B.C. tables anti-bullying legislation • B.C. Safety Authority issues safety order for electrical equipment in sawmills • Manitoba to have chief prevention officer •
BRITISH COLUMBIA
B.C. tables anti-bullying legislation
The government of British Columbia has tabled amendments to Bill 14, which will expand the definition of violence and require employers to have formal prevention plans. WorkSafeBC will immediately begin work on a policy on bullying and harassment and will include stakeholder consultation. The definition of violence will be expanded and will require employers to have formal prevention plans. WorkSafeBC will also develop a prevention toolkit for employers and workers. Through Bill 14, workers’ compensation will be expanded to include diagnosed mental disorders caused by significant work-related stressors, including bullying and harassment.
The B.C. employer community will play a leading role in preventing workplace bullying and harassment, by assisting in developing the toolkits and by sharing them with their members. This commitment comes from the Business Council of British Columbia, BC Chamber of Commerce, Independent Contractors and Businesses Association of B.C., the Employers Health and Safety Association and the Coalition of BC Businesses, according to the province. One aspect of Bill 14 provides broader compensation for work-related mental disorders. The amendments tabled address recommendations brought forth over the last few months by various stakeholders throughout the province.
They include: A new reference to bullying and harassment as a significant work-related stressor, a “predominant cause” test for mental disorders caused by significant work-related stressors, revised wording from “mental stress” to “mental disorder” and a requirement for a diagnosis to be from a psychiatrist or psychologist, rather than from a physician.
B.C. Safety Authority issues safety order for electrical equipment in sawmills
The B.C. Safety Authority (BCSA) has issued a safety order relating to regulated electrical equipment for sawmills in British Columbia. The order requires sawmills to verify they have valid operating permits in place, that proper maintenance procedures are being carried out, and that incidents are being reported as per existing BCSA directives. This measure is precautionary and part of the BCSA’s ongoing investigation into the recent explosions and resulting fires at two BC sawmills that resulted in fatalities and serious injuries to workers. This safety order supports a directive order issued by WorkSafeBC. While the safety order is specific to owners and operators of sawmills around electrical equipment, other regulated technologies are also still under investigation at Babine Forest Products, including propane and natural gas. The BCSA is not yet prepared to rule out propane or natural gas as either an ignition or fuel source at Babine while the investigation is ongoing, the organization said. The investigation related to the Babine incident is currently in the analysis phase. In both the Babine Forest Products and Lakeland Mills investigation, WorkSafe BC has taken the lead on site control and incident investigation. The full text of the order can be found at www.safetyauthority.ca
