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Changes to OHS Regulation

Guideline Updates 2010

Many sections of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation and Workers Compensation Act (WCA) have associated guidelines. Guidelines are intended to assist with providing ways of complying with the legislation, not to provide exclusive interpretations. Guidelines generally provide information on administrative matters and on technical matters not already addressed by policy.

Periodically, guidelines are updated and new ones added. The following list shows the new and updated guidelines for 2010.

June 10, 2010

Occupational Health & Safety Regulation

Part 14 Cranes and Hoists

G14.71 Mobile crane and boom truck annual inspections
[Issued February 1, 2008; Preliminary Revision June 10, 2010]

This guideline has been updated to more clearly describe the certification, inspection, and repair processes, and the qualifications of persons performing annual inspections of mobile cranes and boom trucks.

Part 21 Blasting Operations

G21.85(1)-1 Board acceptance of procedures for avalanche control
[Issued August 1999; Revised November 18, 2009; Preliminary Revision June 10, 2010]

This guideline has been revised to direct employers to the Certification Services department of WorkSafeBC with questions about the acceptance of work procedures under section 21.85.

Part 3 Rights and Responsibilities - First Aid

Assigned Hazard Rating List

The Assigned Hazard Rating List has been revised with four hazard ratings changed from "M" to "H" in the roofing industry. Recent revisions are highlighted in yellow for the 60-day consultation period.

April 27, 2010

Occupational Health & Safety Regulation

Part 5 Chemical Agents and Biological Agents

G5.71(3) Location and construction of dust collectors New Item
[Preliminary Issue April 27, 2010]

This guideline has been prepared in response to WorkSafeBC prevention officers' requests to provide guidance on the location and construction of dust collectors.

Part 10 De-energization and Lockout

G10.10(2) Approval of control system isolating devices
[Issued August 1999; Editorial Revision October 2004; Editorial Revision February 6, 2006; Preliminary Revision April 27, 2010]

This guideline has been updated to provide a clearer description of control system isolating devices, to clarify the approval process, and to remove a chart.

Part 20 Construction, Excavation and Demolition

G20.3-2 Qualified coordinators New Item
[Preliminary Issue April 27, 2010]

This guideline is intended to clarify that qualified coordinators under section 20.3 must possess relevant experience training and knowledge to their workplaces, and to confirm that, though formal training or trade qualifications are beneficial, what constitutes "qualified" under section 20.3 is not limited to specific designations, training, or qualifications.

Part 22 Underground Workings

G22.12 Underground supervisor's certificate New Item
[Preliminary Issue April 27, 2010]

This new guideline has been developed to explain the underground supervisor's certification requirements, when a variance is required, and the information required in the variance application.

April 1, 2010

Occupational Health & Safety Regulation

Part 3 Rights and Responsibilities

Assigned Hazard Rating List
The Assigned Hazard Rating List has been updated to add four new occupations/industries, as well as a change made to the roofing contractor's hazard rating from M to H.

Part 4 General Conditions

G4.13(3) Industrial high-angle rope rescue program
[Issued September 1999; Editorial Revision August 2004; Editorial Revision March 31, 2010]

The list of municipal fire/rescue departments with high angle rescue capability has been updated to expand the list of departments.

Part 6 Substance Specific Requirements

G6.70 Pesticides - Definitions
[Issued August 1, 1999; Preliminary Revision March 31, 2010 ]

This guideline has been updated to include the Health Canada Pest Management Regulatory Agency as an authority acceptable to WorkSfeBC. A reference to pesticide toxicity ratings in the newly revised Pesticides Applicator Manual is also included.

Part 13 Ladders, Scaffolds & Temporary Work Platforms

G13.28(2) Safe work procedure acceptable to the Board to prevent two-blocking in pile driving and similar applications New Item
[Preliminary Issue March 31, 2010]

This guideline has been developed to provide assistance for employers developing work procedures acceptable to the Board if it is not practicable to maintain a two-blocking prevention or warning device on a conventional lattice boom crane used for pile driving and similar applications.

March 31, 2010

Occupational Health & Safety Regulation

Part 4 General Conditions

G4.22.1-2 G4.22.1-2 Late night retail - Second worker or barrier
[Issued February 1, 2008; Editorial Revision February 21, 2008; Formerly Issued in G4.22.1 - Reissued as G4.22.1-2 September 9, 2008; Editorial Revision November 20, 2008; Editorial Revision August 1, 2009; Editorial Revision March 30, 2010]

60-day extension on barriers or two-persons working.

Bulletin - Late Night Retail Provisions Update (PDF 100 KB)
Details on updated phases of barrier or two-persons working requirement.

February 4, 2010

Workers Compensation Act

G-D1-108-8 Jurisdiction over marine operations
[Issued September 24, 2008; Preliminary Revision February 4, 2010]

This guideline has been revised to clarify jurisdiction over marine construction works and dredging operations.

Occupational Health & Safety Regulation

Part 5 Chemical Agents and Biological Agents

G5.48-12 Establishing exposure limits for certain refined hydrocarbon mixtures
[Issued July 1, 2009; Preliminary Revision February 4, 2010]

This guideline has been amended to correct a calculation error and to clarify the application of the procedure to hydrocarbon solvents.

Part 19 Electrical Safety

G19.36 Control Systems - General requirements
[Issued August 1999; Preliminary Revision February 4, 2010]

This guideline has been updated to better describe control systems.

Part 20 Construction, Excavation & Demolition

G20.3 Labour supply firms and construction employers - Responsibilities New Item
[Preliminary Issue February 4, 2010]

This new guideline provides information regarding construction labour supply firms and their role as employers of construction labourers. The guideline also discusses the occupational health and safety responsibilities of employers who use labour supplied by construction labour supply firms at their workplace, as well as how the requirements for a health and safety program apply to workplaces where workers of labour supply firms are present.

Guidelines Updates for Previous Years

2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002


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