORITY:	Section 95(2) of the Act
CROSS REFERENCES:	Item P2-95-1 - Criteria for Imposing OHS Penalties; Item P2-95-3 - Transfer of OHS History; Item P2-95-9 - Due Diligence, of the Prevention Manual.
HISTORY:	April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. October 18, 2017 - The application statement was revised to clarify that the July 4, 2017 amendments do not apply to violations occurring before March 1, 2016 which have resulted in administrative penalties. Violations occurring before March 1, 2016 will still be considered as part of an employer's compliance history for the purposes of determining a repeat penalty amount. July 4, 2017 Amendments- to provide clarification on how to calculate a repeat penalty. April 15, 2016 - Housekeeping amendment to provide additional practice information regarding calculation of repeat penalty amounts. March 1, 2016 - Amendments including changes to penalty amount calculations, discretionary penalties, cost savings and profits and repeat penalties. September 15, 2010 - Housekeeping changes effective to correct paragraph reference in Item 4(4) and make formatting changes. January 2, 2010 - A change was made to (a) Item 1 to correct a typographical error in the Category A penalty table, and (b) Item 4 so that an administrative penalty will be imposed as a "repeat penalty" where: (i) it is for a violation that is the same as, or substantially similar to, a prior violation for which a penalty has been imposed; (ii) the violations occurred within 3 years of one another; and (iii) at least 14 days prior to the date of the violation giving rise to the repeat penalty, WorkSafeBC (1) had imposed a penalty for the prior violation, or (2) provided notice of a potential penalty for the prior violation. The amendments made effective January 2, 2010 applied to all penalties where a penalty was imposed on or after the effective date of the changes. Transitional provisions applied to penalties within the appeal period, before Review Division or before WCAT on the effective date. Transitional Provision for Repeat Penalty Calculation: Penalties within the appeal period or under review or appeal on the effective date of the policy change will be subject to the policy in effect when originally imposed, with the additional requirement that a prior penalty will only be used to increase the amount of a repeat penalty, if at least 14 days prior to the date of the violation giving rise to the repeat penalty, WorkSafeBC (a) had imposed a penalty for the prior violation, or (b) provided notice of a potential penalty for the prior violation. March 25, 2009 - A change was made to base the penalty calculation on the employer's assessable payroll for the full calendar year immediately preceding the year in which the incident that gave rise to the penalty occurred. March 25, 2009 - A change was made to allow WorkSafeBC to estimate payroll in certain situations. The amendments made effective March 25, 2009 applied to all decisions, including appellate decisions, made on or after the effective date of the changes. October 29, 2003 - An example referencing section 20.11 of the OHSR in the policy was deleted to reflect the repeal of that section. July 1, 2003 - A minor change was made at number four of the policy, to correct the reference of section 20.22 to section 20.11 of the OHSR. March 3, 2003 - Consequential changes were subsequently made throughout the Item to implement the Workers Compensation Amendment Act (No. 2), 2002. September 15, 2000 - This Item was originally developed to implement the Workers Compensation (Occupational Health and Safety) Amendment Act, 1998.
APPLICATION:	This policy applies to all administrative penalty decisions for violations occurring on or after March 1, 2016. This policy also applies to all appellate decisions made on or after July 4, 2017 with respect to violations occurring on or after March 1, 2016.

Policy Item P2-95-6
OHS Penalties & Claims Costs Levies – Effect of Application for Stay at Review Division

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes

This policy addresses administrative penalties imposed pursuant to section 95 of the Act and claims cost levies imposed pursuant to section 251(1) of the Act.

An administrative penalty or claims cost levy must be paid unless a stay is granted by the Chief Review Officer of the Review Division, or the Workers' Compensation Appeal Tribunal.

This policy sets out limits on collection while the decision on an application for a stay is pending at Review Division.

2. The Act

Section 108:

(1) If a person fails to pay an amount owed to the Board under the OHS provisions, the Board may,

(a) if the person is an employer, direct that the amount be levied on the employer by way of an assessment, and

(b) in any case, issue a certificate for the amount owed and file that certificate in the Supreme Court.

(2) An assessment under subsection (1)(a) is deemed to be an assessment under Part 5 [Accident Fund and Employer Assessment] and may be levied and collected under and in accordance with that Part.

(3) A certificate filed under subsection (1)(b) has the same effect, and all proceedings may be taken on it by the Board, as if it were a judgment of the court for the recovery of a debt of the amount stated in the certificate against the person named in it.

Section 270, in part:

(1) A request for a review must be filed as follows:

…

(b) if a time period shorter than 90 days is prescribed by regulation of the Lieutenant Governor in Council with respect to the type of decision or order to be reviewed, within the shorter time period.

(2) The chief review officer may extend the time to file a request for a review, including making an extension after the time to file has expired, if this is done on application and the chief review officer is satisfied that

(a) special circumstances existed that preclude or precluded the filing of a request for a review within the applicable time period required by subsection (1), and

(b) an injustice would otherwise result.

(3) The filing of a request for a review under this section does not operate as a stay or suspend the operation of the decision or order under review unless, on application, the chief review officer orders otherwise.

Section 294

Unless the appeal tribunal orders otherwise, the filing of a notice of appeal under section 292 does not operate as a stay or affect the operation of the decision or order under appeal.

3. The Time Period Review Regulation

Section 2:

For the purposes of section 270(1) [shorter time period for requesting review] of the Act, the prescribed time period is 45 days for a review of the following:

(a) a Board decision referred to in section 268(1)(c) [occupational health and safety matters] of the Act;

(b) a Board decision referred to in section 268(1)(a) [decisions in relation to employer obligations] of the Act respecting a payment under sectio 251 [levy of contribution from specific employer] of the Act.

POLICY
If an employer has applied to the Chief Review Officer for a stay under section 270(3) relating to an administrative penalty or claims cost levy, WorkSafeBC will not collect the administrative penalty or claims cost levy by assessment, or take any additional steps to collect by garnishment, or writ of seizure and sale until the Chief Review Officer has decided the application or the review is concluded, whichever occurs first.

This does not apply to a stay request on a request for review filed after the time to file has expired unless the Chief Review Officer grants an application under section 270(2) to extend the time to file a request for review.

PRACTICE
This policy allows WorkSafeBC to register a certificate with the Court and register the debt against an employer's land while a stay request is pending. This would generally only occur when WorkSafeBC identifies a significant risk of loss.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	March 1, 2013
AUTHORITY:	Section 95(5) of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:	Sections 108(1), 270(3), and 294 of the Act.
HISTORY:	April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. September 15, 2015 - Housekeeping changes to reflect that, as of that date, a request for review of a WorkSafeBC decision or order on an occupational health and safety or claims cost levy matter must be submitted to the Review Division within 45 days of the date the decision or order was made. March 1, 2013 - Amended to specify the court proceedings affected by an application for a stay, to include claims cost levies and to address late requests for review. September 15, 2010- Housekeeping changes to delete practice reference and make formatting changes. March 3, 2003 - Consequential changes subsequently made to the statement of the Act and to the POLICY statement to reflect the Workers Compensation Amendment Act (No. 2) 2002. October 1, 1999 - Item developed to implement the Workers Compensation (Occupational Health and Safety) Amendment Act, 1998.
APPLICATION:	This policy applies to all applications for stay requests of penalties or claims cost levies made to Review Division on or after the effective date. For stay requests on penalties made before the effective date, the policy in effect at that time applies, with two modifications to provide that the limits on collection: - will end when the Chief Review Officer has decided the application, or the review is concluded, whichever occurs first, and - will not apply to a stay request on a request for review filed after the time to file has expired unless the Chief Review Officer grants an application under then section 96.2(4) to extend the time to file a request for review.

Policy Item P2-95-7
Administrative Penalties – Payment of Interest on Successful Appeal

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes

Section 95(6) requires the payment of interest where an administrative penalty is reduced or cancelled on appeal.

2. The Act

Section 95(6):

If an administrative penalty under this section is reduced or cancelled by a Board decision, on a review requested under section 270 or on an appeal to the appeal tribunal under Part 7, the Board must

(a) refund the required amount to the employer, and

(b) pay interest on that amount calculated in accordance with the policies of the board of directors.

POLICY
The policies governing the payment of interest are set out in policy in Item AP5-243-1 of the Assessment Manual.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	March 3, 2003
AUTHORITY:	Section 95(6) of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:
HISTORY:	April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. May 27, 2015 - Housekeeping amendments to Background Section to reflect changes to the Act. September 15, 2010 - Housekeeping changes to delete practice reference and make formatting changes. March 3, 2003 - Consequential changes subsequently made to the Explanatory Notes and to the restatement of then section 196(6) to reflect the Workers Compensation Amendment Act (No. 2), 2002. October 1, 1999 - Item developed to implement the Workers Compensation (Occupational Health and Safety) Amendment Act, 1998.
APPLICATION:

Policy Item P2-95-8
Administrative Penalties – Prosecution Following Penalty

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes

An employer may either be required to pay an administrative penalty in respect of a violation or prosecuted under the Act for the violation, but not both.

2. The Act

Section 95(7):

If an administrative penalty under this section is imposed on an employer, the employer must not be prosecuted under this Act in respect of the same facts and circumstances on which the Board based the administrative penalty.

POLICY
Once a prosecution under the Act has been commenced against an employer in respect of a violation, the Board will not impose an administrative penalty. A prosecution is "commenced" for this purpose, when an information is laid pursuant to the Offence Act.

An administrative penalty will not be imposed even if the prosecution does not proceed or is unsuccessful.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	March 3, 2003
AUTHORITY:	Section 95(7) of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:
HISTORY:	April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. May 27, 2015 - Housekeeping amendments to Background Section to reflect changes to the Act. September 15, 2010 - Housekeeping changes to delete practice reference and make formatting changes. March 3, 2003 - Consequential changes subsequently made throughout the Item to reflect the Workers Compensation Amendment Act (No. 2), 2002. October 1, 1999 - Item developed to implement the Workers Compensation (Occupational Health and Safety) Amendment Act, 1998.
APPLICATION:

Policy Item P2-95-9
OHS Penalties – Due Diligence

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes

The Board is authorized to impose administrative penalties on employers for failure to comply with the OHS provisions of the Act and the OHS regulations, and under certain other conditions. Section 95(3) provides that an administrative penalty under this section must not be imposed if the employer establishes that it exercised due diligence to prevent the failure, non-compliance or conditions to which the penalty relates.

2. The Act

Section 95(3):

An administrative penalty under this section must not be imposed on an employer if the employer establishes that the employer exercised due diligence to prevent the circumstances described in subsection (1).

POLICY
The Board will consider that the employer exercised due diligence if the evidence shows on a balance of probabilities that the employer took all reasonable care. This involves consideration of what a reasonable person would have done in the circumstances. Due diligence will be found if the employer reasonably believed in a mistaken set of facts which, if true, would render the act or omission innocent, or if the employer took all reasonable steps to avoid the particular event.

In determining whether the employer has exercised due diligence under section 95(3), all the circumstances of the case must be considered.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	March 3, 2003
AUTHORITY:	Section 95(3) of the Act. "Due diligence" is defined at common law by the courts. The standard set out in the POLICY section reflects the leading Supreme Court of Canada case - R. v. Sault Ste. Marie [1978] 85 DLR (3rd) 161. The requirements of the "due diligence" defence are open to re-interpretation by the courts. They may, therefore, be changed in future. Were this to happen, changes would be required to the Board's POLICY as well.
CROSS REFERENCES:	Item P2-23-1, General Duties - Supervisors; Item P2-24-1, General Duties - Multiple - Employer Workplaces; Item P2-25-1, General Duties - Owners; Item P2-27-1, General Duties - Directors and Officers of a Corporation; Item P2-29/30-1, General Duties - Overlapping Obligations; Item P2-95-1, Criteria for Imposing OHS Penalties, of the Prevention Manual.
HISTORY:	April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. May 27, 2015 - Housekeeping amendments to Background Section to reflect changes to the Act. September 15, 2010 - Housekeeping changes to delete practice reference and make formatting changes. March 3, 2003 - Consequential changes subsequently made to various parts of the Item to reflect the Workers Compensation Amendment Act (No. 2), 2002. October 1, 1999 - Item developed to implement the Workers Compensation (Occupational Health and Safety) Amendment Act, 1998.
APPLICATION:	This policy applies to all decisions to impose administrative penalties on and after March 3, 2003.

Policy Item P2-95-10
Occupational Health and Safety ("OHS") Penalty Warning Letters

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes

As an alternative to imposing an administrative penalty, the Board (operating as WorkSafeBC) may send the employer a letter warning that further similar violations of the Act or Regulation could result in an administrative penalty.

Both administrative penalties and warning letters are tools intended to motivate employers to comply with the Act and Regulation.

WorkSafeBC may send warning letters when the grounds for considering an administrative penalty are met and an employer has failed to exercise due diligence.

This policy provides factors for considering the appropriateness of a warning letter. A key factor is the likelihood that the warning letter will be sufficient to motivate the employer to comply in the future. Another is the potential for serious injury, illness, or death in the circumstances.

There is no requirement that a warning letter be sent prior to imposing a penalty.

The policy notes that ordinarily more than one warning letter will not be issued for the same or similar violations. This is because a warning letter is to motivate an employer to comply and non-compliance of a same or similar type suggests that a warning letter was not effective to do so. Similarly, a warning letter would not generally be appropriate for the same or similar violations following a penalty or prosecution. In both circumstances, WorkSafeBC would need to consider what other enforcement tools would be effective to motivate compliance.

2. The Act

Section 95(1):

The Board may, by order, impose on an employer an administrative penalty under this section if the Board is satisfied on a balance of probabilities that any of the following circumstances apply:

(a) the employer has failed to take sufficient precautions for the prevention of work-related injuries or illnesses;

(b) the employer has not complied with an OHS provision, the regulations or an applicable order;

(c) the employer's workplace or working conditions are unsafe.

Section 17(1)

In accordance with the purposes of the OHS provisions, the Board has the mandate to be concerned with occupational health and safety generally, and with the maintenance of reasonable standards for the protection of the health and safety of workers in British Columbia and the occupational environment in which they work.

Section 17(2), in part:

In carrying out its mandate, the Board has the following duties, functions and powers:

…

(d) to ensure that persons concerned with the purposes of the OHS provisions are provided with information and advice relating to the Board's administration and to occupational health and safety and occupational environment generally;

…

Section 82:

If an officer makes a written report to an employer relating to an inspection, whether or not the report includes an order, the employer must promptly

(a) post the report at the workplace to which it relates, and

(b) give a copy of the report to the joint committee or worker health and safety representative, as applicable.

POLICY
WorkSafeBC may send a warning letter when any of the criteria in Item P2-95-1 for considering an administrative penalty have been met, and an employer has failed to exercise due diligence.

The applicable criteria from Item P2-95-1 are as follows:

The violation resulted in a high risk of serious injury, serious illness or death;

Item P2-95-2 sets out how to determine whether violations are high risk.

The employer previously violated the same, or substantially similar, sections of the Act or OHSR (repeat violations) or the violation involves failure to comply with a previous order within a reasonable time;

WorkSafeBC will generally consider violations at different fixed locations of a multi-site employer together to determine whether there have been repeat violations. However if a violation is a location violation, WorkSafeBC will only consider violations at that location to determine whether it qualifies as a repeat violation.

A location violation is a violation by an employer with multiple fixed locations who, at the time of the violation, was doing all of the following:
(a) effectively communicating with all locations regarding health and safety concerns;

(b) providing adequate training to managers and others who implement site health and safety programs;

(c) making local management accountable for health and safety; and

(d) providing local management with sufficient resources for health and safety.

Item P2-95-3 sets out how prior violations are treated following sale or re-organization of a firm.
The employer intentionally committed the violation;

The employer violated section 73 of the Act;

Section 73 provides:

(1) An employer or supervisor must not, by agreement, threat, promise, inducement, persuasion or any other means, seek to discourage, impede or dissuade a worker of the employer, or a dependant of the worker, from reporting any of the following to the Board:

(a) an injury or allegation of injury, whether or not the injury occurred or is compensable under the compensation provisions;

(b) an illness, whether or not the illness exists or is an occupational disease compensable under the compensation provisions;

(c) a death, whether or not the death is compensable under the compensation provisions;

(d) a hazardous condition or allegation of a hazardous condition in any work to which the OHS provisions apply.

(2) An employer or supervisor must not, by agreement, threat, promise, inducement, persuasion or any other means, seek to discourage, impede or dissuade a worker of the employer, or a dependant of the worker, from

(a) making or maintaining an application for compensation under the compensation provisions, or

(b) receiving compensation under the compensation provisions.
The employer violated section 79 of the Act;

Section 79 provides:

(1) A person must provide all reasonable means in that person's power to facilitate an inspection under the OHS provisions.

(2) A person must not do any of the following:

(a) hinder, obstruct, molest or interfere with, or attempt to hinder, obstruct, molest or interfere with, an officer in the exercise of a power or the performance of a duty or function under the OHS provisions or the regulations;

(b) knowingly provide an officer with false information, or neglect or refuse to provide information required by an officer in the exercise of the officer's powers or performance of the officer's duties or functions under the OHS provisions or the regulations;

(c) interfere with any monitoring equipment or device in a workplace placed or ordered to be placed there by the Board.
The employer violated a stop work order (section 90 or 91 of the Act) or stop use order (section 89 of the Act); or

Section 89 gives WorkSafeBC the authority to order equipment out of service. Section 90 gives WorkSafeBC the authority to order work to stop at all or part of a workplace. Section 91 gives WorkSafeBC the authority to order work to stop at multiple workplaces.

WorkSafeBC considers that the circumstances warrant a penalty.

When considering the appropriateness of a warning letter, some of the factors WorkSafeBC may consider are:

(a) the potential for serious injury, illness or death in the circumstances; and

(b) the likelihood that a warning letter will be sufficient to motivate the employer to comply in the future, taking into account:

(i) the extent to which the employer was or should have been aware of the hazard;

(ii) the extent to which the employer was or should have been aware that the Act or regulations were being violated;

(iii) the past compliance history of the employer; and

(iv) the effectiveness of the employer's overall program for compliance.

WorkSafeBC will, where practicable, send a copy of the letter to any union representing workers at the workplace.

WorkSafeBC will not ordinarily issue:

(a) more than one warning letter to an employer for the same or similar violations; or

(b) a warning letter to an employer that has received a penalty or has been prosecuted for the same or similar violations.

The issuance of a warning letter for a violation does not limit WorkSafeBC's ability to pursue administrative penalties, prosecution or other enforcement or compliance action for subsequent violations.

This policy relates solely to warning letters and does not affect or limit WorkSafeBC's ability to pursue administrative penalties, prosecution or other enforcement or compliance action.

PRACTICE
WorkSafeBC will advise the employer of the obligation to provide a copy of the warning letter to the joint committee and the obligation to post the warning letter in the workplace.

In the event that all the orders underlying a warning letter are cancelled, WorkSafeBC will code the warning letter as withdrawn, or the equivalent, in its systems.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	May 1, 2013
AUTHORITY:	Sections 17(1), 17(2)(d), and 95(1) of the Act
CROSS REFERENCES:	Section 82 of the Act; Item P2-95-1, Criteria for Imposing OHS Penalties of the Prevention Manual.
HISTORY:	November 24, 2022 – Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Amendment Act (No. 2), 2022 (Bill 41). April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. March 1, 2016 - Housekeeping amendments to reflect changes to the Criteria for Imposing OHS Penalties (then Item D12-196-1) effective March 1, 2016 and formatting changes. May 27, 2015 - Housekeeping amendments to Background Section to reflect changes to the Act. May 1, 2013 - Policy amended to: (a) clarify the criteria to issue an OHS warning letter; (b) treat violations following a warning letter consistently with those following orders or penalties; (c) confirm that WorkSafeBC will not ordinarily issue a warning letter to an employer after a prior warning letter, penalty, or prosecution for the same violation; and (d) remove the requirement to mail a warning letter to the joint committee or worker representative. September 15, 2010 - Housekeeping changes to delete practice reference and make formatting changes. March 3, 2003 - Consequential changes subsequently made to various parts of the Item to reflect the Workers Compensation Amendment Act (No. 2), 2002. October 1, 1999 - Item developed to implement the Workers Compensation (Occupational Health and Safety) Amendment Act, 1998.
APPLICATION:

Policy Item P2-96-1
Orders – Cancellation and Suspension of Certificates

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes

Section 96(1) sets out circumstances in which the Board may cancel or suspend a certificate, or place conditions upon the use of a certificate issued under the OHS provisions of the Act or a provision of the OHS regulations.

2. The Act

Section 96:

(1) If the Board has reasonable grounds for believing that a person who holds a certificate issued under the OHS provisions or the regulations has breached a term or condition of the certificate or has otherwise contravened an OHS provision or a provision of the regulations, the Board may, by order,

(a) cancel or suspend the certificate, or

(b) place a condition on the use of that certificate that the Board considers necessary in the circumstances.

(2) An order under this section suspending a certificate must specify the length of time that the suspension is in effect or the condition that must be met before the suspension is no longer in effect.

POLICY
Section 96 applies to certificates issued by the Board to qualify persons to do a particular job, including:

certificates issued to first aid attendants and instructors under section 55;
certificates issued to blasters and instructors under section 59; and
any similar certificate issued by the Board under the OHS provisions of the Act or the OHS regulations.

The section also applies to such certificates issued on behalf of the Board by another person, such as a training agency, under an arrangement with the Board.

(a) First Aid Certificates

A first aid certificate issued to a first aid attendant may be suspended, cancelled or have conditions placed upon its use where the first aid attendant engages in inappropriate conduct, including:

smoking while assessing or treating an injured worker and/or while handling oxygen therapy equipment, or permitting others to do so;
failure to use the assessment and injury treatment techniques outlined in first aid training courses unless conditions precluded them;
conduct that poses an unreasonable threat to the safety and well-being of other workers or the public;
removing themselves from being able to see or hear any summons for first aid at a workplace;
abandonment of an injured worker after beginning assessment or treatment;
refusal to treat an injured worker when acting as a designated first aid attendant; or
treating or transporting an injured worker while impaired or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	March 30, 2004
AUTHORITY:	Section 96 of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:	Sections 55 and 59 of the Act.
HISTORY:	April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. September 15, 2010 - Housekeeping changes to delete practice reference and make formatting changes. March 30, 2004 - Policy revised to incorporate the parts of Policy No. 80.27 of the former Prevention Division Policy and Procedure Manual relating to circumstances when the WCB may suspend, cancel or place conditions on the certificate of a first aid attendant. October 1, 1999 - Item developed to implement the Workers Compensation (Occupational Health and Safety) Amendment Act, 1998.
APPLICATION:	This policy applies to events occurring on or after March 30, 2004 that leads to the consideration of a suspension, cancellation or placement of a condition on certificates issued under then Part 3 of the Act, or the regulations.

Policy Item P2-97-1
OHS Injunctions

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes

Section 97 of the Act provides that the Board (operating as WorkSafeBC) can apply to the Supreme Court of British Columbia (the "Court") for an injunction to: (a) restrain a person, including a corporation, from committing a violation; (b) require a person to comply with the Act, OHSR or an order; and (c) restrain a person from carrying on an industry, or an activity in an industry for an indefinite or limited period or until the occurrence of a specified event.

When WorkSafeBC applies to the Court for an injunction, a judge will decide whether or not to grant it.

If a person fails to comply with an injunction and is found to be in contempt of court, they may face a fine, jail sentence or other terms imposed by the Court.

2. The Act

Section 97:

(1) On application of the Board and on being satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to believe that a person

(a) has contravened or is likely to contravene the OHS provisions, the regulations or an order, or

(b) has failed to comply with, or is likely to fail to comply with the OHS provisions, the regulations or an order,

the Supreme Court may grant an injunction,

(c) in the case of paragraph (a), restraining the person from continuing or committing the contravention,

(d) in the case of paragraph (b), requiring the person to comply, and

(e) in the case of paragraph (a) or (b), restraining the person from carrying on an industry, or an activity in an industry, within the scope of the compensation provisions for an indefinite or limited period or until the occurrence of a specified event.

(2) If subsection (1)(e) applies and the person referred to in that provision is a company or corporation, an injunction under that provision may be made restraining the following persons:

(a) an individual who is a member of the board of directors of a company as a result of having been elected or appointed to that position;

(b) a person who is a member of the board of directors or other governing body of a corporation other than a company, regardless of the title by which that person is designated;

(c) the chair or any vice chair of the board of directors or other governing body of a corporation, if that chair or vice chair performs the functions of the office on a full-time basis, regardless of the title by which that person is designated;

(d) the president of a corporation, regardless of the title by which that person is designated;

(e) any vice president in charge of a principal business unit of a corporation, including sales, finance or production, regardless of the title by which that person is designated;

(f) any officer of a corporation, whether or not the officer is also a director of the corporation, who performs a policy-making function in respect of the corporation and who has the capacity to influence the direction of the corporation, regardless of the title by which that person is designated;

(g) a person who is not described in any of paragraphs (a) to (f) of this subsection but who performs the functions described in any of those paragraphs, and who participates in the management of a company or corporation, other than a person who

(i) participates in the management of the company or corporation under the direction or control of a shareholder or a person described in any of paragraphs (a) to (f),

(ii) is a lawyer, accountant or other professional whose primary participation in the management of the company or corporation is the provision of professional services to the corporation,

(iii) is, if the company or corporation is bankrupt, a trustee in bankruptcy who participates in the management of the company or corporation or exercises control over its property, rights and interests primarily for the purposes of the administration of the bankrupt's estate, or

(iv) is a receiver, receiver manager or creditor who participates in the management of the company or corporation or exercises control over any of its property, rights and interests primarily for the purposes of enforcing a debt obligation of the company or corporation.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2), "company" and "corporation" have the same meaning as in the Business Corporations Act.

(4) An injunction under subsection (1) may be granted without notice to others if it is necessary to do so in order to protect the health or safety of workers.

(5) A contravention of the OHS provisions, the regulations or an order may be restrained under subsection (1) whether or not a penalty or other remedy has been provided by the OHS provisions.

POLICY
An injunction is a tool to achieve compliance with an order or an obligation under the Act or OHSR.

WorkSafeBC may use an injunction at the same time as other tools such as an administrative penalty or prosecution.

The following are some of the circumstances in which WorkSafeBC may consider an injunction:

(a) failure to comply with a stop work order issued under section 90 or 91 of the Act,

*Explanatory Note: A stop work order, shutting down all or part of a workplace is issued in circumstances, when, among other things there is a risk of serious injury, serious illness, or death to a worker.

(b) failure to comply with an order to stop using or stop supplying unsafe equipment under section 89 of the Act,

*Explanatory Note: A stop use order provides that an item not be used or supplied if WorkSafeBC has reasonable grounds to believe that it is not in safe operating condition or is non-compliant.

(d) repeated violation of the same, or similar, section of the Act or OHSR.

This does not limit WorkSafeBC's ability to pursue an injunction in other circumstances.

An injunction is an exceptional remedy to seek. WorkSafeBC may consider the following factors in determining the necessity and appropriateness of pursuing an injunction:

(a) the level of risk that might result from further non-compliance,

*Explanatory Note: If non-compliance is exposing workers to a significant risk, this supports the use of an injunction. If the risk is very low, an injunction might not be appropriate, subject to consideration of items (b) and (c) below.

(b) the impact of the non-compliance on WorkSafeBC's ability to carry out its health and safety mandate, and

*Explanatory Note: In some cases, the risk may be low or unknown but non-compliance may make it difficult or impossible for WorkSafeBC to carry out its mandate. For example, if WorkSafeBC is repeatedly refused entry to a workplace, an injunction may be necessary to ensure that WorkSafeBC can inspect that workplace.

*Explanatory Note: This involves considering what tools, such as orders and penalties, would be effective to achieve compliance as well as looking at the effectiveness of the tools already used.

In some cases, follow up by WorkSafeBC may be sufficient to obtain compliance. An administrative penalty or prosecution, or the prospect of either may also be sufficient to do so. In most cases of non-compliance with an order, WorkSafeBC will likely use tools other than an OHS Injunction to obtain compliance.

Enforcement tools have their limitations, however. Administrative penalties can be imposed very quickly in urgent circumstances but apply only to employers. This may provide little deterrence to the principal of a corporation with minimal assets. Prosecutions can be used for both employers and workers but are slower due to the inherent time requirements of the process.

Injunctions have the advantage of timeliness and broad application. If necessary, an injunction can be obtained quickly and can apply both to individuals and to corporations. The injunction itself and the need to appear before the court may result in a higher level of compliance than from a Board order alone. A further advantage is that non-compliance with an injunction (contempt of court) can be dealt with fairly quickly and can result in significant consequences, including fines or jail.

* The explanatory notes are to provide additional explanation of the factors but are not themselves policy.

PRACTICE
The President's Delegation of Authority states the authority to approve injunction applications is delegated to WorkSafeBC's Head of Law and Policy. WorkSafeBC lawyers apply to the Court for the injunction. The Court then decides whether to grant an injunction.

Applications Without Notice

WorkSafeBC's normal practice is to provide notice whenever possible before the application is made.

Although the Act states that injunction applications may be made without notice, this will be done rarely and generally only in circumstances of extraordinary urgency. Court decisions state that there must be a very significant reason to proceed without notice to the other party.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	December 1, 2011
AUTHORITY:	Section 97 of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:	Sections 21(1)(b), 89, 90 and 91 of the Act Section 2.4 of the OHSR.
HISTORY:	September 1, 2021 - Practice Section updated to reflect delegation of authority to WorkSafeBC's Head of Law and Policy. October 21, 2020 - Housekeeping amendments to the Explanatory Notes and Act portion of the Background section to reflect amendments to the Act by the Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 2020 (Bill 23 of 2020), in effect August 14, 2020. April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. May 27, 2015 - Housekeeping amendments to Background Section effective to reflect changes to the Act. Policy in effect December 1, 2011.
APPLICATION:	This policy is applicable to all decisions to pursue an injunction made after the effective date.

Policies Workers Compensation Act - Miscellaneous Provisions Relating to Other Parts of the Act

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Certain provisions from other parts of the Workers Compensation Act have occupational health and safety implications.

Policy Item P1-4-1
Imposition of Levies - Independent Operators

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes
In directing that the compensation provisions apply to independent operators, the Board may specify the applicable health and safety obligations.

2. The Act
Section 4(2), in part:

The Board may direct that the compensation provisions apply on the terms specified in the Board's direction to

(a) an independent operator who is neither an employer nor a worker as if the independent operator were a worker ….

POLICY
If an independent operator to whom the compensation provisions apply under section 4(2) violates the occupational health and safety obligations set out in the Board's direction, the Board may levy an administrative penalty against the independent operator.

Where appropriate, the Board will apply the policies and practices set out in the following Items to an administrative penalty levied against an independent operator to whom the compensation provisions of the Act apply under Section 4(2):

P2-95-1, -2, -3, -5;
P2-95-7; and
P2-95-9, -10.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	March 3, 2003
AUTHORITY:	Section 4(2) of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:
HISTORY:	April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. September 15, 2010 - Housekeeping changes to remove reference to then Item D16-223-1, delete practice reference and make formatting changes. March 3, 2003 - Consequential changes subsequently made to the policy statement to reflect the Workers Compensation Amendment Act (No. 2), 2002. October 1, 1999 - Item developed to implement the Workers Compensation (Occupational Health and Safety) Amendment Act, 1998.
APPLICATION:

Policy Item P5-251-1
Claims Cost Levies

BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes
Section 251 authorizes WorkSafeBC to charge claims costs to the employer in certain circumstances. The maximum amount WorkSafeBC may levy is adjusted annually in accordance with the Consumer Price Index under section 333 of the Act. Starting January 1, 2024, the maximum amount is $68,562.89.

2. The Act
Section 251:

(1) This section applies if

(a) an injury, death or disablement from occupational disease in respect of which compensation under Part 4 [Compensation to Injured Workers and Their Dependants] is payable occurs to a worker, and

(b) the Board considers that the injury, death or occupational disease was due substantially to

(i) the gross negligence of an employer,

(ii) the failure of an employer to adopt reasonable means for the prevention of injuries, deaths or occupational diseases, or

(iii) the failure of an employer to comply with the orders or directions of the Board, or with the regulations made under Part 2 [Occupational Health and Safety].

(2) The Board may levy on and collect from that employer as a contribution to the accident fund all or part of the amount of the compensation payable in respect of the injury, death or occupational disease, to a maximum of $68 562.89.

(3) The payment of an amount levied under this section may be enforced in the same manner as the payment of an assessment may be enforced.

POLICY
This section may be applied if:

(a) a worker dies, is seriously injured, or is disabled from occupational disease;

(b) this is substantially due to

(i) the gross negligence of an employer,

(ii) the failure of an employer to adopt reasonable means for the prevention of injuries, deaths or occupational diseases, or

(iii) the failure of an employer to comply with the orders or directions of WorkSafeBC, or with the OHSR;

(d) the employer has failed to establish that the employer exercised due diligence.

WorkSafeBC has discretion as to the amount charged under section 251(1) up to the maximum amount. A decision to charge claim costs may include the cost of future amounts of compensation that may be incurred after the decision if those future costs result from matters currently under consideration by WorkSafeBC, the Review Division or the Workers' Compensation Appeal Tribunal.

EFFECTIVE DATE:	March 1, 2016
AUTHORITY:	Section 251(1) of the Act.
CROSS REFERENCES:	Item P2-68-1, Major Release of Hazardous Substance; Item P2-95-1 - Criteria for Imposing OHS Penalties, of the Prevention Manual.;
HISTORY:	April 6, 2020 - Housekeeping changes consequential to implementing the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1. March 1, 2016 - Changes to the criteria for a claims cost levy. September 15, 2010 - Housekeeping changes to remove reference to then Item D16-223-1, update maximum claims cost levy amount, replace Worker and Employer Services Division with the Board, delete practice reference and make formatting changes. July 1, 2008 - Item developed to align prevention policy with then section 251(1) of the Act so that the Board's discretion as to the amount of the claim cost levy is not fettered. This change applied to all decisions, including appellate decisions, to charge claim costs on and after July 1, 2008. March 3, 2003 - Consequential changes subsequently made to the policy statement to reflect the Workers Compensation Amendment Act (No. 2), 2002. December 31, 2003 - A consequential change was made to include a reference to then Item D12-196-4 and the maximum amount referenced in then section 251(1) was updated. October 1, 1999 - Item developed to implement the Workers Compensation (Occupational Health and Safety) Amendment Act, 1998.
APPLICATION:	This policy applies to all violations occurring on and after March 1, 2016.

This section:

Disclaimer: The Workers' Compensation Board of B.C. (WorkSafeBC) publishes the online versions of the Workers Compensation Act (Act) and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (Regulation) in accordance with its mandate under the Act to provide information and promote public awareness of occupational health and safety matters. The online Act and Regulation are not the official versions, which may be purchased from Crown Publications. WorkSafeBC endeavours to update the online Act and Regulation as soon as possible following any legislative amendments. However, WorkSafeBC does not warrant the accuracy or the completeness of the online Act or Regulation, and neither WorkSafeBC nor its board of directors, employees or agents shall be liable to any person for any loss or damage of any nature, whether arising out of negligence or otherwise, arising from the use of the online versions. Employers are legally obligated to make a copy of the Workers Compensation Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation readily available for review by workers. The circumstances under which WorkSafeBC may consider an employer's providing access to electronic versions of the Act and Regulation to have satisfied this obligation are described in OHS guideline G-P2-21(2)(f).

Contents

Part 1 – Scope of Act

Division 2 – Scope of OHS Provisions

Part 2 – Occupational Health and Safety

Division 1 – Interpretation and Purposes

Division 2 – Board Mandate

Division 3 – Board Jurisdiction

Division 4 – General Duties of Employers, Workers and Others

Division 5 – Joint Committees and Worker Representatives

Division 6 – Worker Protection in Relation to Prohibited Actions

Division 8.1 – Licensing in Relation to Asbestos Abatement

Division 9 – Variance Orders

Division 10 – Employer Accident Reporting, Investigation and Related Prohibitions

Division 12 – Enforcement

Miscellaneous Provisions Relating to Other Parts of the Act

Policies Workers Compensation Act Part 1 Division 2 - Scope of OHS Provisions

Policy Item P1-2-1 Application of the OHS Provisions of the Act - Where Jurisdictional Limits Exist

Policies Workers Compensation Act Part 2 Division 1 - Interpretation and Purposes

Policy Item P2-14-1 Application of the Act and Policies

Policies Workers Compensation Act Part 2 Division 2 - Board Mandate

Policy Item P2-17-1 Assignment of Board Authority

Policy Item P2-17-2 Board Approval

Policy Item P2-17-3 Certificate of Recognition Program

Policies Workers Compensation Act Part 2 Division 3 - Board Jurisdiction

Policy Item P2-20-1 Varying or Cancelling Previous Decisions or Orders

Policies Workers Compensation Act Part 2 Division 4 - General Duties of Employers, Workers and Others

Policy Item P2-21-1 Employer Duty Towards Other Workers

Policy Item P2-21-2 Employer Duties - Workplace Bullying and Harassment

Policy Item P2-21-3 Employer Duties - Wood Dust Mitigation and Control

Policy Item P2-22-1 Worker Duties - Workplace Bullying and Harassment

Policy Item P2-22-2 Worker Duties - Wood Dust Mitigation and Control

Policy Item P2-23-1 General Duties - Supervisors

Policy Item P2-23-2 Supervisor Duties - Workplace Bullying and Harassment

Policy Item P2-23-3 Supervisor Duties - Wood Dust Mitigation and Control

Policy Item P2-24-1 General Duties - Multiple-Employer Workplaces

Policy Item P2-25-1 General Duties - Owners

Policy Item P2-27-1 General Duties - Directors and Officers of a Corporation

Policy Item P2-29/30-1 General Duties - Overlapping Obligations

Policies Workers Compensation Act Part 2 Division 5 - Joint Committees and Worker Representatives

Policy Item P2-31-1 Joint Committees - When a Committee is Required

Policy Item P2-38/39-1 Joint Committees - Procedures and Resolving Disagreements

Policy Item P2-40-1 Joint Committees - Time Off Work

Policy Item P2-41-1 Joint Committees - Educational Leave

Policy Item P2-45-1 Joint Committees - Worker Health and Safety Representative

Policy Item P2-46-1 Joint Committees - Participation of Worker Representative in Inspections

Policies Workers Compensation Act Part 2 Division 6 - Worker Protection in Relation to Prohibited Actions

Policy Item P2-47/48/49-1 Prohibited Actions/Failure to Pay Wages - Scope

Policy Item P2-50-1 Prohibited Actions/Failure to Pay Wages - Investigation of Complaint

Policy Item P2-50-2 Prohibited Actions/Failure to Pay Wages - Remedies

Policies Workers Compensation Act Part 2 Division 8.1 - Licensing in Relation to Asbestos Abatement

Policy Item P2-59.03-1 Asbestos Abatement Licensing

Policies Workers Compensation Act Part 2 Division 9 - Variance Orders

Policy Item P2-62-1 Variance Orders - Information Required

Policy Item P2-64-1 Variance Orders - Consultation on Application

Policies Workers Compensation Act Part 2 Division 10 - Employer Accident Reporting and Investigation

Policy Item P2-68-1 Major Release of Hazardous Substance

Policy Item: P2-71-1 Preliminary Incident Investigation, Report and Follow-Up Action

Policy Item P2-72-1 Full Incident Investigation, Report and Follow-Up Action

Policies Workers Compensation Act Part 2 Division 12 - Enforcement

Policy Item P2-83-1 OHS Compliance Agreements

Policy Item P2-84-1 OHS Compliance Orders

Policy Item P2-85-1 Orders - Other General Matters

Policy Item P2-90/91/92-1 Stop Work Orders

Policy Item P2-94-1 OHS Citations

Policy Item P2-95-1 Criteria for Imposing OHS Penalties

Policy Item P2-95-2 High Risk Violations

Policy Item P2-95-3 Transfer of OHS History

Policy Item P2-95-4 Non-Exclusive Ways to Impose Financial Penalties

Policy Item P2-95-5 OHS Penalty Amounts

Policy Item P2-95-6 OHS Penalties & Claims Costs Levies – Effect of Application for Stay at Review Division

Policy Item P2-95-7 Administrative Penalties – Payment of Interest on Successful Appeal

Policy Item P2-95-8 Administrative Penalties – Prosecution Following Penalty

Policy Item P2-95-9 OHS Penalties – Due Diligence

Policy Item P2-95-10 Occupational Health and Safety ("OHS") Penalty Warning Letters

Policy Item P2-96-1 Orders – Cancellation and Suspension of Certificates

Policy Item P2-97-1 OHS Injunctions

Policies Workers Compensation Act - Miscellaneous Provisions Relating to Other Parts of the Act

Policy Item P1-4-1 Imposition of Levies - Independent Operators

Policy Item P5-251-1 Claims Cost Levies

Policy Item P1-2-1
Application of the OHS Provisions of the Act - Where Jurisdictional Limits Exist

Policy Item P2-14-1
Application of the Act and Policies

Policy Item P2-17-1
Assignment of Board Authority

Policy Item P2-17-2
Board Approval

Policy Item P2-17-3
Certificate of Recognition Program

Policy Item P2-20-1
Varying or Cancelling Previous Decisions or Orders

Policy Item P2-21-1
Employer Duty Towards Other Workers

Policy Item P2-21-2
Employer Duties - Workplace Bullying and Harassment

Policy Item P2-21-3
Employer Duties - Wood Dust Mitigation and Control

Policy Item P2-22-1
Worker Duties - Workplace Bullying and Harassment

Policy Item P2-22-2
Worker Duties - Wood Dust Mitigation and Control

Policy Item P2-23-1
General Duties - Supervisors

Policy Item P2-23-2
Supervisor Duties - Workplace Bullying and Harassment

Policy Item P2-23-3
Supervisor Duties - Wood Dust Mitigation and Control

Policy Item P2-24-1
General Duties - Multiple-Employer Workplaces

Policy Item P2-25-1
General Duties - Owners

Policy Item P2-27-1
General Duties - Directors and Officers of a Corporation

Policy Item P2-29/30-1
General Duties - Overlapping Obligations

Policy Item P2-31-1
Joint Committees - When a Committee is Required

Policy Item P2-38/39-1
Joint Committees - Procedures and Resolving Disagreements

Policy Item P2-40-1
Joint Committees - Time Off Work

Policy Item P2-41-1
Joint Committees - Educational Leave

Policy Item P2-45-1
Joint Committees - Worker Health and Safety Representative

Policy Item P2-46-1
Joint Committees - Participation of Worker Representative in Inspections

Policy Item P2-47/48/49-1
Prohibited Actions/Failure to Pay Wages - Scope

Policy Item P2-50-1
Prohibited Actions/Failure to Pay Wages - Investigation of Complaint

Policy Item P2-50-2
Prohibited Actions/Failure to Pay Wages - Remedies

Policy Item P2-59.03-1
Asbestos Abatement Licensing

Policy Item P2-62-1
Variance Orders - Information Required

Policy Item P2-64-1
Variance Orders - Consultation on Application

Policy Item P2-68-1
Major Release of Hazardous Substance

Policy Item: P2-71-1
Preliminary Incident Investigation, Report and Follow-Up Action

Policy Item P2-72-1
Full Incident Investigation, Report and Follow-Up Action

Policy Item P2-83-1
OHS Compliance Agreements

Policy Item P2-84-1
OHS Compliance Orders

Policy Item P2-85-1
Orders - Other General Matters

Policy Item P2-90/91/92-1
Stop Work Orders

Policy Item P2-94-1
OHS Citations

Policy Item P2-95-1
Criteria for Imposing OHS Penalties

Policy Item P2-95-2
High Risk Violations

Policy Item P2-95-3
Transfer of OHS History

Policy Item P2-95-4
Non-Exclusive Ways to Impose Financial Penalties

Policy Item P2-95-5
OHS Penalty Amounts

Policy Item P2-95-6
OHS Penalties & Claims Costs Levies – Effect of Application for Stay at Review Division

Policy Item P2-95-7
Administrative Penalties – Payment of Interest on Successful Appeal

Policy Item P2-95-8
Administrative Penalties – Prosecution Following Penalty

Policy Item P2-95-9
OHS Penalties – Due Diligence

Policy Item P2-95-10
Occupational Health and Safety ("OHS") Penalty Warning Letters

Policy Item P2-96-1
Orders – Cancellation and Suspension of Certificates

Policy Item P2-97-1
OHS Injunctions

Policy Item P1-4-1
Imposition of Levies - Independent Operators

Policy Item P5-251-1
Claims Cost Levies