October 2, 2008

Dear Stakeholder:

At its September 2008 meeting, WorkSafeBC's Board of Directors approved amendments to the following parts of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation:

• Parts 1 and 4, relating to avalanche assessment;
• Part 4, relating to environmental tobacco smoke;
• Part 5, relating to designation of substances;
• Part 14, Cranes and Hoists, relating to operator's duties;
• Part 17, relating to seating requirements and seat belts in vehicles used to transport workers;
• Parts 20 and 22, relating to fills, stockpiles and professional certifications; and
• Part 23, Oil and Gas, relating to snubbing operations, emergency escape systems, riding hoisting equipment, and miscellaneous items.

All amendments, except those relating to avalanche assessment in Part 4, will become effective on January 1, 2009.

The amendments relating to avalanche assessment in Part 4 will become effective on September 1, 2009, to avoid introducing changes in the middle of the winter season. Requirements for avalanche planners to sign off on active avalanche safety programs will become effective on September 1, 2011, to allow time for a sufficient number of avalanche planners to meet the training and experience criteria established by the Canadian Avalanche Association.

Strikethrough versions of the approved amendments, along with explanatory notes, and the related Board of Directors' Resolution, can be accessed via the link below. The transcripts from the oral public hearings and written submissions received during the public hearing process can also be accessed via this link.

Approved Amendments and Stakeholder Feedback

In light of feedback received during the public hearing process, the proposed amendments to Part 22, relating to accommodation of tunnel boring and cut and cover excavation methods, were withdrawn. Further consultation will be done with affected stakeholders.

Harmonization of the Liquor Control and Licensing Regulation/Working Alone or in Isolation

The Board of Directors has approved taking to the 2009 public hearing an adjustment to Part 4 relating to working alone or in isolation. The proposed adjustment to the Working Alone Regulation will harmonize it to the requirements of the Liquor Control and Licensing Regulation: Late night hours will be defined as being between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., rather than between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. With regard to the one-hour differential, the general duties of the law remain in effect as do the specific requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation that address violence prevention and safe work practices.

The following is a strikethrough version showing the proposed amendment to the definition of late night hours in section 4.22.1:

"late night hours" means any time between 10:00 p.m. 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.;

Sincerely,


Anne Burch,
Director, Prevention Policy and Regulation Review
Policy and Research Division
WorkSafeBC-WCB

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