Another step was taken today to enable government and WorkSafeBC to finalize implementation of the recommendations by Gordon Macatee in his July 2014 WorkSafeBC Review and Action Plan.

Macatee was asked to develop the WorkSafeBC Action Plan in 2014 to improve worker safety in the province following the 2012 sawmill tragedies in Burns Lake and Prince George. All 43 action plan recommendations were accepted by government and WorkSafeBC last year.

On Feb. 11, 2015, Bill 9, the Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 2015 was introduced to strengthen WorkSafeBC’s ability to promote and enforce occupational health and safety compliance in B.C. workplaces.

The final sections of Bill 9 will come into force through an Order-in-Council (OIC) passed on Aug. 4, 2015. The OIC finalizes government’s commitment to implement the recommendations, building on a number of improvements made since the report’s release. These actions further strengthen WorkSafeBC’s ability to enforce occupational health and safety regulations and ensure a world-class inspection and enforcement regime.

The sections of Bill 9 being brought into force by OIC include:

• Establishing two new enforcement tools for WorkSafeBC:
  • a compliance agreement to help employers comply with workplace safety rules more quickly (effective Sept. 15, 2015); and
  • a new administrative penalty that can be issued on the spot like a ticket for employer contraventions of more minor safety regulations (WorkSafeBC will now develop the necessary regulations for this penalty that will come into effect at a later date after consultation).
• Creating two new positions with occupational health and safety and law enforcement expertise on the WorkSafeBC Board of Directors (effective Sept. 15, 2015).

In addition to bringing these sections into force, a new regulation reduces the time limit to request a review of a WorkSafeBC decision or order related to occupational health and safety matters and penalties from 90 to 45 days. Macatee’s Action Plan recommended a shorter time frame to enhance timeliness and effectiveness of penalties and occupational health and safety orders.

Significant progress has been made on the 43 recommendations. WorkSafeBC has implemented 29 of the recommendations under their responsibility and two more are in progress and on track.

Government’s recent amendments to the Workers Compensation Act, culminating with this OIC, pave the way for the remaining 12 recommendations to be completed. It’s expected the Macatee Action Plan will be fully implemented by early 2016.

The Babine Forest Products Inquest jury recommendations received July 31, 2015, will be reviewed and inform the efforts already underway across government to improve worker safety, including if necessary future changes to the Workers Compensation Act. These efforts will include the completed review of the jury recommendations from the Lakeland Mill Inquest (May 14, 2015). Government intends to report back in writing to the coroner on the work being done on all of the recommendations‎.

Quotes:

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training, and Minister Responsible for Labour –

“Workplace safety is a priority for our government. We want workers coming home to their families each and every day.”

“The Bill 9 amendments to the Workers Compensation Act mean that changes are being implemented that will improve workplace safety and ensure that WorkSafeBC has a world-class inspection and investigations regime. These legislative changes establish a balanced enforcement system that is fair to employers, but also treats seriously those offenders who utilize unsafe work practices.”

Gordon Macatee, WorkSafeBC special advisor –

“I am pleased that government has taken the steps necessary to fully implement the recommendations of the WorkSafeBC Review and Action Plan, whose central purpose has been to improve worker health and safety in British Columbia. I would extend my appreciation to government and WorkSafeBC, and to BC employers and workers, for their dedicated commitment and support in bringing about these important changes.”

Learn More:

WorkSafeBC Review and Action Plan Implementation Status Reports: www.worksafebc.com/publications/reports/ActionPlan/default.asp?_ga=1.216826271.882392865.1427212409

WorkSafeBC Review and Action Plan: www.labour.gov.bc.ca/pubs/pdf/WBC_Review_and_Action_Plan.pdf

New legislation improves worker safety: https://news.gov.bc.ca/stories/new-legislation-improves-worker-safety