Read it online at http://www2.worksafebc.com/enews/rap/120127/120127.htm

Small municipalities may benefit from the information in this recently released publication by WorkSafeBC and HortEducationBC, entitled “Health and Safety For Landscaping and Lawn Maintenance Companies” .

http://www.worksafebc.com/publications/health_and_safety/by_topic/assets/pdf/sb12.pdf

New Occupational Health and Safety Regulation amendments have been approved by the WorkSafeBC Board of Directors, and take effect February 1, 2012.  MANY of these changes will greatly impact your Safety Programs, and safe work procedures.  These include amendments to:

• Part 6, Substance-Specific Requirements – Asbestos-containing material definition (from 1% to 0.5%)
• Part 9, Confined Spaces – new requirements for qualified atmospheric tester
• Part 12, Tools, Machinery and Equipment – related to mobile chippers
• Part 15, Rigging – relating to wire rope splices
• Part 16, Mobile Equipment – relating to sitting on the back of a moving vehicle while removing traffic cones

Read it online at http://www2.worksafebc.com/enews/120112/120112.htm

Read it online at http://www2.worksafebc.com/enews/prd/111222/111222.htm

On November 3, the Provincial government introduced Bill 14 – Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 2011.  Included in the provisions of this Act were amendments to Section 5.1 (1) (a).
Under the provisions of the current Act, workers are entitled to compensation for mental stress where the mental stress is “an acute reaction to a sudden and unexpected traumatic event”.  In other words, what triggered the stress came from a single traumatic incident.

The proposed changes allow for claims for mental stress where the mental stress is “a reaction to (i) one or more traumatic events arising out of and in the course of the worker’s employment, or (ii) a significant work-related stressor, or a cumulative series of significant work-related stressors, arising out of and in the course of the worker’s employment”.  This change would significantly broaden when claims for mental stress would be paid.

Bill 14 was not called for Second Reading in the recently adjourned session of the legislature.  It is expected that the Bill will be called in the Spring session.  Employers who have concerns on this significant change have until then to get their concerns registered with the provincial government.

Read it online at http://www2.worksafebc.com/enews/regrev/111212/111212.htm

Read it online at  http://www2.worksafebc.com/enews/111212/111212.htm

Read it online at http://www2.worksafebc.com/enews/regrev/111130/111130.htm

Read it online at http://www2.worksafebc.com/enews/prd/111129/111129.htm