Province amends legislation to apply to every workplace in the province, reduce number of falling accidents
Prince Edward Island is ending the exemption for small employers — defined as those with less than three employees — and farms when it comes to complying with occupational health and safety legislation.
Amendments to the province’s Occupational Health and Safety Act Regulations extend the act to apply to all workplaces across the province.
“The Occupational Health and Safety Act Regulations will now ensure greater protection for workers and employers in regard to workplace health and safety standards,” said Elmer MacFadyen, Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs. “The amended regulations are a key factor in the continued development of a workplace health and safety culture on Prince Edward Island. We look forward, through these initiatives and in co-operation with workers and employers, to creating environments where serious workplace injuries are a thing of the past.”
Phase-in period for farms
The province is phasing in the changes for farms over a two-year period.
“This phase-in period allows Workers Compensation Board staff to work with the farming community to increase awareness about the new requirements,” the province said in a news release.
Fall protection update
Jim Lee, chair of the province’s Workers Compensation Board, said the amended regulations also include important updates to fall protection.
“As such, the WCB will be offering education sessions for stakeholders on the fall protection amendments in early 2005,” said Lee. “The regulations have been amended to provide a level of fall protection that meets current industry standards and expectations when working both in and out of the province. Last year in P.E.I. there were 94 falls from elevations. It is important that workers, employers and WCB work together to eliminate these preventable accidents.”
Amendments to the province’s Occupational Health and Safety Act Regulations extend the act to apply to all workplaces across the province.
“The Occupational Health and Safety Act Regulations will now ensure greater protection for workers and employers in regard to workplace health and safety standards,” said Elmer MacFadyen, Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs. “The amended regulations are a key factor in the continued development of a workplace health and safety culture on Prince Edward Island. We look forward, through these initiatives and in co-operation with workers and employers, to creating environments where serious workplace injuries are a thing of the past.”
Phase-in period for farms
The province is phasing in the changes for farms over a two-year period.
“This phase-in period allows Workers Compensation Board staff to work with the farming community to increase awareness about the new requirements,” the province said in a news release.
Fall protection update
Jim Lee, chair of the province’s Workers Compensation Board, said the amended regulations also include important updates to fall protection.
“As such, the WCB will be offering education sessions for stakeholders on the fall protection amendments in early 2005,” said Lee. “The regulations have been amended to provide a level of fall protection that meets current industry standards and expectations when working both in and out of the province. Last year in P.E.I. there were 94 falls from elevations. It is important that workers, employers and WCB work together to eliminate these preventable accidents.”
