Amendments to B.C.'s OHS Regulation • Firefighters, investigators exempt from asbestos regulation in Ontario • Prevention moving to MOL in Ontario • Amendments to Nova Scotia's OHS Act
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Amendments to OHS Regulation
British Columbia has made many amendments to its Occupational Health and Safety Regulation under the Workers’ Compensation Act. Amendments include:
•the definition of late night hours has been amended to accord with the Liquor Control and Licensing Regulation
•requirements respecting rope guardrails now must be used in accordance with written instructions from an engineer
•requirements relating to leg protection
•requirements relating to mobile equipment and mobile waste and recyclable materials collection are now required to have a visual or audio warning signal device meeting specified requirements.
ONTARIO
Firefighters, investigators exempt from asbestos regulation
As of Jan. 1, 2011, firefighters and fire investigators in Ontario are exempt from the requirements of Regulation 278 (Asbestos on Construction Projects and in Buildings and Repair Work). This exemption applies only when such persons are engaged in fire suppression, fire rescue and emergency services, or the investigation of the cause, origin and circumstances of a fire or explosion or condition that might have caused a fire, explosion, loss of life or damage to property.
Prevention moving to MOL
Following on the heels of the Expert Panel on Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) report, the Ontario Ministry of Labour (MOL) reported it is moving to amend the OHS Act and Workplace Safety and Insurance Act to implement the recommended move of prevention functions from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board to the MOL.
NOVA SCOTIA
Amendments to OHS Act
Amendments made to Nova Scotia’s Occupational Health and Safety Act are now enacted. For the most part, these are housekeeping changes updating references and processes relating to the advisory council. However, there are a few changes that are more substantive and do affect some workplaces, including:
•section 13(2) adding “representative” with regards to requirement for the employer to provide additional training as may be prescribed by regulations
•section 40(2) wording changed that allows an order, notice, document or other communication to be served or delivered electronically
•section 42(1) wording changed to ensure an employee’s personal privacy where there is testing of an occupational health and safety nature taking place
•section 48 repealed; officers will operate under the requirements of the Summary Proceedings Act with regards to investigations, search, seizure and removal of evidence
•section 67A (1)(2) and (3) clarifying that an appeal may relate to an order or a decision.
