Health and safety in British Columbia

Legislation

Workers Compensation Act

The Workers Compensation Act is legislated by the Provincial government and provides the legal foundation for the activities of WorkSafeBC.  The occupational health and safety provisions of the Act include:

• General duties of employers, workers, and others
• Joint Committees or Worker Representatives
• Employer accident reporting and investigation
• Board inspections, investigations, and inquiries.

Occupational Health and Safety Regulation

The Act provides the legal framework for the Regulation – supplementary law developed by WorkSafeBC in consultation with industry stakeholders. The Regulation includes:

• Core requirements
• General hazard requirements
• Industry-specific requirements

All employers, regardless of size, must comply with the core requirements, which provide for the general conditions of health and safety in EVERY workplace.

WorkSafeBC

WorkSafeBC is the Provincial regulator who enforces the Workers Compensation Act and oversees the no-fault insurance system for BC workplaces. WorkSafeBC provides insurance coverage for workplace injuries and illnesses.

Their mandate is:

• To promote the prevention of workplace injury, illness, and disease
• Rehabilitate those who are injured on the job and provide a timely return to work
• Provide compensation to replace lost wages for workers recovering from injury
• Ensure sound financial management of the worker’s compensation system in BC.

Manufacturing Safety Alliance of BC

The Manufacturing Safety Alliance of BC is the health and safety association for manufacturers and food processors in British Columbia. We provide confidential health and safety advice, training, and services through our team of health and safety experts and specialists.

The Alliance offers training, tools, resources, and professional advisory service to support BC businesses through:

• Professional advisory services through in-person visits, phone or email consultation, or virtual meetings.
• Specialized services in:
  • Ergonomics
  • Machine guarding
  • Confined space
  • Combustible dust
  • Air quality
  • Noise hazards
  • Critical incident response management

Our vision is to partner with BC’s industry leaders to achieve cultural change that ensures safe workplaces for all employees.

Other health and safety agencies

Other health and safety agencies in BC that support manufacturing and food processing include:

• Technical Safety BC
• Employers’ Advisers Office and Workers’ Advisers Office
• Workers’ Compensation Appeal Tribunal

Learn more about these organizations in the online course: Small Employer Fundamentals