Quick Links
- View CSA Standards referenced in OHS Regulation New!
- WorkSafeBC Store
- Library Services
- Workers Compensation Act
- Hazardous Products Act
- Quick Reference Guide: Hazardous Products Act
- Controlled Products Regulations
- Notice of Project
- Variances to the OHS Regulation
- Research
- Order printed copy of OHS Regulation from Crown Publications
Customer Centres
Guidelines Workers Compensation Act
Guidelines Workers Compensation Act Part 3 Division 4
G-D4-135-1 Joint committee course approval
Issued February 27, 2001; Revised March 25, 2005
Section 135(1) of the Workers Compensation Act states:
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.
A person who is new to the role of joint committee member, or to the role of worker health and safety representative, is likely to best meet their occupational health and safety training needs through introductory level courses such as the WorkSafe Joint Committee course developed by the Board. A joint committee member or a worker health and safety representative who already has had education, training and experience in health and safety programs and committee activity may or may not be able to meet their current training needs through WorkSafe offerings. In some instances, workplaces have training needs which are unique to their processes or situations. In these cases, joint committee education/training needs may best be addressed through courses developed and delivered by public or private sector providers.
The following sets out what is a course "conducted by or with the approval of the Board" under section 135 of the Workers Compensation Act.
1. WCB WorkSafe courses - WorkSafe courses have been developed by the Board and are therefore considered to be "Board approved." Each of the six one-day WorkSafe courses enables employers and workers to achieve different objectives. Partners registered with the WCB as WorkSafe providers include community colleges, other post-secondary education institutions and training agencies.
For information on WorkSafe courses visit the WCB website at http://www.worksafebc.com/news_room/courses/default.asp or call (604) 276-3090 or toll-free (from within BC) at 1-888-621-7233, extension 3334.
2. Other courses - Other occupational health and safety courses are acceptable if the employer follows a reasonable process of assessing the training needs of committee members and selecting appropriate training programs outside of the WorkSafe courses. Appropriate occupational health and safety training programs for committee members are related to the duties and the responsibilities of the committee. A reasonable process would include the steps set out in Policy Item D4-135-1 of the Prevention Manual. The selected training programs do not need to be referred to the Board for pre-approval; however, the Board reserves the right to deal with any disputes over the appropriateness of training and otherwise to monitor or inquire into the contents and conduct of training.
A list of education and training providers who provide B.C. occupational health and safety courses and teach WCB curriculum, as well as guidelines for choosing a training provider, is located at www2.worksafebc.com/PDFs/SafetyUpdates/training_providers.pdf.
Not all of the training providers on the list teach WorkSafe courses.
You can return to the Top of this page
Disclaimer: The Worker and Employer Services Division issues Guidelines to help with the application and interpretation of sections of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation and with divisions of the Workers Compensation Act that relate to health and safety. Guidelines are not intended to provide exclusive interpretations but to assist with compliance. WorkSafeBC ("Workers' Compensation Board of B.C.") does not warrant the accuracy or the completeness of the online version of the Guidelines and neither WorkSafeBC nor its board of directors, employees or agents shall be liable to any persons for any loss or damage of any nature, whether arising out of negligence or otherwise, which may be occasioned as a result of the use of the online version of the Guidelines.